MYENGINEER, CHAPTER 66: Dad-Direk
[Bohn]
“You guys! Hurry up, please, our friends are waiting!”
“Damn, King is really harsh.”
“Yeah, I never thought he could do it.” I agreed with Bom. We were watching our beloved friend hazing freshmen with his hands behind his back. It’s been almost two weeks since the semester started. You might think I’d get the head hazer position, nope. I’m too lazy for that kind of thing. Plus, I hate dealing with complicated stuff, so our dear friend King had to take on the role.
At first, there was a fifty-fifty split on whether to make King the head hazer; everyone said he was too nice. I was one of those who opposed it too, but when he actually did it, he turned out to be quite ruthless, totally different from the artsy King we knew.
“At first, I thought for sure this position would go to Bohn. And King would be the one coddling the juniors…it’s the complete opposite, damn.” Trust me, many people thought like this. King is kind-hearted, he always helps out when someone’s in trouble. Who would’ve thought he’d do something like this?
“Exactly, and damn Boss too.” His annoying wife is one of the hazers, yeah. He said he wanted to try it once in his life, and it just so happened that the seniors chose him too. They said when Boss is serious, he can be really tough. And it’s true.
“Yeah…there’s no trace of the quiet husband and annoying wife from engineering anymore.” We looked at the quiet husband, standing with his hands behind his back next to his wife. They’re the same. After taking up these roles, they don’t tease each other in public anymore because they’re afraid the juniors will see, but when it’s just with friends, they still banter like before.
Rrrrrr
‘Duen’
I smiled when I saw who was calling. My life is so happy these days, it’s like we’re already married. My family gave Duen the green light easily. They even love their son-in-law more than their own son like me. Whenever I bring Duen home, Mom and Dad spoil him, stuffing him with food until he almost throws up, and they love him even more knowing he can cook. Even though he’s become a bit of a spoiled brat, I’m glad they love him.
Now, it’s just a matter of his parents on that side…
“What is it?” The people around me started making knowing faces. How could they not know? I was smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. Even when I try to act tough, you still give me that teasing look, you bastard, Boss.
(Want to eat something? I’m at the cake shop.) One of his daily routines is to wait for me at the faculty; he has a motorcycle, but he has to wait to ride back with me. I’ve told him to come with just one bike, but he won’t listen, saying it’s too complicated. I think this is actually more complicated…
“I want to eat.”
(What do you want?)
“you…Duen.”
(You bastard, fck!) His pronunciation is like a native speaker, fitting for being my wife. I bet you’re raising your middle finger right now.
“Give me…you?”
(Fck!!)
“Do you want some?”
(Hell! Shut up, you bastard. So what do you want to eat?) I chuckled to the person on the phone. There’s never a day he isn’t cute. Does he know how much I have to restrain myself from pinching his cheeks?
“Anything, whatever my boyfriend buys, I’ll eat it all.”
(Why are you so cute? Weren’t you more savage before?)
“The tough look is just an image; I’m only cute with my boyfriend.”
“I want to tease him so bad, but if I do, Boss and his crew would definitely lose their cool.” Bom spoke with his arms crossed. I think so too. Look now, even Duen’s Thai language teacher has started scratching his head. He wants to join in too.
“Yeah, I think the same. Let’s tease him lightly, okay?”
“How about it, Tee’s friend? Oh…I get it now.”
“Tease tease tease tease tease tease tease tease tease!” Saying “tease” repeatedly while tapping my shoulder all around, is this what you call light teasing? Uh…who taught you this? I’m going to go smack their head.
(Alright, up to you then. I’ll buy coffee cake and tuna bread.)
“Uh-huh.” You’re trying to please me, huh? All my favorite things.
I don’t know how Duen has been studying in his second year, but I think it’s tough…my boyfriend finds it tough. He puts his skull on the nightstand, and before sleeping, he has to recite something I can’t make out. I have no problem with that. Even if it sounds like a prayer…
The real problem is the skull…it glows. Initially, it didn’t glow, but I don’t know what the fool coated it with to make it shine so brightly at night like this.
“Phew, I’m exhausted to death, my cheeks are so tense they’re about to split, I’ve bitten my lips until they’re almost bleeding.” King walked over and sat down next to me. Classes are over now.
“Yeah, the weather’s insanely hot, the sun’s so fierce it’s almost blinding, damn, I think I’m sunburned, ugh, my dear husband, my wife hurts.” After saying that, he crawled onto his partner’s lap, Merk stopped drinking water, looked at his annoying wife, then reached up to wipe the sweat from Boss’s forehead. This scene…
“Drink some water.” He brought his own water bottle to the lips of his annoying wife. This is…an indirect kiss!!!
“Cheers, can I tease now? If not Bohn and Duen, then Merk and Boss will do.”
“But only for a moment, this volume is Bohn and Duen…”
“Two hours, sir.”
“Whose wife is here? Urgent attention needed.” I turned to look at the pathway, just from that, I knew who had come. Wait a second, Mom, did you buy snacks for me to snack on or is your son about to go to a Boy Scout camp? There are three or four bags all messed up.
“Duen, do you know you look like a ghost?”
“Why? am I that worn out, Professor…?”
“No…Duen looks like a ghost because every time I see you, I see the ghost of love.”
“Roooooooll, on, on, on!”
“No, I’m not shy, ghost ships are not exciting, sorry, Boss.” Plus one for Bom.
“Yeah, I’ll kick you off the table, you brat.” I lifted my foot in preparation, I knew it would end like this.
“Lebiad, talamiad, peeeeeep.”
“Translate that, dear friend, there’s a shortage of interpreters for this language. No, you’re the only one in the world who understands.” True, Tang…
“Isn’t that enough teasing, you jealous bastard?”
“Jealous, yes. Not being jealous would be strange.”
“Enough, here, your coffee cake.” Before things got any more drawn out, Duen handed over a big bag. You said you’d buy only two things, why are there almost ten items in this bag? Is that milk? And what’s that…
“Coffee in English is ‘coffee’, when will Duen call me ‘darling’?”
“I’ll slap you in a moment.” I raised my hand to pretend to slap the speaker, who pretended to be scared, shaking and running to hug Tee on the other side, probably picking up the annoying habits from Boss’s friend.
“Was today’s class tough?” I asked my lover. The other day, I was furious when he passed out from staying up all night studying. When I scolded him, he said, “I have to study to help others.” but shouldn’t you take care of yourself first? You care about others but not yourself; how can you be a good doctor like that? I’m worried about you…
“Not really, today wasn’t that hard.” He replied before fanning himself with a sheet. After living together for a while, I’ve learned something…Duen isn’t very organized. Our bedroom is full of his sheets and books scattered around. He never tidies up, and I’m too lazy to do it, so I just let it be.
“Really? Don’t overdo it like last time. Otherwise, I’ll lock you in the condo so you can’t go to class.”
“You’re harsh…And you, are you tired?” The other person took out the tuna bread from the bag for me. With service like this, how could I not love you?
“Tired…I’m tired from missing you.” After saying that, I leaned in to kiss his cheek, but he pushed me away, my head hitting the post. Sometimes, you’re too strong.
“I’m sick of people like you, mountain lovers, damn it!” Duen said irritably, playfully banging my head against the post several times. Haha.
“I mean…don’t just love from afar, come and hug me.” Bom’s friend said, arms crossed. Being around you guys, I’ve got so many lines to use on Duen.
“Oh, that’s how it is, huh, hehe.”
“Hell!” Brrrrrrrrrr!
Eek!
!!
We were about to laugh but had to shut up and widen our eyes in surprise when several luxury cars pulled up near where our group was sitting, maybe about five cars. Each car had some kind of flag on the front…the symbol looked familiar, like something I’ve seen on TV a lot, it seems to be…
…the symbol of the Air Force.
I’m not sure, but I think that’s right. The flag’s background is blue, with the symbol in yellow; I can’t quite make out all the details, but I see wings in the center. I think I remember it correctly; someone once said something about the Air Force…Who was it again?
‘Look at this! Cool, right? My dad has this symbol on his chest too. He’s an Air Marshal, you know!’ Eh…
Could it be
“Line up!!”
Before I could think any more about it, a man shouted loudly, loud enough to startle passersby, and over ten giant soldiers ran to line up in unison, oh my…
“Salute!”
As soon as the shout ended, someone stepped out of the second luxury car. He was as tall and imposing as those soldiers, his shoulders covered by a dark blue jacket adorned with ranks and badges, his gaze so fierce that he couldn’t be…
“Dad!”
…That’s right.
I watched Duen run towards that man. The place fell into silence; there were other people around, quite a few, but they were probably too scared of these guys to say anything.
“Why did you come, Dad?” Duen tilted his head, asking his father. We were all so tense we didn’t know what to do, even King sat up straight.
“Came to take my son back home.”
“Huh, is someone hurt?”
“Currently, no one is hurt…but soon someone might be.” After saying that, his eyes darted towards me. I’m sure…he knows about me and Duen.
“Who?”
“Who knows, maybe it’s one of the young men around here.”
“Don’t be mischievous, Dad, there aren’t any bad people here.”
“Huh, and you…do you have a boyfriend?” Duen’s father crossed his arms, looking at his son, his aura of intimidation sending chills down my spine.
Alright…
“…Uh, how did you know, Dad?” He looked very surprised. I don’t think he wanted to hide it; he just didn’t know how to start talking about it. Even I didn’t know how to tell my parents; I had to wait for them to find out themselves…like this.
“I have many connections, I know everything, and I know your boyfriend is in this faculty.” If Duen’s father is going to stare like that, he might as well point at me and say that’s me. Duen’s father’s gaze was terrifying, and with these bear-like soldiers as backup, it was even more frightening. They didn’t look like soldiers…more like terrorists.
“…Uh, yeah.”
“Go bring him over so I can meet him.”
“It’s me, sir.”
I walked up to confront him without fear…well, actually, I was very scared of him. Don’t think I’m weak; you try standing here.
“Hmm, I knew it.”
“…”
“You’ve got guts, thought you’d be too scared to admit it.” The person I was talking to crossed his arms, looking at me with unfriendly eyes. His actions and words indicated he didn’t like my damn face at all.
“Do you have something to discuss with me?” I tried to be nice, like fighting a tiger. I heard King say, ‘He’s got this,’ but I’m not backing down, my dear friend. I gritted my teeth and spoke…
“Straight or roundabout. Even if you tell me to be roundabout, I’ll be direct…I want Duen to have a wife and kids.”
“…” I felt like everything around me froze. Tell me he’s joking like my parents did last time. He didn’t mean that, right…
“Do you understand what I’m saying? If you do, then stop messing with my son!” The man in front of me shouted loudly and dragged his son towards the luxury car. What should I do? My head is spinning like I’ve been hit with something hard. What’s this all about?
“Dad, where are you taking me!”
“Home.”
“I’m not going! Dad, you’re not joking, are you?” Duenhaw tried to resist, but he couldn’t overpower his father. I wanted to help, to pull him out, but I didn’t because Duen’s father seemed to want to talk to me about something he didn’t want Duen to hear.
“Is this a game?”
“…I love Bohn!” The fool shouted at the top of his lungs. Hearing the word ‘love’ from this person always feels good.
“If you can love, you can also stop loving, take him away!” As soon as he said that, three soldiers came over to restrain my lover before stuffing him into the luxury car.
“Why didn’t you help? Are you scared?” Duen’s father said to me as the car drove off.
“Yes, I’m scared…but not because you’re scary. I’m scared because you’re my boyfriend’s father, scared that if I do something wrong, you won’t let me be with Duen.” I said with a serious expression.
“I won’t let my son be with any male partner at all!!” he shouted back. My friends stood up as a backup but didn’t intervene. Now, he had seven soldiers, including himself, making eight, while I had seven…it’s somewhat balanced if we were to go all out, but I wouldn’t do that.
“I’m serious about Duenhaw. I’ve already taken him to meet my parents.” The other person looked surprised when I said that.
“You’re quite handsome too. It’s not surprising you’d make a mistake.”
“My love for Duen isn’t a mistake. I love him because my heart and feelings tell me he’s the one.”
“Listen, young man, this kind of love doesn’t last long. At first, it might be good, but over time, it becomes boring, and when it’s boring, you’ll break up. If you’re going to break up eventually, why not do it now so my son doesn’t get hurt?” He said, hands on his hips.
“I’ll never get bored of Duen.”
“What makes you so sure you won’t get bored of my son?”
“My heart.”
“That’s a ridiculous thing to say. Do you think we’re living in what era? The era of chivalry or something? You have your heart, I have mine? No…this is the era of Big Boss and Dr. Kang, speak with some realism, young man.” Who are Big Boss and Dr. Kang?
“…”
“Why do you love him?”
“I don’t know either, I just know I love him. There’s no definition, but I…love him because he’s an idiot, love him because he’s cute, love him because he’s clingy, love him because he’s Duenhaw. I love everything about him.”
“…”
“Now, Duen isn’t just my lover, he’s my friend, my junior, my mother, my chef, my doctor, Duenhaw is everything to me…so please, let me continue my relationship with Duen.”
“What if I don’t agree and send Duen somewhere else?” He sat down on the marble table in front of me, his gaze still as calm and unchanged. Unwavering. Unbending. Nothing.
“I’ll find Duen and run away with him.”
“Tell me the truth. What would you do if I did that?” He crossed his legs, resting his chin in his hand as he looked at me. Damn, how did he know I was lying?
“I’d punch you.” There’s no hero who would just sit there waiting for the heroine’s parents to send her away. Heroes are the ones who confront those who think like that head-on. Wouldn’t you be angry if you told someone how much you love their child, but they did that? I’m one of those who won’t stand for it and would be very angry, angry enough to punch my future father-in-law without feeling guilty…
“Huh, do you dare? I’m your boyfriend’s father.” He asked tauntingly, the background of several stern-looking soldiers made the atmosphere feel like I was negotiating with a billionaire businessman or a powerful mafia figure in the country.
No…I’m just asking to be with his son.
“As you wish.” I shrugged.
“I’ll give you credit for your courage…fight me. If you win, I’ll give you
Duenhaw.”
“And if I lose?”
“Then get your head out of his life. You don’t have to fight…but I can’t guarantee you’ll see him again.”
“…” I looked at the man in front of me, puzzled. A fight to settle this? Isn’t that a bit too simple? Or does he think I’m not brave enough to hit my father-in-law? Dream on; for Duen, I’d even hit my own grandmother.
“…”
“…Bohn, don’t do it, man. The chances of winning are too slim. It’s not worth the risk.” Tang came close to whisper. Right…judging by his rank, it’s not just luck; he must have gone through extensive physical training, and he would definitely overpower me in terms of strength, not to mention strategy and experience.
“Do you think a soldier can be compared to someone who’s used to fighting?”
“Don’t do it; I agree with Tang.” Merk added, stepping in. I looked at the challenger. He was calmly picking his nails and cleaning his ears as if he didn’t have a care in the world. How laid-back can he be…
“Hey, you won’t back down! Real men love this kind of duel!” King; the current head of the hazing gang raised his hand high, and Boss did the same. In terms of physical prowess, I’d surely lose, but when it comes to heart…
I’m not so sure about that.
“Alright.”
“Sigh.”
Tang and the others put their hands to their foreheads as if to say, ‘I told you so.’ You all know what kind of person I am; I’m brave, especially when it comes to Duen. If I fight him now, I might get Duen back, but if I don’t, I might never see Duen again. I don’t think he’s joking…
“Huh, let’s do this then.” The man in front of me took off his jacket, letting it fall to the ground like it was nothing.
“Sure.”
“So…simple rules. Whoever falls first loses.”
“Understood.” Now, we stood in the middle of a wide open space, with an audience of engineering students from a renowned university. Most were upperclassmen since the freshmen and sophomores had already gone home. It seems Duen’s dad doesn’t care much that this is an educational institution.
Boss is really a good friend; seeing his friend about to fight someone else, he quickly ran to buy essential items, and what are these essentials? Not a first-aid kit or medicine, but popcorn. His husband was cool too; seeing his wife buy popcorn, he ran to buy Coke to go with it…
“You can still change your mind, I’m telling you, I used to be a boxer.” I already knew that. I could tell by his stance. But don’t forget, I used to be a street fighter too…or something like that, whatever, we’re both used to kicking and punching, should be enough to make it a match.
“No way.”
“Then come on.” After saying that, he waved his hand in a taunting gesture. I usually do this when I’m about to fight someone, but being on the receiving end, I just realized…it’s really annoying.
Whiff.
“Shh.” I clicked my tongue, thinking I was going to get hit, but he just missed. What the heck? I’m smaller, but I’m much slower. He must have learned more than just boxing.
“Wow, that was close.” I’m dead…
“You can give up, it would make things easier.” he continued talking while dodging my punches, so fast, is he human or a monkey?
“No.” I replied, dodging a punch he threw. Oof. If that had hit me squarely, I’d definitely be knocked out with one punch. The sound of the wind passing my cheek earlier showed how powerful his punch was.
“You’re really serious about Duen, huh?”
“Yes…more than anything in my life.”
“Well said, but don’t expect any brownie points from me.” As soon as he said that, he landed a solid punch to my stomach. It hurt, but I didn’t fall. I was prepared for pain, but not this much. What did he say just now, fatherin-law?
“Duen is my wife, sir.”
“Come on, my son is going to die of embarrassment. No need to be shy about the bottom position.”
“I’m the top.” I said with a serious face. He stopped moving when he heard that, was he that shocked? True, Duen is tall, but I’m taller. Plus, by the looks of it, I know the position.
Bang!
“…You bastard! Did you fuck my son!! Die, you dog!!!!” Thud!
Everything happened so fast I couldn’t react. Suddenly, the person I thought was shocked grabbed me and slammed me to the ground. Even though my head didn’t hit, I felt dizzy and didn’t know what to say.
‘Simple rules. Whoever falls first loses.’
‘Whoever falls first loses.’
‘Falls first loses.’ I lost…
“Stop messing with my son, leave!” He commanded with authority, and all the soldiers acknowledged the order and followed him.
He was about to leave…
“Give me one more chance, please!” I ran to block his way. I didn’t know if this was honorable or not, but at this moment, I didn’t care about anything else.
“No, I’ve given you one chance, and you lost!” He frowned back at me, like I’d been struck by lightning. I felt numb all over. He must be serious…he wants me to stop seeing Duen. Why wasn’t I more careful! If I hadn’t let my guard down, I wouldn’t have been thrown to the ground.
“But I…”
“I said no, then it’s no, can’t you understand that? Stop messing with my son!”
“Direk!!!.”
Silence fell over the area as everyone turned to look at the source of the voice, revealing a slender woman with a sharp nose, delicate lips, and piercing eyes that made it hard to guess her age; she was beautiful, as beautiful as when she was young, which I knew because I’d seen her pictures before.
…She is Duen’s mother.
“Dr. Kang…” the man who just shouted at me whispered softly, oh. I thought Duen’s mom’s name was Fon, is it Kang? Why is that name so unusual, and wasn’t she supposed to be an old model, not a doctor?
What’s going on?
“What are you doing, you crazy man!!!” The beautiful woman walked up and twisted her husband’s ear, I felt the pain for him; his ear turned bright red, oh…serves him right.
“Well, I was just greeting my son’s boyfriend.” he said, rubbing his ear gently. Where did the fierce general from a moment ago go? Now he was just an old, meek uncle. This teaches us that even the toughest man is still afraid of his wife.
“You fool, don’t make me scold you!! Lucky for you, I happened to sneak a peek at our son’s boyfriend.” After speaking, she punched him hard in the stomach, and I overheard a soldier mutter, ‘The lady is insanely tough,’ yeah, I think so too.
“Big Boss didn’t do what Dr. Kang saw; just now was just a man-to-man greeting.” the man said in a soft, sweet voice.
“Do you want to die?! I told you not to cause trouble! How could you throw
Bohn to the ground like that!”
“Uh, Big Boss just responded. I was annoyed, he was pressing down on our son, does Dr. Kang approve of that?”
“Whether they press or get pressed, it’s their business. We-Are-NotInvolved! Are you okay, dear…?” The first sentence was directed at her husband, the latter at me. This must be what they call the calm after Direk’s storm…
“Uh, hello.” I was all over the place, not even answering the question properly.
“Oh…you’re hurt. Does it hurt, son?”
“A little, not too much.” I gave a faint smile. The scratches on my face and from being slammed down aren’t that bad, but the punch to the stomach, that one really hurts…
“Your handsome face is all bruised…Should I punch you too, Direk?!” The woman in front of me turned to scold her husband. Damn…
“I…love Duen.” I quickly said before things got like they were before. She seems to have some martial arts skills too. If they ganged up on me, I’d be done for.
“Oh we know…don’t worry about that crazy protective father.” She gently touched my cheek. Just as Duen said, “My mom is kind but scary when she’s angry. As for Dad…he’s harsh but afraid of his wife.”
“Thank you for understanding us.” I raised my hands in respect. This means she’s on my side, right?
“Hmm, from now on, call me ‘Mom’…and you Direk… where is Duenhaw!?” Clearly, she’s on my side.
“Uh…he’s…”
“Answer!!”
“At…Tingting’s hotel, dear.”
“Give me the key!!” She extended her hand, and the other party hesitated but handed it over under pressure, giving me a resentful look too. Hey, what did I do?
“Go fetch Duen, son.” Mom Fon handed me the room key; it had the room number on it. Weren’t they supposed to take him home? So, he’s scared of his son complaining to his wife that they had to book a hotel?
“Thank you.” I bowed to her again. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t know how things would have turned out; there would definitely be drama between father-in-law and son-in-law.
“Why did you give in so easily? When I asked for your hand, I got it much worse from your father, didn’t you see?” The Air Marshal ran over to hug his wife, making a sad face.
“That’s why I don’t want him to go through the same!”
“…Uh-huh.” Hearing that, Duen’s father could only nod and grunt in his throat.
“Go home! You’re sleeping on the wood couch tonight. Don’t even think about climbing through the window. If I even see your shadow, I’ll make you bungee jump out the window! Understand!?”
“Yes!” As soon as he agreed, she twisted his ear and led him to the vhicle. Not the luxury car parked there, but an old, peeling housemaid’s bicycle where the metal was visible. She made him sit at the back while she pedaled…Uh…
Not long after, only our group was left on the lot. We were still confused about what just happened, like we were in different movies.
“So, what now…is the family okay with it?”
“His mom is okay.”
“Little sister’s okay.”
“Only Dad isn’t okay…but it’s not a problem because Duen’s Mom is the head of the household.”
“Are you going to look for him? Should we go with you?”
“No need, I’ll go find Duen myself.” The Tingting Hotel isn’t far from the university, my friends must be worried about the three soldiers who were sent to guard Duen. Don’t worry, trust me, Mom Fon can handle it.
“Alright, then we’ll go. Call if you need anything, okay?”
“Uh-huh, see you.” After saying that, I immediately ran to my car. I had to go back home to get something. Since I got it, I’ve never given it to anyone. I thought I’d keep it at home and not give it to anyone because it was hard to come by…
…but now, I’m going to give it to Duen.
Leave a Reply