NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 21 part 1
Chapter 21: So Far Away
Several days have passed…
We’re now in the midterm exam period.
I just finished my main faculty exam, I just stood up from my exam seat, walked over to place my answer sheet on the professor’s desk, then let out a sigh of despair. I never thought engineering would be this hard. Since that day when I was sick, I’ve been with Phii Joe almost non-stop. He was only willing to let me go back to my dorm once he was sure I was fully recovered, but getting permission to return was pretty tough.
Tough.
Really tough, T^T
Once the exam period started, we hardly saw each other. I haven’t seen him for almost three days now. Before that, we did see each other occasionally. Phii Prang said he was preparing for work in Boston, and with exams, he’s even busier. I’m not free either, with both exams and first-year activities. My faculty’s activities are known to be the toughest in the university. Thankfully, there’s been a break to study.
Ter is lucky because he can see Phii Hill sometimes since their courses are similar. Ter studies veterinary medicine, so some basic subjects are the same as for med students, allowing Phii Hill to tutor him. However, even if they’re not in the same exact courses, Phii Hill can still help Ter study. I’m in a completely different field.
Lucky…I kind of want to see him too.
“North, how did it go?” Kyu, who was waiting outside the exam room, turned to ask me. I immediately made a face at him. Was I really the last one from our group to leave the exam room? Even after spending so much time in there, I barely managed to answer anything, T^T.
“Sigh.” I sighed, shaking my head in despair, “How about you guys?”
“I think it was okay, it was similar to what was on the practice exams.” Kyu said casually. He’s the best in our group, so we had to ask him for tutoring, but still…
“Similar, huh?” Duennao said, with a look of disbelief, “Where was it similar? Or did I just not remember correctly?” “It’s probably you then.” Kyu replied, “So, are we going to study more? Tomorrow’s the Physics 1 exam, it’s worth a lot of credits.” When he mentioned Physics 1, even though it’s just Physics 1, it’s ridiculously hard, like it doesn’t care that it’s supposed to be introductory. It’s like we’re studying all of high school physics in one semester, and it goes deeper because it’s engineering physics. To top it off, my professor said it would be in English.
While we were discussing where to go for tutoring, I turned on my phone, having turned it off and placed it in my bag before entering the exam room. When I checked, I saw a message from someone sent just a few minutes ago:
Johan: Finished the exam yet?
“What’s with looking at your phone screen and smiling, North? Are you in love or something?” Skater teased me annoyingly. I hid my smile and shot him a glare.
North♣: I’m done.
Johan: I’ll pick you up.
North♣: Where are we going?
North♣: I have to go study with friends, TT.
Johan: Study what?
North♣: Physics 1, there’s an exam tomorrow.
Johan: I’ll tutor you.
Johan: Wait in front of the faculty.
He’s going to tutor me…
“Sorry, guys, I guess I won’t be joining you after all.” I said, looking up from my phone. If Phii Joe says to wait, he’ll be there in a few minutes.
“Going with the doctor?” Kyu asked.
“How did you know?”
“What else could it be with you? And what about studying?”
“He said he’ll tutor me.” “Really? He can tutor? That’s amazing.” Skater said, looking incredulous, “Are doctors that smart?”
“They’re already smart, and he does work in that field anyway, right? I was shocked when North mentioned it.” Kyu added, and everyone did seem shocked when I told them. I was shocked too when I found out about Phii Joe’s job, “He’s not just anyone, he’s the owner of the company, North, you’re clearly a nepo baby.”
“Hmph, well, that’s bad.” I said, feeling that Phii Joe isn’t the type to just hire anyone without merit, and Phii Prang once said he’s not one to be swayed by flattery. If you’re not truly capable, there’s no way you’d make it.
“Have you never asked him about his job? Don’t you want to intern at his company?” Duennao asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Yeah, I’ve asked.” I said. I’ve asked Phii Joe what I need to do to intern at his company if my grades meet the criteria.
“And what did he say?”
“He said if I go to ask for an internship, he’ll interview me himself.”
“Damn, that’s awesome, the CEO interviewing you personally.” Kyu said excitedly. Why the excitement? That’s exactly why I’m hesitant to go. It’s intimidating, T^T.
“Then I’ll go first, see you.” I said, waving goodbye before heading down to the front of the faculty. I didn’t wait long before a luxurious car I wasn’t familiar with pulled up, and the window rolled down.
“Get in.”
“Oh, okay.” I nodded before walking around to the driver’s side. Is this a new car? Usually, it’s an Audi, but this one looks just as luxurious. I could smell the new car leather scent. Did he just buy it? “Is this a new car?”
“Hmm.”
“Did you just buy it? It smells brand new.” “Hmm, bought it yesterday.”
“Wow…” I said, just that. Not having seen him for a few days, I noticed Phii Joe looked slightly tired, seemed weary. “How was the exam?”
“Ha.”
Ha?
What does that mean?
Suddenly, the car stopped in front of a restaurant near the university. I was slightly startled by the sudden braking. Phii Joe still drives like a pro, but I think it’s gotten better. He drives fast but not as dangerously as before when I first rode with him.
“Are you buying something?”
“Hmm. They asked me to buy something.” Phii Johan said before handing me his phone, “You go order.” He got out of the car, and I followed suit. The phone’s screen was open to someone’s chat.
TFha: Joe. Where are you?
Johan: Picking up the junior.
Junior…?
Me?
He calls me ‘little brother’…Why does he call me so nicely when he talks to his friends, but when he talks to me, it’s just ‘you’? He’s only called me by my name a few times. Can I record that to listen to later? T^T
TFha: Order for me
TFha: Two chicken steaks and two pork steaks, all lean meat.
Johan: Are you ordering for everyone?
Johan: You bastards.
Johan: Fine, fine.
TFha: Generous.
Phii Fah must have placed an order, asking for four items, which means there are four of them, right? I bet Ter is definitely there.
“Do you want anything?” I turned to ask. Phii Joe was waiting at the sofa near the counter, the restaurant was quite upscale. The menu outside looked pretty expensive.
“Have you eaten before the exam?”
“Not yet.”
“Order then, get what you want.” I nodded in understanding. I placed the order for what Phii Fah had asked for and ordered for myself and Phii Joe too. We didn’t have to wait long before our orders were ready.
“The total is one thousand two hundred fifty baht. Um, our machine is down, could you please pay in cash?” the female staff said after Phii Joe pulled out his card. He didn’t say anything, just handed over two thousand baht notes. While the staff was counting out the change, Phii Joe took all the items and started walking out, so I took the change.
When we reached the medical faculty’s parking lot, I saw three doctors sitting under the faculty building, with Ter sitting with Phii Hill. As we approached, Phii Joe placed all the purchased items on the table.
“Starting the day with the smell of steak, huh?” Phii Arthit teased a bit before looking through the bags on the table, which were full of books and study sheets. Were they studying? I sat next to Phii Joe with Ter sitting opposite me. I was about to greet him, but then remembered we are roommates, seeing each other in the morning, at night, all the time.
“Did you just finish your exam?” Ter asked me as he took a steak box. I also thanked Phii Fah for handing me my box.
“Yes. What about you, finished a while ago?” “Oh.” I replied. When Ter studies, it looks hard too. If I had to memorize stuff like that, I’d rather deal with physics, but if I could choose, I’d prefer not to face any of it.
“Oh, Phii Joe, here’s the change from earlier.” I said, pulling out my wallet. The change was seven hundred fifty, right?
“Keep it.”
“Oh, okay.” I nodded, putting my wallet back. Phii Joe doesn’t like carrying small bills; for him, anything less than a thousand is considered small change, even if it’s a five hundred baht note. So, whenever we go shopping together, I always end up keeping the change.
“Carrying only thousand baht notes again.” Phii Fah remarked.
“It’s heavy.”
“But you still carry a lot of thousand baht notes, don’t you?”
“Too lazy to withdraw often, some places only accept cash.” Phii Johan said, sounding annoyed, “Why don’t they make ten thousand baht notes?”
Ten thousand baht notes!? T^T
“That’d be annoying.” Phii Arthit said, chuckling slightly. We then ate our meal while having small talk. I learned that the seniors also have an exam tomorrow morning.
Oh, right…
I rummaged through my bag, remembering something. Better give it now before I forget again.
The gear bracelet…
Since the day I gave my gear to Phii Johan, I asked him if he wanted to wear it. I said I would find a bracelet for it if he did, but if he didn’t, it was okay. Phii Joe said it was up to me, so I went out and bought a simple cord bracelet. At first, I was worried it might not be appropriate, but then I saw Tiger wearing one, and it looked fine.
Exactly.
Tiger…wearing Duennao’s gear.
I heard he swapped his gear with Nao’s while Nao was asleep, like they were trading to wear each other’s. At that moment, I didn’t know whether to laugh, feel sorry, or be dismayed; I couldn’t decide on my emotion. And if Nao wore the gear too, he’d be wearing Tiger’s.
I asked what the swap was for since gears from the same year are pretty much identical. Tiger said it’s about the sentiment, knowing alone is enough.
Damn it.
I can’t take it anymore, Captain…
“Phii Joe.” I called out.
“Hmm?”
“Got the gear?” I asked. Phii Joe raised an eyebrow slightly before noticing the bracelet I was holding. He then pulled out the gear from his wallet and handed it to me.
He actually carries my gear in his wallet.
Nice. I thought he wouldn’t have it with him.
I attached the gear to the pendant spot on the bracelet. After a moment, I saw Phii Johan extending his left hand towards me, as I was sitting to his left. I looked up to see Phii Joe, who was watching me with his chin propped on his hand.
So, he wants me to put it on him, huh…
“Can you take off your watch first?” I asked, realizing I couldn’t put on the bracelet because of the watch. I just noticed how beautiful his watch was; it must be very expensive. I’ve seen Tiger wearing something similar. “Um.” Phii Joe said. So I started to remove the watch, but how do you do that? After I fiddled with the watch for a while, Phii Joe sighed slightly, took off his watch himself, and tossed it carelessly onto the table.
“You get the gear and just throw your Rolex like that?” Phii Tonfah asked.
“He got the gear already?” Phii Hill asked, not too surprised, “And you let him put it on?”
“Yeah, so what?”
“Nothing. It’s good.”
“It took a lot for Hill to get to this point, think about it.” Phii Arthit said, “Teaching an ox to be human.”
“You’re one to talk, Tit.” Phii Hill retorted.
“…”
“Serves you right.” Phii Joe turned to say to Phii Arthit with a hint of mockery in his voice, “You should try it, Tit. Hill is the best.”
“What do you mean, Joe?”
“Damn, enough already, Hill. Even my dad has never cursed me like this.” the guy next to me said before letting out a slight chuckle and shaking his head in mild disgust. Phii Joe in friend mode is really lively, even if his eyes still showed signs of fatigue. “One more word, and I’ll think you are jealous of me.”
“Shit, is it that bad?” Phii Tit laughed at what he heard.
“Gotta try it, that’s all I’ll say.”
“No need, guys, just keep your distance, can you? I’m already getting a headache just with Joe saying he’s going to hit on North.” Phii Hill said, sounding quite fed up. How bad does it have to be for someone like Phii Hill to complain like this?
After I put on the bracelet properly, Phii Joe put on his watch as usual, now paired with my gear bracelet. It looked better than I thought, good thing I chose black. “Johan…” Suddenly, there was a call from someone at the other end of the table. I looked over to see a short-haired girl in a student uniform with a short skirt. She gave a slight smile. I looked at Ter, who looked equally puzzled as if he didn’t recognize her either, “Can we talk for a bit?”
“…” Phii Joe didn’t reply, then he got up from the table. That person seemed to look at Phii Joe’s left wrist, then at me a few times, and then they went off to talk, not far away.
“Again? Why can’t people just speak clearly.” Phii Arthit said, glancing at the two people talking.
“Who’s that?” Phii Hill diverted his gaze from Phii Joe to ask Phii Fah.
“Anchun, law student, third year.”
“Oh, the one following the money trail to Joe, huh?”
“Tit, that’s harsh.” Phii Fah gently chided, “The junior is here.”
“The junior won’t mind.” Phii Hill said, “You won’t find anyone who understands Joe like the junior does.”
“Really? You don’t get mad when he goes out to talk with another woman?” Phii Arthit raised an eyebrow at me, surprised. I shook my head in response. Why would I be mad? He’s just going to talk, isn’t he?
“If there was someone else, would you be mad?”
“I’d have to be mad, wouldn’t I?” I furrowed my brows. Wait, what do you take me for? If it went that far, I’d definitely be upset. I wouldn’t even want to think about how I’d feel then. If possible, I’d rather that situation never happens.
“He’s not going to have anyone else, Joe. He’s already head over heels for you.” Phii Hill added, “Especially now with the gear from you. I bet he values that gear more than a three million baht Rolex.”
He’s head over heels for me…
Phii Hill, please don’t say things like that…T^T
That’s true, pointing at a bird and it’s actually a bird.
Phii Arthit nodded in agreement, “Oh, she’s crying now.” Phii Arthit’s words made me turn around to look. The woman was indeed crying, sobbing so hard her shoulders shook, but Phii Joe didn’t comfort her at all.
“Not going to comfort her.”
“She’s not the type to cry easily anyway.” Phii Hill responded.
“Hmm, maybe it depends on whose tears they are.” Phii Arthit said, slightly twitching the corner of his mouth as if he remembered something, “North.”
“Yes?”
“Arthit. Don’t.” Phii Tonfah warned again.
“Why, it’s going to be fun.”
“Stop your bad ideas.”
“Nothing.” Tith said with an irritated look. What’s that, is Tit going to make me cry? What’s he made of, just talking and ending making making other people cry? T^T
After a while, Phii Joe came back to sit beside me, and the woman was no longer in sight. They must have finished talking, but Phii Johan seemed a bit off.
“How was it?” Phii Fah asked first.
“Same as usual.”
“Why was she crying?”
“She asked about the gear.” Phii Joe answered.
“What did she ask?”
“Was I serious about the owner of the gear?”
“And what did you say?”
“If it wasn’t serious, I wouldn’t have put it on.”
!!! Then there were some teasing comments from Phii Fah and Phii Arthit, which made me lower my head in embarrassment. I was happy, yes, but more embarrassed. My face was burning now, my heart started beating strongly again before Phii Joe pulled me closer, and the conversation at the table gradually shifted to other topics.
“Uh, Phii Joe. I have something to tell you.” Ter spoke up, making me turn to look at him immediately. Why did I feel uneasy? Phii Joe also turned to look at Ter with interest, “North, lately he likes to burrow into my hair while sleeping.”
“Burrow?” Phii Johan repeated the word.
“Yes, he keeps moving closer and burrowing to be hugged. If I don’t hug him, he’ll burrow again and push until I almost fall off the bed.”
“Ter! What’s that supposed to mean?” I protested, what is this burrowing he’s talking about?
“I’m telling the truth, do you know how hard it is for me to sleep?” Ter said.
“So what did you do?” Phii Hill asked.
“Uh, I hugged North. Otherwise, he wouldn’t stop burrowing.”
“Ter, are you serious?” I asked in disbelief, as I often heard Ter complain in the morning about me disturbing his sleep. Please stop burrowing already. At first, I thought he was just joking around.
“Joe, I think it’s not proper anymore.” Phii Hill said.
“Yeah, when I get back from Boston.”
“Why?” I turned to ask the person sitting next to me, puzzled.
“Move in with me.”
“No. No way.” I shook my head, rejecting the idea immediately. Phii Joe looked at my reaction, seemingly not very pleased.
“Will you move in nicely, or do I have to kick you out of your dorm? Choose.”
!!
“You really got into engineering by lottery, didn’t you?” A voice from behind made my heart skip a beat because Phii Joe said he would tutor me. Phii Joe then brought me to his room, sitting at his work desk, where…
He made me sit on his lap and hugged me from behind.
Again…
How many more times until I get used to this, T^T
But above all else, I was being scolded because I couldn’t understand Joe’s explanations. Phii Joe is really good at explaining physics in English. At first, he started with a brief explanation because he thought I had a foundation already. But when he found out I had forgotten almost all the basics, I started getting scolded, T^T
Can I go back to being tutored by Kyu, please…
The most intense study time of my life had passed. Phii Joe tightened his hug around me, resting his chin on my shoulder, and let out a small sigh, closing his eyes as if exhausted.
“Are you tired?”
“Yeah, tired.”
“If you go to Boston, will it be even more exhausting?” I asked, starting to worry more. I was already concerned about him during the exam period when we didn’t see each other, but the work in Boston seemed even more demanding.
“Mm, but after I come back, there won’t be anything tiring.”
“Susuna.” I encouraged him, “You’ll be leaving in a few days, right? Going for two weeks, right?”
“Something like that.”
“Wow…” I fell silent, taking a moment to think before deciding to express what was on my mind. “I’m definitely going to miss you a lot.” “…” “Come back soon, okay?”
“Do you know?”
“…”
“I’ve never felt that going to Boston was this hard before.”
…
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