MYENGINEER, CHAPTER 51: Hot Pot to Strengthen Bonds
[Duenhaw]
“Phii King, hello.” I greeted the homeowner who was in the kitchen, that lazy guy said the kitchen owner caused a kitchen explosion. At first, I didn’t believe it, but seeing the state of the place…oh my, what’s that smell, and what are those stains? This is after Phii King and friends have cleaned up, isn’t it?
“Duen, you bought so much stuff, there’s still plenty in the fridge.”
“Well, the stuff Phii Boss burnt in the picture looked like a lot, so I went to buy more because I thought there wouldn’t be anything left. But there’s still a fridge full…Phii King, how many people live in your house, twenty?”
“Ha ha.”
I should have asked Bohn if there was anything left…but it’s okay, it’s not my money, it’s Ting’s money, she won a lottery. He went from AnnoyingTing to becoming We-Love-You-Tingting overnight.
“Duen, my student.”
The voice of the person who just caused a kitchen explosion yelled from the kitchen door. Awake already? I saw Phii Boss sleeping on the sofa earlier, it’s funny, he has some weird tattoos that I wouldn’t have thought anyone would get, but they must be temporary because I saw him scratch and some of it came off on his hand.
“Wow, so much stuff…the professor wants to eat hot pot, the professor wants to eat hot pot.” Phii Boss came up to shake my arm like a child begging, haha.
“Hot pot, huh…that’s not bad. It’s quick, and there are a lot of us.” Phii King said, thinking it over. True…but that savage wants to eat tom yum kung.
“Bohn, can you eat hot pot instead of tom yum kung?” I went to ask my boyfriend who was sitting on the floor eating a tuna sandwich. There are sofas and chairs, but no one’s sitting on them, leaving them for the ants to walk or what?
“Sure.” Is the tuna sandwich that good? He’s chewing it eagerly, but I’m not that into it; it smells fishy…but whatever, Bohn likes it.
“Are we doing hot pot, little doctor?” The seniors asked in unison…where did they practice that? If they’re going to be this coordinated.
“Y…yes.”
“Yay!!!”
Why are they so excited?
“Can I help?” Tang came to ask me in the kitchen. Before coming here, I went to study at his house with Ting, Phu, and Ram. They were studying together, and when I asked why they didn’t study with their classmates, Phu said, “No one knows this stuff, trust me, even Ram doesn’t understand it much.” Okay, I understand now.
“Yeah, help me cut the squid and pork.” I nodded towards the bag beside me. They bought so much stuff…but trust me, they’ll definitely eat it all. Look at their stomachs.
“Yeah.”
“Duen, I want to help too.” Phii Boss, the same one, came over, all lively, standing beside me. It seems like he really wants to cook, but I think he should stay away from the kitchen…
“Uh…”
“No way, man.” Bohn came over to push his friend’s head. Hey, that’s my Thai teacher.
“What? I’m a master chef, you know…hiccup.” Phii Boss made a sad face before picking up some water spinach, dipping it in water, and flicking it at his face to mimic tears. Ugh, what effort. But…what does ‘tib tib’ mean?
“Haha, what does that mean?”
“It means ‘excellent in cooking’.” Sure…this is my Thai teacher.
“I’m tired of Boss’s one or two words every day. No need, you, go watch that bizarre food show with damn Tee.” Tee turned on some show I don’t know. I saw people eating live scorpions, eek! So scary, everyone else made disgusted faces, but Phii Tee laughed and said, ‘It looks delicious,’ where?!
“Bohn, I want to cook, let Duen let me cook for him.”
“Then…can you help me chop some vegetables?” In the end, I couldn’t resist his pitiful look. Just chopping vegetables should be fine, right?
“Yeah! Trust me!” Phii Boss was excited and started…Bro, that’s a hoe, not a knife, are we going to survive this?
“What are you doing?”
“Making soup.” I answered while slicing the daikon into rounds. Daonuea loves eating daikon; she says it’s sweet. Speaking of Daonuea, she’s been uploading videos to YouTube lately. Want to know what kind of videos? I can tell you.
‘How to eat sticky rice’ You’re stunned, right?
I was stunned too, but I didn’t stop her. She’s a kid, let her be. I think it’s cute, the way Daonuea chews it in small bites and says, ‘Yummy!’ Seeing it makes you feel a strange kind of fluffiness.
“Really? What do you need to put in?” The person behind me asked, he didn’t lean or touch me; he tried that once, and I pulled out a knife to scare him, so Bohn was scared and didn’t dare again. I’m not annoyed, I’m just not very good at multitasking, when I go to grab the seasoning, it feels like I have a protective spirit on my back.
“Chicken bones, daikon, pickled garlic, cilantro roots, sugar.” It’s a recipe my mom found on the internet. It’s good, tastes nice.
“How’s the tutoring going?”
“It’s good, ask the tutor, Tang, I’m really good.” I smiled with pride. How could I not be proud, I got full marks on the old exam papers Tang gave me, it was close…but it came at the cost of studying like crazy until I had dark circles under my eyes and lost two kilos, ha ha.
“Really, Tang?”
“Yes…but he likes to stay up late, doesn’t eat much either.” Damn, Tang, are you confused?
What did you just say?!
“Why do you do that, there should be limits to what you do, Duen.” Bohn said coldly, crossing his arms with furrowed brows…Phii Duen knew it would come to this.
“It’s okay. It’s just for one week.” I said softly, putting daikon into the pot, trying to act casual so I wouldn’t have to look at Bohn’s face.
“Never mind, what the hell, I’ll hit you with a cup.”
“You brute!” I looked up and made a face at him, then saw he was actually holding a cup, shaped like a duck!
“Don’t do this, man. I won’t mind if you’re diligent, but can you take care of your boyfriend’s health? You only have one boyfriend…you should be worried about him.”
I’m not even going there, you bastard.
“Phii Boss…will they realize they’re making us look like we’re the air element?”
“Yeah, should we tell them…hey, we’re still here?” They’ll realize!
“What’s that?” Bohn pointed at what was in my hand. To be honest, I don’t really like this stuff, but Mom said it would make it tastier…and it really does.
“Pickled garlic.”
“Really…why put it in?” Bohn always questions everything when I cook, “What’s that?”, “Why put it in?”, “How does it taste?”, and many other questions. I think it’s cute, he looks so focused. Actually, he can cook, and it comes out quite appetizing…except for the taste part.
“I don’t know either, Mom said it would make it taste better.” I answered with a laugh. Not trying to tease, but it’s true, because when I ask my mom why she puts it in, she always says, “I don’t know either, grandma told me to.” My mom is funny…
“Are you messing with me? I’ll hit you with my tongue.”
“You…bastard, I’ll hit you with a knife.” I raised the cleaver in a threatening manner, and Bohn raised his hands in surrender before backing away to avoid my dark side.
“Tang, I think we’re becoming air elements again.”
“I think so too. I’m going to cut the pork in the bathroom.”
“Okay, I’ll go cut vegetables to keep you company, there’s water in the toilet. We won’t have to waste water washing the vegetables.” Wait, this doesn’t sound right.
“So, we’re going to the camp together, right?”
“Yeah, why ask so many times?” You already signed us up, why ask again?
“I’m afraid you won’t go with me.” Bohn came to hug me from behind, strong like a buffalo but more clingy than a cat; even Mai would have to give in to him.
“Why be afraid, you worrywart, whose boyfriend are you?” After saying that, I gently pinched his cheek…Bohn, do you know that hand just touched raw chicken? I didn’t want to be sweet…I was just wiping my hand, haha.
“Your boyfriend, heh heh.”
“Phii Boss, let’s go outside, they don’t appreciate us anymore.”
“Exactly, how can friends compete with lovers? We can’t win.”
“Say that again, and I’ll hit you with the spatula.”
“…”
“Then I’ll take the stuff outside.” Tang said before taking the prepared items out. We’ll eat in the living room since it’s big enough for all of us. Bohn isn’t in the kitchen anymore; he couldn’t stand the hunger and ran out to eat snacks with friends. As for Phii Boss, I have no idea where he went.
I followed Tang out later because I had to clean up the mess we made; there were shrimp shells everywhere, and lots of squid ink stains too. At first, it wasn’t messy, but Bohn and Phii Boss wanted to try chopping. I was soft-hearted and let them do it, the result…a mess.
Oh my, each one looks pitiful.
When I came out of the kitchen, I saw Phii Bom lying on the floor moaning from hunger, Phii Tang was asleep but still frowning, Bohn and Phii Tee were fighting over the snacks we brought. The sight made me feel like I encountered people on the brink of death in the Sahara desert. If you’re going to look this miserable…
“Uh…Bom…go get Merk and Boss from the backyard…” Phii Tee said weakly before collapsing onto the floor, exhausted. So, they haven’t eaten since when…
“No way, I’m too hungry to move. You go.”
“Stop it, I’m also too hungry to move, Bohn, you go, this isn’t a full meeting, we can’t eat properly.”
“Not going, I’m eating.” Bohn shrugged it off, then took more snacks from the bag, eating ravenously. Damn…I’ve treated you well. I’ve never let you go hungry, Bohn.
“And where did King and Ram go?” Yeah, right.
“An hour ago, I saw them walking to the backyard.” Phii Tee answered while getting up to sit and stare at the squid with shiny eyes. If he could eat it raw, he probably would have by now.
“Backyard again…what are those two doing secretly?” Phii Bom gave a sly smile, what are you planning, you’re really delusional.
“I don’t know, the other day I saw Ram coming out of King’s condo too.” My friends and I immediately paid attention to Phii Tee’s words. Ram is a homebody, he doesn’t like going far from home…but why did he show up at Phii King’s condo? Maybe he was visiting a friend who lives in the same condo as Phii King…or not?
“Really?”
“What’s strange about them being together?” “Huh?” We all exclaimed in surprise.
Phii Tang, who spoke, sounded annoyed before going back to sleep. Hey, why didn’t I know about this? I guess I’m not the only one who didn’t know, since others are surprised too, except for Phu and Phii Tang who aren’t showing any reaction. They must know something.
“Tang, wake up and talk to us first.” Phii Tee, Bohn, and Phii Bom teamed up to shake the senior awake. I wanted to know too, but I wasn’t going to shake him for answers.
“Chill! Phu, lend me your jacket.” Phu nodded and took off his jacket to cover Phii Tang. It’s this hot, and you’re still wearing a jacket?
“So, who’s going to check on that couple…”
“I’m not going.”
“Me neither, in case they’re having sex and I interrupt. Wouldn’t they kill me?”
“I’m not going either.” So even you don’t want to go Bohn? What could be happening? They’re not having sex, you guys are really thinking nonsense.
“I’ll go get Phii King and Ram then.” Phu raised his hand before walking towards what I thought was the backyard. Phii King’s house is big but not too big; it’s a two-story house with vines climbing the walls until they blend with the exterior. It looks fantastical, I like it.
“So, who’s going to get the quiet husband and the mischievous wife?” Phii Tee brought up a new topic.
“Ram and King might not be having sex…but this couple…”
“I’ll go get Phii Merk and Phii Boss myself.”
With a heavy heart and unable to watch the seniors argue any longer, the kind-hearted me volunteered to fetch the other couple. The seniors thanked me and then crawled back to the food. Seniors…that’s raw, it hasn’t been cooked yet. I think I should hurry and fetch Phii Merk and Phii Boss.
I walked along the path, where family photos adorned the walls, seemingly showing the evolution of the children, from the day they first opened their eyes to the world until now. Shit, that’s young Phii King, right? ‘Nong King’, so cute, beautiful since he was a child.
Ah, is that the back door?
“…”
When I opened the door, I had to widen my eyes in shock. I stared in astonishment at the scene in front of me: Phii Boss and Phii Merk were doing something so hot that my face turned red.
“Ah!…Oh, Merk…it hurts.”
The slender figure closed his eyes and let out a moan, his thin lips slightly parted before he clutched the arm of the taller figure tightly, with tears at the corners of his eyes, trembling from the pain in his lower region.
“Just bear it a little longer, just a moment…it’ll be over soon.”
The one on top gently stroked his friend’s head. Phii Merk looked at Phii Boss with pity before deciding to put the coal in all at once, not wanting the one below to endure the pain for long.
“Aaah!…It’s hot.”
“Wow, Phii, the charcoal is really hot, did you pour oil on it?” It’s so hot, my face is completely red now.
I used a towel to cover my nose. In front of me, Phii Merk was standing, adding coal while his best friend was sitting cross-legged, fanning the flames. Why sit so close to the stove? That way, embers would fly everywhere.
“Yeah, I want a strong fire.” “I think it’s too strong…
“And what are you doing here?”
“Bohn and the others sent me to get you.”
“Oh, damn King…there’s an electric stove but he wants to use a charcoal one, making our life hard, huh? My legs are all red, damn, ugh, Merk, I’m hot, the embers are hitting my legs. I shouldn’t have worn shorts.” Phii Boss said while rubbing his legs, which were red with spots, so pitiful.
“I tried to put all the coal in at once so you wouldn’t have to suffer for long.”
“Damn!! Even more embers flew, I thought I was being shot at, damn!” Let them be…
I helped them carry the stoves back into the house; there were three of them. Sometimes I don’t understand Phii King’s thinking; isn’t he worried about the smell in the house…or worse, a fire might start. Now we’re all together, Phu went to get Phii King and Ram. No one asked about them being together; Phii Tang and Phu didn’t mention it either. If they want to talk about it, they probably will themselves.
“Finally, everyone’s here! Come on! Eat!!”
“Oh, damn, King, the pork splattered on me…damn it, besides getting hit by the charcoal fire, I have to deal with pork splattering too?” Phii Boss said while rubbing his arm. I’d nominate him as the unluckiest person of the day.
“Can’t help it. Why would you wear a tank top and shorts if you want to be cool?” Phii King placed pork on the grill. If we eat all of this, I’ll definitely be full to death; three buckets of pork, two bowls of squid, and one big tub of shrimp. Not to mention the vegetables, it’s like they brought an entire farm.
“Can’t I flirt with my husband a bit? What if he looks at someone else, what should I do?” Phii Boss linked arms with the person next to him and acted coquettishly. Phii Merk looked over but didn’t say anything.
“Boss, you’re such a show-off.” Phii Tee made a face in disgust, even throwing a shrimp tail at my Thai teacher. Hey, brother! That’s Ram’s offspring!
“Husband, your wife’s being scolded.” The scolded one blinked, tightening their arms around each other. Sometimes I think they really are a couple. “Well, it’s true what was said.”
“Wow, you bastard.”
“You don’t need to show off in shorts, I only look at you anyway.”
Shit…
“…”
“Why are you blushing? Do you want me to say that to you?” Bohn nudged my shoulder, his eyes full of mischief. I’ll stab you with chopsticks soon.
“Check if it’s red from the pun or from the heat.” I shook my head indifferently and flipped the pork on the grill. Ouch, damn! The oil splattered.
“I only look at you.”
“Yeah, I know. Whatever.” I nodded before taking a piece of pork into my mouth. Ouch! It’s hot. I shouldn’t have been so greedy, damn, my tears are flowing.
“What? Not even blushing.” Bohn looked at me with disappointment while everyone else pretended not to care but believe me, they were listening intently.
“You say that often.”
“I’ve never said that.”
“Your actions.”
“Huh?” Don’t pretend to be confused, you know it well. Just look at your face. Smiling like that, watch out your mouth might split. I don’t want a boyfriend who’s like a cool jester…or is it the Joker, oh.
“You never look at anyone else.”
“That’s true…what about you, have you ever looked at anyone other than someone named Bohn?” So you’re not going to eat anymore, right, Bohn? I shouldn’t have given you the shrimp earlier.
“I have. I’m looking right now.”
“I’ll smack you with the grill pan, who is it?!”
“He’s a guy named ‘The Rogue,’ do you know him? He’s in Civil
Engineering, second year, at the same university as me. What else…Oh, he has kids with ‘The Idiot,’ two of them, named Ben and Dao.”
“Really? Their names sound like our kids, heh heh.”
“Damn…I should be the most enviable woman surrounded by eleven good-looking guys, but why do I end up being the most pitiful because they…don’t care about me, am I out of date? Where’s my era? The era when males were interested in a female like me…Oh, in this era, men look at women like, ‘Go away, little sister, that handsome, exciting guy with the big banana is mine, I claimed him!’ Ugh, I’m heartbroken, why doesn’t God send me one man, why do they have to eat each other! I’m beautiful too…petite and cute, some males could pay attention to me, I’m still single!” It’s sad to hear that.
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