MYENGINEER, CHAPTER 63: Family Day (1)
[Duenhaw] Ping!
Damn Bohn: I’m at the shop already.
“Wow, you got there fast.” I muttered to myself, just finishing combing Daonuea’s hair. You said you were at home a few minutes ago, how fast were you driving, you bastard?
“Has dad arrived?”
“Yes. Shall we go then?” I bent down to ask my little sister, and when she nodded, we held hands and walked out of the house.
Bohn and I had planned to take the kids for a haircut and then head to an amusement park. It wasn’t out of any sudden burst of energy, but it started because my dad and mom went on their honeymoon. Do you know where my dad took my mom? To a country at war. Initially, I opposed it because I had just seen news about people dying there, but my dad said,
‘Let me and your mother go, Daonuea, last night I watched a Korean drama with Jung-ki, and after watching it, I wanted to take my beloved to experience that atmosphere. It must be super romantic…From now on, I’ll call my wife ‘Dr. Kang,’ and you my dear wife Fon must call me ‘Big Boss,’ understand, Dr. Kang? Saranghae.’ After saying that, he made a small heart shape with his thumb and index finger for mom. I hadn’t watched that series, but I saw Ting sitting alone, smiling and laughing, probably having a lot of emotions, haha.
“Are we waiting for someone?”
“Waiting for dad to pick us up.”
“Oh, is he coming back to get us? Didn’t he just say he arrived?”
“Oh, right, I forgot you have Supachai now.” I’m crazy, but I can’t help it, I’ve caught the bug, and it’s all because of that damn Bohn.
“Daonuea, sit in the front.” I lifted my little sister into the front seat before we set off. The barbershop where we’re taking the kids is near the amusement park, it’s Bohn’s regular place. I don’t really know about famous or trendy shops. Most of the time, I get my hair cut close to home…my hair is getting long too, let’s get a cool haircut, maybe a barcode style…
“When is mom going to follow dad?”
“Uh, Dao…we’re moving.”
“Oh, right, moving.”
“Probably three more days.” Talking about this makes me feel down. Why don’t my parents ever seem to care about their son? The other day, I was so tense when I told them I wanted to move in with Bohn, thinking I’d get scolded or questioned a lot, but no, my mom just said it was up to me. My dad said, “Huh! Finally, my son is going to be a man! We should close the street for a water party!” What the hell?
“This must be the store…” I looked at the sign, ‘K.mip’, the owner’s name is Mip? I’ve seen shops use ‘K.’ to mean ‘Khun’ (Mr./Ms.), so this must be ‘Khun Mip’. That point looks a bit strange, though.
Forget it.
“Daonuea’s here! Hello, mom.” The kid, Ben, ran to my little sister. He really hasn’t changed, still annoying. Just because he’s been quiet, doesn’t mean he’s stopped flirting with my sister. He’s playing it cool to chase after Daonuea at school, this little schemer! If I hadn’t gone to bring stuff to my sister at school, I wouldn’t have seen it, huh? His personality is just like his father, no mistake!! Stay ten meters away from my sister, you little Ben! “Yeah.” After saying that, he carried Daonuea to the sofa. There aren’t many people in the shop; Bohn said there are fewer customers in the morning…what?
“What’s this? Why did you say that to your kid?” The savage went to carry his brother to sit next to him. Are you that dressed up to make women who pass by on bikes turn their heads and get hit by cars, you sinner?
“He’s flirting with my sister.”
“How do you know? Did you see it?”
“Yeah, with my own two eyes, take your son away, you bastard.” When I went, he was writing ‘love’ in big letters on the board, with a rose in his mouth, doing the moonwalk to Daonuea’s table, damn!!! Where did the shy kid from that day go? You must be a good dancer, your ass was sticking out so much!!
“My kid is like that, too. Ben will be upset if you say that, he’s already sensitive.” The person talked about pretended to look sad, lowering his eyes. Huh!! This mischievous, cunning, cheeky kid!! You might not know what that means, it means pretending + acting innocent + faking it + being a show-off. I don’t know how Phii Boss put those words together, but I like it, it’s so cool!
“That’s his problem.”
“Oh well, I forgot to tell you, I’m getting a haircut today too.”
“Yeah, me too.” After saying that, I grabbed a magazine next to me and placed it on my sister’s lap. Daonuea, knowing what to do, immediately opened it to the hairstyle trends page. Whose little sister is this?
“What style are you going to cut?” Bohn asked, doing the same as me. Finally, I understand why he has a little brother…for stuff like this, truly profound.
“Hmm…I don’t know, something handsome so girls will look at me.”
“Then let’s cut this style.”
“Where?” I looked up at the hairstyle he mentioned, squinting to see properly. The light was in my eyes…huh.
“Pineapple style? …If I cut my hair like that, I’d never dare to leave the house.” On the picture, there was a caption, “Collection of the coolest hairstyles for young men.” Young man my foot, stay at home if you’re going to be young like that, don’t face the world, I beg you.
“It’s fine. No one would look at you…except me.”
“I’m asking seriously. If I really get this haircut, would you still love me?”
“I would.”
“Then I’ll get it, I’ll take this style-”
“Calm down…I was kidding.”
“Hah, and you said you’d still love me.” I stuck my tongue out at the liar, not to mention sweet words, just seeing my reflection in his eyes made me laugh. The vibe isn’t right, “Daonuea, which style do you want?”
“Will I get my hair done too?”
“Uh-huh, which style should I get?” I turned to ask my lover, he might know which style is cuter…wait, I have some fashion sense too.
“Let her choose for herself, Dao, which style do you want, my dear?” The other person bent down to ask his daughter…his daughter? No, no, Daonuea is my parents’ daughter!!
“Um…I don’t know, they all look pretty, which style should I get, Ben?” Why ask that kid? See how he’s grinning now. Doing this will make him think we’re interested, Dao!
“It doesn’t matter which style, they all look the same.”
“Oh-”
“They’ll all be cute anyway.”
“Ah…you.” I was about to curse, but Bohn quickly put his hand over my mouth.
“Shh, don’t curse, the kids are still young.” Forget it! He’s teasing my sister. Don’t you see that!? Bohn must have taught him this, or Ben learned from when Bohn teased my hair, these siblings…
“Ha!”
We didn’t wait long before it was our turn. I and Bohn sent Daonuea and Ben to get their hair cut first. They’re cute, the female employee is very kind. She chatted and played with the kids to distract Ben, she’s really good…
“You, why did you say there would be fewer people in the morning?” I’ve been thinking about what he said since then, but I still don’t get it. It can’t mean that the sun is too hot so people don’t want to come, right?
“Oh, about that…yeah, it’s time, you’ll see soon enough.” He answered while looking at the clock on his phone screen, 9:59 AM. Why? What’s about to happen?
“Time for what?”
“He’s coming.”
“Who?”
“The shop owner.” Just as I was about to ask why it matters that the shop owner is coming, or if he’s very handsome, probably not, otherwise, the place would be packed like Brother Ta’s shop. Before I could continue questioning, the sound of the door opening rang out as the time on the phone changed.
10:00 AM.
Ding!
“Hel-loooooo, the big brother is here, kids, any heads need fixing? You two, come on, I’ll cut your hair well, my dear! Oh, isn’t that Bohn? Why didn’t you call to tell me you were coming? I would’ve come earlier, you know the time very well, don’t you?” I stared at the newcomer in shock…my God, what is that, is he really the shop owner? What’s with that outfit, red, yellow, green pants, a Teletubbies pattern shirt, hair shaved down to two buns with red bows, and is that an elephant trunk hanging around his neck? Where did you get that from? From elephant ivory poachers in the mangroves or what? And what are those shoes, why are they like that, any higher and they’d be skyscraper heels, right?
Sorry, this is Bangkok, not Shinjuku…
“Hello, Phii Fix.”
“Oh, it’s been a while since we’ve met, huh? Is that the doctor’s wife Boss told me about?” What’s his relation with my professor? Looking closely, they do have something similar…not in appearance. I mean their taste.
“Yes.”
“My wife, hello.” I elbowed the person next to me after the first sentence. The second sentence, I turned to greet him. I hate, hate, hate that red bow of his!!
“Wow, so handsome, I thought you’d be stunning, way ahead of your time.”
“See, you got it, big brother.” Isn’t that right? That’s what everyone says, hee hee.
“Heh heh.” Why? Why make that sound? Not satisfied, bastard? Just wait.
“Wait a moment, I’ll come down to cut your hair. In the meantime, pick out your hairstyle.” After finishing his sentence, Phii Fix walked upstairs. Is he really the shop owner?
“Who is he?” I asked quietly; after all, there are more than ten employees in the store. What if they all gang up on me?
“Your Thai teacher’s relatives, that’s why.”
“Huh?”
“Customers don’t come in the morning because Fix comes around this time…he’s quite eccentric, his personality is like King and Boss combined, boom, it creates an unstoppable level of wildness that even King would surrender to.”
“Uh…” I was speechless, looking up at the picture on the wall. How could he dare to put his own photo up there? And it’s as big as a desk, wow…a suit but with messy hair.
Daonuea has finished her hair. She braided her hair all around her head. Oh, my heart, Phii Duen’s little sister, everything she does is cute, my heart is melting.
Thud, thud, thud!
“I’m here. Who’s cutting first?” If you’re going to run down the stairs that loudly, bro, wow…I thought you were fetching something, like an apron with your own face on it? What kind of person are you?
“Duen, khrap.”
“Oh, why? You can go first, I’m not in a rush.” It won’t take long, Ben was done in no time.
“It’s not a big deal. I just don’t want you to wait.”
“This is annoying, choose quickly. Otherwise, you’ll get the same hairstyle as me, come on, one, two…” No, no. I don’t want to look like you, sir!
“This one!” I pointed randomly, but it looked decent at first glance. The shop owner chuckled before starting to cut. Daonuea and Ben ran over to watch from the chair next to me, very interested. Kids are like this, they like to watch anything, even if it’s not that interesting.
“Wow, with this haircut, you look even more handsome, you bastard.”
“Yeah. What kind of terrible haircut did you pick?”
“I don’t know, I just pointed randomly.” I ran my hand through my new hairstyle, looking at myself in the mirror, my heart racing. I look damn handsome…honestly, not just being conceited.
“Phii Fix, I’ll pay a thousand baht.”
“What do you want me to do? I’ll take any job, I’m short on cash these days.”
“Shave his head.” What’s with you, are you afraid girls will look at me or something…what, when the whole university looks at you, I don’t even scold you or tell you to shave your head.
“For real? Sit down.”
Squeak
“Stop, Phii! I’m jealous, damn it, Bohn, hurry up and get cut, the kids are waiting.” I urged the other immediately, look at Phii Fix! He’s already opened the clippers.
“What hairstyle do you want, little brother?”
“Any style that’s more handsome than him.”
“Alright.”
More handsome than me? Impossible.
I played with the kids. Not long after, Bohn finished his haircut, standing with his arms crossed, examining his new hairstyle. It’s not that impressive…just so-so. Not handsome at all. It just makes my heart beat faster.
Ah…I misunderstood the shop’s name, K.mip. It’s not ‘Khun Mip’ but ‘Khmip’, um…I didn’t dare ask further where the inspiration for the shop’s name came from.
“Are we in Thailand or hell?”
“I’m starting to wonder the same thing.”
“…It’s hot.”
“Let’s take the kids under the shade.” Bohn pointed to the umbrella in front of the drink shop, that’s a good idea, we can buy some water too. Me and Ben are so thirsty. Look, their tongues are hanging out.
“Where are you going?” I asked when I saw the other walking somewhere, damn it, I don’t know the way that well, caveman, you know?
Hey.
Not answering but smiling, what’s that about? Oh well, it’s your business.
I led the kids to the drink shop’s front; there weren’t many people around. It’s not the school holiday for elementary or high school kids. Most of the people walking around were foreigners and working adults, giving the feeling of a private amusement park. That old man playing on the ride by himself was so wild, he even had his legs crossed, haha.
“What kind of drink would you like?”
“What do Dao and Ben want to drink?” Hiccup, it’s so hot I don’t want to do anything, Phii Duen just got back from Phu Yod Dao less than a week ago, why is the weather so different?
“Som.”
“Okay…water for me, please.”
“Just a moment.” A moment here means less than a minute…wow, so fast, do you get employee evaluations? I’d give a full ten without deductions.
“…and where did he go, feed…” I sipped from my glass as an action, looking around for the scoundrel, wondering if he got dragged away? I shouldn’t have cut that hairstyle, poor him…well. If that were true, I’d have been dragged away first. I mean, I’m more handsome than he is, hee-hee.
“Exactly. My head is so hot.”
“I feeling like I am about to faint.”
“Calm down, kids, haha.” I chuckled softly when I saw what they were doing. Duenhaw and Ben were holding their foreheads with the back of their hands, pretending to faint, mouths mouthing ‘ow’ in pain. What’s hurting?
Here I come!
“I’ve been waiting here for ages. What took you so long!?..Ouch! It’s, hot, as, hell”
“Hey, kid, don’t, talk, that, way…watch, your, language”
“Sorry…but, it’s hot, and where did you go?”
“I went to buy umbrellas so we wouldn’t get hot.” Bohn said before opening the umbrellas. There were two, but both had large ears as decorations, one with Mickey Mouse ears and the other with Minnie Mouse ears.
“Wow, dad is the cutest!” Dao, don’t hug him! Don’t get too close to them, these siblings are not to be trusted!
“Give dad a kiss on the cheek, you smart kid.” Here you go! But I’ll allow it…he ran to buy umbrellas, sweating profusely, hey, his face is even red.
“Why didn’t you say so, we could have gone together.”
“It’s far, didn’t want you to be in the sun for too long, you might get a tan.”
“Care for others but not yourself, you idiot…are you hot? Your face is red.” I wiped his sweat with a handkerchief, then handed him some water to drink.
“It’s just a little, I’m fine.”
“Scream! Look at the happy family at four o’clock, they’re worth watching!!” One woman shook her friend’s shoulder to look at us. If I’m not mistaken, they should be over twenty.
“Family? Not interesting at all, I’m only interested in boys.” The woman in the yellow shirt dismissed it before going back to reading the book in her hand. What’s that…Doujinshi, yaoi? What is a doujinshi, yaoi? What kind of book is it, and why does she look so excited reading it?
“See!” The person in the green shirt pointed at us. I could pretend not to see, you know…
“Come on, you said family? How can they have kids if they’re gay men?
Are you high on seaweed or what, you little manatee?”
“Look, duck, you see!” The other grabbed her friend’s shoulder to turn her towards us. Daonuea and Ben started looking over there with curiosity about who was talking. Of course, the duck and the manatee weren’t speaking quietly.
“Look…scream!”
“I told you a happy family is worth looking at.”
“Huh!! I stood up for that, damn! So cute, they even have two kids together…damn, the parents are so handsome.”
“The kids are good-looking too, you know!”
“And who’s the dad, who’s the mom?”
Let me answer in my head…Bohn is the mom, Phii Duen is the dad.
“Sorry for only buying two umbrellas, that’s all they had.”
“That’s enough. Buying four would be wasteful…you carry Ben, I’ll carry Dao.” I was about to lift Daonuea, but Ben dragged my sister away first. Plus, he opened the umbrella and walked ahead, hey, you bastard, that’s my sister! Where are you taking the inheritance of the Ratanamok House?!
“I’ll go with Dao myself.” That damn kid shouted back as if reading my mind, wow, so disrespectful.
“Hey, no!”
“Let them.” Working as a team, huh, bastard?! And why are you holding my waist? It’s so hot, damn it.
“Look, duck, I know who’s the dad and who’s the mom, I love it.”
“You! They want to be together so much they let the kids hold umbrellas themselves?”
“Yeah, that’s how it should be, kids, go play far away, go, my child, let the parents have some alone time, so cute. Look, they’re even holding each other’s waists.”
“Are you doing this on purpose?” I made a face at the person next to me, you really like this service, huh? Where do you want to take the ratings, or do you want the whole world to know?
“Yeah. You’re handsome, I don’t want anyone looking too long.”
“They’re shipping us together.”
“I’m watching, aren’t I?”
“You’re jealous.” Before I had a boyfriend, I thought if a partner was jealous all the time like Bohn, it would be so annoying, but in reality…I secretly like that he’s like this, like that he cares and pays attention to my matters. What’s wrong with me, it’s like I have a bad habit.
“Don’t you like it?”
“Well…I don’t hate it.”
“If you like it, just say you like it, huh.” Damn! I really hate your teasing voice, and are we going to stay here until the park closes? Ben has already taken my sister to Surat Thani…that little kid with a life on wheels!! Are you in a hurry, you bastard?!
“Slow down, Dao!…phew, why do you have to walk so fast?” Ugh, it’s hard to keep up.
“I’m just walking normally.”
“…”
“= _ =“ we’re going to fall!
“Dad, I wants to play on that.” She pointed to one of the rides, it wasn’t very scary, just a small Viking ship that kids can ride.
“Sure.” Bohn nodded. I didn’t mind since there wasn’t much of a queue, and we got our turn quickly. Great.
“Honey, sit with Ben.” Bohn’s brother dragged my sister to sit at the far end and sat next to her. You’re so mean!
“…”
“Let the kids be.” He’s really protecting my sister! I wanted to bring her back but was afraid it would seem like I was too protective. So, throughout the ride, I didn’t say much. Well, except for ‘Hey, don’t!’ and ‘My sister!’ a few times.
Okay, listen, here, you, little, shit…touch, her, again, and, I’LL KILL
“It’s so fun.”
“Daonuea, go throw the trash over there first.”
“Should I go with you?”
“No…” He asked my sister, but I was the one who answered. Then I whispered for her to go alone, it wasn’t far, so it should be fine.
“You’ve been contradicting me all day, Duen.”
“Uh-huh.”
“You’re protective of your sister.”
“Admit it.”
“Oh. Why did you do that? Even if you object, the one who decides is still Daonuea.” That’s what I’ve been saying. You really are a matchmaker!
“She’s still young.” I turned to face the other; Ben was looking but didn’t say anything, just crossed his arms and watched me and Bohn.
“So what if she’s young?” Oh, damn, what can be done about it?
“If she gets him, Daonuea would have her first boyfriend since elementary school…if others find out, they might not look at her favorably.” Am I too old-fashioned…but, but at this age, they are really kids, love isn’t necessary yet, is it?
“No.”
“How would they not look at her favorably when her first and last boyfriend is the same person?”
“…” That sounds familiar…damn familiar.
“The genes don’t lie, heh heh.”
“Whether mom agrees or not, I’ll still pursue Honey.”
Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
“Let the kids be, come on, my sister is serious.”
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