[T/N] I apologize for grammar mistakes and incoherencies
Chapter 5: My mine.
[Vee Vivis].
I sat and looked at the phone, smiling like crazy alone again. Even though the incident happened two days ago, when I saw it, I still smiled like when I first saw it. Who would have thought that Mark would do something like this? Maybe he wanted to please me or something, but whatever it did, it made me feel good and fall in love with him even more.
Masa Mark.
2 days.
My pic..
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Mark updated a picture of me that it took, and it only had a caption. There were no tags. There was nothing else. I saw this post because it was continuously shared. The comments were complaining about missing me a lot because I haven't updated any photos lately. My latest photo was a group photo after the exam, and then there was a photo taken by my boyfriend. Even though it was a photo of me waking up with a messy face and messy hair, it looked really good because Mark took it. Maybe it's because I'm handsome. Whatever face I make or whatever I'm doing, it just comes out good.
Vee Vivis: My boyfriend.
Yiwaa: Just a photo when you wake up is enough, right? Why say anything else?
James not Jamez: He is afraid he doesn't know he has a boyfriend..
Winnee The Pooh: Trying to please yourself, it looks like.
Nnorthh: I bet 100 baht, Vee forced him.
Bar Sarawut: I bet another 100, he forced Mark to take this photo because he is jealous.
Teetee Doesn't Just Hit Iron: Stop yall, I am going to scream at Vee.
Toot Lee Studying Mechanic: What good deeds did you do? How did you get this?
The comments that are top comments are still my friends'. I laughed at Lee's comment that I just read. I don't know. I don't know what good deeds they did, but now I only know that Mark really won my heart.
“Are you going to smile for a long time?" Mark asked me, handing me a towel, and I just accepted it without saying anything.
"Look at it. Everyone finds it hilarious." I handed it to Mark to see, and it smiled a little.
"I miss these guys."
"...." I raised my eyes to look at him when he said that, and when he realised, he looked down at me and took a breath out.
"Just missing the guys."
"Is it enough to just miss them, Phii Vee?" I thought to myself and then turned my face to another direction.
"...." Silence fell as Mark didn't say anything, just had a red face, and it made me want to tease him.
"What, is it not enough to just miss them, Phii Vee?" I stood up to Mark's level and turned back to look at him and spoke.
"It's enough. I'm going outside."
"Ha! Trying to be cute every day."
"Phii Vee." And the person I thought was cute looked back at me with a teasing look and then paused, accepting my gaze.
"You better catch up with them in swimming, believe me." I said and placed my hand gently on Mark's head, pressing down so he could respond with his eyes, then walked into the restroom.
The new junior' sports competition is taking place this week. It just opened yesterday and will close again on Saturday. Mark and the senior students staff will go there to supervise the younger juniors according to the regulations. And every time, I would go to pick them up mostly, they are at the swimming pool. Our faculty has enough kids to divide them into different sports. There's no need to shuffle the athletes around to play many different things. Except for that one junior who is a swimmer. I don't know his name but he likes to look at Mark, clearly showing that he likes and admires him a lot. Mark told me that the kid is just admiring him and not thinking of doing anything, so he doesn't bother to do anything. If there was a way to do it, he would.
"Phii Vee, can you take me to a rice shop? Kampan isn't feeling well, and no one is bringing lunch for the juniors." Mark walked up to me quickly and told me with urgency.
"Oh, uh, which shop?"
"Come." And he led me to his car without answering my question.
The chaos behind me didn't make me as interested as the fact that the staff were rushing like this. I looked at the clock, it was almost noon. The younger juniors still haven't had lunch, which means the staff who was responsible for this must have left. I don't know why, but if I have to guess, the most basic mistake in communication. It's simple but a national-level problem in team work.
"Stay calm, Mark." I told the person who was about to sit in the driver's seat.
"I'm in a hurry. I have to come back and check on this again." He said and turned around.
"I know, I'll drive." I said and then took out the car keys to replace him.
We didn't spend much time going to the restaurant. The staff had already ordered, but no one came to pick up the food. When we arrived, we just took it back. As for the money, it was settled. The conclusion is that the welfare staff for the activities is short of people. The job should have been done by Kampan, but he couldn't make it. When it was time to eat, people on the other side started blaming each other until Mark heard about it and got angry because someone complained about his friend.
"And you just keep blaming each other. No one came to take the food. It has already been taken care of, we just need to drive there." Mark complained while sitting in the car. I was just listening.
"It's normal for teamwork. There will always be issues that affect each other and misunderstandings."
"But isn't this going too far?"
"But we can just let it pass. You've already taken the food." I said, looking at it as the car was halted by a red light.
"I'm exhausted."
"No matter what, in the end, the event is done according to our expectations. Making mistakes is normal." I said slowly. Because before we met, it was like this. We argued even harder than this, but in the end, it all ended when the event was finished. If the event was tiring, I wanted Mark to learn from it. It was a practice for him when he goes on to encounter more people, learn from colleagues, new students, and others who worked together. It would make Mark better, and he would think more broadly than before. Before, it was just me, him, and his friends. Now I wanted him to understand others, with me by his side like this, and this was the first time he complained like this to me.
"I am fucking tired of people." That was Barr's most frequent complaint. He complained every time we had activities. From high school until university. But it wasn't strange for Mark to express himself like this now. It was very common.
"You're doing great. Soon the event will be finished." I said like that and lightly patted his head.
"Uh." He just replied like that. But believe me, the heat and having one's own person to help could make things a lot cooler. I used to be like that, and I knew what could make Mark better. Maybe I couldn't help much, but Mark's eyes didn't look as cloudy as before when he was about to come out.
"Hello, Phii Vee."
"Hello, Phii Vee."
"What brings you here?"
"I came to bring the lunches for my juniors first." I told the kids who raised their hands to greet me, and then they came to take the lunch box from my hands and went to help Mark.
From the beginning, I just came to see Mark and was going to get involved much. But now I have to be with the staff team. I have to greet, greet and say I miss them. I understand because I am the one who taught them to do activities. They have to miss me, it's natural. Just as I myself still miss these activities. It's just that some friends couldn't come and see, that's all.
"Hey, we're all getting tired of this. Everything is just getting chaotic."
"Yeah, why does it seem so easy when you guys are doing it?" A junior said to me, while I simply sighed.
"We're professionals, that's why."
"Oh please, give me a break." Mark replied back like that. I then turned to look at him, and received a blurry reply.
"Well, you guys should help each other out if you're struggling. If you can't, then come ask us for help. I have work to do." I said.
"Come on, what kind of work? I know you're always around here." Someone I only remembered as the one junior who always talks back said.
"Well, that's it, I'm going." I won't go right now. Tonight, I might not sleep in my own room.
"Thank you very much, Phii Vee."
"Mark, are you going to drop off Phii Vee?" A junior asked and Mark paused.
"I'll just walk to the pool after this." Mark said.
"Oh, thank you so much. I'm sorry for causing all this chaos." A junior said and Mark turned to look at me before turning back to find his friend.
"Well, it's just a common thing, I understand." He said and smiled back at my friend. The kid smiled back.
"You'll get more tired later, take it easy." I told them and followed Mark out.
The pathway to the pool wasn't crowded at the moment. Because everyone else was watching their own sports. The people who were about to swim were already in their zone. Mark himself hurriedly walked without paying attention to anything, but I noticed someone secretly taking pictures again. With my quick and indifferent reaction to the camera, that's how it knew. So I walked towards Mark. Oh, if there's a picture with Mark, it must have Vee. Let's take a picture then. I can capture it all.
"Where should I wait for you?" Mark turned back and asked.
"At the stands, I want to see." I replied and looked for a vacant spot.
"After that, let's go eat. I'm hungry."
"I'll go buy it for you then." I replied back.
"I'm still not done yet."
"Well, just swim a few more rounds. Let's go see."
At first, I thought we would only swim a few rounds, but it turned out that we swam until late. Then, I thought we would eat together, just the two of us, but it was more than that. I was sitting there, clueless, in the middle of the conversation among swimmers. I knew nothing about what they were talking about, something about preparing for tomorrow.
"Get ready, guys.” said Pon, the fourth-year recruit. He still had hope for the competition, which I knew he would lose eventually, but maybe because he was too good.
"Who is training them on that side?" the other person asked.
"It's Beam."
"Dammit." Then they all said it at the same time when Mark mentioned the name of the person who controlled the swimming pool of the Faculty of Medicine. During the year I was a staff member (Third Year), I heard news that Beam, the doctor, was good at swimming, to the point that Mark and Barr almost gave up.
"He's really good, Phii. Don't compete with him.” Mark said.
"Okay. I'll surrender then.” the junior said, and I glimpsed at him when he made an innocent face at Mark.
"I'm not pressuring, I'm just hoping."
"You're pressuring, Pon.” I said, and Pon made a frustrated face at me.
"What did Mark say, Vee?" He asked.
"Well, have some pity on poor Mark.” I said.
"Good people should be happy when others are happy.” I said.
"Do you understand this now, Phii?" Mark asked me.
"Uh, Yihwaa taught me." Can't escape Yihwa. Everything that others didn't understand, if they asked Yihwaa, Yihwaa would know and explain everything.
"Think of it as a championship moment, Ran.” Pon patted Ran's shoulder lightly, and the kid looked at me, hesitant, as if daring and afraid at the same time. But I remained still as before. What should I do with this kid? Just like this, I kept singing.
"Vee, will you stay here long?" another kid asked. I paused my face.
"Until I graduate, I guess.” I said.
"Then will it be okay, if we consult you."
"What can I help with? I only know as much as I know." Mostly, I know about the Stars and the Moon, only responsible for football. As for general knowledge, I might know a little bit. They are talking about swimming techniques, and I don't know anything about it.
"Have encouragement...."
"Give it to Mark” I said, and they all cheered.
"It's too much, isn't it, Phii?"
"Yes, just that picture alone is too much."
"Since when did you learn to kiss each other like that?" They have been saying that to me repeatedly.
"That's enough." Mark designed it, so they all fell silent, only exchanging glances with me trying not to be overwhelmed.
"Go ahead and eat, guys." I said that, and they all stopped and continued eating.
The chaos of the sports event can be considered well-managed by the kids. In our class year's coordination group, we discussed this, but it wasn't as good as what we did. However, it turned out to be good from the first day until the last day they worked. I never thought I would be the one reporting to them about this matter, but they asked in the group and I happened to be the one who knew the most, so I answered.
Pond Pawee: His wife is a staff, that is why he still knows things.
Tonkla: I don't know, I am going to beat that bastard, he follows that wife of his every day.
oOO noy: Is the wife doing well?
Teetee Doesnt only Hit steel: Not only Vee looks at no one other than Mark."
Nnorthh: You follow your wife and are with him everyday. When will he have time to look after the juniors?
Vee Vivis: Do we talk about the event or not? If not, then I'm not talking, I'm sleeping.
U Unun: When he is like this, the wife is already asleep. Believe me.
I let the group chat be like that. I didn't turn off the notifications, but I also didn't pay attention to it anymore. Because it's true what my friends said, that person who I called my partner is now gone after coming back from the closing ceremony at midnight. Mark asked me to come and pick him up in the room instead of spending time with friends, and he went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and went to bed immediately.
Mark has never done something like this before. This event must have drained his energy just like mine. As for asking if it's hard work, for me, it's not much. But for him, it must be a big deal. I am a person with friends, I stick with friends. Friends lead me to do everything, so I don't feel that it's difficult to stay up late and wake up early to work out.
"Who are you talking to?" Mark said with a hoarse voice.
"Oops, I thought you were asleep."
"Oh, it's just the phone's light." He replied back.
"Sorry, go to sleep."
"Who..."
"Staff group, listen." I said.
"Oh, then come and lie down." He said. So I lay down next to him.
"You're so talented. Everyone admires you." I said, then showed him the chat. My friends were praising Mark, saying that Nuea's expectations of him were very high. Nuea and Yihwa were just beyond appraising at this moment. My boyfriend is here, and I follow him everyday helping out. Mark at that moment had not spoken.
"Do you really think so?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, causing me to pause.
"Why do you ask?" I replied.
"Well, I haven't seen you admire me once." My heart skipped a beat. I used to think he did it because he wanted to learn. Now I think differently. Even though it's not much, my heart swells stubbornly.
"Do you want me to admire your work here?"
"Oh, I want others to see that I am suitable for you." I smiled wider when I found out another reason why Mark did the activities, even though I wanted to say that if it wasn't for me, he didn't have to do it. Even though I wanted to say that no matter how others saw him, my mind wouldn't change, I didn't say it. I smiled and admired the person who performed best for me.
"You're so talented. The most talented." I said and gently kissed his lips.
"Oh." He replied in his throat, then fell asleep. As for me, I quietly enjoyed this alone. I wanted to hug him tightly because he was so cute, but I understood that he was also tired. Having someone who wants to do something for you, develop themselves for you, understand others for you, feels so good.
Rrrr~.
The loud phone ringing didn't make the owner notice. So I reached out and picked it up. It was Mark's mother calling. I hesitated for a while but decided to answer. If it was his mother, it wouldn't be a big deal. But if it was his father, I would let Mark answer.
"Hello."
[Vee? Where is Mark?] Mark’s mother asked. I looked at the sleeping person and smiled.
"He hasn't woken up yet."
[Oh, it's already late.]
"He has been doing heavy activities. He couldn't sleep until one o'clock last night. It's been like this for several days." I said.
[I know. It's why I didn't call much during this time.] Mark’s mother said.
"Alright, when he wakes up, I'll tell him to call you back."
[Don't bother, I just want him to come home for a bit. It's his father's birthday this year and he said we wouldn't celebrate, but I want him to come anyway, along with you.] Mark’s mother said.
"Um... if that's the case, I'll let him know." I said.
[Okay, since it's Saturday, you won't have school, right?] Mark’s mother asked.
"That's correct."
[Has things been difficult lately, Vee? How are things going with him?] Mark’s mother asked.
"Things are not being difficult. Mark is still the same as before. He's been busy with activities, but I've been supporting him all along. I'm afraid he'll get bored, so I... that's it. I care for him." I said, and then Mark’s mother laughed.
[It's good to have you around. We don't have to worry much for him anymore. Mark thinks his father doesn't love him, but he doesn't know that his father cares deeply and worries to the point of death. He doesn't want to go far away. With you around, I can tell his father that he doesn't have to worry because our son has someone watching over him.] Mark’s mother said.
"Yes, are you and father doing well?" I asked.
[We are doing well, son. It's just a bit lonely being alone at home. I haven't talked to my son during this time. Is he doing the activities well?] Mark’s mother asked.
"He can do them very well. Right?" I asked.
[I am proud to hear this. I thought Mark probably can't do activities with other people, but I was happy to hear that. When he meets other people or if he really gets to work with Dad, there won't be many problems.] Mark’s mother said, and I agreed. After hearing that, I'm sure you have been worried about these things.
"Don't worry about him… Mark... is very lovable."
[are you just saying that or have you become very attached to my son?] Mom said, still laughing.
"Perhaps it's the latter." I said. It's not a confession, but attachment. Truly attached.
[Please take care of each other, my child, and come visit Dad and me more often. Vee, come too. Don't just let him come alone.] She said again. Because in the most recent time, I was preparing for exams, and then Mark had to go back alone.
"Yes."
[Alright then, I will leave now. Wake up Mark to have breakfast.]
"Yes, I will."
"Who called this early in the morning?" Mark said, starting to regain consciousness.
"It's morning, already late." I replied.
"Is it my phone? Who is it?" Besides not caring about what I said, he could also continue talking about himself without hesitation.
"Your mom called, asking us to go on your dad's birthday." I said.
"I don't want to. Will there be a lot of people?" Mark complained softly and stood up.
"How would I know? I heard it's just on Saturday." I said, and then Mark opened the calendar.
"Next month." Mark said, then he turned his pretty eyes toward me. "Go with me."
"Sure, I'll go." I said.
"Oh, how will my mom arrange the party? Did she tell you?"
"She said she wouldn't arrange any celebrations, but she wanted us to go."
"Really?" Mark looked like he didn't want to believe it, but in the end, he reluctantly agreed because I was speaking seriously.
"Is it done often? The arrangement could be because of business." I asked.
"Oh, before I didn't want to go at all, but now my dad is not strict anymore, and I have you too." Oh, is this love confession plus wooning? Is this teasing or just telling a story?
"I'm there, you don't need to be afraid even if your dad is strict." I replied.
"I think that the one who is afraid is you." He said back, and I laughed.
"Silly, what should I be afraid of?"
"Really? Are you going to run around the pool again this time?" He said jokingly, and it was the time we went to bed by hugging each other until his father opened the door and saw it. He scolded me for letting Mark run in the pool. Back then, I could do anything, but now it might not be possible anymore.
"This time I'll let you run instead." I said, and Mark started shaking his head.
"Old."
"What do you mean?"
"Old, how can you not be able to run??" He teased back.
"Maybe I can't run, but I can do other things." I whispered, and Mark fell silent.
"Go away!"
"What do you mean go away? I meant that I can swim, but I can't run. What are you thinking, Mark?"
"Well...."
"What do you mean, what do you think I meant?" I asked in response.
"That's enough." He said, trying to lower his voice but it was obvious from his eyes that he was embarrassed.
"Okay, okay, but what about going home and taking pictures first?" I asked him about the thing that was stuck in his hair.
"Phii Dew, what day should we schedule?"
"Well, how about next Sunday or next month? But it aligns with when we're supposed to visit Dad and Mom. Anyway, I can reschedule." I said.
"Next Sunday works, but I'm not cutting my hair." Mark said. I turned to examine it again. It was sticking up and he told me he still wouldn't cut, which was fine. Ah... it's cute, isn't it? But others would have to see him be cute too.
"Uh, if you're not cutting it, then don't." Just tolerate it for a while and you can show it off when it's cute to Mark, right??
TBC.
Chapter 6: Since I was a freshman
[Mark Masa].
And when the time I didn't want to come arrived.
The time when I had to fulfil the promise with Phii Vee.
I never thought I would feel awkward wearing a uniform, but now I do. Maybe it's because lately I've been wearing only upperclassmen jackets, or maybe it's because I've gained weight and it feels strange, or maybe it's because of the activities I have to go to. Um... it's just taking pre graduation photos outside as promised.
The deceptive lies of the deceitful agreement.
"Are you done yet?" Phii Vee called from outside the bathroom, making me hold my breath while checking my hair.
"What's wrong, Phii?"
"Come and see this for me." Phii Vee said like that. So I walked out of the bathroom, but had to stop when I saw him.
My handsome guy is wearing a student uniform properly. The last time I saw Phii Vee wearing this outfit was after the exam, but it wasn't like this. It wasn't this neat and tidy. The black sash is almost shiny. The white long-sleeved shirt looks perfect on Phii Vee, even though it's slightly twisted, it doesn't make Phii Vee's perfection diminish. The university emblem is on the right arm of Phii Vee. The handsome guy is standing in front of the wardrobe and turning to look at me as if he's waiting for me to come. But that's it. I'm spellbound.
"Um....” I was spellbound until he walked up to me. I felt helpless.
"That handsome, huh?" Phii Vee said as he walked up to me, but I felt that I didn't deserve that compliment. Not even a bit compared to Phii Vee.
"Um..."
"How about setting my hair? Is it too much?" Phii Vee said and stopped right in front of me. His slender hand reached out to fix my hair, which wasn't even styled, but just slightly lifted to make it look like a style.
"You... are not any different." That lie came out of my mouth. In truth, we are very different. Phii Vee is extremely handsome. Even with just a simple hairstyle and a little bit of gel, he looks incredibly good... Forgive my rudeness, but my boyfriend is extremely handsome.
"Tie my tie a bit for me." Phii Vee said and leaned in towards me. I had to use my hands to style the twisted necktie for Phii Vee.
"Done." I said, and the fragrant scent of my boyfriend somewhat subsided. Phii Vee moved and turned towards the refrigerator. Nothing extraordinary. He acted like himself, nothing strange. He didn't try to look handsome and did everything naturally.
"Do you want milk or just bread?" Phii Vee turned and asked.
"Be careful with the robe." I said and walked towards him.
"Oh, hold it for a bit, lemme eat first." Phii Vee said and handed me the robe. He himself bent down to find our lunch.
We had an appointment with the photographer in the afternoon. Phii Dew is the one who chose the time and found the location for us. For the afternoon, she suggested taking the photos at the faculty building, and for the evening, we'll go to the university's front. But when the actual time came, I didn't know what Phii Vee would do. Because I saw that the person taking the photos turned out to be Miss-PhiiDew's younger brother, who just started studying here, the same faculty as Miss-PhiiDew.
"Just milk."
"Okay."
"Phii Vee, do you want to eat sausages? I can go buy some from outside?" I asked the person who bent down to get the milk, and then the tall person straightened up and turned towards me.
"No need."
"Just some milk? That's all?" I said, but Phii Vee walked past me and went to the pastry table, grabbing a watch along with his dark leather shoes.
"Come put on your shoes." Phii Vee said. So I walked over to him.
"And what about my milk?"
"You want sausage, don't you?" Phii Vee raised an eyebrow, and his tone, expression, and question made my heart race.
"Oops!" I almost tripped back when Phii Vee grabbed my ankle and forced my foot into the shoe, causing me to fumble and awkwardly put on my own shoes.
Do I have to put on shoes???
"Hurry up." Phii Vee said, standing up.
"Don't need to put them on." I said softly, if he's in a hurry, I'll just speed up. Just like I always do.
"It feels good, so thank you." Phii Vee turned to face me and said.
"Thank you."
"What?" His beautiful brows raised in a way that questioned where my previous words went. I could tell that today, I should just follow his lead. So I moved closer and whispered softly in Phii Vee's ear.
"Thank you, Phii Vee." I smiled at him.
"I want a kiss." A handsome face that hid its gentleness all day finally revealed itself.
"No. I'm in a hurry." I said and went to open the door, leading Phii Vee out without paying any attention to him. If we start kissing we may never stop, that's the definition of Veevis, so I must not lose control, no matter how tempting it may be.
Phii Vee took me to buy the sausage as promised, but he went to buy it himself. I didn't mind because my mom called just then. When I got out of the car, people looked at him, and now that we're walking towards the car, they're still looking, and he even went to meet them. It's Phii Vee. He's holding the bag of sausages, so I have to stop and let the fan club take photos.
Maybe it's because it's been a long time, or maybe it's because the new generation guys are all so handsome. They look really good, to the point where I forgot that my boyfriend used to be a university student. He can't be this handsome if he wasn't, he's just more than handsome.
"Sorry, someone wanted to take a picture. Are you hungry?" As soon as I sat down in the driver's seat, Phii Vee asked while handing me the sausage.
"I forgot that you used to be a Moon." I said that, but I really didn't forget. Even if I did, I would be crazy.
"Oh... am I handsome today?" It took him several minutes to ask for compliments from me. Because from being in the room until now, Phii Vee just said these words, and of course, it's something that cannot be denied in any case.
"Yeah, handsome."
Phii Vee parked the car in the parking lot as before. When we walked down, people looked at us big. Waving was not enough, and the greeting to Phii Vee kept coming. He just paused and smiled back. If people in the faculty don't know Phii Vee, then this is not the engineering faculty.
"Taking photos outside, huh, big brother?" A fifth year senior asked Phii Vee.
"Um, where are you going? Aren't you having classes?"
"Class ended, big brother. Where are you taking photos?" The student asked back.
"Just everywhere. This whole faculty." Phii Vee replied.
"You can take photos for a long time. There are people following to take photos too." The fifth year student said, glancing at me.
"Um, I know." Phii Vee said, smiling back.
"Let's see, Phii."
"She's incredibly attractive, isn't she?" A soft but loud voice came up as we walked into the building. It came from the younger sibling who will be the photographer instead of Miss-PhiiDew, along with another friend who was checking the camera.
"Damn, extremely appropriate." I had never heard this phrase before, but when I heard it, I had to turn and look at Phii Vee. Damn... I want to compare myself with Vee now.
"You..." Phii Vee said, then looked at the junior holding the camera, and then I turned to look before I saw that the junior's face looked familiar.
"Hello Phii Vee, Phii Mark. My name is Tewpai, I am Phii Dew's younger brother who will take pictures for you today."
"Tewpai, Tew..." I tried to remember in my head. Because the name sounded familiar. If it was just a familiar face, it wouldn't matter, but this name is also familiar. I must have known him before.
"What else, is he your old fuckboy Mark?" I waved my hand to reject the person who asked with a strong voice. Not anything old. Why would an old fucktoy come around here? I started studying here just two years ago and liked Phii Barr, then Phii Vee came... That's it. What do you want or what time did it have with this kid?
"Sorry about that. Even though I am not an old fuckboy, we used to drink together. That day when I was drunk, I kept mentioning..."
"...Phii Vee." Another tall boy interrupted until the end, and then Tewpai paused his face.
"I admit that I like you, but that day I mentioned Phii Vee a lot."
"Then Phii Vee came to pick me up and dragged me away from you."
"After that day, we..."
"Great." The kid narrated the story, connecting the events until the image in my head became clear.
"Tew with... Vespa" I said as another name came to mind.
"Hey! You remembered my name." Vespa said excitedly.
"Tell me." A voice from the person standing next to me became louder.
"Phii Vee, you don't remember, huh? At that time, you almost punched my friend." Vespa said.
"I can still punch you, even now." Phii Vee replied.
"That day... Did Phii Vee come to pick me up?" I asked.
I recalled a few years ago when I had a fight with Phii Vee, but then we had a work assignment together. After we finished the work, we went out for a drink because he insisted. But at that time, he had a woman come looking for him. I, too, had Tew come to find me, and it seemed like Phii Vee went out with that woman. So how did Phii Vee come back to pick me up?
"Getting it out of my chest."
"Chest! Okay we can stop now. I'm not taking any more pictures today." Phii Vee said.
"Phii Vee..." I grabbed his arm. "Let's talk it out."
"Oh! I don't like him. He kept taking pictures of you when you were swimming. He took pictures when we were walking together. And now, he is the one you used to..."
"But back then, you went with that woman." I interrupted.
"I messed up."
"I did too." I replied. Now we both started to get angry. In my case, I wanted to explain, but in Phii Vee's case, it was all about pure anger .
"If we can both calm down..."
"I'm not listening to anything you say." Phii Vee said and turned his back to me. I took a deep breath and decided to pause the conversation for now.
"Then I'll check the lighting." I paused and said again, then walked towards Phii Vee.
"Phii Vee..." I gently touched the person's arm. "Are you calm now?"
"Fuck, I don't like his face." He said that to me. He didn't shrug his shoulders or walk away, just like that, and I knew that Phii Vee was getting calmer.
"He's still a child." I replied.
"He likes you."
"I don't like him, you know." I said. I've already told Phii Vee that. That I don't like people younger than me.
"I know, but..."
"Don't get worked up." I said and moved to stand in front of Phii Vee, taking a deep breath.
"You look very handsome today." He said it in a confusing way. What's so handsome about me? I'm not even that attracted compared to him.
The outdoor shoot with Phii Vee started with Phii Vee himself. It was a single shot that Phii Dew ordered to be taken, to be posted on the page, which he had already chosen the location for. It was Phii Vee's classroom, and then an upperclassmen workshop. Phii Vee walked in with confidence, casually picking up tools to pose naturally. I was impressed by his ability, but it was strange that he didn't want to take it seriously. I thought the shoot suited him, but it's alright. Many people already know him. I can't take it anymore.
"Very good." Vespa said hesitantly, looking at Phii Vee.
"I think we're good here. Do you want anything else?" Tew asked.
"Do you have a film camera? I told Miss-Dew already." Phii Vee asked Tew.
"Yes, I do. Do you want to take the picture now?"
"Okay."
"Ves, bring the camera." Then Vespa handed Tew and Phii Vee another camera and turned to me saying.
"Sit here." He said as he pointed to an old sofa, which I've seen since year one until year three.
"For a couple photos." Tew said and Phii Vee paused. The handsome guy didn't touch or hold me, but he walked and sat on the armrest of the sofa, then looked at my face.
"Look at the camera." Phii Vee said like that, so I turned to look at the camera, but it must be a joke because I looked at the camera, but Phii Vee looked at me.
Flash!
"Another shot..."
"Just one picture." Phii Vee said and then stood up and left.
"Damn it...one film camera, one shot." Vespa followed Phii Vee's gaze and uttered. Meanwhile, Tew looked at me and smiled.
"Oh, shooting only with one person."
"What do you mean?" I asked my younger brother.
"Phii said she really wanted to use a film camera to take pictures of Phii Vee, but he never allowed anyone else to take pictures because he was afraid of missing the shot or the pictures not turning out well. It's more surprising that Phii Vee asked her to bring a film camera. Now I know why it's special." Tew explained to me and Vespa, and Vespa had a question. Meanwhile, I felt embarrassed.
"What do you mean?"
"He wants to take pictures with his film camera, one roll, one take, with his boyfriend only…and it can’t be reproduced like digital photos."
Goddamn it! If it didn't make me embarrassed, then I wouldn't be human.
And it was like Tew said, Phii Vee used a digital camera to take multiple pictures, but when it came to a couple pictures, he switched to a film camera and only took one picture. Phii Vee didn't say anything. He didn't explain the meaning behind his actions, but I, who already knew, felt increasingly embarrassed.
"Why don't you hug a little?" Tew asked.
"Why hug? This is enough." Phii Vee said, standing upright.
Now we were standing at the department sign, standing as if we were honouring the national flag. Phii Vee was there, and as for me, I wore the prescribed student uniform, looking straight at the camera without even a hint of a smile.
"Take the picture."
"Oh."
Click!
"Done."
"Wait, take a photo with my phone." Phii Vee said and handed his phone to Tew.
"The same as before?" Tew asked, as Phii Vee and I didn't move or change position.
"Oh."
I looked at the camera as before. I had grown tired of it. Even though we only took a few pictures, I didn't have to do much. Phii Vee ordered me to look at the camera, so I looked at the camera, and I continued looking at the camera like that, without needing to be told. I realised it myself.
Click!
"I already know why Phii Mark loves Phii Vee so much." one of my faculty juniors said when he handed the phone back to Phii Vee.
"Huh... even if you were ten people, they couldn't be like one of me." Phii Vee said with a smile, his tone expressing confidence in every word.
"Is today enough?"
"Oh."
"Thank you for letting me take pictures of you and your boyfriend." Tew said and smiled. I smiled back at him.
"Well, thank you for coming to take them." Phii Vee replied.
"I will quickly develop the photos."
"Okay, then send them to me before Dew posts on her page and asks me for them." Phii Vee said.
"I think if you develop them yourself, you should choose first, right?"
"You develop them for me, and give me a lot. I'll pick one photo for her." Phii Vee said.
"I'll try, you know that Dew is a bit..."
"Well, thank you anyway."
"Thank you, sir. I have received my payment." Tew said.
"What? I haven't transferred it yet."
"I've received Phii Mark's smile already."
"Hey... can I punch you?" Phii Vee said, but the junior quickly took me and ran away.
"Don't chase after him, Phii." I said.
"Then give me a smile."
"Smile for the camera." I smiled for the camera, thinking that the lens was Phii Vee's eyes.
"Damn it..."
Phii Vee's outdoor photo session was only Phii Vee himself who was anxious. Tew took all the photos as instructed by Phii Vee. As for Vespa, he held the belongings and followed quietly, wiping sweat for Phii Vee so he wouldn't be missing anything. There was only him watching him in a scary way. It's not about hurting him, it's about being stuck between not liking something and something I didn't want to guess.
"Why are you sulking, Phii?" I said and moved my hand to adjust the air conditioning in the car. It's my car, but Phii Vee is driving.
"If someone likes me, would you be annoyed?" Phii Vee asked as he leaned back against the car seat.
"Phii Vee..."
"I'm annoyed, myself. It's not just you." Phii Vee said, taking out his phone to check his messages. As I saw him do that, I became silent and took out my own phone quietly.
Ring Ring.
Within minutes, my phone shook with notifications that I had been mentioned in a post, which seemed to be too frequent. So, I opened the post to see what it was about.
Phii Vee's post.
Vee Vivis.
2 min.
This year's third-year student belongs to me..
546 likes, 19 comments, 58 shares.
It was a picture of Phii Vee and me that we had just taken. I was in my student uniform, looking at the camera with a calm face, while Phii Vee in graduating robes turned my face towards the camera, but his eyes were looking at me with so much love anyone could see.
"Phii Vee..." I turned to call him, but he just turned back and smiled at me.
"I love you so much... Mmm!" Phii Vee was not done talking yet. I pressed my lips against his soft lips. I kissed Phii Vee slowly, gradually exploring the corners of his mouth to show him how much I loved him. I might not be good with words, I had to come up with a trick or use force to speak, but even if I didn't say it, I loved Phii Vee so much. Maybe even more than he loved me.
"Mmm..."
"Mmm, uh." I slowly moved back, but Phii Vee held onto my collar and kissed the corner of my mouth.
"Love, being irrational like this is because of love." Phii Vee emphasised. His eyes met mine and through our gaze, I told him everything, just like he did when taking the picture.
"I know..." I replied, and Phii Vee raised an eyebrow. "We love each other the same."
His lips were moving closer to mine, but I pushed him away and moved back. No... I couldn't kiss him again. If I did, it would certainly lead to more than this, it had to be more than this. The place wasn't suitable.
"Cruel, aren't you?" Phii Vee said, then moved back to the seat as before.
"I will read the comments.” I replied.
"Everyday is a phone check for computer comments,” said Phii Vee.
"They are talking about me. If not mentioned, I probably wouldn't notice. You can just update photos without tagging me like this."
"I don't tag, I want you to know yourself.” said Phii Vee before slowly driving away.
"Oh." I responded to his intention, all of his meaningful actions and clear words, it made me fall in love with Phii Vee even more.
"If there are comments insulting me, insult them back.” jokingly said Phii Vee, but I immediately told him that even if someone insults me, I wouldn't dare to insult them back. Because the first person to insult is my code senior.
Yiwaa: "Boastful! You all boast all the time."
Toot Studying Mechanic: "Notify, I will notify!"
Pond Pawee: "What is the name of this Third Year?"
U Unun: "Open a warp, Mister Third Year, please."
James read as James, not Jemz: "This is Masa Mark."
Pandora: "Handsome, both husband and wife."
Lee doesn't hit but is made of iron: "Don't want to give him satisfaction, but he is still a daddy."
Da Darika: "Vee is so handsome!"
Bar Sarawut: "Quiet, but really saying it outloud, right?"
Yiwaa: "How did you teach Nnorthh to boast like this?"
Nnorthh: "I'm quiet. Only your friends boast.
Future Forfun: "My friend was forced by Masa Mark.
Kampan at home has a bigger lamp than a pickup truck: "Act cool, if not, he will know I'm lost."
Winney the Pooh: "Come answer the citizens, Masa Mark."
I didn't answer any comments in Phii Vee's post, it was fun seeing them comment like that. Another thing is the comments from fan clubs or people who know Phii Vee, they didn't have any bad comments at all. It got me excited when Phii Vee confessed his love for me. After almost two years, it made them slowly accept that the person by Vee’s side, not Miss-Ploy from the previous relationship, but me, an ordinary man who loves Phii Vee very much.
I pressed a screenshot of the picture that Phii Vee posted on my phone, and then I posted it on my own Facebook page. I didn't intend to use the same picture, but since there was only one, I had to use this one.
Masa Mark.
Just now.
I have belonged to Phii, since I was a freshman.
23 Likes, 17 comments, 7 shares.
Win The Pooh: Very powerful.
Kampan at home has a bigger lamp than a pickup truck: Oh wow.
Yiwaa: Absolutely winning.
TOSSAKAN: Phii Bar, Bar Sarawut.
Bar Sarawut: Where are my machetes?
Toot Lee Studying Mechanic: Victory.
Lee doesn't hit but is made of iron: Ten points, not a single point lost.
Pandora: Horsey, nyeh.
Future Forfun: Is there anything left to comment on?
White stones shining on the sky: Engineering is never-ending, truly never-ending.
The latest comment is from a student from the medicine faculty. I don't know him personally, but I know he is friends with Phii Vee, and I am very close to Tossakan. I locked my phone and put it in the cup holder. It was quiet inside the car, and Phii Vee was still focused on driving. He glanced at me, but when he saw the picture, he didn't say anything. I guess he thought it was his own post. So I won't tag him. I'll let him realise it himself, just like what Phii Vee likes to do.
No matter how much, let him find out for himself.
TBC