EASTTAGYOUREMINE, Special Chapter (1)

   Today, Phii Hill said he would take me to visit his grandmother at her house since her condition had improved significantly, and she was allowed to go home.

Moreover, she expressed a desire to meet her grandson’s boyfriend. I had changed clothes multiple times since morning, trying to pick the most decent outfit. I must say, I was super nervous and excited.

“Don’t be so tense.” Phii Hill said as we were climbing the stairs of the large wooden house, truly befitting his grandfather, a grand and expansive Thai-style wooden house.

“How can I not be tense? I have to meet your grandfather too.” I replied with a slight frown, already fearing the grandfather ever since Phii Hill told me about him. Even though Phii Hill said it was okay, I was still afraid his grandfather might not accept me.

“It’s fine, I’ll be with you.”

“Uh, okay.” I nodded to show I understood, but I was still worried. When we arrived, we met a woman sitting on the bed with a kind smile, who must be his grandmother; she seemed very nice. His grandfather was sitting in a chair next to Phii Hill’s mother.

“Hello.” I greeted, raising my hands in a wai to show respect.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, hasn’t it, son?” His mother came up to me, taking my hand with joy, “Even though you’re a scholarship student sponsored by me, I’ve never actually met you.”

“Huh, a scholarship student?” I echoed, confused, and turned to Phii Hill for an explanation.

“It’s about your scholarship.”

Oh…right, probably talking about Her Ladyship’s scholarship, huh? I thought it was just some coincidence, how could I have guessed that the person paying my tuition was his mother, T^T.

“Thank you.” I said.

“No need to thank me. Actually, if I knew you were Hill’s partner, I would have paid it for free.” His mother said half-jokingly. I didn’t know how to respond, so I just gave an embarrassed smile.

“Is this Hill’s partner? Come closer to grandma, dear.” The grandmother called out, so I moved closer to the hospital bed. “What’s your name?”

“Easter, but you can just call me Ter.” I introduced myself. This phrase has become quite a habit.

“Nong Ter…hmm, I’ve heard Hill mention you a few times. So, you’ve successfully captured his heart?” The grandmother looked at Phii Hill, who nodded in confirmation. “Well, I was rooting for you two. At first, you were, uh…what year was he in school again?”

“About fourth year.”

“Yes, fourth year, that’s right. Hill told me he liked a younger student. He was too shy to talk or approach, and came to ask me for advice. It took a lot of practice to get to this point.”

“Really?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

“Yes, dear, so shy, so shy. He found you so cute that he didn’t know what to do. Whether you spoke, ate, laughed, he thought you were adorable, and that made him too shy to approach. It really wore my ears out.”

Grandma’s words made me blush. Did Phii Hill really describe me to her like that? Wow, hearing it this way is super embarrassing.

   “Congratulations on being together. Stay together for a long time, okay?”

“Thank you.” I said, “And how is grandma’s health?”

“It’s better now, but I can’t walk much anymore, so I have to use a wheelchair.” grandma said, noticing my worried look, she added, “It’s okay. I’ve told grandpa to retire and take care of me more, right?”

“I’ve been retired for a long time now.” grandpa said with a stern expression. “Good. Working hard is stressful, and you might start to take it out on the kids and grandkids. Hill would have had a hard time because of you.” Grandma said, though her tone wasn’t really angry.

“You should stop digging into things, all this digging, what’s it got to do with you, woman. I won’t do it anymore.” It seemed like Grandpa was pretending to be annoyed, perhaps because he was embarrassed by Grandma’s reprimand in front of the grandchildren but had no comeback.

Just like my own parents, huh.

“Hmph. When I came to my senses, I knew everything you did to our grandson. The more I think about it, the angrier I get, locking him in a room and forcing him to study for months! I’m really angry about that.” Grandma said, causing Grandpa to just sigh heavily and turn his face away.

“So that’s why you two had misunderstandings, huh? I apologize on behalf of

Grandpa.” Grandma added.

“Uh…It’s okay, no need to apologize.” I stammered, feeling awkward when an elder apologized.

“Now, everything’s better. Sigh, what a relief. I’m old now, I just want to see my only grandson happy. Hill isn’t like other kids growing up. As long as Hill doesn’t go back to how he was before, that’s all I ask for.” Grandma spoke with a warm look in her eyes. It reminded me of my late grandmother, who always said that at the end of life, all one needs is happiness, not too much, just enough. Having the people we love, a family, children and grandchildren all together, and everyone being happy is plenty.

“And Grandpa, he’s understood now. After several scoldings from me, he’s quieted down, pacified.” Grandma said with a smile and a soft laugh from her seat on the bed, which made everyone else smile except for Grandpa, who remained with a grumpy face.

It’s so good, both my family and Phii Hill’s, everyone understands now. Sigh, what a relief, everything really has improved.

   “Hill, come here to Grandma.”    “Yes.”

“Ah, this is from me.” Grandma pulled out a silver necklace and handed it over. Phii Hill took it, looking puzzled. It was a delicate silver necklace with a moon and star pendant.

“Isn’t this Mom’s necklace?” Phii Hill asked in surprise.

“It’s the necklace Grandpa gave to me, and I gave it to your father to give to the person he loves. Now it should be yours.” Grandma explained.

Phii Hill didn’t say anything, just stared at the necklace in his hand, thinking,

“You mean…”

“Yes, this necklace isn’t just any trinket to be given away lightly, once given, it won’t be taken back. Plus, it’s been passed down through two generations now.” Grandma explained, but before she could finish her sentence, Phii Hill had already put the necklace on me.

“?” I raised my eyebrows, looking at him in confusion. Why did he put it on me without asking anything?

“I definitely won’t return this one.” Phii Hill said before taking my hand and gently kissing the back of it, leaving everyone, including me, stunned.    “It suits you perfectly.”

“Thank you.” I thanked him, feeling shy, and slightly lowered my head to hide my blushing face.

“Really sweet, just like you were when you were young.” grandma teased before we left the room to let her rest. Meanwhile, his mother had some errands to run.    “Take Ter for a walk. Or maybe go make something to eat, I’ll be right back after my errand.”

“Yes.” Phii Hill agreed. I looked around the large house; there were hardly any people, just the housekeeper. Phii Hill took me to explore the house, knowing I liked to check out new places.

“Is this your room?”

“Yes.”

I took the liberty to walk into the room, which was as luxurious as his condo. Books were stacked everywhere, indicating that Phii Hill must have spent nearly a month in this room studying, as grandpa had mentioned.

“Actually, I don’t really like this room.” Phii Hill said as he followed me in. I nodded in understanding; if I were locked in a room for months, I’d probably hate it too, like it holds bad memories.

“But having you here, it suddenly feels much more livable.” He said, which made me smile.

“If I were here with you back then, it would have been better. You wouldn’t have had such a hard time.” I said. At least I could have been there to encourage him, to be by his side. Being alone in a room, studying for so long, anyone would feel stressed.

“It’s fine.”

“Meeting now makes up for all the longing we’ve had.”

“But if we had to be apart again this time, I really wouldn’t be able to bear it.” Phii Hill said, pulling me into a tight hug from behind and gently pressing his nose against my cheek.

“I feel the same. You’re not allowed to go anywhere anymore.” I said.

“Agreed.”

“Promise.”

🙂

 

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