NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 7 part 2
Phii Johan didn’t say anything. He just raised his hand to his temple, sighed, and shook his head. I told you, just scold me, scold me like usual, please. You’re making me feel worse with this silence, T^T.
“Well, you didn’t tell me where we were going.” I said softly, making a slightly pouty face.
“At midnight, I might just take you somewhere.”
“You never know, what if you felt like going somewhere?”
“It wasn’t with you.” That’s harsh, why? What did I do wrong? Why wouldn’t he want to go camping with me, T^T
“Are you going to work?” I asked while packing my stuff back into the bag, it seemed like Phii Johan wasn’t as irritated anymore, or was he?
“Why?”
“I thought you might want me to keep you company while you work.”
“And then?”
“Huh.” I looked at him, puzzled, “Do you have a blanket for me?” I asked. I didn’t care anymore why he brought me here; whatever he wants me to do, he can tell me later. What I wanted to know now was whether I’d be sleeping cold on the sofa tonight.
“I have one, why?”
“At least give me a blanket, sleeping bare would be too lonely.” I said, standing up, “Where is it, I’ll get it myself.”
“Upstairs.” Phii Johan said, pointing to a large cabinet in the back. So, I walked to where he pointed.
“Is there a chair?” I asked for a chair since the top shelf was too high to reach. Not that I couldn’t reach, just that it was a bit awkward. Phii Johan didn’t reply, just walked over and reached for the blanket to hand it to me.
“Thanks.” I said, taking the blanket. I felt a bit embarrassed, T^T.
“You’re sleeping on the sofa?”
“Yes.” I spread out the blanket, which was thin and had no pattern. If I weren’t so shy, I might have asked for a body pillow too, but then again, Phii Johan having a body pillow would be strange, totally out of character.
“Can you sleep on it?”
“It’s comfortable, your sofa is softer than my bed at home.” I said, moving to sit on the big sofa that was about to become my bed. It was soft, really soft, softer than my bed at home for sure. Saying I sleep on a pig sty would be an exaggeration, but I can sleep anywhere; I’ve fallen asleep on desks before, the floor is no problem.
Phii Johan didn’t say anything, just looked at me with mild surprise, then he walked into the bedroom. So, tonight, I just changed beds, huh? I took out my phone to chat and update Ter. After a while, thinking there was nothing more to do, I went to turn off all the lights except for a small one.
Even though I was super tired from work, I couldn’t sleep…
Because it was strange that
Or perhaps…
Unable to bear the fear any longer, I quickly took out my phone again, scrolling through my contacts on LINE. Ter was out of the question since he was with Phii Hill. I immediately dialed Nao.
(Why are you calling so late?) he scolded as soon as he picked up, and there was a lot of noise in the background, (I’m in the middle of a game, almost died, you know?)
“I knew you weren’t asleep.”
(Yeah, what’s up?)
“Why are you so cold, man? I can’t sleep.”
(And how is that my problem?)
“You’re so grumpy, you must be annoyed by something.”
(No, just trying to concentrate, you call without any sense of time, damn it! Sua, he shot me, Sua. Someone shot me, I’m already hiding.)
(Where? Right, on the right, bastard, I’ve saved him.)
(Heal me, heal me!)
“Oh, you with your boyfriend?” I asked, having heard Tiger’s voice, which Nao calls ‘Sua’. (Pfft. We’re roommates, aren’t we?)
(Who is it?) Tiger’s voice.
“It’s me.”
(You piece of work, now you know how to use a phone?)
“Tiger, speak nicely.” I said in a low tone, pretending to threaten.
(Tiger, my name is Tiger.)
“Annoying bastard.” I cursed with disdain. Tiger doesn’t let anyone but Nao call him Sua. No need to ask why; when you’re stuck in the friend zone for years, it gets like this, especially when Nao doesn’t even realize anything and genuinely thinks of Tiger as just a friend. “Ter was complaining that you’ve called him ‘Tiger’ since kindergarten, but now you suddenly don’t let him.”
(North!!!)
“Why are you shouting?!” I exclaimed in surprise when suddenly Tiger called out my name, it seems like he got scolded by Nao.
(North, you damn animal, you talk too much.)
“I just suddenly felt like saying something.” I said teasingly. Tiger seemed quite agitated, probably sneaking Nao’s phone to chat outside. “But if I get a cup of green tea tomorrow, I might not feel like talking anymore.”
(Shit, North. You…yeah, I’ll buy you one tomorrow, okay? Don’t be a dick and say anything more) Tiger whispered softly, (It’s weird, right? Suddenly taking out Nao’s phone, but it’s good he’s playing a game.)
“Huh, aren’t you playing too?”
(I’m dead.)
“Why are you so bad?”
(I took a bullet for the wife, so manly, am I not?)
“Damn, that’s so stupid, since when did he become your wife?”
(He’s about to be. I’m trying to impose the husband role on him every day.) “What the hell?”
(You’re the one who’s hell, knowing my secret, using it to threaten me big time, does it help anything? No, it doesn’t. You’re really something) the voice on the other end said, sounding like he’d been holding back for a while.
“I sent you that photo, didn’t I?”
(Yeah, thanks, Nao is cute, sniff, my heart.)
“You’re whipped, man, what happened to Tiger, the cool engineering faculty football team captain?”
(You don’t understand the cuteness of Duennao.)
“Who would? Do you want me to understand his cuteness?” [1] there is a play on words here khao jai means understand but in the literal sense it means get into someone’s heart khao mean enter and jai mean heart…so understand can alos mean infatuation or falling for someone
(No, no, don’t mess with my Duennao, bastard!!)
“Bastard, yeah, yeah, you can go back inside now, or your ‘wife’ will get suspicious.”
(Sniff. When you call him my wife, it embarrasses me, damn you. Okay, I’m going back in, don’t dare say anything else.)
“Got it.” I agreed. Seriously, I wasn’t planning on telling Nao anything, just teasing Tiger, like friends do, and Nao is completely oblivious to it all.
(I’m dead, Tiger you left me) Nao’s whiny voice came through. If Nao keeps whining like this, Tiger’s knees are sure to weaken.
(Sorry, let’s go for another round.)
(Take a quick break, talk to North first)
“You finally see my point, huh?”
(Yeah, what’s up? Why can’t you sleep? Normally, you sleep like the dead.) “Well, it’s like…I’m scared, really scared. My eyes are darting all over the place; no matter where I look, I’m afraid something’s lurking on the other side…Do you get it?”
(No, I’m not ‘Ket’, I’m Duennao. If you’re thinking of ‘Ket’, call ‘Ket’.) [1] Ket is Skater (?)
“Okay, I’ll call him quickly. Spit! Let’s see how things are. My tears, they’re about to fall.” I started to rant, my eyes scanning the surroundings with paranoia. Ter knows best that I am extremely afraid of ghosts. I can’t sleep alone, and I totally forgot that. Plus, it’s in an unfamiliar place.
(Where is Ter?)
“He’s not with me.”
(What? Why? Did he abandon you? That’s hard to believe.)
“No, to put it accurately, I abandoned him.”
(How did you manage that? Where are you?)
“Well…You’ll know, just don’t scold me.”
(You bastard.)
“Hey, why scold me?”
(You said not to scold when you know, so I scold you before knowing.)
“Really?” I raised my eyebrows in surprise at the words from the person on the other end. Is that even logical? “Okay, whatever, go ahead and scold me, just don’t…sigh at me.” I think when I recall Phii Johan making that disgusted face and sighing at me just now, being scolded feels better, T^T
(What’s your deal, spit it out, stop playing around.)
“Ah. Well…” I recounted the whole story to Nao from the beginning. From deciding to take on extra work and Phii Johan coming to pick me up, to me sneaking out for work and then Phii Johan coming to pick me up again.
(Oh…) (Wow…)
“Why does it sound like I can hear Tiger?”
(I had the speaker on.)
“Huh, betrayal, I told you not to tell anyone.” I said. This wasn’t supposed to reach Skater and Kyu, so I didn’t call them. Otherwise, they’d tease me to death. Only Nao is somewhat decent about it. Not that he doesn’t tease, he does, just less than the others.
(You’re too late, I had it on speaker from the start. So, did you guys do it?)
“Het, why would you say something like that?”
(I’m your shadow of spite, so what? I just sent you to change beds, nothing else.)
“I don’t know. He didn’t say anything, didn’t answer my questions. He’s probably asleep by now.”
(Oh, what’s this about? You’re overthinking. If it were me, I’d have forced an answer out of him) Nao said, (And you’re not worried? What if he does something to you?)
“It’s fine, I think he won’t do anything to me.”
(You’re too naive) Tiger commented, sounding more like a jab, (Then why did you call if you’re not worried?)
“Well, I was scared, that’s why I said so.”
(Are you scared of ghosts?)
“Nao, who tells ghost stories at night?” I dragged out my voice, “I…I’m not brave. I can’t even move.”
(Sigh, I get it. If you’re scared, stop reading or watching those things, and you’ll get used to it, it’ll go away on its own, you won’t be as afraid if you don’t know) Duennao tried to explain. “But I can’t help it.” I replied softly, knowing I’m scared but I like it. I don’t know why.
(I’m telling you, read stories that are far from your reality, not about dorms or stuff like that. Read about forests, beaches, mountains made of cement, or foreign stories.)
“I’ve been following your advice.”
(Then why be scared? They’re far away.)
“They might fly over the country to get to me.”
(Animal, your imagination is…)
“Come on, just talk with me for a bit, I might fall asleep listening to you guys play games.” I said, having called to chat with Duennao and Tiger for a while, before I remembered something else.
“Crap, I totally forgot.”
(What?)
“My student shirt.”
(Why?)
“It’s wrinkled. Ter stuffed it into the bag, must have forgotten to fold it.”
(Oh, so what now? You don’t like wearing wrinkled clothes.)
“Exactly, what should I do?”
(Go ask Phii Johan for a sweater to cover it up.)
“Would that be okay?”
(It would be fine, just borrow it and wash it later. Otherwise, you’ll keep whining at us all day, like last time when you forgot to iron your shirt.)
“Why don’t I just borrow an iron from him? Wouldn’t that be easier?” I asked, realizing it might be simpler to borrow an iron than a shirt.
(Does he even have one? Do you think someone like Phii Johan irons his own shirts? Think, North.)
“Yeah, good point. So what should I do? Should I ask to borrow it tomorrow?”
(If he’s not asleep, ask now, in case you forget tomorrow. Or he might have early classes. We have afternoon classes, remember that.)
“He probably has early classes.” I said, remembering that before leaving the dorm, Phii Hill mentioned Phii Johan had an 8 AM class the next day, so he should be asleep by now.
(Try knocking first.)
“Alright then.”
(Try it, knock softly. If there’s no answer, he’s probably asleep.)
“Okay.” I said before slowly getting up and walking over to stop in front of Phii Johan’s room. I raised my hand and knocked softly as Duennao suggested. After a moment, the door opened…Still not asleep?
No way…
The lights in the room were already off, and he’s still awake after I knocked so softly?
“Uh, like, Phii Johan.”
“What?” His demeanor suggested he was very annoyed, like someone who hadn’t gotten any sleep, “You make noise and then have the nerve to come bother me?”
“Oh…was I too loud? Sorry about that.” I said, feeling guilty. I didn’t realize I was being that loud, don’t tell me he couldn’t sleep because of my loud phone call.
“Yeah, so what’s up?”
“Can I go borrow a shirt from you? My uniform is all wrinkled.”
“Uh”
“Can I?”
“Hmm, I’ll get one for you tomorrow.”
“Thanks.”
“Why haven’t you gone to sleep yet?” “Well…I couldn’t sleep, so I called to chat with a friend.”
“I see. I can’t sleep either.”
“Really?”
“Make me something to eat.” Phii Johan said, reaching to turn on the bedroom light switch, “You can do that, right?”
“Yes, what would you like?” I asked before telling Nao I’d hang up, “You know, I’m pretty good at cooking.” I said proudly, even Ter often compliments me.
“Anything is fine.” Phii Joe replied, then walked into the kitchen. I followed him closely, trying to think about what to cook at 2 AM. Why did I feel a bit happy? Maybe because I wasn’t just here to change beds.
I looked in the fridge for a bit, then glanced at Phii Johan who was sitting with his usual displeased look. If that’s the case, I’ll just decide that he brought me here to make him something to eat when he can’t sleep, and maybe I’ll even get to cook breakfast.
“Do you often not sleep?”
“Hmm.”
“What do you usually do then?”
“Work, and then I get tired and fall asleep.”
“Wow, that’s not good, what about days you don’t work, like today?”
“Then I can’t sleep.”
“I thought you’d have someone calling you or watching over you or something.”
“Like you, huh?”
“Uh, well…Yes, honestly, I’m scared.”
“Scared of what?”
“Like…scared, you know. I’m too afraid to say.” I said, starting to pour water into a pot, planning to warm some milk first then add honey. I’ve heard it helps you sleep better, but I’ve never tried it because I usually fall asleep easily if I’m not scared.
“You…have you ever made any sense?”
Ouch, that’s harsh again, T^T
“Well, everyone has something they’re afraid of, right?” I said, making a sulky face, though I doubted he could see it, “Aren’t you scared of anything?”
“No, I’m studying medicine, remember?”
“Oh, right, you’re studying to be a doctor.” I always forget that Phii Johan is studying medicine. He doesn’t act like it at all, “I was going to ask, why study medicine when your family already has so much business?”
“You’re full of questions, aren’t you?”
That’s a polite way of calling someone nosy, T^T
“My mom told me to give it a try, I got in, so I had to study.” Phii Johan said, sounding quite annoyed. He didn’t seem to want to be a doctor to begin with. I had guessed from the start that Phii Joe wasn’t exactly doctor material.
After a while, my warm milk with honey was ready. As I placed it on the table, the person in front of me picked it up without asking.
“It’s honey milk. I heard it helps you sleep better.” I said. Phii Johan didn’t say anything before taking a sip.
“Everything you cook is sweet, isn’t it?”
“…?”
“Really. Me, you know, how do you know that?” I was confused by his statement. Phii Johan didn’t answer until he finished the milk in the glass. Me, always cooking things sweet? How did Phii Joe know that? I just once made him coffee, and that coffee didn’t even have sugar.
The other person placed the empty glass back on the table. I took it and placed it in the sink, then when I turned around, I saw Phii Johan walking out of the kitchen. “Goodnight, then.” I said, stepping towards the sofa, but my wrist was grabbed first. Phii Johan pulled me into the bedroom where the lights were off, and the cool air from the air conditioner hit me.
“Phii?” I called out in confusion before Phii Johan let go of my hand and sat on the bed. Now it was completely dark, I could barely see the bed.
“You can sleep now.”
“You want me to sleep here?”
“Hmm.”
“Actually, I can sleep on the sofa.” I said, feeling apologetic. Even if he dragged me here, sharing a bed seemed a bit much.
“Aren’t you scared? Plus, if you sleep outside, you’ll just talk loudly again.”
“Oh…okay.” I cautiously felt around in the darkness until I found the bed and climbed in carefully. Oh boy, I really wanted to ask Phii Johan a lot more, but the sleepiness combined with the cool air conditioning made me dismiss it for now.
The only sound in the room was the soft hum of the air conditioner. Initially, I couldn’t sleep because I was scared, but with someone beside me, I felt much more at ease. It didn’t take long for me to fall asleep easily due to exhaustion and sleepiness.
“Wake up!” Someone’s voice along with the force of the blanket being pulled away made me jump awake. The bright sunlight forced me to squint my eyes automatically.
“Uhh…” I rubbed my eyes hard, what’s this, so sleepy, it must be very early. I reached for my phone, “Seven forty, go back to sleep.” I mumbled sleepily, trying to fall back asleep.
“Get up, I’m going to be late.” Phii Johan said irritably, quickly running his hand through his hair before rushing off somewhere else.
“But I have classes in the afternoon.” “Make coffee.”
“Huh?”
“Make coffee.” Phii Johan repeated. I got up in a daze and walked to the kitchen. He woke me up to make coffee? “After that, change your clothes.”
“Change clothes? The uniform?”
“Yes.”
“But I have classes in the afternoon.”
“That’s your problem.”
Come on! Why do I, someone with classes in the afternoon, have to go to university in the morning, T^T
Phii Johan seemed to be in a hurry; one hand was buttoning his shirt while the other was packing things up. Honestly, I like his style. Even when he’s in a rush, he still looks good without needing to fuss over his appearance. His hair and clothing are just effortlessly cool. He doesn’t need to do much to look good. He looks really good.
I prepared the coffee the way I usually do for him. Phii Johan asked me to use a plastic cup instead, one with a lid like those from typical coffee shops, because we were short on time. Once done, I quickly took a shower much like last night, changed into my student uniform, and came out.
“Hey, Phii, the shirt I borrowed from you.” I mentioned when I saw my own student shirt was extremely wrinkled.
“Hanging in front of the closet.” Phii Johan said. I turned to see the shirt hanging there. I had forgotten how expensive Phii Johan’s things are. Even though I’m usually too scared to wear them, right now I couldn’t be too picky because he was in a hurry.
The shirt was way too big, so I had to roll up the sleeves.
I was startled when Phii Johan suddenly tossed a black helmet at me. Wait…
Don’t tell me…
Like I thought…
Big bike…
“Why bring this bike out?” I asked as we stopped in front of a beautiful black big bike. Even though I don’t know much about bikes, I could tell it was stunning, really cool, but that wasn’t the point. The point is, Phii Johan drives like a maniac…and now with a big bike. Will I even survive until we reach university?
“I’m in a hurry, I hate traffic.”
“…”
“Get on quickly.”
Phii Johan seemed slightly annoyed because I hesitated to get on the bike. But what could I do? I’ve never ridden on such a big bike before. I carefully lifted my leg over.
“Will I fall off, Phii?” I asked nervously even though I was already on. The person in front of me started the bike immediately.
“Hold onto me.”
Ohhh, I’m going to have a heart attack!!
The beautiful big bike stopped in front of the Faculty of Medicine. I let go of the waist of the person in front of me, which I didn’t remember when I had clung onto him, and wondered if I had let go at all. It was rush hour, and watching Phii Johan drive, we made it to the faculty in less than ten minutes. That was deadly. I’m the one who nearly died!! Please, Phii, no more. Just riding in your car is enough to kill me, T^T
“That scared?” Phii Johan asked before taking off his helmet and running his hand through his hair slightly. Wow, why does he look so good? Why is there such a difference from when I take off my helmet, T^T “I was scared, Phii, my hands are still shaking.” I complained a bit, “Good thing the coffee is still okay.” I said, then took out the coffee cup from the bag and handed it to him. Since he was in a rush, I had to put it in a cup, so I sealed it well and brought it in my bag. He took the coffee cup.
“So what am I supposed to do? I have classes in the afternoon.”
“Just stay around here.”
“Huh? What am I supposed to do around here?”
“Do you want to come up and study with me?” His question made me turn to look at him instantly, and it didn’t seem like he was joking.
“Are you crazy? How could I do that? I’ll just ask a friend to pick me up.” I said, hoping someone would bring their car today. I’d try calling them later.
“Hmm.” Phii Johan only responded with that before walking into the building. As soon as he left, I noticed that quite a few people were watching us. This is bad. T^T, I better find somewhere else to go, or I might get cornered by his fans.
I quickly searched for my phone to call a friend.
:What’s in this shirt pocket?
Money…?
And it’s
three gray banknotes
I messaged the owner of the jacket to see if he forgot it there. Who would forget three thousand baht in a jacket pocket?
North♣: Phii
North♣:. I found three thousand baht in the shirt pocket.
North♣: Should I bring it to you?
Johan: No need
Johan: Keep it
Johan: You forgot your wallet, didn’t you?