[T/N] I apologize for grammar mistakes and incoherencies
Chapter 11: Long time coming.
[Vee Vivis].
I lay in bed, watching the person who had just finished their exam, unsure of what to do next. The truth is, I couldn't do anything except pull Mark into a hug. Yesterday, when Mark took his final exam, he told me that it didn't go as well as he had hoped. With disappointment, it seemed that the professor had set a difficult set of questions, even though Mark thought it wouldn't be too challenging. But when he actually did it, he couldn't do it as well as he should have.
That's just how it goes.
When this kid didn't devote himself to this subject, instead devoting himself to something he considered more important, it's normal for there to be subjects where he does well and others where he doesn't. We can't excel at everything.
“I know you're awake. Get up already.” I said, gently shaking his shoulder.
“Just a bit longer.”
“Feeling tired?” I asked, bending down to look at him.
“I'm just trying to hold on.” he said and raised his head, looking at me.
“Is there anything else you can do? You've already taken the exam.” I said, shrugging my shoulders lightly.
“What if you don't pass?”
“It is not an F.” I said, at least he should have some other scores, and he should still be able to get a passing GPA with just a little bit.
“Are you disappointed?”
“Not really.” I said, shrugging my shoulders again. This is all I can do. Because I know that those who fail the exam only want this much.
“Congratulations on your coming graduation. I have nothing to do today, I will be with you all day.” he said.
“Oh, what about rehearsal day?” I asked.
“On the rehearsal day, I have to bring food for the others there, but it's just for the faculty to prepare.” I paused. It's no different from when I work for a while and only need to give the professor a deal.
“On the rehearsal day, I can be with you.”
“I usually stay with you, don't I?” Mark asked. I smiled and paused.
“I saw Yihwaa invite us to a gathering together.”
“Yes. I saw that all the group members have made plans together.”
“Oh.”
“What are we going to eat?” he asked.
“What do you feel like eating?”
“Anything is fine.” Mark said knowingly, and then I couldn't help but laugh. It has always been like this. Another day or two, the guys I am graduating with might come for an outdoor photoshoot, and then they will ask me for half a day to take a group picture, and ask me every night to socialise with people in the group.
“I am thinking too hard. How can I go to rehearsal in the morning?” I said.
“Don't drink too much.”
“Can I?”
“Yes.”
“Then you have to go and watch over me.” This is an inviting sentence without the word “invite”. Anyone who wants to use it can go ahead, but it can only be used for people who already have a partner like me.
People used to say that the charm of graduation is getting to meet people from every stage of your life. I don't disagree. But I just haven't met everyone yet, that's all. With such limited time and so many people in my life, there are still many left to encounter.
We're talking about dividing time into days and nights here.
“You will be tired on the day of graduation.” Mark told me as I was changing from my student outfit to my favourite shirt just a few hours after I finished the graduation ceremony, and in a few minutes I'll have to go out and meet my good friend.
“Come with me, then I can tell the guys that we are leaving at 2 am.” I said.
“I have a rehearsal schedule tomorrow morning.” Mark said.
“Well, I'll finish in the afternoon and then we can have lunch.” It's true that I've been spending a lot of time with Mark lately, but I feel like I've been too caught up in my friends that I've forgotten to have a real meal with my own partner.
Although we've been together all the time, Mark goes with me almost everywhere. Mark also knows my friends, but I never asked him if he likes them or if he wants to have a meal together, just the two of us. During these two or three days when the graduates slowly regain their momentum, it's a period when I feel that life becomes more colourful. I get to meet friends and experience an atmosphere that has been lost for months, it feels really intense.
“Won't you go eat with your friends? Don't you have a meet up?”
“I have a meet up with Nuea and Pond, but I can cancel it.” I said.
“It's alright. I'll go with your friends. Can't I?” Mark asked.
“You can, but I have to be with them. Maybe I won't be able to take care of you.”
“Are you worried? This period is for your friends. You should enjoy it with them.”
“Are you okay?”
“Sure. It's not like I won't be with you at all.” Mark said with a smile.
“I'm just afraid you'll feel lonely.”
“Lonely? My boyfriend is right here.” Mark said, patting my shoulder lightly a couple of times.
It's been a long time since I've felt so good sitting in a bar. Tonight, I have a gathering with a big group of friends. Everyone has arrived, and some of them didn't come alone. Yes, some of the friends, that is. It's Barr, Nuea came with their boyfriend, and the rest are still coming alone as usual. It's strange that some of my friends still don't have a partner, especially after working for several months after the end of the semester.
“Missed me so much, huh? I've been thinking about coming back since last week. I'll be with you for just four days.”Pond said.
“Yeah, I really want to go back, you know? I miss it.” Kla said bravely.
“Do you miss me or what? “ Pin turned to ask Kla.
“Well, I miss everything, don't I?”
“Did you flirt with someone?” Nuea glanced around.
“No, if I did, I wouldn't have brought him here... I wouldn't have been watching you and teasing each other like this, wasting my time.” He replied.
“So when is my junior going to come?” Barr asked and looked for Fuse.
“He went to pick up his wife.”
“Bored of having husbands and wives around.”
“Hello there! Is the pretty one coming?” Tee walked in, swinging his hips, along with Lee who gave a flirty look to me.
“Hello, Vee’s little freshie.” Lee introduced and smiled at Mark, and Mark smiled back shyly.
“Hello there.”
“Why are you late?” I asked.
“Traffic jam.”
“Really?”
“Really, handsome. That shopfront up there, it took me forever to get inside.” Tae said and sat down on his chair.
“It started to get crowded when we arrived.” Mark told me.
“Really? I didn't notice.” I replied and looked at him.
“Oh...with a sweet, gentle voice, and it's not us! Get up and continue arguing, I thought you did something just now.” Lee said.
“Well, you guys are slow, the ice has all melted.” I said back.
“Order again, please.”
“The ways of the wealthy.” I said.
“Oh...if you want to be wealthy, you should learn how to work.” He said and turned to me.
“Do you want a husband?” I asked back.
“I want, dad.”
“Try to behave yourself, speak politely and don't gossip about others, son,” I replied.
“Vee!”
“You scoundrel!”
There was nothing for us to do except sit, drink, and talk about each other's pasts. I sat and listened to my friends talk about work, about living a life I had not yet experienced, about feelings that I couldn't grasp because I hadn't experienced them. They spoke as if it were difficult, but they seemed proud to have gone through it all to reach this day. They talked about travelling to work, living in dormitories, working overtime, how much money they earned and whether it was worth the work, their benefits, and the real work that was not just a final project or an experiment.
I... hadn't experienced it yet.
“It's almost one o'clock,” Mark whispered to me.
“Huh? Oh,” I snapped out of Pound telling the story and looked at the clock.
“Want to stay a little longer?” Mark asked. I frowned.
“When are you guys leaving? It's almost one already,” I asked.
“Whoever wants to go can go, but you… can't go,” Pan said, pulling my arm towards him. Why did he like touching me so much?
“What now?” I said, pulling my arm away.
“Oh, the story of being touched by a handsome friend still bothers you, huh. How can you not get rid of it.” Lee asked. I took a deep breath.
“What now??” I asked back.
“You still haven't told us your story.” Pan said.
“What story do I have to tell? I've been here the whole time, with my boyfriend.” I said, draping my arm across Mark's shoulders.
“Ohhh.”
“Are you with him or with your wife?”
“He is my wife.” I answered and glanced at my friends.
“That's enough.” Mark said, pulling my arm off his shoulder. Every time they called him a wife, it bothered him, but what could I do? I wanted to show off and it really belonged to me whether it was a girlfriend or not.
“Mark, can you hug him or maybe just kiss him right here.” Yihwaa said.
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s about the wife, your wife, the ex wife over there.” Yihwaa said, then she looked back at me, and Mark and I turned to look at her.
Ploy was sitting at another table and happened to be looking in our direction. When I turned to look, we made eye contact and she smiled at me. I smiled back, because our relationship ended with just the kiss that Ploy asked for, and I didn't contact or see Ploy again. I didn't hear any news about Ploy, and my friends didn't tell me anything about her either.
“Hey, Vee.” Nuea called out to me. I turned back to look at Mark, and he was already looking at me. I smiled at him.
It's different, the smile I sent to Ploy compared to the one I sent to Mark, it's been different for a long time... Not just the day I went to break up with Ploy, but it's been different for much longer than that. I placed my hand on Mark's head and looked into his eyes to reassure him.
“What's wrong?” I asked, smiling, knowing how worried he was.
“....”
“What's wrong?” I asked again when he didn't answer.
“... I'm your wife.”
“Shit!”
“Oh my god.”
“You crazy bastard!”
“Cheers! Cheers!” My friends cheered at Mark's quiet answer, and I laughed and enjoyed it with them. I laid my hand on Mark's head again and pulled him back into our group. We continued to answer their questions. Mark didn't turn to look at Ploy again, or maybe he did and I didn't notice, but either way, I didn't look in that direction anymore. Because what I care about is my friends who are right here, and the person I care about is the one next to me like this.
We returned to the room around two in the morning to take a shower before going to bed. Tomorrow I have to wake up early, and I don't know when I'll be done, but it shouldn't be too late. The morning session is scheduled to finish at three in the afternoon, but I'll probably have to continue at the faculty.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” I asked the person coming out of the bathroom, wiping their hair.
“You should use the word 'today.' It's already three o'clock. Why aren't you sleeping?” He said to me.
“Come here....” I said, grabbing a towel to wipe Mark's hair. “Let's lie down together.” I suggested, and Mark went silent.
“Blow it, so it'll dry faster.” He said and removed himself from me. He walked over to pick up a hairdryer and handed it to me.
“What's wrong?” I asked.
Mark didn't seem abnormal enough for me to notice until now. His posture, his words, his expressions, everything seemed the same, but what made me realise that something had changed was his gaze. He didn't avoid looking at me as often. Every time I glanced at him, he would look back at me, and each time, I could see his worries through his eyes.
“Nothing.”
“You're deep in thought.” I said after finishing drying my hair. I pulled him closer and hugged him tightly, and he responded by relaxing into me.
“Let's sleep, I'm tired.” He said, breaking the silence between us.
“I love you. I love you so much, you know that, right?” I whispered into Mark's ear, and he paused, looking up at me with a slow and hesitant expression. We didn't need to talk or recount what had happened earlier, but we understood that we were discussing that issue now. The issue that might have worried him. So, I wanted to make it clear to him that there was only him who belonged to me.
“I'm scared you don't love me very much.” He said.
“How can I not love you? Huh?” I said and then let go of Mark from our embrace.
“Phii Vee....” His beautiful eyes looked up at me, and I locked eyes with him. Everything I said, I would confirm it through my eyes. Every word of love. Every word that asked for trust. Every word that reassured him, even words I said to his parents.
“I won't make you sad anymore.” I said and kissed Mark's forehead gently, letting it linger for a while before pulling away.
“You can make me sad if you want, but don't stop loving me.” He said.
“I can't stop anymore.” I said and lay down, pulling Mark down with me and holding him tightly.
“That's great.” Those were our bedtime words. No need to say sweet dreams. Just having Mark beside me was more than enough... No need to dream about each other because we were always together. What I wanted to say to him was what I said earlier. Through my gaze and my words that passed through my lips, lips that had kissed others before, but now only kissed him.
…
I walked out of the graduation venue in the afternoon. The rehearsal today wasn't that hard, and honestly, I didn't even need to practise walking. What I needed to figure out was how to stay awake until I officially received my degree. My goodness! Sitting half a day felt like an eternity. I had to do my best.
“Vee, Mark called you but you didn't pick up.” Nuea walked over and nudged me. I lifted my eyebrows and looked at him.
“If he can't reach me, why did he call you?”
“Dude, he didn't call me. My wife and your wife are together at the faculty, and Phra Rama told me.” Nuea explained.
“Oh.”
“Are you still bothered by Nuea?” Pond asked.
“I'm bothered by everyone.” I replied, and they all sighed.
“But I didn't, did I?” Nuea said back, understanding that it was already an understood situation, but is it strange that I would be bothered and concerned?
“Oh.” I replied, picking up my phone to call Mark, avoiding conversation with these guys for a while.
[I called, but you didn't answer.] He replied.
“I'm calling back here.”
[How will you get home? You didn't take the car.]
“I am waiting for you to come and pick me up.” I replied, smiling as I wondered how he would respond.
[Why didn't you tell me? I am going to take the car and go there. I thought you were going to get a lift with your friends. It's been a long time since I left there. You didn't prepare at all.] I almost burst out laughing when what it said didn't differ from what I thought at all.
“Hey, are you my wife or mom?”
[Wife. I didn't give birth to you.] He replied, and then I heard the sound of the car door closing.
“Don't drive too fast.”
[I know!] Mark hung up, and I smiled at the phone, forgetting that I wasn't alone.
“So, was it your wife or mom just now?” Kla asked.
“My wife.” I replied.
“Uh huh.”
“Hey, Why are you always sweet with your wife? Do you have time for friends?” Pinn said. So, I sighed slowly.
“When will that ever happen?!.”
“Yeah, see y'all at 4 o'clock this afternoon, I'll go back to sleep.” Yuu said goodbye to us and waved his hand. Tonight, we will go take group photos before tomorrow's real event, where we might not have time because the parents and relatives of each student will come.
“Okay, at the faculty?” Pound asked.
“You better be specific about which part of the faculty you're asking.” Kla asked, taking a deep breath.
“The same table.” Barr said with a smile, and we all looked at each other understandingly.
The friendship between friends never disappears, even if time has passed and we haven't seen each other for a long time. Now we only have a few days left and we try to embrace our friendship for as long as possible. After this, we have to separate. I don't know when we'll see each other again. Even though I don't feel as attached to university life as they do, I still want to see them.
I don't have anything to update. I don't feel any changes. I don't have anything at all. Graduation is very ordinary for me, we study, we have to finish, and once we finish, we receive it. That's how it usually is. I still meet friends occasionally, but we share our stories through social media. I don't feel distant, but for my friends, they have encountered new things, so they really miss our old atmosphere. I understand them.
“What do you want to eat?” the person next to me asked. I looked up from my phone and looked at them.
“Just sleep for a while. At 4 p.m., we'll go out to take group photos.” I told Mark.
“Not hungry?”
“No, are you hungry?” I asked back.
“I've already eaten.”
“Okay, then go back to sleep and let me hug you.” I said, and Mark gave me a puzzled look.
“Hug what??”
“Well, just hug for a bit, I have to wake up early tomorrow.”
“How early?”
“You pretend to ask when you're the one determining my schedule.” I said back, and Mark burst into laughter.
“I'll come with and carry things for you tomorrow.” He said.
“It has to be like that.”
“Will you let Tew take the photos?”
“Um.” I answered, and Mark smiled.
“What is that smile for?”
“It's good that it's Tew. Not someone else.” He replied.
“Don't let me know more than that.” I replied.
“What do you mean?”
We walked into the room as usual. I stopped to buy a boxed meal, just in case I woke up hungry. But in reality, I had only slept for a few hours. I didn't know if I had really slept or if I had disturbed Mark until he woke up.
“I will eat after I wake up.” I said.
“But it won't be appetising anymore.”
“But it...”
“Vee.” I and Mark turned to the source of the voice. The person in the next room was calling us, and it was Ploy who called me.
“ Ploy.”
“Uh...it's me.” Ploy stood in front of the room we are staying together, looking puzzled. She looked at my face alternating with Mark's, then smiled back reluctantly.
“Should I go in and let you two talk first?” Mark asked, but I pulled his arm back.
“No need. Ploy, is there anything?”
“No, I just wanted to say that I paid for this room, so I came to stay here. I have no didn't intend to disturb Vee.” Ploy said, her beautiful hand squeezed, and I raised my face to indicate it's fine.
“It's okay. You can stay wherever, it won't bother me.” I replied.
“Well, I just wanted to explain to Mar-...”
“I understand, Phii Vee has told me everything.” Mark said before interrupting Ploy directly.
“I...I'm sorry.”
“I'm sorry too...”
“You're not at fault.” I said before Mark finished speaking. He liked to think that he took me away from Ploy, he liked to think that he caused me and Ploy to break up, but that's not true. Everything is my fault. I was the one who got involved with Mark. I was the one who distanced myself from Ploy. I was the one who hurt Mark first and didn't break up with Ploy before getting into a relationship with him, and I was the one who loved Mark.
“Vee...”
“Mark is not at fault. As I once told you, I am the one at fault. I apologise.”
“Yeah, I was wrong.” said Ploy.
“No, it's okay. Right now, I am very happy, and I think you are also happy.” I said while looking at the beautiful couple I had once looked at. They didn't radiate sadness, but they didn't indicate happiness either. It was like she didn't feel happy with me being by Mark's side, but she didn't want to have me back either.
“Yes, please take good care of Vee, Mark.”
“Yes.” Mark said only that, but his eyes said much more. Mark was a man of few words and actions, but his eyes told everything.
“If tomorrow I am going to take pictures with Vee, will that be okay?” Ploy asked, but I turned to look at Mark.
“No, it's fine. Please go.” Mark said like that, and Ploy seemed surprised that Mark was the one who replied instead of me.
Before, Ploy and I were truly in love, but we never really interfered in each other's lives. We never fought. I never asked Ploy to make any decisions for me. It was different now that I am with Mark, to whom I gave everything. Mark can determine my entire life and anything he says I will do it.
Mark and Ploy are different.
They have been different for a long time.
Chapter 12: Memories.
[Mark Masa].
Phii Vee entered the conference hall early in the morning. I was with Tewpai, and now I was holding everything from Phii Vee. His long-sleeved shirt, wallet, phone. The weather is quite cold now, but I have heard Phii Vee complain a lot that it's much colder inside than outside. Phii Vee's parents still haven't come because they are scheduled to meet him around noon. Another thing is that their house is not far away, so I think they might arrive earlier than expected.
The atmosphere inside the graduation ceremony was very pleasant. Parents, relatives, and siblings were all standing, waiting for the person inside. Everyone probably wanted to see their own children wearing gowns and holding their graduation certificates. I was one of them. Not his relative, not his sibling, but he said I was family.
I looked at the flower bouquet in my hand and smiled. I had asked Phii Vee what he wanted, but he didn't answer. Okay, he did answer, but that answer was I could give him anything. So, I asked Kampan to order the flowers for me, and the bouquet he found for me was big and beautiful. I had never given Phii Vee flowers, not even a rose on Valentine's Day. Phii Vee himself had never given me flowers either. It felt awkward to do this, but that's the feeling of love and happiness I had with him, more than the feeling of awkwardness that I had.
Rrrr~.
I heard a loud ringing sound from the phone, but it wasn't mine. It belonged to someone else that they had left since morning. It distracted me from my thoughts and I became interested in the incoming call with the name displayed, which was Phii Vee’s mother calling.
“Hello, Mom.”
[Where are you, Mark? We're at the publicity booth.]
“I'll come find you, Mom.” I said. It would be better for me to go find Vee’s mom than for her to come find me.
[Is that so? Thennwe will wait for me here, son.]
“Yes, Mom.”
I walked through the crowd to find Phii Vee's mom and dad. It wasn't difficult at all. His dad stood out a lot. Not in terms of dressing, he was wearing a normal shirt, but I had never seen him like this before. I had never seen him set his hair so nice and handsome. And Vee's mom was so beautiful. Today, they looked better than ever before. They looked so good that many people turned their heads. It wasn't surprising. It wasn't surprising that Phii Vee was so handsome and charming.
“Why are you gaping like that?” His dad greeted and walked over to take the long-sleeve shirt from me.
“Hello.”
“Mister looks so handsome.” Tew said.
“This is the kid who's going to take pictures for Phii Vee. His name is Tew.”
“Hello. You can call me Tew.” The kid raised his hand to greet the adults, and they greeted back. They chatted for a while, and then the kid asked to take a picture of the three of us.
“We've never taken a picture with Mark before. Come here, honey.”Vee’s mom reached for her husband's arm, and then her other hand held my arm.
Click!
“You really look like Phii Vee here.”
“You're so cute. Smile Phii Mark.”
“Phii Vee's dad is so handsome.”
“And his mom is beautiful.”
“Just look at Phii Vee, he's so handsome.”
“If Phii Vee and Phii Mark have children together, oh my.”
“They are both men.”
“I haven't seen anyone show this much interest in you for a long time, dear.” Vee’s mother said with a smile, but Vee’s father only sighed.
“Just let him show off.” Vee’s father said, that's all. It seemed like he didn't really like it, but he couldn't do anything about it.
“Vee’s dad doesn't like being noticed, he's embarrassed.” Mother told me.
“What? I am not even a little bit.” Vee’s father retorted, but that's it. As Vee’s mother said, he was blushing.
I waited outside with his parents for Phii Vee. Many people looked and still talked about us, but they just looked because they were too afraid to approach. My parents didn't come, they just talked to Phii Vee. I already told them that Phii Vee was going to become my father's other child.
“What about Phii Yuu?” I asked.
“He has taken the afternoon off. I think he will probably wait at the faculty for Phii Vee and Phii Yuu will come out in the afternoon.”
“Oh, I forgot that Phii Yuu has an afternoon pick-up.” I said.
The time we spent waiting for the people inside to come out seemed long, but it passed quickly when we saw them walking out in an orderly manner. For the afternoon group, they prepared to go in an orderly manner as well. I walked over to the barrier and bumped into many people while trying to find Phii Vee, and it was lucky that Phii Vee's area was adjacent to the barrier.
“Mark!” Phii Vee called me. I smiled back before quickly handing him the phone. That's it...Phii Vee smiled back.
Snap!
“You looked so beautiful just now, Phii.” Tew said and looked at his camera.
“You were following me everywhere, weren't you?” I asked back.
“Yes, Phii. You hired me to take pictures.”
“They hired you to take pictures of Phii Vee, not me.” I said.
“Then I'll run after Phii Vee first.” He said and quickly disappeared walking towards the back. These tourists would always act like tourists.
I walked back to find Vee’s parents. We waited for Phii Vee and saw a handsome guy walking towards us. I wondered if Tew was the one guiding him. There were only people looking around him, of course, because Phii Vee was really handsome. He had several flower bouquets in his hand. There must be many people he had met before reaching here.
“Hello.”
“Pay respect to the Buddha, my child. Are you tired?” said Vee’s mother as she walked over to help.
“Come here.” Phii Vee said and reached out his hand for me.
“Congratulations...sir.” I said and handed the big bouquet of flowers to Phii Vee. He smiled and bowed his head.
“What I really want to hug you, not flowers.” His voice was not too loud but not too soft either. Vee’s father and mother heard it and the mother laughed. As for the father...
“Take me out of here. Everyone is staring.” He said and looked left and right.
“What's up, handsome?” Phii Vee said and walked towards his father.
“You're the handsome one, not me.” Vee's father replied.
“Are you my father, mister handsome?” I asked.
“You people can't even look at the time and place to start arguing, a father and son duo.”
“He teased me first.” Vee's father turned to Vee’s mother and seemed upset with her, but he was also annoyed with Phii Vee.
“Very similar.” Tew said to me.
“Very similar to Phii Vee.” I continued and Tew nodded in agreement.
The photo was stored as a memory. The atmosphere and feelings at that moment would be mentioned again when we look at the photo. Vee’s father walked with the mother, followed by me and Phii Vee leading the way to the car. Next to us was Tew taking almost every beautiful moment of Phii Vee and his father.
“How much did you pay him? Why doesn't he stop taking photos?” Vee’s father asked.
“I didn't pay him.”
“Is he doing it for free?”
“Yes.” Phii Vee replied, and then his father turned to look at Tew. The child smiled back as if he didn't care at all. Even though he heard what Vee’s father said.
“If it's Phii Vee and Phii Mark, I would gladly come.” Tew replied.
“Thank you so much, my child. Let's go home and have dinner together.”
“Thank you, mom.”
“My mom, not yours.” Phii Vee turned to scold Tew.
“Um, don't look at me too much, my wife.” Vee’s father said, sliding his thick hand to pull his mother's chubby arm, and Tew, almost catching the sweet moment that they called so. Other people might think like that. The fact that handsome men do this would be very exciting, right? But not for me and mom. Because what Vee’s father and Phii Vee are doing now is just a longing thing, that's all.
Vee... it's more than that.
“Vee!” A sweet voice called Phii Vee's name before we reached the parking spot. Like when the carousel stops, many people stop walking. Because the person who called Phii Vee is someone I prayed he wouldn't meet.
“ Ploy....”
“Wait, I want to take a picture with Vee for a moment.” The beautiful girl turned to her relatives. The small person walked this way, and Phii Vee was looking at me. His parents too. But they didn't say anything, just looked at the person walking towards us with confusion, and looked at me as if waiting for an answer, but what can I answer? When I just told him that I wouldn't think much.
“This person....”
“How are you, Mark.” Vee’s mother asked me.
“Take it easy, mom.” Vee’s father said to Vee’s mother, jerking her arm gently.
“Father and mother, hello… I just wanted to take a picture with Vee.” Phii Ploy said after bowing to Vee’s parents. Both of them still seemed confused, but VEe’s father paused in front of them. As for mom... I could tell she was not pleased.
“If you're okay, Mark, hurry up and take a picture. I have to hurry up and wait for Phii Yuu.” Your mother is not very pleased.
“Okay.” Phii Ploy said, standing next to Phii Vee.
“Mark.” But the person who was asked to take the picture turned to me, as if waiting for me to come to him.
“Hmm?”
“Come take a picture with us.”
“If you want to take a picture, do it quickly and finish, Vee.” Vee’s father said, his gaze fixed on me, and I had to stand firm when he looked at me like that. “Let him fix this shit himself.” That's the meaning of the look Vee’s father told me.
Phii Vee stood still, allowing Phii Ploy to move closer to him. The distance between them was significant, but both of them smiled at the camera. Many people have mentioned this event. It's already clear that the beautiful person and the handsome person who used to be lovers, used to love each other deeply, and now they're just friends, it's not strange at all. But who would know how much it hurts the hearts of others before they broke up, how much each person hurts after they broke up? It wouldn't bother me to see it like this, it's not that. But I understand that it can't be avoided indeed.
“Thank you, Vee. For everything.” Phii Ploy said.
“Ah.” he responded.
“Please pass my thanks to your parents too.” Phii Ploy said, bowing and her parents followed suit.
“Well then, let's separate and move on. The adults over there are waiting.” her father said with a smile.
“Yes, um, Mark.” Phii Ploy said, turning back to me and addressing me by name.
“Yes?” I replied.
“Take care of Vee, okay?” Her gaze towards me showed no hatred, no resentment, or any hint of competition. It only showed genuine concern and worry for Phii Vee. It made me realise that Phii Ploy still loved and cared for Phii Vee. She just couldn't be where I am right now. I couldn't be the one taking care of Phii Vee.
“Sure.” I responded. “Congratulations. On graduating.” I said and she smiled before turning around. This farewell, I thought, must truly be the end. The relationship between Phii Vee and Phii Ploy wasn't completely severed as Phii Vee desired, and their relationship wouldn't bother me the way I wanted it to. Because now it was clear.
“Why are you thinking and going to take the pictures? With your boyfriend and old girlfriend.” Tew said, sounding angry as he looked at Phii Vee.
“I took pictures with Ploy because as you heard we were acquainted.” replied Phii Vee, contradicting his previous promise of just being friends. Now he reduced her to just an acquaintance.
“You are going too far, Vee.” said Phii Vee's father, leading us away with his mother looking at Phii Vee tenderly but not saying anything.
“Are you angry at me like them?” the handsome guy walked up to me and asked seriously.
“No.”
“Are you disappointed? Did I do something wrong?”
“No, not really. I think this is cleared now. Even if it looks strange like Tew said.”
“I want you to be here with me. I'm not afraid or worried about her. I just fear that you are not satisfied. If we're not together, you might start thinking too far.” Phii Vee said.
“Ah, I understand.” I said.
“Thank you.” Phii Vee said, smiling at me.
“It's just this.” Yes, it's just about my ex-girlfriend. Rama used to tell me that an ex-girlfriend is just an ex-girlfriend. If they still love each other, why would he come to me? But that was the case with Rama, Phii Nuea had broken up with her girlfriend a long time ago, but in my case... It's like I'm competing for him.
“Don't think too much.” Phii Vee said.
“Oh.” But what should I do? When I've never forced Phii Vee to do anything, Phii Vee you and Phii Ploy chose each other. At that time, I never thought that you would choose me. Even though Phii Ploy did that, you still loved Phii Ploy very much.
“I love you. Now I only love you.” Phii Vee said softly, reaffirming his own feelings to confirm my feelings. It's strange how just a few words can eliminate all my worries. Yes, that's right... I also love Phii Vee very much.
We returned to the faculty. Phii Vee took pictures with this person and that person continuously. I myself am not far from Vee’s parents. Because I want to take care of them more than taking care of Phii Vee. They've been there for a long time, but Phii Vee is like the master of the faculty. Wherever he goes, people know him. Wherever he walks, people ask for pictures. No different from Phii Barr or anyone else in their group. It's clear that he is someone who everyone in the group knows.
“A lot of people know him,” said Vee’s father.
“Your child was a Faculty Moon, dear.” Vee’s mother said, and Vee’s father took a breath out.
“Handsome, him? But not that handsome.”
“But everyone says that you resemble him, dear.” My mother smiled, and my father took another breath out.
“What do you think, Mark?”
“Huh?”
“Is Vee handsome?” My father asked.
“He is handsome.”
“I heard that.” Phii Vee said while walking towards us.
“Are you done?” I asked back.
“I am too lazy to walk around, if someone wants a photo, they gonna have to come here.”
“Just in time, we are waiting for Phii Yuu.” Vee’s mother said, looking at her watch.
“When will he come? Or should we go find him at his faculty?” Phii Vee asked.
“He said he will come here himself.” Vee’s father said.
“Why does he have to come here?” Phii Vee complained.
“Are you afraid that he will steal your handsome looks, my dear?” Vee’s mother asked with a smile.
“Just my looks alone can blow all them away.” Vee’s father said.
“Oh, I am tired of dealing with the old folks who refuse to accept that they are old.” Phii Vee said.
“Oh, you think I'm old?”
“Stop arguing, my throat hurts.” Phii Vee said, pointing at the glass of water in his hand. I handed it to him, but Phii Vee didn't hold it to drink himself. The handsome man bent down and drank from my hand.
Yuck!
“Hmm... Purposely taken photos and unintentionally taken photos are really different, you know.” Phii Tee walked over and said to Phii Vee.
“Well, we almost had to beg just to touch your arms.” Phii Lee said.
“You're not his girlfriend after all.” Phii Pan said.
“I just wanted to deceive the eyes and spare the hearts of some people.”
“Normally, I'm never afraid.” Phii Vee said and turned to his friends.
“You didn't use to be like this before, Vee.”
“I'm more than just this every day now.” Phii Vee replied.
“Don't forget that he came to watch over his boyfriend every day.” Phii Kla boldly said.
“Did you guys come here to curse at me?”
“No, I came here to take photos with the handsome guys.” Brother Li said.
“Okay, come on.” Phii Vee said and walked towards his friends.
“Move back…Not you, please.”
“We want to take a photo with your father.”
“Take photos with us, please. Father and mother.” Phii Pond said, turning to Vee’s father and mother with a pleading expression, which Vee’s father rarely gives in easily, but this time he stood up.
“You unattractive man, go hide.” Vee’s father said to Phii Vee like that, and everyone laughed. They moved off to take photos, leaving me and Phii Vee here.
“Are you tired?”
“Not much.” I replied. To be honest, I am not tired at all.
“Yuu will come soon. Today, I am going to go to sleep at home.”
“Okay.”
“You too, sleep at my house.” Phii Vee said.
Phii Yuu came to find his parents in the late afternoon. When he arrived at this place, people started looking again, not just at their good looks, but at the charm of the four of them together. The rough and tough nature, the warmth of Vee’s father, the curiosity, the naturalness and individuality of Phii Yuu, and the warm and attractive appearance from every angle of Phii Vee. This is not to mention the sweetness and smiles of Vee’s mother.
It is really hard to find compatibility like this.
“Mark! Take a picture with me.” Phii Yuu called me and walked over.
“Congratulations, Phii Yuu.” I said, but he seemed indifferent about the graduation. Not much different from Phii Vee, who acted as if today was just a class reunion.
“Why take a picture with him only? I have to be in it.” Phii Vee said and joined in.
“You go away, little bro. Don't think I don't know that you went to take a picture with your ex girlfriend.” Phii Yuu said.
“Mark was there too.”
“Mark was just standing. Now, it's your turn to just stand and watch. Please.” Phii Yuu gestured in another direction and pulled my arm towards him.
“You ass... Even Barr won't let others take pictures without each other, just the two of them.” Phii Vee complained.
“I, your older brother, am more than ten Barr together.” Phii Yuu said. I laughed and went to stand beside him. We took a few photos together, and then Phii Vee joined in.
After finishing everything, I went to Phii Vee's house... There wasn't much to do except eat dinner together. Phii Vee whispered to me that this was the most ready and prepared meal ever. Previously, Phii Vee didn't come home often because he was with me, and Phii Yuu didn't often have dinner with his parents either. It's not surprising that Vee’s mother often invites other people to join them for meals.
This time they made Phii Yuu and Phii Vee to come and eat dinner.
“I am tired, dad. After eating, I'll go to sleep.” Phii Yuu said.
“Tired? Your brother wakes up earlier than you and he never complains.” Father said.
“He has someone to take care of him. I don't have that.” Phii Yuu said and looked at me. My cheeks turned red on their own.
“Stop staring at Yuu. If you don't have a boyfriend or girlfriend, go find one.” said Phii Vee.
“How should I find one?”
“Don't look for one like Vee does. That's enough.” said Vee’s Mom, and Phii Vee frowned in disappointment.
“Mom.”
“Don't pout, I'm still mad about Ploy.” Vee’s mom said.
“Why are you mad? My wife is not mad at all.” Phii Vee said to his father.
“I have nothing to do with this.” Vee’s father said and continued eating.
“Mark.” Phii Vee turned to me as if seeking sympathy, but I just smiled.
“I'm on Mom's team.” I said.
“Oh... Yuu.”
“I'm on Mark's team.”
“Then I'm all alone.” Phii Vee said and turned to me. I took a deep breath.
“Childish.” I said like that, and Mom and Dad laughed.
“I've been fooled.” said Phii Vee.
“Is what mom said isn't true?” I asked back.
“It's true. I apologise.” Phii Vee said, but it felt like he was just playing around. He apologised sincerely because the look in his eyes was serious. It wasn't just a playful tone or an expression.
“As an older brother, I won't allow that.” said Phii Yuu.
“Oh, Yuu! I have a wife, you don't.” said Phii Vee.
“If you don't speak nicely, I will be mad.” Mom said and waved her hand.
“It's just one day, Mom.” Phii Vee said.
“Oh, yes.” Then Phii Yuu also fell silent.
“Just one day, but it's not just one day for us. It's a sense of pride to see our children finish school like this.” Mom said.
“Oh, well, I'll send you all to school then.” Dad said.
“Thank you.” Phii Vee and Phii Yuu said at the same time.
“Oh, come on, stop it. I will be much happier on Mark's important day.” Mom said and turned to me.
“Yes, Mom.” I replied and smiled at her.
“Once we finish eating today, you can go to sleep. Tomorrow morning, I will make breakfast for you. What do you want to eat?”
“Can we have clear soup?” I asked back.
“With minced pork and tofu.”
“Yes, please.”
“Hey, do you think we are still mom’s children?” Phii Yuu asked.
“Yes, because Mark is my wife.” Phii Vee answered.
“Does it matter?” I asked back.
“Well, you're my mother’s child and also my boyfriend. In any case, you're my mother’s child for sure.” Phii Vee said.
“Oh, you guys are pointless.” Vee’s Dad said, then put down his spoon.
“Which important day are you talking about? Should we go to bed now?” PhiYuu asked.
“Are you asking me to cut the cake? Or cut your hair for your ordination?” Vee’s Dad asked back.
“Dad...”
“Argue as best as you can study.” Dad said.
“I'm not a diligent student who likes to argue.” Phii Vee said.
“You're arguing with me now. Just in case you didn't realise.” Vee’s Dad replied.
“That's enough. Take your boyfriend to bed.” Mom said.
“Mom, I have finished studying.” Before going, Phii Vee walked over and hugged his mother, and she smiled.
“Well done.” Mom said and hugged Phii Vee tightly.
“And what about me???” Vee’s dad said, but he didn't do anything other than hug Mom and Phii Vee.
“And what about me???”
“You're adopted.” Phii Vee said.
“You moron, we look the same.” Phii Yuu said, coming in to kiss his mother on the cheek. Meanwhile, I couldn't help but capture this moment on my phone. Even though it's not an expensive high-quality camera, my phone is sharp enough to capture the details of this image.
Plop!
“You're so beautiful.” I said with a smile to the mother, and she responded with a wide smile.
“Send it to our family group chat.” Vee’s mother said, although I would probably already be sending it because I'm in that chat group.
Phii Vee's family chat group.
TBC.