NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 27 part 1
Chapter 27: Cat and Fortune
I felt like I had a fever…
And a hangover too.
Right now, we were lying on the bed with Phii Joe holding me from behind as he usually does. It’s almost always like this when we’re together, and I like it, I like being held by him like this.
But now…
“Uh, p…please, enough.” I said with a hoarse voice, trying to move away after being kissed at the nape of my neck. The events of last night made me feel even more embarrassed around Phii Joe, but as soon as I tried to escape, I was pulled back into his embrace.
“Still have a headache?”
“A bit, yes.” “It’ll get better soon.” Phii Joe said, because he had already gone out to buy painkillers and hangover remedies for me when we first woke up. Now, I am feeling gradually better.
“Cough.” I coughed as my throat felt sore and dry, then accepted the water bottle he handed to me, “Thank you, my throat really hurts.”
“You were moaning so loudly last night.”
“Phii!” I protested, but my voice came out hoarse, I furrowed my brows and made a pouty face before taking a sip from my water bottle and placing it back on the table. It wasn’t just my throat that’s sore, my hips were aching too.
Who’s fault was that? And he still has the nerve to tease me!
“It’s all your fault…”
“I told you not to be mischievous. If you can’t get up, don’t blame me.”
“I was drunk…” I argued back a little, embarrassed by the teasing, my face getting hot as I remembered last night, both at the bar when someone was bothering Phii Joe and I didn’t like it. So I…
Why did I even dare to do that? Frank and James were there, T^T, next time I see them, I’m definitely going to be teased like crazy, not to mention what happened in the car and back in the room.
Why does he have to be like this!
With my hips in pain, I leaned back against the person behind me for support. I tried to get up, but it was almost impossible, but I thought it would get better after a while like last time. I woke up to find myself in pajamas. Phii Johan must have bathed me and changed my clothes.
“Do you have class?” I asked.
“I do, in the afternoon, do you?”
“I do too, both morning and afternoon, but I’ll miss the morning class.” I said, “I already asked a friend to excuse me for the morning.” “Then I’ll drop you off at the faculty in the afternoon, right?” “Yes.” I nodded in agreement. Since we started living together, a lot has changed. From waking up in the morning, I’d often find myself still being cuddled. If I got up first, after a while, Phii Joe would wake up because I wasn’t there. I noticed that every time I got out of bed, he’d start looking for me, and if he didn’t find me, he’d wake up in a huff.
I like these things, it’s like he can’t sleep without holding me, and he doesn’t want me to go anywhere. I’m the same way, just like Ter said, I’m addicted to snuggling up to him. If I’m not being held, I can’t sleep either.
Getting up to make breakfast felt like being back at home. We’d eat breakfast together, then he’d drop me off at class before heading to his own, and we’d come back together after classes.
I took one of his hands in mine. I really like his hands; they’re so warm. After playing with his hand for a while, I noticed the tattoo on his arm.
“Should I get a tattoo too?” I said playfully.
“Do you want one?”
“Yeah, does it hurt?”
“For Phii, it didn’t hurt.”
“Uh…you don’t have to refer to yourself as ‘Phii’ for me.” I said, still not used to this kind of talk. Even though recently Phii Joe has been referring to himself as ‘Phii ’ more often.
Phii Joe has changed quite a bit since we started dating. Not like before we were together at all, or maybe I should say he’s back to how he used to be. It might be because he was stressed from work. He once told me that he didn’t want to pursue me earlier because when he’s stressed from work, he gets easily irritated, but I had my issues with Temp before that. Once the work from Boston was done, there wasn’t much to stress about anymore.
So, he teases me a lot now, T^T
He leaned his face close to mine, gently pressing the tip of his nose against my cheek before pressing down harder.
But when he pulled back, I turned and kissed his cheek in return. It wasn’t the first time I’ve kissed him on the cheek. We’re dating now, after all, it’s one way of showing affection. Even though I’m still a bit shy, I still want to do it.
“Are you teasing me?”
“Not at all.” I said, “You do it yourself, and you don’t need to refer to yourself as ‘Phii’ for me.” I reiterated.
“Why not, when last night North; you were still calling me ‘darling’?”
“…”
“Does Phii Johan belong only to North?”
“Phii Joe!!” I protested when he teased me by repeating the same sentence I said yesterday, oh my, how embarrassing, why does he tease me so well? Seeing me get flustered, he smiled and let out a little laugh, seemingly very pleased, “It’s because of that person, how could you let him hug you like that?”
“Are you jealous?”
“…Yeah, I…I have to be jealous, Phii you’re North’s boyfriend.”
“Yes, I am North’s boyfriend.”
“…”
“I am the only boyfriend of North.”
“Stop teasing me. Please.” I said, burying my face in the blanket. That deep voice whispering in my ear just now nearly gave me a heart attack, I was so embarrassed I felt like crying. It’s me, T^T.
“I like it.” “Huh?” I asked, confused when he suddenly said that. “I like it when you get jealous like this.” “…”
“When you’re this cute, how could I go anywhere?”
“Phii Joe!!”
I think I can’t handle this anymore, my hands are all cold. I tried to take deep breaths to calm down and slow my heart rate a bit, otherwise, I might really have a heart attack.
“Uh…Phii.” I called him, remembering something, “My mom invited us to our house, is this Saturday okay for you?”
“It’s fine, do you want me to come?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. If that’s the case, then let’s go.”
“Um, and about your home…Can I go there?” I hesitated before deciding to ask, and he seemed surprised by my question.
“Do you want to go?”
“Yes.”
“You can go, but I’m not too keen on you meeting my mom.”
“Huh? Why not, is she strict?”
“Not at all.”
“Oh. So, should we meet your dad then?”
“Hmm, but he’s usually busy, do you want to meet my grandparents?”
“Alright, is your grandma the one who lives near my house?”
“Hmm, we’ll go to both places on Saturday then.” Phii Joe said before leaning down to rub his nose between my neck and cheek as he likes to do, and that still made my heart race, “Will we stay over?” “Uh, I guess we’ll have to stay over since it’s Saturday. Would you like to stay at grandma’s house? I think my mom would like you to stay over too.”
“We’ll stay at your house then.”
“…Okay.”
I said softly. No matter what, I’m still not used to using his real name, for heaven’s sake.
I initially thought I was feeling much better and could go to class, but ultimately, Phii Joe wouldn’t let me. I watched him as he changed into his student uniform to go to class.
“Can I really not go?” I asked again. I really didn’t want to miss class because lately, I’ve been studying more seriously. Partly because of Phii Joe; he has been quite an inspiration to me.
“No need to go.”
“But…” I said, making a slight pout, before Phii Joe came over and sat beside me.
“If you go to class like this…”
“I’ll be so worried I won’t be able to focus on anything.”
“…”
“Do you want me to worry?”
“No, I don’t.” I answered quietly, shaking my head.
“Hmm, good.” He then leaned in close, kissing me softly and holding it for a while before pulling away. I felt a slight warmth on my face and gave him a shy smile.
“What time will you be back?”
“Class ends at six-thirty, I’ll hurry back.” He said, then reached up to gently stroke my head. I smiled lightly back at him. I’m not usually one for having my head patted, but with Phii Joe, it’s an exception. After Phii Joe left the room, I was left with nothing much to do. Even though it was hard to walk, I could manage. I spent nearly two hours playing on the computer, and just as I was about to make some Ovaltine, Ter sent me a message.
Easter: North, come to the club today.
North♣: Huh, which club?
Easter: Art club.
Easter: You’re in the art club, remember?
Easter: sends an image
I scrolled to open the image Ter sent, finding it was a photo of an attendance sheet where my name was barely marked, indicating I hardly ever attend the club.
Easter: One more absence and you won’t pass the club activities.
North♣: Oh no, what time do I have to go?
Easter: Four o’clock, but we’re already waiting.
Easter: sends an image
Ter sent a picture of himself with Typhoon and Daotok sitting together on a marble bench near the old art building, which is where our art club is located. When we’re in the club, we don’t stay in a room; we draw at the marble bench area.
North♣: Tell Phoon to get some sleep.
North♣: He looks like he hasn’t slept in eight years.
Easter: What about me?
North♣: You, Phoon?
Easter: You’ve been out of sight for a while.
Easter: Dao asked about you, by the way.
North♣: Why would she ask about me?
Easter: Are you coming today?
North♣: I’ll go, the teacher has marked my name in red so many times.
Easter: Come on then.
“Ouch!” I exclaimed in surprise when the hot water meant for Ovaltine scalded my hand, causing me to drop the glass, which shattered all over the floor.
Damn it…
North♣: Phii…I am sorry, T^T
North♣: sends picture
I sent a picture of the shattered glass all over the floor. Why do I manage to mess up his room in just a moment, T^T
I was a bit surprised when suddenly Phii Joe called. I thought he was in class and wouldn’t have time to reply to messages.
(Are you okay?)
“Uh, oh, uh. I’m fine. Just got a little scalded by hot water.”
(Why do you always make me worry?)
“Phii…” I said softly, feeling immediately guilty when he scolded me. When Phii Johan scolds me, I really do feel down, “I’m sorry.”
(At least try to be careful when I’m not around.)
“…”
(How can I leave North alone like this?)
“Sorry, I will be careful from now on.” I said, feeling guilty.
(And did you get cut by the glass?)
“I didn’t get cut.”
(Hmm. Don’t clean it up then, don’t walk over there either.)
“Yes, Phii Joe, I’ll have to go to the club soon, I’ll fail activities if I miss it again, can I go?”
(What club?)
“The art club.” (Oh…Hill) Phii Joe said, calling out for Phii Hill, but not loudly, probably they’re together.
(The art club where you signed us up, right? From the first semester?)
(Yes, why?)
(Ter is there, right? Then why isn’t the art club listed on my university website?) Phii Joe asked.
(The professor doesn’t allow it. They don’t let medical students join.)
(Oh…and what time do you have to go?) Phii Joe asked me again.
“Four o’clock, but the others are already waiting.” I replied.
(Then I’ll come pick you up.)
“Okay.” I said before hanging up. It wasn’t long before Phii Joe arrived to take care of the burn on my hand. It wasn’t a serious burn, but the water was hot enough to sting. I got scolded a bit; Phii Joe was probably worried about me. I should have been more careful, really.
He had called the maid to clean up the mess. Then he drove me to the art club, which I hadn’t attended in a while. Just seeing the building made my spirit sink.
“Do you have cheer practice today?” Phii Joe asked.
“No, I’ve already told a friend to excuse me, said I wasn’t feeling well.” I said. The sports day was coming up in just a few days, so our cheerleading practice had been intensifying, ending later and later each day, and I was feeling more and more discouraged. Going to cheerleading felt like being drained of energy.
At first, Phii Joe had told me I didn’t have to go if I didn’t want to. If there were any problems, he would handle them for me. The idea of him handling things for me gave me goosebumps in a way I couldn’t describe. In the end, I did join in the faculty activities, after all, it’s just something you do once as a freshman.
“If anything comes up, just call me.” Phii Joe said. I nodded in acknowledgment. Before he leaned in for another kiss, but this time it wasn’t just a peck like before; it was more than that. We kissed for a while before pulling apart, “It’s just club activities, nothing too serious, right?”
“Yes, um…study hard, Phii.” I said before opening the car door and stepping out. He always kisses me whenever we’re about to be apart. Even so, I still felt quite embarrassed.
I walked over to sit at the same table as my three friends, sitting next to Ter with Phoon and Daotok sitting across from us.
Phoon is Ter’s friend from the same faculty. Daotok, on the other hand, is a friend from the art club, and he’s a guy. I still don’t get why he’s named after a star when he’s a guy, but he’s in the science faculty and draws beautifully, like animal beauty, breathtaking. Whether it’s black and white, colored pencil, watercolor, pastel, oil paint, or even house paint, he can draw it. He even does freelance work in this field, but he studies science because his family doesn’t support his art.
“North, do you know that when you don’t show up for the club, Dao has been doing all your work?” Ter said, which made me raise my eyebrows in surprise.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Otherwise, you would have failed activities a long time ago.”
“Dao, why are you so nice?” I said softly, truly touched by how others always have to do work for me, but why didn’t I tell him I also needed to submit work?
“Everyone’s nice, except you.” Ter retorted.
“That hurts, bastard.”
“North, so you’re dating Phii Johan, Phii Hill’s friend?” Phoon asked. I nodded in response, “Oh, I hope you guys last long. But how did it all happen? I’ve been confused ever since Ter told me.”
“It’s a long story.”
“So, have you guys moved rooms now?” Phoon asked, then made a pouty face at us, “Oh, that’s so boring. Why do you have to be like Foam, why do you have to ditch friends when you get a partner? Where am I supposed to go to take a nap now?”
“Cat is sulking, Ter.” I said.
“Cat, don’t sulk.”
“Another cat.” Phoon said with a sigh, “Why does it have to be a cat?”
“Because you look like a cat, a sleepy one. Seriously, how many hours do you sleep in a day?” I teased lightly, “You look like you’ve never had a full night’s sleep in your life.”
“I’ve slept, North, this is just my normal face.” Phoon said, making a slightly petulant face. Phoon often gets teased for looking like a sleepy cat, especially since he’s known to nap a lot during the day at school.
“Uh, Dao, can I have one of those?” I asked, remembering something because I hadn’t seen Dao much lately, forgetting the most important thing. Dao looked up at me slightly.
“Are you asking for another one, North?” Ter asked.
“Do it for fun, Ter.” before Dao pulled out a deck of cards from his pocket, placed them face down, and laid them out in front of us.
“Oh. Are we looking at cards today?” I asked.
“Yeah, today’s good for reading cards.” Dao said.
“Wow, that’s exciting.” I said with excitement, “What do I do?”
“Choose two cards first.”
I’m someone who quite believes in fate, and since Dao said he could read fortunes, I often came to him for readings because they were really accurate. Last time I won the lottery because of Dao, and even my Line ID, which is my nickname followed by a club symbol, was on Dao’s advice that it would bring good luck.
It’s too easy to believe in stuff like this… I hesitated for a while before picking up two cards.
“Hey!!”
“What’s up, North?”
“Two-card poker nine!”
“…”
Everyone at the table went silent before bursting into laughter, “I told you to check your fortune, not to play poker, you animal, and you even got a two-card nine.” Ter said, still laughing.
“Does this mean today is my lucky day, dao?”
“Are you crazy? It’s not related at all.”
“Oh, well then, what now? Dao, it’s your turn.”
“Ha, why would I pick?”
“Pick.” I insisted, until Daotok, who was sitting across from me, had to pick up two cards as well, “I win! Pay up.”
“Oh, are we really playing poker now?” Daotok asked before gathering the cards in his hand, “Let’s do it.” and then he started shuffling and dealing to everyone.
“Come on, today I’m definitely on a roll.” I said confidently.
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