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"YOU!"
"My name is not 'YOU,' Khrap. I am Sun, or Athit. But Sun is better. All call me that. Yet if Phîi desires distinction, call me Sunny. I don't mind," Sun said.
"Âi..."
Within the restaurant with an ambiance suited for the first Rahad welcoming, almost every gaze turned snap to the young man of attractive visage, shouting with a strong voice. His face flushed red with ire, fists clenched as if wanting to strike another's countenance, and with Nai Dranphat's head as surety... surely the face of the Âi-who-named-himself Sunny.
"Do you seek another blow?" Not merely words, Phîi Ryu, the attractive Phîi (to Nai Athit), rolled up his student uniform sleeve, his attractive face poised as if to tread upon the chest of the Nong in front of him and crush it, until one mixing spirits, seated prior, raised a hand to halt.
"Ho, Ryu, why threaten the Nong? Come, he is but mildly annoying," said Phim.
"Mildly, curse it!" The halting words of the tall, broad young man with dark hue caused Ryu to gnash his teeth, wanting to leap upon the annoying young man. Yet, out of respect for the Rahad uncle, he slumped to his seat, though his eyes almost slew the annoying young man in the restaurant.
I forsook the Rahad welcoming to avoid that face! How did he come here?
The thoughts of the irked Ryu, who refused to meet the gaze of the attractive Nong, whose eyes seemed to mock something, his mouth lauding and blessing unto Sunny's very forebears, almost prompted Ryu to rise and berate his junior.
Dear could only muster a dry smile at this demeanor. He wished to intervene, yet had he the power, he would have halted Sun when he proposed joining the spirits. If one recounts some fifteen minutes prior...
As the cheer team meeting concluded, his close friend voiced curses against that Phîi wák, sparing no praise, so incensed on Dear's behalf that Dear could only claim he was unscathed, such a rebuke trivial. Then, the attractive young woman Phîi, whom Dear recalled as the Rahad aunt who sought him on the first school day, approached, stating she came to escort him to the restaurant where all awaited.
Thereupon, the irked Sun's eyes gleamed, and he promptly said, "May I join, Khrap? I beseech you, Phîi. Please, beautiful Phîi Phim."
Don't think that Âi Sun's charm lacked. Picture a broad young man with a pleading tone, eyes fluttering. Phîi Phim smiled sweetly, nodding vigorously, consenting at once. I sought to halt him, knowing a clash would erupt in the restaurant. Yet what did Âi Sun say?
Splendid. I am vexed. I must antagonize another to lift my spirits.
Thus, whether Sun is struck, kicked, or Phîi Ryu –in a heightened mood– plunges a blade into his chest, this Nai Dranphat begs to be uninvolved.
"Phîi Boem, this is Nong Sun. He requested to join, so Phim brought him. And this, Nong Dear. Attractive, is he not, Phîi? Behold, he reaches but thus," said Phim.
Shall Phîi strike me, Khrap?
Dear, smiling broadly to foster amity with his known Rahad, turned snap to the attractive Rahad aunt, whose words marred her charm. She not only spoke but gestured past Dear's head and her own, as if summing their heights, dividing by two, yielding an exact mean.
"Ha, ha, ha! Gaaakkk!" And did his close friend aid? Not so. Sun sat, laughing loudly, reveling in Dear's shortness, prompting Dear to bare his teeth and swiftly excuse, "Phîi Phim wears heels."
"My heels span but a few centimeters," Phim replied.
Cannot Phîi aid me slightly, Khrap? A mere nod would suffice, no additions or corrections.
"Ha, ha, ha! Nay, Phîi Phim, ha, ha! My friend is a little one, Khrap. Not short. Gaaakkk!"
Indeed, Sun emphasized it. I know I am short, but dare not call me little one. I permit only Phîi Porsche so to name me, confound it!
The little one thought in vexation, his fair cheeks reddening as he thought of another, sitting on another chair, eyeing the giant-like Phîi, laughing too, who, by his state, had surely downed three glasses.
"Be it short or not, no matter. Welcome to the Rahad, Âi Nong. On the first drink day, I was occupied at home, arriving from Prachuap but Wednesday. As for this one..." Phîi Boem said, ruffling Phîi Ryu's head, who this time cursed not, only glaring murderously at Âi Sun as ever, then expounding.
"Âi Ryu played Khun-nŭu in Chiang Mai. His Khun Mâe likely wept long before permitting her junior to return for the term's start..."
"Not so, curse it, Phîi Boem! I aided my sister's work, hence delayed," Phîi Ryu retorted, turning snap, shouting loudly, yet, if Dear saw aright, Phîi Ryu's cheeks reddened, while the dog-mouth beside him never stilled.
"Ah, a Chiang Mai maiden, then. No wonder you're so fair. And a Khun-nŭu, with soft hands," Sun said, laughing softly, leaning nigh, fearless of another blow, making Ryu's eyes blaze, poised to strike his face, had Phîi Boem not seized his collar.
[[Translator's Note: The phrase "สาวเชียงใหม่" (sǎao Chiang Mai) literally means "Chiang Mai girl." In Thai usage, it refers to young women from Chiang Mai, who are stereotyped as fair-skinned, delicate, and refined, often with connotations of being pampered or privileged. Thus, calling Ryu this is a double insult to both his masculinity and his origins.]]
"Be calm, will you? I have often said, if you stay composed when called beautiful, attractive, or likened to a young woman, they stop. Each time you flare, will they halt, Âi Ryu?" Phîi Boem said, patting his Rahad Nong's shoulder heavily, causing Phîi Ryu to grimace.
"A few blows, and they stop. Why must I be calm for those dog-mouths?" The fierce young man said irritably, slumping heavily, turning to mix spirits to ease ennui. This prompted the observant Sun to whisper to Dear, "Behold, a true Khun-nŭu. The spirits scarcely mix with soda, friend."
Crash!
"Have you issue with me, damned nuisance? What I consume is my affair. How dare you sit here? Who invited you? You are no Rahad," Ryu said, almost hurling the ice bucket, asking in irritation, prompting the calmer Sun to smirk.
"None invited me, Phîi. I feared you would inebriate my friend. Thus, I came as a companion. Who knows, such an attractive face might lure Âi Dear to a room," Sun said, laughing, seeming joyous to provoke the attractive young man, now flushed with ire.
"I apologize for my friend, Khrap, Phîi Ryu. Âi Sun's mouth is thus," Dear said, sensing the senior's wrath might harm him, pushing Sun's face aside, offering a dry smile.
Ryu regarded the fair-faced, little one Nong Rahad briefly, admitting inwardly he favored this Nong since noon. His sole flaw was his friend.
"No matter. I don't mind," Ryu said.
That 'don't mind' almost devoured my head at noon.
"Well, well, good that you don't mind. Order what you wish; I shall pay. Next time, with the Rahad, it shall be livelier," Phîi Boem said, smiling broadly, teeth stark against his hue.
This prompted Sun's eyes to widen, seizing the menu swiftly, causing Dear to curse inwardly, You are not Âi'Misser, are you?
"Thanks, Khrap, Phîi. This Rahad is bloody fucking kind. Yet, with only attractive and beautiful folk, one flaw exists..." Âi Sun said, smirking, his praise overt, making Phîi Boem, now deemed attractive, regard him keenly.
"What?"
Nai Athit's eyes gleamed slyly. "This Rahad has Phîi as the sole young man. The rest... all beautiful."
Pluck
"I am a young man, blast it!" Not only Phîi Ryu flared; Dear pushed Sun's head till his face met the table, prompting loud laughter, even twisting to seek a hand-clasp with Phîi Boem. Yet Dear was not upset, for Sun didn't seem to tease his own fair, red-lipped self so much as Phîi Ryu's attractive face, bowed over his spirits.
Ho, Phîi poured half a glass of spirits.
Dear thought with slight dread, seeing the spirits flood the ice, almost three-quarters, then Phîi added soda, making Dear wonder, After Âi Sun's taunt, will the Khun-nŭu become a drunkard?
Is this their proof of manhood?
Clunk
Dear's thought erred the next moment when a fair hand placed the glass in front of Âi Sun, with Phîi Ryu smiling sweetly. "Thanks for the praise. This is your reward. Drink all, for I mixed it for you, Âi Nong Sun."
Good Lord, Phîi, sans soda, it is almost pure, Khrap.
Dear thought, daring not to speak or query, fearing to be the next victim. Where is my fortitude for spirits? In this life, I have tasted but spirits with Pepsi and my Phôo's wine. That glass would fell me in the restaurant.
"Oh, thanks for the beautiful Phîi Ryu's kindness. A boon to my lips. Without my saying, you knew I favor it strong," Sun said, undaunted, seizing the glass, smiling broadly, casting a daring glance at Phîi, who seemed ready to upend the table. The two gazes sparked a sizzling current.
"Ho, part them, lest Âi Ryu's belly aches," Boem said.
"Âi Phîi Boem!" Ryu retorted.
"Ha, ha, ha! I but jested lightly. Be calm," Phîi Boem said, laughing loudly, clinking his glass with Âi Sun, whose face seemed born to antagonize Phîi Ryu.
Thereafter, the restaurant's air grew merry, laced with ire and Phîi Ryu's curses. When Dear's phone sounded, he swiftly answered... Jae Dream.
"Yes, Jae..."
"Âi Dear! Where are you? I have awaited almost two hours! I sent Line messages; you replied not! I shall return home!" The ear-piercing voice of his Jae resounded, dazing Dear.
"Ah, why did Jae come for me?"
"Have you studied till you forgot day and night? It is Friday. You insisted me fetch you home. I, an angel, drove the royal chariot hither... Where are you? The music is loud."
I forgot wholly. I pleaded with Jae to fetch me. Phîi Porsche's kiss yesterday erased all memory.
"The Rahad Phîi brought me to the welcoming, Jae..." Then, the kind Jae queried the restaurant's details meticulously, making Dear answer dazedly. Jae hung up swiftly, leaving Dear blinking.
"Jae Dream?" his friend asked, to which Dear nodded dazedly, resuming talk with the Rahad Phîi, intending to linger briefly then depart, lest Jae grow upset and drive home. He wished not to face Phîi Porsche now.
Yet in less than ten minutes, Nai Dranphat stood agape. "Greetings, all," said Jae Dream.
"Jae Dream!" The attractive Jae in leather trousers, fine blouse, and heels, ready to revel, appeared behind, smiling sweetly, greeting all, who fell silent at the young woman's entrance. Understand, Jae Dream is the queen of crafting an image.
What is this angelic smile?
"My name is Dream, Khrap, this one's Jae. I called and learned the Rahad Phîi brought him to the welcoming. I thank all for caring for my Nong..." Jae Dream said, smiling, exuding charm, voice deferential, hands on her Nong's shoulders, continuing, "But I apologize. May I take Dear first? Our Phôo returns from England, Khrap, so we must hasten to meet him. Dear, too courteous, dared not ask. You don't mind, Phîi, do you, Khrap?" Jae Dream spoke with utmost courtesy, causing Dear, just learning their Phôo returned, to frown sharply.
Mâe said Phôo would return in two months, did she not?
"No issue, Khrap. Dear said nothing. Return first," Phîi Phim said, falling for Jae's fresh deceit, too idle to wait for her Nong, nodding understandingly, even nudging her Nong Rahad's arm.
"Return first, Khrap. We shall feast again," Phîi Ryu said, the second ensnared, smiling swiftly, a smile that made Sun, silent since Jae Dream's entry, gaze keenly.
An attractive smile.
All consenting, Jae Dream seized her Nong's arm, turning to smile sweetly at Sun. "Thanks, Sun, for tending Jae's Nong. I hope you remain a Nong Jae finds attractive..."
Deceit. A threat. Jae Dream clearly threatens me. That smile bids silence, does it not?
Sun thought fearfully, certain the sole person he would never cross was this fearsome, attractive Jae Dream. Her might from high school haunted him still. He nodded vigorously, saying, "Khrap, Khrap," watching his friend led from the restaurant by Jae.
"So attractive..."
Snap
"Nay, Phîi. Don't think of it," Sun said, as a dreamy voice sounded, prompting all to turn snap to Phîi Boem, smiling wistfully after the young woman, making Sun speak warily, causing the table to gaze curiously.
"Well, Phîi, my Phîi, Tawan, courts Jae Dream. Hope not, Phîi," Sun said.
"I warn you with good intent, Phîi. My Phîi Tawan is Jae Dream's slave, dreaming of her charms. When Jae Dream coos sweetly, Phîi Tawan drives to fetch her, knowing he is used yet willing."
Sun, knowing Jae's power, explained swiftly, making Phîi Boem laugh. "Merely courting? Perhaps Jae Dream favors a southern young man like me."
"Dream on, Phîi. Jae Dream's ideal is Kim Soo-hyun. When you are half as attractive, then hope," Sun replied.
"What is Jae Dream like?" Phîi Boem leaned in curiously, making Sun, under a threatening gaze, pause, straining to recall Jae Dream's merits, answering with a dry smile, "Jae Dream loves her Nong, Khrap. Whoever harms Âi Dear, Jae Dream... will slay."
For we have felt it ourselves.
"Are you inebriated, and is it my duty now?"
At the vast dormitory, a small white car swung in, parking neatly. The driver stepped unsteadily, slamming the door loudly, heedless of midnight's approach, then opened the passenger door for one boasting of drinking pure spirits poured for him. The result? Inebriated as a dog.
You... take Âi Sun home, the slurred voice of Phîi Boem, well-drunk, echoed in Ryu's mind, shouting, nudging the wreckage of one who vomited in the restroom, now sprawled pitiably by the table.
You have a car. Shall Phîi Phim go? She might be ravished. Thus, you take him. I walk not straight...
Phîi's words, understood, for Phîi Phim, so slight, could not resist if the dog-mouth dragged her to a room. Phîi Boem, managing to ride home, was feat enough. Truly, Ryu's fault for forcing the drink.
"You, Âi Sun... Your dormitory. Arise," Ryu said, shaking Sun's shoulder, till he, lucid enough ten minutes prior to give his address, shook free.
"annoying," Sun muttered. I meant to be kind, yet that single word...
Thus, Ryu, gently prodding, dragged the inebriated Sun from the car, panting by the effort, kicking the door shut, hauling the taller, near-equally broad young man to the dormitory entrance. Who could aid? The dormitory is silent as a graveyard.
"Hm, my dormitory..." As if the one who vomited regained clarity, his arm, looped round Ryu's neck, tightened, bleary, red eyes gazing at the familiar edifice, murmuring to himself.
This made Ryu turn snap to the young man who would fall if released. "If sober, ascend alone."
"Inebriated? Who is inebriated? Not I, not I. Sunny is not inebriated," Sun slurred.
I know you are inebriated.
Ryu sighed heavily, pulling the swaying Sun, who threatened to topple him, toward the dormitory door, cursing inwardly, even the government for the first-car tax, for the parking lot was full, forcing a distant stop.
"Can you walk aright? I am weary. Is it my duty to escort you, damned dog-mouth?" When Sun swayed, almost felling Ryu, he shouted, making the singing Sun turn with bleary eyes, then smile broadly.
Though inebriated as a dog, Sun's attractive face and wide smile stirred odd feelings in Ryu. Yet his words fueled Ryu's ire. "Attractive..."
"What do you utter now?" Ryu growled, wishing to abandon Sun, but conscience held. Yet he froze when Sun touched his cheek, almost shaking free.
"Hush, hush. Not good... Attractive one, speak politely, Khrap..." His bratty mouth and swaying head prompted Ryu to calm himself, thinking, He is inebriated, dragging the leaning Sun.
"Speaking politely to you wastes my breath," Ryu said, pulling Sun, who followed, to the dormitory door with a fingerprint scanner. He tried to make Sun press his finger, eager to return and sleep, but Sun resisted fiercely.
"Nay, speak politely first..." Sun said, pouting, giving Ryu a headache.
"Sun, what is your room number?" Ryu said softly, eyeing Sun's alcohol-glazed gaze, shaking his head. Sun's hand on Ryu's slender shoulder grew heavier, almost toppling him.
"Speak well," Sun insisted.
And you demand I speak well, damn it.
Ryu thought irritably, patience fraying, meeting Sun's eyes and saying curtly, "Sun, tell me your room number."
Sun smiled, pleased with the polite words, his large hand again touching Ryu's soft cheek, which Ryu, weary, did not repel. "Speak swiftly..."
"Attractive one, so charming, speaks politely... and fragrant. Hm, fragrant, so fragrant, Khrap... Kiss, kiss." Before Ryu could press for the number, Sun bent swiftly, pressing his nose to Ryu's cheek, making Ryu gape. Not content, Sun mumbled in a slurred voice, pressing his nose till Ryu's cheek almost caved.
Clasp
"Hm, fragrant..." Sun, pleased with the scent, embraced the slighter Ryu, nose nuzzling the soft cheek, unyielding. Yet this embrace startled Ryu, rousing him to fury.
Shove
"Damned shit-lizard!"
Ryu thrust Sun's shoulder, kicking his stomach, felling the inebriated Sun to roll on the ground, clutching his stomach, groaning, unable to rise, crawling like a dog.
Ryu, face flushed with ire or shame, swore loudly, "Hope not for amity with me in this life!" He strode unsteadily to his car, heedless of leaving Sun to mosquitoes, rubbing his cheek fiercely with disgust, though his heart beat so as to merit excision.
Damned nuisance!
The car departed, yet Sun, fallen in front of the door, stirred not. After almost ten minutes, he rose, sitting cross-legged, hand on his stomach, a boot mark clear on his uniform. "Alas, a bloody fucking heavy foot," Sun said, laughing, recalling Phîi Ryu's fair face calling him Sun.
I may be inebriated, yet that was well since I purged. When Phîi Boem said another would escort, I drank for sport. Yet this Sunny... is dead drunk.
I meant to tease, but Phîi Ryu's gentle voice, pleasing yet unclear why, and that fair face too near, made me, perhaps lucid but not wholly, unable to resist smelling his cheek.
Fortunate I turned, not kissing his lips.
"Âi Sun, do you favor young men?" Sun asked himself, dazed, shaking his head, seeking to banish the odd sensation and fragrance, yet it lingered strangely.
"Nay, merely teasing for sport. Indeed, annoying Phîi Ryu is joyous. I am not gay," Sun told himself, staggering into the dormitory, though Phîi Ryu's flushed face haunted him all night.
On Saturday morn, Purin sat still in the oddly quiet parlor since yesterday. His sharp eyes fixed on the gaming console in front of the television, now claimed by another roommate, his mind on the prior day.
Sigh
A heavy sigh sounded. Purin meant to apologize to Dear yesterday, or if Dear feigned ignorance, remain silent. Yet Jae Dream appeared, claiming to fetch her Nong, waiting till almost eight, asking Purin the restaurant's location, then departing swiftly.
I shall take my Nong home, returning Sunday eve. His garments, bid the housekeeper wash and iron. Farewell.
Her words ensured Purin would not see the little one till Sunday eve, stirring odd feelings in him.
"Yes, Mâe," Purin said, answering his phone as his Mâe's image appeared, her sweet voice stilling him.
"Will Porsche come home this week? I shall prepare your favored dishes," Mâe said.
Purin smiled gently at Mâe's query. His recent work kept him from home, scarce visiting. Now, she lured him with favorites. "May it be next week, Khrap?"
"Oh, you! Tae is abroad, and you in Thailand visit not Mâe. Most hurtful," Mâe said, her plaintive tone making Purin laugh, certain his Korean friend, who visited Thailand and cooed as a third son, prompted this.
Yet Purin paused as a thought struck. "I can come today, Khrap, but..."
"Hm?"
"May I trouble Mâe to invite Dream and Dear to dine at our home? As Mâe knows, Khrap, Dear resides with me, and I have not yet treated my Nong," Purin said, lying with a smile, prompting Mâe to agree, chiding him for neglecting his Nong.
Hanging up, Purin's long legs seized the car keys, departing swiftly.
I must speak with Dear.
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