MYENGINEER, CHAPTER 61: Wrapped in Fog, Embracing the Cold. Watching Stars On the Mountain
[Bohn]
“Finally, the day has come!! The day we conquer Phu Sot Dao!!!”
“Huh.”
Boss raised his hand above his head with a determined look, others did the same. Today we will climb Phu.
“You sure you can do it, fool? If not, you can stay at the bottom.” We haven’t climbed the mountain yet, but we’re about to start walking up. Almost everyone is here, (except for Phii Sao who had to say goodbye because of asthma). Even though I’d like Duen to come along, health comes first.
“Do you see me as some delicate, small-framed girl…no, I’m a sturdy, strong man. Just walking up the mountain like this, easy!” I know you’re not a delicate girl, but you’re foolish, what I’m scared of is…you walking clumsily and rolling down the mountain.
“Well…okay, then. If you get tired, I’m not carrying you on my back, just so you know.” Such scenes happen often in dramas…seriously. Even though I love Duen, I definitely won’t carry him up there.
“Come on, I can roll up the mountain, ha ha ha.” Roll up the mountain? I can understand rolling down the mountain, but how do you roll up?
“Everyone ready? Let me warn you, the distance is very far. If we start now…we’ll reach the pine clearing at the top of the mountain just as it’s getting dark. It’s not a short distance. If anyone can’t make it, don’t force yourself.” Phii Sun, at the front of the line, shouted, the pine clearing is the place at the top of Yod on Phu Sot Dao.
“If no one turns back, then…follow Phii Yod. We’ll reach the top of the mountain together!” His words…somehow ambiguous. If someone else said it, I might think it’s vulgar, but since it’s Phii Sun, he probably just means what he said.
“Ba!”
“Walk, let’s walk, our Theamuang Tingtong is shining bright.” What kind of song is this? It sounds familiar, like from the sports day in grade 8, right?…But it’s not Theamuang Tingtong, every time I hear the group name, I feel like vomiting, it feels like getting stabbed in the appendix or something like that.
“My hands are cold, brr.”
“This ‘sunlight that isn’t hot,’ what is it, getsunova or something? I’m cold, you bastard!” The weather is as cool as they said, probably because we’re at a high altitude and the nature here remains lush. The trees spread their branches like a canopy, so we don’t feel the heat at all.
I just listened to a lecture; to reach the pine plateau, we have to go through five hills. As they said, the names of these hills are quite soulcrushing: the first is ‘Send Relatives Hill,’ the second is ‘Defeat the Masters Hill,’ then ‘Bamboo Grove Hill,’ ‘Tiger Leap Hill,’ and finally ‘Death Hill.’ It’s really disheartening, damn it.
“Duen, look at that butterfly, it’s beautiful…I’ll take a picture.” The only girl in our group, Tingting, lifted her camera to photograph a dark purple butterfly. Yeah, it’s really beautiful.
“Aren’t you tired, carrying all that, Tingting?” Duen grabbed his friend’s bag; it’s really big. Looks like she brought a lot of stuff. I only brought a little because Phii Yod said that Yod’s peak is two thousand meters above sea level. We’re definitely going to die, King…
“It’s heavy, but I can manage.”
“I believe you. You’re tough.”
After walking for a while, we started to feel the meaning of ‘tired.’ Even though the sun doesn’t reach us and the air is cool, we’re still sweating. Everyone began to take off their jackets and tie them around their waists. I did the same.
“Let’s take a break.” Thank you for being considerate…
“Oh, my legs.”
“Phew, I’m tired.” Bom slumped down on a log. No one cares about getting dirty anymore. We haven’t even reached the first hill yet; how much longer do we have to walk?
“Phii Yod, phew…how much longer until we reach ‘Send Relatives Hill’?” It’s like King read my mind. Even though he’s panting, he looks happy, smiling all the time. King is like that, he loves nature. Since we’ve been here, he hasn’t picked a single flower or leaf, while Tee has been pulling grass out, creating holes. I don’t know what’s wrong with him; when he’s idle, he likes to pull grass for fun…
“Not long now. Just four hundred meters.” Not long…
…
“Help me…I’m going to faint. How do the porters manage to walk up and down here every day?” Porters are people hired to carry tourists’ bags and luggage, with prices depending on the weight of the items they carry.
“Exactly, my legs are killing me. Just two hundred meters and I feel like
I’m dying, my body is drenched in sweat…let me wash my hands for a sec.” After saying that, he walked to the small stream. Boss…be careful not to slip, you must be crazy wearing flip-flops to hike. We tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen, he said, “I want the cool wind to seep into my toe crevices and rush past my ingrown nails, so my nerves know I’m on Phu Sot Dao.” damn, maybe you should take off your shoes when we get there.
After ten minutes, our camp group started walking again. Phii Yod was still walking as if nothing had happened, how does he do it?
“You leech.”
“Are you okay?” He looked out of breath, so I walked over to check. Not for any reason, just worried because he doesn’t exercise much, and recently he hasn’t been out much, I’m afraid his body won’t adjust in time.
“I’m fine.”
“Sure?”
“Yeah, trust Phii Duen.”
“Okay.”
“And you, are you tired?” We looked into each other’s eyes, sweat dripping down his clear cheeks all the way to his neck, would anyone mind if I dragged him to wrestle in the bamboo grove?
“A little, can I hold your hand?” I moved closer to my lover, it’s hot but I want to be next to him.
“…What if I say no?” With a sarcastic smile, are you turning evil now, Duen?
“I wouldn’t care anyway.” I grabbed his hand and held it, pretending to be aloof, ignoring the protests from the other side.
“Then why ask?”
“Sometimes I want you to agree willingly.”
“–”
“Keep it light, friend.”
“Just now, the bamboo shoot was green, but why has it turned pinkishpurple now?”
“Yeah, the teak tree I was looking at too, what’s happening!” You don’t have to act that much, Tang.
“Maybe…there’s someone falling in love around here, too sweet, isn’t it? Ask your heart.”
“Check it out. Look at their hands, Bohn, are you afraid Tang will steal your little doctor or what?”
“Hey, can’t you walk on your own? No need to hold hands, or is Bohn, our friend, secretly disabled, with hidden hernias or something?” I didn’t respond because I was tired, but instead of quieting down, seeing me like this only made them tease more. Only King didn’t tease or complain. She said she had made peace with it, so she just wanted to stay silent. Poor thing, really.
“I’ve reached the top of the mountain, yeah!!!!!!”
“Uh…Nong Boss, this is just the first hill.” Phii Yod went over to nudge my close friend who was standing on a rock, shouting so loudly it echoed through the forest.
“I know, sir, but I wanted to say it now in case I die, so I won’t have any regrets. My calves hurt, husband, give me a massage, my legs hurt!” After saying that, he walked to his quiet husband who was resting on a nearby rock.
“…No. You should massage me.”
“Useless husband these days! I bought you at a high price, Merk, massage me, now!” Bought a husband…?
“You’re the one who’s useless, what kind of wife doesn’t massage her husband?”
“Jeez!”
Let them be, haha.
“Bohn, if I die, tell Daonuea that I hid money in my underwear drawer, urgh.” The speaker slumped his face onto his arm before lying down on the grass.
“Very tired?” I sat down beside him, gently placing a wet cloth on his face. The sun was starting to reach us, making Duen’s face red.
“Just a bit. Aren’t you tired?” The person lying down lifted the cloth to look at me.
“I’m tired.” I admitted it like a man. Not just tired, but extremely tired. This is just the first hill, and we still have four more to go. Reaching the pine plateau isn’t even Phu Sot Dao, we still need to walk further to reach the real mountain top. The pine plateau is just a rest and camping spot. I’m really grateful that the seniors had mercy on us to only go up to the plateau. “Lie down and rest, they gave us ten minutes.” Duen pulled me down to lie with everyone else. Phu was already asleep.
“I won’t sleep, or I’ll be too lazy to walk later.” That’s me, when I’ve just woken up, I don’t want to do anything. If I’m going to sleep, I want a long sleep. I don’t like dozing off; it’s annoying.
“Suit yourself…I’m going to sleep, can I borrow your lap?” After saying that, he scooted over to rest his head on my lap, which was now stretched out instead of crossed. Is this being sweet or what?
“Sure, I’ll wake you up later.”
“Great.”
“Your nose is beautiful. Did you get surgery?” I poked the high nose of the person below, so beautiful it was enviable. Daonuea has a nose like this too, but since she’s still young, it’s not as noticeable.
“Fuck you, my nose is natural, given by the heavens.”
“Sure, sure.” I brushed it off before looking at the others. They’re really asleep, how do they do it? If you flew a drone over, it would look like a battlefield full of corpses, ha ha.
Huh…
I bent down as I was pulled by the hand, the person below pinched my nose to make me look at him. If you want me to look at you, just say it nicely. There’s no need to be so forceful, Duenhaw.
“And did you get surgery on your nose? It’s obviously done…if we have kids, will they have a flat nose?” The other pursed his lips before poking my nose, using such cute words, ‘if we have kids.’
“Originally, the kids will definitely have high noses, heh.” I rubbed my nose against the one below, and Duen laughed, lightly patting my forehead.
“Hope they get more of my genes, I’m scared if they get too much of yours, they’ll turn out like shit.”
“That’s harsh.”
“It’s not harsh, I’m telling the truth.”
“Then if they get your genes, they won’t turn out like buffaloes?”
“That’s really harsh…”
“It’s not harsh, I’m telling the truth, heh.”
“You’re good at teasing, bastard, I’ll hit you.”
“They’re going to have kids together, you guys…”
“I heard they already have two. Still want more? Me and Merk don’t even have one yet. Where are they rushing to?”
“Take the uterus, I; Ting am offering it.” Uh, um.
Time passed slowly. We walked, rested, until finally…we reached the last hill, ‘The Death Hill’. I have to say, I’m extremely tired. Now I just want to shower and sleep. Others look like they can’t go on either, Boss and Tee aren’t even joking around. Who would have the mood for that, so tired.
“Hiccup, just a little more, juniors! You see mountain top, don’t you? We’ll get to rest soon, yay!” Phii Sun raised his hand high, everyone’s sweatsoaked as if they’d fallen into water somewhere, hiccup.
“I can see it clearly, but why does it feel so far away!”
“The path…phew, it’s steep, you bastard.”
“Damn…I’m tired.” I turned towards the voice; Duen was standing with his hands on his hips, looking at the mountain top. I told him not to sleep. Since he woke up at ‘Send Relatives Hill,’ he’s been looking dazed until we reached the last hill.
“Can you manage?”
“Why? Are you going to carry me? Come on, carry me, I’m so tired.” He walked over to climb onto my back, trying to get up…I’ll kick you if you do.
“Dream on. Even though I love you, I’m tired too.” “Fine, then why ask?” Duen pouted.
“No reason. If you’re tired…I just want you to know that I’m tired with you.”
“…I’m touched, bastard.”
“Huh huh.” I grabbed his hand and held it. I might not be as romantic as movie heroes, but I’ll be a simple, everyday hero. No need for big gestures. This is enough to make the heroine embarrassed.
“I…phew. I don’t have the energy to tease anymore, you bastard. Take over, Bom, phew.”
“Phew, I can’t either, let’s leave them be.” I agree, let me be for a day or two, friends, I’m not bored, but I want you to save your energy for walking. If you collapse, I won’t help you.
It’s tiring to get here, but looking back makes me feel less tired. It feels like I’m embraced by the mountains, and today I’ve felt truly loved by nature.
‘Conqueror of the Pine Plateau pf Phu Sot Dao’
“You bastard!!!”
“I…really, really, made it! Yeah!!!!!!”
“Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, sang pala bai ya wai ta tao!!!”
“What does that mean, Boss?!”
“I’m so damn tired!!”
“Why are your sentences so long?!”
“I don’t know!! I just know that now I’m happy!!!” As the sentence ended, laughter broke out. I’m so glad we finally reached the pine plateau where Phu Sot Dao is! Damn, when we were at ‘Death Hill,’ I thought it would take ten minutes to get here, but no, it took almost half an hour.
Damn tired, very tired, but also very happy.
“Juniors, let’s set up the tents first. After that, you can do whatever you want. It’s the season for the Himalayan cherry blossoms. Anyone who wants to take photos, please go ahead, I’m going to sleep first…hiccup.” Phii Sun shouted. By Himalayan cherry blossoms, he means those purple flowers, right? They’re not just one tree, there’s a whole field of purple. Just the pine trees alone are beautiful, but combined with this flower field, it feels like we’re not in Thailand anymore.
“Bohn, let’s go see the flowers!”
“Hmm. Not sleeping? You said you were sleepy.” I held him back, he said he couldn’t go on and wanted to sleep, why does he suddenly want to go see the flower field now?
“I’m not sleepy anymore. I want to walk and see the flowers, let’s go.” In the end, I followed him to the purple flower field. Up close, they’re even more beautiful, it feels like a reward for our effort.
“Duen, don’t run.”
“The shape is strange, isn’t it? But it’s beautiful in its strangeness…let’s set up camp here.” Duen turned to talk to me, his face full of happiness. I’d like to do that, but…
“No, there’s no space here. We need to set up our tents in the open area.” There’s no space here, Phii Yod said the forestry department doesn’t allow camping in the Himalayan cherry blossom field because it would damage something, I didn’t catch all of it.
“Damn, what a pity.”
Not long after, I had to drag Duen to set up the tent. It’s not a communal tent now. These are small tents, Phii Sun said two people per tent. Of course, I’ll be sleeping with my boyfriend. Others paired up as they pleased, twelve people made six pairs perfectly, finally…I am going to get to sleep one-on-one with Duen!
“Let’s go shower, you guys…is there a waterfall?” King looked around for a waterfall, stroking his chin.
“There’s the Crystal Waterfall, Phii Yod said we can bathe there, but there’s also a water tank behind the tourist rest area, he said we can choose where to bathe…what do you guys want, where should we go?” If we go to the waterfall, we’ll have to walk a bit further. Not many people would go, they’re too tired. But trust me, these guys will definitely choose the waterfall.
“It’s decided then!! Let’s go to the waterfall.” I told you so…
Once we had our goal, we prepared our stuff to go shower. The forest officer said there’s not much water, so bring a bucket to scoop. Good thing I bought one before coming, otherwise, it would have been bad.
“Let’s go, you guys!!”
The speaker raised his stick before walking forward. We stood watching him go, no one else followed yet, Boss is still Boss to the end…
“Are you really going to wear that outfit, Boss?” Merk hugged his arms while looking at his wife. I thought I was chill wearing a tank top and boxers, but Boss, you take chill to a whole new level.
“Yes! Why… is it too sexy, my love? No worries, I promise not to look at anyone but myself.” The speaker walked back to his husband, striking a pose of fake embarrassment. Help…
“Huh, it’s not sexy…”
“Then what is it?”
“It’s ridiculous!!” We all said in unison. Look at him, this is the mountain top place. It’s starting to get dark, and the temperature must be below seven degrees, which is very cold, almost freezing enough for frost to form on eggs, but look at how my friend is dressed…he’s wearing a plain purple shower cap, red rubber shorts with a Songkran water-playing pattern, and flip-flops. Boss…I have no words.
“Whatever, let’s just go. I feel like I’m going to die if I don’t shower.”
“Okay, as you wish…”
We let Phii Yod lead the way. The path wasn’t too tough; we reached our destination after a short walk. The water was scarce, just like they had said, and as expected, no one was here except our group, haha.
“There’s a path leading up to the top of the waterfall too, you can go up but be very careful. Are we sure we can find our way back?” Initially, Phii Yod was going to stay and watch us, but seeing he had a lot of work, we decided to go back on our own.
“Yes, sir.”
“Then I’m off, be careful, kids. Nice outfit, Nong Boss, haha.” Before leaving, Phii Yod went over to Boss, who was sitting in the waterfall. Your pose is so sinful, Boss, squatting like an old man, one hand holding a bucket, the other with a parrot soap bar. I’ve seen your boxers, Boss, please stop.
“Thank you, sir…See, my outfit is amazing.”
“Don’t believe him, I still can’t see the beauty in your clothes-”
“Bihn, you bastard. We’re here to play in the water!”
Whose voice was that? It sounds familiar, like my brother’s voice. Oh, I’m going to faint. I should’ve told you that’s Bihn with his friend, Singh. I shouldn’t have let you study in this faculty. Back then, I thought it would be his happiness, but now I know I was wrong…I shouldn’t have sent you to study with this group, they’re a disaster waiting to happen.
Want to know why I said that?
Just look at them!
He has five friends, Singh, Gel, Kal, Noi, and Thap. If they stood still, they’d look like a decent boy band, but the moment they move, life changes. Just look at them now as an example. They’re dressed similarly; Bihn tied a small towel around his chest like an ancient person, showing off his ugly belly, wearing elastic rubber pants below, and a shower cap on his head. The rest are dressed the same, only differing in color.
What is it with tying your pants so long between your legs? I hate it!!! I can’t stand it!! Gel, you’re handsome but what are you doing!! What did you stuff into your chest!! Are those fake boobs? They’re bigger than a Premier League championship ball, you bastard.
Kal, your name suggests wealth, can’t you act like a gentleman a bit?! What’s with bringing a whole bunch of bananas, what are you trying to do, make a snail? Where did you cut them from, not from the park, right…you’ve been gone for so long because you went looking for bananas?! Noi, you’re so good at teasing, Thap…I beg you, can one of you just be normal? You don’t have to be smart, just not like your friends.
“Damn, I suddenly see Phii Boss looking better.” I think the same, Duen. I think Boss has had it tough, meeting these guys makes my best friend look mild in comparison.
“We’d like to shower with you, Phii Boss.” Gel went to sit next to my friend’s wife, grinning happily before making space for them to sit comfortably. There’s barely enough space, and they’re still fighting over it, you guys. When they sit together, it looks like a group of housewives waiting for their husbands to finish playing cards, so many colors and patterns on your sarongs.
“Kal, can I have a banana?” Gel waved for his friend Bihn, the more I look, the more I want to wash my eyes. Kal, if you’re going to be that low, just drag them all, make it a path, you bastard.
“No, Phii. I don’t want to get punched by Hia Merk.”
“He won’t punch you, it’s just one banana, I want to eat it.” Do you know what your junior is thinking, and you still play with him, you jerk?
“Really can’t, Phii. I’m sorry for doing this, here!” …That kid peeled the banana and shoved it into my best friend’s mouth hard, damn, Boss might choke to death on that banana. I was about to run over to check but stopped when I heard something from Boss…
“Ugh, oh.”
“Duen…let’s go somewhere else, staying here is corrupting us.” I grabbed his arm and pulled him to follow, this is the way up to the waterfall. Tingting’s group has already gone up to the third level. I caught a glimpse of them laughing down at us, they must have seen my brother’s friends, haha.
“I think so too.”
“Where are you two going? You can’t go anywhere!!”
“What’s your problem, Bihn?” I put my hands on my hips, looking at the demon who, seeing that my boyfriend and I were about to escape, quickly climbed up to us at high speed. I remember I never had a monkey for a brother…
“I want to talk to my brother-in-law.”
“Brother-in-law…what kind of brother-in-law, he’s your sister-in-law.” I was about to say, ‘Your father’s brother-in-law,’ but then I thought, no, that’s my dad too.
“Bohn, you duck-faced bastard.” The person next to me lightly hit my shoulder. Well, it’s true. You can’t control me; just look at our size difference. Even if you could, I wouldn’t let you.
“Whatever, you guys have to stay for my interview. Hello, viewers. You’re now with me, Bihn, the not-so-dark but very daring host. These two are our special guests, Bohn, who’s not slender but very tough, and Dr. Duen, the fool with a dazed look who gets cramps like an old lady. In this segment, we’ll revisit the embarrassing and funny moments of that day.” Why are you winking, are you a shrimp? And what’s with using a banana as a microphone, Bihn?
“Wow, I’ve been waiting for this moment, the host is so beautiful he could break hearts and underwear.” The kid ran over to the edge of the waterfall and started wiggling around. How much are you getting paid for this?
“May I interview you?” My brother, who now goes by Bihnnlee, walked over with a banana to my mouth. Did you already take a bite? There are still teeth marks, you bastard, don’t think I don’t know. Ew, there’s even saliva.
“No, we’re going to shower.”
“Come on, this is my show, broadcasting live worldwide.” In your imagination, this show has a name longer than the distance between Chiang Rai and Saturn.
“No, Duen, let’s go.”
“Play along, it’s funny, haha.” I think Boss’s virus has spread to your brain. Oh well…I’m sorry I made you like this, I shouldn’t have trusted Boss at all.
“…”
“Did you hear that, Bohn, who’s not slender but very tough, Dr. Duen, the fool with a dazed look who gets cramps like an old lady, they want to be interviewed.” The host smiled at me before biting into the banana. Oh, just from the description, I’m about to lose my mind.
“Duen, I’m all sticky, I want to shower…”
“You’ll shower after this, come on, play along.”
“Na.”
“Damn…ask away.” Hearing that, the audience from below and above started clapping and cheering with joy…damn it. Just one ‘pretty please’ and I’ll do anything…Seriously, is it some kind of spell? Whenever it comes out of his mouth, it’s like a binding incantation, I can never refuse.
“First question…where did you two first meet?”
“The university’s public park.” That’s where I first met him. I never thought there’d be someone like this hiding in the university; it’s strange how he’s been so invisible for so long, his skill at avoiding people is truly maxed out.
“Ooh, so romantic!” The audience made admiring sounds before nodding and smiling. Everyone sat on the ground, turning to look at us on the second level, it felt like being surrounded by a troop of baboons somehow.
“How did you two meet?”
“Your sister-in-law was sunbathing by the pond, I felt sorry for him, so I went to help, but he screamed, calling me a pervert, so crazy.” Thinking about it makes me laugh. If I hadn’t felt the urge to be a good person back then, I wouldn’t have gotten punched, but…if I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t have met the guy next to me.
“I was shocked at that time! Try being in my shoes, waking up to see some stranger who looks like they’re about to kiss you. If you didn’t punch him, I’d slap him myself.” The other protested, face turning red. He wasn’t this red before, I remember when we first started dating, he only turned a little red, and that was because others were teasing, not because of me.
“Yeah, yeah.” I messed up his hair until it was a mess.
“Interesting, interesting, next question. Who hit on whom first?”
“I hit on him first.” Why don’t you answer, Duen? I didn’t want to answer these questions. Weren’t you the one who wanted to play with Bihn?
“How did you do it? Can you explain, please? We’re very curious.”
“Just…normal courting, you know, going out, dates.” It might be normal, but it wasn’t ordinary. What wasn’t ordinary was the person I was courting. I had to make a huge effort to communicate with him. I’m really good at making Duen agree to be my boyfriend, how did I do it?
“And who asked to be in a relationship, kha?” Actually, you don’t have to use “kha” when you speak, I got goosebumps, Bihn, your chest is so punchable, the balloon knot sticking out is so ugly.
“Me.” After saying that, I looked up at the sky, which had started to turn a light orange. We should hurry up and shower and get back to the pine clearing. Otherwise, we’ll definitely get lost in the forest since no one brought a flashlight.
“Damn, you did everything first, didn’t you? Are you the one who’s clingy or what, such a strong start.”
“Yay.”
“It was Duen who was clingy, giving him flowers every day and even agreeing to go everywhere with him.”
“Phu! Clingy your father.” The person being talked about showed his middle finger to his best friend, your face is red again, Duen.
“Please elaborate on this, may I invite our special guest, Pha Rueang Fueng Fu Shabuu, to explain? Did Doctor Duen really do that?” As the host finished speaking, Phu jumped down from the third level. Hey! Even though it’s not that high, there’s moss there, you could slip and crack your head, turning into a waterfall ghost, and I wouldn’t know.
“He really did that. Don’t believe me? Ask anyone in the faculty; everyone knows, even the teachers.” What he’s saying is true. The janitors, the cafeteria vendors, the street sweepers, everyone knows. How could they not? Duen comes every day.
“Wow. Are you flirting with my brother, Duen?” Bihn nudged the person next to me. How did you guys get so close? I had no idea about this.
“Shut up, I’m not flirting with him. Bohn told me to do it.”
“Oh, and what does the groom have to say about this?” Suddenly, we have another host. Where did you get that banana from, Phu? I’ll guess it’s from the usual suspect, Kal.
“That’s about it, I don’t want to say much.” It’s a long story; if I tell it now, it’ll be dark by the time I finish. So, no one understands my need to shower?
“Alright, alright, let’s move on to the second question out of eighteen…” Is that too many? Did you really plan for that many questions? If Buhn were here, what would happen?
“What do you like about each other? Both of you have to answer.”
“Bohn, let’s go shower, stop playing.” This is the perfect excuse to escape. Sorry, Nong Duen, this is a question Phii Bohn has wanted to hear for a long time.
“Don’t rush, you said you wanted to play along.” I held back the other person, and our friend knew his duty, helping to keep him from escaping by holding his shoulder. Good job, Phu, I’ll buy you a drink later.
“Well, I don’t want to now, see, it’s getting dark. What if a grizzly bear shows up? How would we escape?” What would a grizzly bear be doing at Phu Sot Dao was picked?
“No, no, Bohn, what do you like about Duen? Can you tell us from the beginning how you started liking him, when did you realize you liked him?”
“I like his innocence, his straightforwardness. He’s not quick-witted, I like his good nature, how he loves kids, how he cares for those around him. At first, I thought he was funny, kind of a rare find on this planet. I didn’t think much of it back then…but as time passed, I started feeling something special, began to see him as cute and worth protecting, even though Duen isn’t small or slender. When did I realize I liked him? I don’t know, I just knew I liked him when I already did. Now I love him, and I still don’t know when I started liking him.”
“Urrghhhhhhh, confession of love.”
“My friend here…”
“My brother!!…Alright, and you, Duen, what do you like about Bohn?” I turned to look at the person next to me. This is what I’ve been waiting for.
“…I, let’s stop this, it’s getting dark, let’s shower.”
“Don’t change the subject. Phu, hold him. I won’t let go until you talk, you bastard.”
“You damn annoying people!” After saying that, he covered his red face with his hands, embarrassed as hell. He just admitted he likes me, I
confessed my love to you earlier.
“…”
“Bohn is embarrassed too, look, his face is black!” Bihn poked my cheek with a banana, do you want to die, little brother? But whatever, I’ll allow it today.
“Just wait…tell me quickly, I’m not rushing you. I just want to hear it.” The first sentence I said to the host, the second one I turned to say to Duen.
“I…am embarrassed, damn it. I won’t say it!” The person being pressed looked sulky.
“Tell me quickly. If you only say it when you’re alone with Bohn, he’ll wrestle you.” What do you think of me, I’m a gentleman, right? Heh.
“…Bohn is okay. Not bad or anything.”
“That’s it?” I shouted, I went to all that effort to speak at length, and you say just ten words? Is that even a sentence? Oh, whatever.
“Yeah, let go now.” Duen nodded, trying to free himself from our threeperson hold. The others were watching like they were at the movies, and Gel was really into it. Watching while eating bananas, it’s more exciting than watching Star Wars.
“No, spit it all out. We want to know your feelings, keep poking him until he tells.” Bihn ordered, pointing his finger, and the accomplices complied, raising their hands in a salute before starting to punish the stubborn one.
“Damn- hahaha.”
“Will you tell?!”
“I, argh, hahaha.”
“Tell quickly!”
“I give up, hahaha!” Finally, you agreed to say it, I thought I’d have to use pliers to pry open your mouth.
“Okay, let him go slowly, don’t think about running away. There’s over ten of us. You don’t want to feel like a criminal running from SWAT, right?”
“Yeah, you damn bastards, why threaten me…you think you’re so clever.” Bohn muttered, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.
“So, what do you like about my brother?” I crossed my arms, looking at my lover with a smile. The other ran his hand through his hair in frustration. You really don’t want to say it, do you?
“How should I say it?”
“Say what you feel, it’s easy.”
“Bohn…he’s good, okay, how should I say this…at first when he said he would court me, I thought he was hallucinating from studying too much, so I didn’t pay much attention. But when he actually did what he said, I started thinking seriously, wondering if it was a prank or a bet with his friends. Coupled with the rumors about him, it made me distrust him. But as we got to know each other better, I realized he was sincere. Bohn wasn’t just playing around, haha…damn, this is embarrassing. Back then, I didn’t dislike him, quite the opposite, I really respected his effort. He said he wouldn’t court anyone else but me…and he did what he said. He said he would study hard…and he did. He was willing to read for exams even though he never did before, willing to do things he hated just to make me proud. Besides that, he always took care of me, took care of every little detail, picked me up, dropped me off, helped with everything, was always by my side…you’d be crazy not to love him, you bastard.” …help me.
“I love you too.” I leaned down to touch his cool lips gently. I didn’t do more than that. My heart was beating so hard, like it might burst out. Since we’ve been together, this was the first time I heard ‘I love you’ from him, felt like a mission accomplished somehow.
So happy…
“You bastards. You didn’t see us at all, did you? I was wrong…you get tackled no matter where you are, Duen. Okay, friends, let’s disperse. Let’s go shower, let the couple have their moment.” After that, they really did disperse. Everyone went up to the top floor, pretending not to see us. Good.
“Were we old rappers or something?”
“…”
“You spoke a lot, are you thirsty? I’m afraid your throat might be dry.” I kept teasing even though I was also feeling overwhelmed. Calm down, don’t get too excited…don’t let him know that he just scored a million points for satisfaction.
“…damn it.”
“Say it again, I want to hear it again.” I whispered into his white ear, wrapping my arms loosely around his waist. My face still had a smile that wouldn’t fade. I’m sure I’ll sleep with a smile tonight.
“What. No more. Let go, I want to shower.” The person in my arms struggled free. I saw that it was getting dark, so I let him go.
Not long after, we walked back to change our clothes in the tent. The sun was beginning to set now. Phii Yod led our camp group to watch the sunset from the cliff’s edge. From here, the sunset was incredibly clear, so beautiful you didn’t want it to end, but soon I had to think otherwise…
The sunset led me to see something even more beautiful – millions of stars shining brightly in the sky. I could see the Milky Way with my naked eye.
“Wow…it’s beautiful.” The twelve of us were lying down, watching stars on the wide pine plateau without worrying about getting dirty. We had a large mat, rented from the tourist rest area, twenty baht per sheet.
“Uh, it’s so beautiful here, glad we came here together.” I rested my chin, looking at the other, so cute, looks just like the mother of my child, oh…the mother of my child is you.
“Uh…I feel the same.”
“They probably forgot we’re still here.”
“Seems like it.”
“Let’s leave them be, don’t stick a crowbar in where pigs can find their own way…let them have their moment without interference.”
“We don’t mind if you’re noisy. We like it, hee hee.”
When we noticed the air was getting cooler and fog was starting to settle, we headed back to our tents. If you ask who’s the sleepiest, it would definitely be the fool, because as soon as he got to the tent, he collapsed and fell asleep without a word.
“Hey?”
“…”
“Duen, are you asleep already?” I lay on my side, looking at the other’s back, he was turned away from me. Normally, couples should face each other when sleeping.
“Uh.”
“Yeah, good night.”
“…Good night.” The other nodded sleepily, are you aware or sleep-talking?
“You’re really asleep…so fast.” I shook my head with a smile, getting up to adjust my lover’s sleeping position. I didn’t forget to cover him with the blanket up to his chest. You…really aren’t much like a doctor. Can’t even take care of yourself, how are you going to take care of others, you leech? “Duen.”
“…” Silence, huh.
“You know what…I was so happy when you said you loved me, my heart was beating so fast, hahaha.” Damn, I didn’t dare say it to your face, so I have to tell you when you’re out of it, you jerk…
“…”
“Here…I love you, you fool.” I moved to kiss his round forehead, then gently ran my hand through his soft hair. If you were awake, you definitely wouldn’t let me do this…what are you so possessive about, I’m your boyfriend, right?
After playing with his hair for a while, I started to feel sleepy. So, I lay down, using both arms as a pillow…I left the tent’s roof open so I could see stars outside. These stars are real, not effects or editing. Seriously, it’s unbelievable as it is. With the light fog, the pine clearing looks even more fantastical. Are there places like this?
Not only was it unlike Thailand, but it was unlike Earth…if
Kiss-kiss
The soft touch on my lips made me pause. When I looked up, I met the smile of the person I thought was already asleep.
“I love you too, now go to sleep…” After the sweet words, he lay down beside me, pulling my arm to rest around his waist and snuggling his head into my strong chest…which was me. Now we were lying in an embrace amidst the faint mist and millions of stars in the sky.
How am I supposed to sleep like this, you bastard?
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