MYENGINEER, CHAPTER 29: Scores
[Duenhaw]
“How many points do you guys think I’ll get?” I mumbled like a madman, and I’m really scared, you know. Bohn hung up the call a while ago, who knows what’s going on…but whatever, let’s just focus on stressing about the grade instead.
“Damn, Duen, don’t overthink it.”
Tang patted my back to comfort me, a bit too hard, you crazy guy. Even though he’s small and cute, he can hit like an African elephant, sir…I said that, where would he get that strength from? But my friend, Tang, is genuinely strong. Because he’s cute, his dad sent him to learn Muay Thai with me, but the results for Tang turned out better. What the hell, the world is so unfair.
He can knock out tough people, while I can’t even knock down a banana tree the height of my knee…
“But I’m stressed, man, I did my best last time…but I still got scolded.” I think everyone has experienced this; when you’re very confident or put a lot of effort into something, you expect a lot without realizing it, and when it doesn’t meet your expectations…it hurts like hell.
“Come on, I’ve been there too.” From playing around at first, now everyone has switched to comforting me, patting my head and all (?). I’m feeling quite pampered.
“I’m stressed.” I pressed my temples.
“Relax a bit, want something to eat?”
“No, thanks. Not hungry.”
“Don’t think you’re going to get scolded, the more you think, the more stressed you’ll get.” I tried to smile at my friend…You might think, ‘Hey, it’s just this, why so dramatic?’ You might be right, but if you were in my shoes, you’d understand how stressful it is. Even though this subject seems easy, it has a lot of credits, meaning it’s a significant grade puller.
“Sigh, I better go rest.”
I sighed and slumped my face onto the table. Actually, I shouldn’t be this stressed because I had Tang’s help with this work, and both of us are top in the class…but I don’t know, I’m stressed. It’s rare for me to be this stressed, it’s like a collector’s item…not funny, huh.
The chatter in the cafeteria gradually quieted down until it was silent. Who’s here? Or am I about to fall asleep, so my senses are dulling? Sleeping might be good, waking up fresh…
“Duen, what’s wrong?”
“Huh?” I looked up following the voice and the grip on my shoulder. Who is it? I blinked a few times to focus, a shop jacket…and a familiar face, Bohn?
“Crying, huh? Why are your eyes red?” It’s really Bohn, he sat down next to me, his eyebrows furrowed into knots, holding a white bag of something.
“Hey, why are you at my faculty…here to flirt with girls?” I tried to tease him to make him laugh, but he just gave me a serious look.
“You know who I’m here for…you’re just flirting with one person now.” …damn.
“Wow, I feel like this lemon water tastes strangely sweet.”
“Yeah, my vision feels blurry, why does the atmosphere seem pink and all flirty like this, King?”
“I don’t know, ask Duen, he might know.”
“You bunch of bastards!” Phii Duen is fed up! Even if their teasing skills are less than the Engineering Faculty’s Gossip Club, these friends of damn Bohn are something else.
“Admit it, were you crying?”
“I wasn’t crying.” What gives you the right to say I was crying?
“Why are your eyes red then?” He leaned in close, tilting his head this way and that to inspect my eyes…oh, it’s about the eyes.
“Just woke up, then came to do something at the medical building.”
I asked while scanning the cafeteria for anything unusual. It’s weird, right? Normally, the cafeteria isn’t this quiet. Even if we study medicine, we’re still human, we have times when we want to gossip or act like monkeys. Not all of us are nerds. Look at my group, none of us are full nerds…
“To see you.”
“Me? Why?” I pointed at myself, tilting my head in confusion, what’s going on that you’d come all the way here? Have I ever mentioned that my faculty is so far from the others it’s almost like we’re in different universities? That’s another reason why medical students don’t like going far from their faculty; it’s tiring, and it’s hot.
“To give you something, I’ll leave soon, gotta go back to prepare more stuff.”
“Not done yet?”
“Almost.”
“Damn, those last two sentences sound so cheesy just listening with my eyes closed.” Tang lightly hit King’s arm, as if calling him to listen together.
Seriously…how is that cheesy?
“Why doesn’t anyone flirt with me like this?” You act so manly and tough, what guy would want to make you his wife, Pornnapha!
“Shut up! You crazy bunch.”
“And have you submitted your work yet?” …Don’t ask about this, man. Right now, Phii Duen doesn’t want to talk about it; it’s a sad story, but I don’t want to spoil the mood.
“Not yet…not in the mood to go.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“I’m scared.”
“The teacher won’t eat you alive, you’re just imagining it.” My conversation partner said with a smile, flicking my forehead lightly, but it was quite loud, ouch! I’m the brains of the nation! Doing this might cause brain damage, I might die from brain swelling. How will the country manage without me, you jerk!
“You’re not me. You don’t understand, the teacher is terrifying.” I held my forehead, mumbling to Bohn.
“Whether you submit it now or later, it’s all the same.” He brushed my hand away before gently rubbing the spot he flicked, patting my head and then soothing it, huh?
“Yeah, I know…” I pouted, trying to push away the big hand. Even though I knew it was futile because the tall guy wouldn’t budge. Plus, he was giving me a stern look. What, after hurting me, you still threaten me?
“Will you pick up the kid this evening?” He asked while still looking at my
“wound.” Which wasn’t really a wound, just red, not really painful. Bohn is so dramatic, acting like I’ve been hit by a wild buffalo. Forehead
But about that sentence earlier…
“Wow. They already have a kid, Duen got pregnant before marriage.”
“Kritsada! I never taught you to be this irresponsible!”
King took out a handkerchief to dab at his eyes as if he was very upset…Wait, there’s not a single tear, I only see eye boogers the size of a button candy, ew, it’s gross. You’re a girl, man.
“You guys, go away!”
“Ha, now that your husband’s here, you ditch your friends.” Tang said, nodding slightly, lowering his eyes in mock sadness like those who are easily hurt, so fake!
You’re acting!
“Exactly, our love is old news now.” Why do you have to act like we were lovers before, for god’s sake. How did I manage to be friends with these guys for so many years, they’re just too good.
“You assholes. You’re the same, making everyone misunderstand.”
“It’s really a kid, though, heh.” You imagined that all by yourself. Plus, you bribed my little sister!
“You, you…”
“Alright, will you go?”
“Yeah, go.” Today I’m free. I don’t have any urgent work, and my mom went shopping with her friends. Even at her age, she still keeps in touch with her old friends who were models, meeting up on their days off to socialize as old friends do. My family doesn’t mind because it’s her happiness…all my mom’s friends’ daughters are beautiful…Phii Duen likes it.
“Let’s go together.”
“Crazy, I brought my bike.” I told the engineering guy, he didn’t look too troubled by it, probably expecting me to refuse, understanding simple things like this makes conversation easier.
“You can leave it at the university.” Done!! I thought you understood!
“No, besides, your car only seats two.”
Bohn’s car is the most useless I’ve ever seen, why does everyone want one?
Seriously…what else can it do? It can’t even carry much stuff, and it only seats two. You should get a Turbo bike, it seats two as well, and driving it would be more environmentally friendly.
“I brought the Mercedes today.” The other guy raised an eyebrow mischievously, what does your family do for a living? You’re unusually rich, Bohn, do you sell musk deer poop to polish gold or something? I’ll report you to the tax office, and do your parents spoil you?
Oh, my parents spoil me too.
“Are you that rich?” I glared at him, annoyed.
“Yeah, I’m rich.” Bohn shrugged before propping his chin to look at me, he does this pose often, propping his chin, watch out for your elbow.
“Annoying.”
“So, let’s go together.” Are you smiling more often lately, or am I just imagining it? It’s not like he smiles all the time like Phii Yim, Bohn chooses his moments to smile, wow, like it’s medicine to be taken on schedule.
Morning, noon, evening.
“No. I don’t want to leave my bike here.” Am I crazy to leave my car at the university? Even if there are no thieves, you can’t trust it, besides, I love Supachai!
It’s like my son.
“I’ll have someone take it to your house.”
“Do you know where I live?”
“Just tell me.”
“Are you planning to come and wrestle me at my place?” I said that, but he probably won’t do it. Even if he looks bad, I believe he’s decent enough.
“It depends on my patience.” Hey, I thought you were a good person, now you really want to make me lose my cool, huh?
“Wow, you’re crazy.”
“Let’s go together, heh.”
“I appreciate it, but no-”
“Hello, Moss, can you come pick up my bike from the university this evening…I’ll call you later…Yes, thank you, bro.” He held up his phone to make a call…When did you press that! Are you tricking me? At first, I thought he was bluffing, but oh my god…he’s serious.
“You dictator!”
“You like being forced.” Instead of showing any remorse, heh. No, this jerk just shrugged it off and turned to give me an annoying look.
“I don’t want to go with you!”
“I don’t care, I’ll take you out for dinner.” We kept eye contact throughout the conversation, but I looked away when he smiled at me.
“What’s the occasion?” Is it his birthday today? It’s not likely, nor is it mine.
“To celebrate you getting a good grade.”
“Huh?” I looked confused. What grade? The exam this morning was just a close pass because I forgot to study, thank goodness I remembered some things, because of you! If I hadn’t gone to see you last night, I wouldn’t have forgotten, damn.
“This homework.” His slender finger pointed at my folder, which contained only the work I was worrying about whether to submit or not.
“I haven’t even submitted it yet.”
“It’s already a good grade.”
“Are you a fortune-teller or what?” I asked with a pout.
“Not a fortune-teller…a doctor’s husband.”
“You jerk, Bohn! I told you not to say that!” I was about to hit his shoulder but remembered we were in a crowded place. I didn’t want people to think Dr. Duen was violent, so instead of hitting Bohn, I…gently stroked my own hair.
“Heh heh.”
I’m sick of your laugh!!
“Then I’ll go, I have more work to do, call me when you’re done.” He checked his wristwatch and stood up.
“Why would I? I’ll sneak back home, just watch.” I said that, but I won’t really do it; I just want to show some resistance.
“Try it.”
“Why?” I looked up to ask seriously, even though I was trembling inside, thinking, “Duen, damn Bohn is harsh, you know.” but my mouth had already spoken, oh my god.
“I’ll go in, hug you, and say, ‘Come with me, Duen.’“
“Damn, Duen. If you don’t do it, I’ll do it myself.” King looked at me seriously before looking at Bohn with a dreamy expression.
“This is the first time…I feel like I want a husband…” Are you into it too, Tang!
“I’ll call you later.” I waved him off, urging him to hurry, your friends are scolding you, I guess. Phii Boss’s gang can be so mouthy, but thinking about it, they probably wouldn’t scold, more like, ‘Didn’t you say you were going to see the doctor? You’ve been gone for ages!’
“See you in the evening…give me a kiss.” He didn’t just say it; Bohn puckered his lips towards me.
“Kiss your dad!”
“I knew you’d say that.” After saying it, he made a disappointed face, hah. Who would be crazy enough to hug and kiss in the middle of the cafeteria, even couples wouldn’t dare.
“Now that you know, go away.” I waved him off.
“Oh, don’t forget to eat.”
The tall figure handed me a bag from a famous snack store. The bag was quite large and oddly shaped, it must be a box inside. I took it, confused. Oh, he said he brought something for me, is this it?
“What’s this?”
“It’s snacks, are you dumb or what?”
“Go back, go!”
“Ha ha ha.”
Seeing my stern face, Bohn ruffled my hair playfully before speeding off faster than light, as if he knew I was going to kick him. Damn, you’re quick, I’ll definitely let the air out of your tires.
“Phii Bohn is damn good.”
…He’s right, as much as I hate to admit it because it’s annoying.
“He takes care of you so well.” Tang added while watching Bohn’s retreating back. Bohn looks so good in that shirt, every time he walks by, people stare. Should I steal that shirt to wear? If I could, I’d have both the gown and the shirt, which I would definitely take both from him.
“Uh.”
“Don’t you feel anything?”
“How am I supposed to feel?”
“How do you feel when you’re with him?” I thought about what my best friend said, when I’m with Bohn…I feel annoyed, I tend to use force…and most importantly…
“I’m irritated.”
“Sigh.”
Why do you all sigh at the same time? What did I do wrong?
“Do you think he’s serious, or does he just not want to tell us because…”
“I think he’s serious…seriously serious.”
“Then let’s do this…Damn, Duen!”
“Huh?” I jumped in surprise at his shout. Why are you yelling, Tang? Look, everyone in the cafeteria is staring!
“How do you feel when he flirts with you?” When Bohn flirts with me? …I don’t know. It’s not that I hate it; sometimes, his flirty lines are funny.
“When he flirts with me…my heart beats a little faster, and my face probably turns slightly red, I guess.”
“Your heart is so hard. If it were me, I’d have four kids by now.” This was said by the girl everyone in the faculty agrees is the most composed, who also holds the title of star for this year’s medical students.
“Damn, King, that was gross.”
“But it’s true, what a cute guy.” Said with a dreamy face while twisting around.
“Not what I expected at all.”
“What did you expect?” I asked Tang, who seemed to think for a moment before looking at me. “I thought Phii Bohn would have a bad attitude.”
“And doesn’t he?” Don’t call it bad; it’s probably beyond repair. Let’s say his character is so flawed that it’s beyond fixing.
“No. He’s super cute when he’s with you.”
“Really…maybe so.” After he clearly announced he would court me, he’s been…well, flirting in the morning, flirting at night, sending sweet words, calling every time he’s free to say goodnight before bed, and good morning when waking up.
“We’ve talked to him.” Hey, why did you guys arrange to talk, or…
“…”
“You guys like him?”
“Us. No, we don’t like him…it’s about you, we’re talking about you.”
“Huh, about me? What’s there to talk about?”
“Lots, you bastard, about him flirting with you, about his women, because you didn’t want to handle it. So we had to do it.”
“I didn’t-”
“Shut up, it’s true.” I immediately fell silent when Tang’s gaze turned serious, Tingting’s expression was no different, I knew they talked to Bohn as they said.
“I’ll say this just in case he doesn’t win you over or in case you date and break up in the future…when you want to date someone, you need to check what kind of person they are first, if they’ve cleared up all their past issues. Do you know how worried we were when we found out Phii Bohn only had bad news? No good news at all.”
“What’s more stressful is that you just let it slide.”
“…Sorry.”
“At first, we were going to let it be, act confused because we thought it was just playful teasing, but after observing, it didn’t seem like that.”
“So we thought of going to the next plan, which was to permanently separate him from you. But, but, but because we’ve been with you for so long, we noticed you don’t actually hate him…so this plan had to be canceled.”
“It’s not-”
“Don’t deny it, Duen, I know your heart has been off since you met him.”
“…” Well…damn.
“Ram already hit him. Just in case you didn’t know.”
“Hey…”
“But the matter ended well, it’s been cleared.”
“Ended well, how?”
“Phii Bohn got a split lip.”
“What’s so good about it?”
“It’s good because we know he’s serious about you.”
“…”
“So we gave him the green light and let him keep flirting with you until now.” I’ve only just found out about this…there was a time when Bohn had a cut at the corner of his mouth, but back then I didn’t think much of it…when I later found out what my friends had done, I felt warm inside, a little touched by how Bohn has been acting.
“I love you guys…”
“Yeah, yeah, we know, try not loving us.”
“So what did he buy for you?” If Tang hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten what was in my hand.
“He said it was snacks.”
“Open it, I’ve been waiting to see.” Ugh. You can lie to me too, Tingting.
“It’s just ordinary snacks, I guess.”
“Let’s see.” It’s really a box, and inside there isn’t much. Just a chocolate cake about a pound, with white cream decorating the base and top, with chocolate bars around it like a fence, and strawberries on top…
That’s all.
…That’s all…
…The strawberries are placed as if they’re not afraid the shop will go bankrupt; they’re all over the cake so much that I can’t even see the cake itself!!!
I think there might be around twenty strawberries. Inside the box, there’s a green Post-it note with neatly handwritten text. It’s Bohn’s handwriting, which I recognize because I’ve read his lecture notes before. It’s unbelievable that someone so rough could have such beautiful handwriting; I’m even embarrassed by my own handwriting, which is so sloppy it’s hard to read…
‘Eat it all, I know you love strawberries 🙂
P.S. Be my boyfriend soon, Duenhaw #Bohn’
We all fell silent after reading the message. What should I say…King and the others probably don’t know what to say. Me too. I don’t know, my face feels strangely warm.
“I’m serious…”
“What, King?”
“I want Phii Bohn to be your husband.”
“Sigh.”
“Damn…do I really have to submit it now…” I groaned, my heart beating so hard, I felt like I was going to conscription.
“Go in.”
“Wait a sec, let me prepare myself…” I took a deep breath and walked to sit in the chair outside the professor’s office where I would submit my work…and get my grade. Whether it’s good or bad, I’ll accept it. If it’s good, fine, but if not…
Ding
Who’s interrupting the drama in Phii Duen’s life!!
Ai-Hia Bohn: Have you submitted your work?
It’s like he knew I was overthinking, does he have a radar or something, or is he one of those with special powers like in the action movies I like to watch?
Duennhaw: I’m in front of the professor’s office now.
Ai-Hia Bohn: Don’t overthink it. You’ll get a perfect score, trust me.
See, you bastard, Bohn. You don’t know anything. If I get a perfect score, I’ll treat you to ice cream!
Duennhaw: You’re crazy.
Ai-Hia Bohn: If you get a perfect score, I’ll kiss your cheek, but if not, I’ll kiss you myself.
I couldn’t help but laugh. If this was a sweet romance novel, what I should do is sit there, blushing and twisting until I fall off the building, right? But I just found it strangely funny.
Duennhaw: Your offer isn’t interesting at all, lol.
Ai-Hia Bohn: I’m serious.
Duennhaw: Done, I’m going in.
Ai-Hia Bohn: Duen
Duennhaw: ?
Ai-Hia Bohn: Don’t overthink, I’ll be right here by your side.
Duennhaw: You make it sound like I have terminal cervical cancer.
Ai-Hia Bohn: You won’t get dirty, I clean up ‘your stuff’ every time after use.
Duennhaw: Ai-Hia Bohn, fck, you!
Ai-Hia Bohn: Shh, baby. If you want to be correct, you should type, “Fck, me, please” you good person.
Duennhaw: Fck you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“You’re smiling so big.” I immediately stopped smiling when I heard Tang’s teasing voice. I just realized I was smiling. That wasn’t me; I was possessed!
“Talking to Phii Bohn, huh?”
“Ha, I’m leaving.”
“Oh, you seem to have more energy when you talk to him.”
“It’s not related, I’m really leaving, you jerk.” I shrugged and walked to stand in front of the teacher’s room. They didn’t follow because the teacher only allows one person in at a time…which makes submitting work even scarier. Imagine going into a room where the air is colder than the North Pole, just you and her, brrr.
Knock, knock
“May I come in?” I tried my best not to let my voice tremble, ugh, this is Duen’s most significant moment in life.
“Please come in.”
Her voice is so powerful, the beautiful junior makes me all nervous.
I opened the door and bowed to the senior inside, and she nodded with a cold smile.
Such a cold smile, damn!
“…I’m here to submit my work.” I said as I walked to stand in front of her desk.
The teacher is so influential; she’s the only one with a private office. We call it ‘Pin’s Palace,’ where ‘Pin’ is her nickname, her real name is Pinkaew…or something like that, which I’m not brave enough to call her often.
“Yes.” She took my work and opened it to scrutinize, while adjusting her glasses. Oh, Phii Duen, I’m scared. If you put your hand on my heart, you’d feel how hard it’s beating.
Crack
Damn, the room is so quiet you can hear the air conditioning. Should I say something to break this uncomfortable atmosphere? Or maybe not. Usually, no one does anything; I might even get scolded for being impolite…Better not say anything, trembling.
“…”
“Medical student?”
“Y…yes.” I answered stutteringly, shocked. What, am I going to get scolded for sure?
“This work…” It’s terrible, crap, useless, is this all you can do, what did your parents feed you to be this dumb, is this work or trash, please take it away and throw it out after submitting, huh. He scolded me.
…Oh, still?
“You did very well, take this…that’s all.”
She paused for a moment before meticulously writing the score on my work and handing it back to me.
“What?”
“Uh…then I’ll excuse myself.” I bowed to the professor, confused. Did she really compliment me, or am I just out of it? Whatever, let’s get out of here first.
“How did it go?”
“What score did you get?”
I didn’t get scolded…
I didn’t get scolded…
And I even got complimented!!!
“Guys, the professor complimented me!”
“Share, what did you get?”
I slowly opened my hand that was covering the score…if I got a perfect score, I would really treat Bohn to ice cream, but no cheek kiss, that offer is terrible.
“Shit! 19.5 out of 20!”
“Almost perfect!!”
“You guys, I’m so happy!!”
I smiled so wide my cheeks hurt, damn, I’m so happy. I never thought I’d get such a high score, it must be because Tang helped. I thanked my dear friends while raising my hands to hug them.
Happily.
I picked up my phone to go into LINE. No need to search long because his chat was at the top. I said if I got a perfect score, I’d treat him to ice cream, right? Even though I didn’t get a perfect score, I’ll still treat him, but not to ice cream…
Duennhaw: Bohn, I’ll treat you to shaved ice.
Not only is Phii Duen handsome, but he’s also kind, hehe.
But…
Where can you buy shaved ice?
Tug