NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 32 part 1
Chapter 32: Yours
“…”
“Phii Joe.”
“Hmm?”
“Are you listening to me?”
“I am.” He said, lifting his hand to touch my chin, his eyes still fixed on me, a small smile at the corner of his lips when he saw me pout.
“What are you listening to, when all you do is stare at North?”
“Keep talking.”
“Well…It’s the end of the cold season there. They say if the sky is clear, there’s a chance to see the northern lights. It’s all about luck because the northern lights don’t appear every day.”
“Ah, okay.”
“And about the places to visit. They say Tromsø is one of the best spots for seeing the northern lights, but there are other cities where you can see them too. What do you think, Phii?” “It’s up to you North.” “See, it’s all up to me then. I have never been there.” I said, pouting at him again, “You’re making me research everything alone. What if we go and it’s not fun, what then?”
The trip to Norway to see the northern lights, as we had talked about doing during the semester break, which is now upon us. Phii Joe told me to choose where we want to go, stating that he had no issues with costs or the time we’d spend there. However, planning the trip all by myself is a bit daunting, especially since I’ve never traveled abroad.
“Going with you, how could it not be fun?”
“Phii, and don’t complain about me, okay?”
“I won’t complain.”
“Would you like to go hiking?” I asked when I remembered, having seen a review about hiking with beautiful views.
“Think you can handle it? If you can, then let’s go.”
“I think I can…maybe? The pictures I saw didn’t look too hard.” I said a bit hesitantly, then took out my phone to show the pictures to Phii Joe, “Here, it’s just a walking path.” He looked at my phone screen.
“Hmm. Looks good.”
“Then let’s go hiking. We should go early, the view will be beautiful, and there won’t be many people around.” I said excitedly, “The view is really beautiful, I want to go.”
“Then we’ll go soon.” He said, reaching over to affectionately ruffle my hair.
Then I started telling him about the interesting things I had read in the reviews, but Phii Joe…
“Phii…can you not stare at me like that?” I said, avoiding his gaze. No matter what, I couldn’t match his look, seriously. “Just looking at my boyfriend, is that not allowed?” “…It’s allowed, but don’t stare too much, please.”
“Why?”
“Why do you need to look so much? North’s face is the same every day.”
“Cute.”
“…”
“North is cute, especially when he’s talking about things he likes.”
“Uh…okay.” I ducked my head in embarrassment. I didn’t understand how he could still flirt so well even after we started dating; it felt like he was still courting me, which started to make me nervous.
“Aren’t you going to continue?”
“Well…I also saw that they drove around there. The view is gorgeous, especially when it snows. If it’s not snowing too heavily one day, can we rent a car and drive around?”
“Sure.”
“Can you drive for me?”
“Yes.”
“Yay!”
“Ah…there’s a gift for you; the hardworking one.” Phii Joe said. I tilted my head, looking at him with a bit of confusion.
“What is it?”
“It’s on the table in front of the sofa.”
I quickly got up to check the table in the living room, as I was just lounging in the bedroom and didn’t know what Phii Joe had bought. He had gone out early in the morning for errands and had only just returned.
My eyes widened with joy when I saw what was on the table.
“Do you like it?” “Yeah, I love it, thank you, thank you so much.” I said excitedly, picking up the large box.
A PS4, something I’ve wanted my whole life, wow, T^T.
“But North’s grades didn’t meet the mark we agreed on.” I asked, suddenly remembering. I had agreed with Phii Joe that I needed a 3.5 GPA to get a PS4 as a reward, but this semester I only got a 3.27. So, I had given up on the idea of getting it.
“It’s okay. You did well.”
“But…”
“What was your GPA last semester?”
“2.7.” I answered.
“You improved a lot, so consider it a reward for your effort.”
“Oh, uh, thank you.”
“As long as you like it, that’s good.”
“Phii Joe, you are so kind.” I said with a smile, hugging the box.
“Can I ask for something in return for me going out in the sun to buy it.” Phii Joe said. I looked puzzled for a moment, then slightly bit my lip in embarrassment, put down the large box, and hugged him.
“Thank you, North loves Phii Joe the most.” I said, grinning widely, and stood on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. Phii Joe gave a slight smile and glanced at me.
“Over ten thousand baht, I’d say it’s worth it.”
“…”
“Hmm.”
I pouted a little shyly upon hearing those words, what does he mean by it’s worth it…I snuggled into Phii Joe’s hug for a bit and then pulled away, “Can North open it?”
While I was unwrapping the PS4 box, my eyes caught another box on the table.
A camera?
“Did you buy a new camera?” I turned to ask the person sitting next to me.
“Didn’t you say you wanted one?”
“Well…yes, but I was going to borrow Phoon’s camera.” I remembered mentioning how I wanted a camera to take lots of beautiful photos, but since I don’t own one, I planned to borrow Phoon’s. He even agreed to lend it to me. I didn’t expect Phii Joe to buy one first, especially one that looks quite expensive, “I feel bad accepting this.”
“It’s fine, you were going to use one anyway.”
“Thank you so much, on this trip I will be your photographer.” I said happily. Even though I might not take photos as beautifully as Ter or Phoon, I’ll try my best to capture the best memories for us.
♣♣♣
“Phii Joe.”
“Hmm?”
“I am excited.”
“I can see that.” He responded, reaching over to pat my head and looking at me with affection. Right now, we were at the airport, about to head to Norway.
Norway, huh…
The Northern Lights…
And snow…
Oh my gosh, so exciting, it’s my first time traveling abroad, my first time on a plane. I’m really excited, couldn’t sleep last night, woke up at three in the morning even though our flight isn’t until nearly ten, and I’m not even a bit sleepy, I’m super enthusiastic.
As I’ve said before, my heart has been in Norway since the final exams. “Ugh, Phii, North’s heart is about to burst.” I said excitedly as we waited to board, clutching the tickets tightly, “Can I sit by the window? I want to see the view.”
“Sure we can.”
“Yay!”
I sat by the window seat, super excited. I wonder what it’ll feel like when the plane takes off. According to the website, we’ll arrive in the evening, we’ve already booked accommodation, and we’ll start exploring tomorrow.
“Do you travel abroad often, Phii?”
“Often.”
“That’s great, do you get to travel a lot?”
“Quite a bit.”
“Which place do you think is the prettiest you’ve visited?”
“You.”
Phii Joe said, looking at me with a slight smile. Just those short words, the look, and the smile. That was enough to make my heart flutter again.
“You’re good at sweet-talking.” I said, turning my face away to hide my blushing cheeks and looking out the window. After a while, it was time for takeoff. I was slightly startled when the plane started to lift off; it was really a new feeling for someone like me on their first flight.
“Normally, on long flights, there’s nothing much to do, right?”
“Correct.”
“Ugh, it’s going to be so boring.” I muttered a bit, still excited by the view below, but as I looked down and realized how high we were, it started to give me the chills, “It’s so high, my legs are shaking.”
“Are you afraid of heights?” “Yes, I am afraid of heights.” I said, though not that scared, knowing we couldn’t fall from the plane made me feel more at ease.
“I am really sleepy.”
“Then sleep.”
“Can I lean on you?”
“Uhm.” With Phii Joe’s permission, I raised the armrest, placed a cloth to use as a pillow, and leaned my head onto Phii Joe’s lap. It smelled so good. No matter what, I really like Phii Joe’s scent; it’s a clean smell that makes me feel comfortable and helps me sleep. Phii Joe covered me with another blanket and reached over to hold me gently.
“Sweet dreams.” I said.
“Sweet dreams.”
♣♣♣
Norway!
Hello, Norway!
But why is it so cold here?
I looked around eagerly despite still shivering from the cold, the jacket helping a bit. This is the end of the winter season as I’ve mentioned before. Even though the website says it’s starting to warm up for locals here, for a Thai person like me used to the heat, it’s still very cold.
We were at the airport. Just seeing so many foreigners made me excited!
“Where to next, guide?” Phii Joe asked in a teasing tone because I boasted that I would be his guide around Norway.
“The bus.”
“The bus?”
“Yes, I checked the website. They said there would be a bus from the airport, ah…just a moment, please.” I quickly pulled out my phone to check. Upon reaching our destination, we went to the accommodation near the mountain we planned to hike tomorrow. We had already booked the place. I love this cool atmosphere, I’ve been clicking photos nonstop since we were on the bus.
“Shall we go for a walk?” I suggested once we had settled our things in the accommodation. It was still quite chilly now.
“Let’s go.”
We went out for a walk, and it was so beautiful that I couldn’t stop looking around; it was the kind of scenery I love, trees, flowers, grass, with paths leading to a lake, surrounded by mountains.
“Norway is really beautiful.” I said while still holding the camera to capture the view, “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“You’ve said thank you a hundred times already.”
“I really am thankful, let’s take a photo.” I turned the camera towards Phii Joe who was following me. Phii Joe looked at the camera and gave a small smile.
I’ve noticed since this morning.
Phii Joe dressed up for this trip, styling his hair too. He looks really good.
It’s rare to see him style his hair like that.
Forget about it.
North, oh…I’m completely smitten, lost to the point where I can’t find my way home anymore.
“What are you looking at?”
“…” I gave him a stern look when he caught me staring blankly at him. I replied with the same words he had once said to me, “I’m looking at my boyfriend.”
Phii Joe didn’t say anything. He just gave a slight smirk at what I said.
We walked around, the lake water was chilly, the flowers were so lush and green you’d think it was spring, but it’s almost spring anyway, the end of the cold season. If we come during spring, it would be even more beautiful. We returned to the cottage, a fully equipped standalone house with a double bed room, a kitchen with all the equipment and fresh ingredients ready. But for those who didn’t want to cook, you could buy food from the main house in the center.
“Pasta?” I asked while checking the fridge to see what we could make.
“You can make it now?”
“I’ve practiced.” I said with pride. Last time, Phii Joe said he wanted pasta but I couldn’t make it. So, I went and secretly practiced. “I tell you, it’s super delicious.”
“Let’s have it then.”
“Yes, sir.” and I started cooking while Phii Joe waited at the dining table.
“Now you’re a guide and a chef too.” He teased from behind.
“North will be everything for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Huh?” I raised my eyebrow, surprised by his words.
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