WESTTHESUNFROMANOTHERSTAR, Chapter 51: Idiot Couple
Daotok
In the quiet atmosphere of the house, the air was quite cold as it was fully winter, even though Thailand is generally a hot country. At least, the temperature at night made you feel the chill on your skin.
I came down from the upstairs room because the person who was supposed to be sleeping with me had been gone for quite some time. I saw lights on outside, the voices sounded familiar. I immediately knew it must be Dad and Grandpa, probably sitting and drinking.
I could guess why.
Papa usually comes out to drink here with Dad when he’s worried about something.
I was sure Dad was worried about me…since our conversation in the evening. In the evening, when we went to watch Dad and Arthit play football together, we sat and talked casually about various things concerning us both, until we ended up discussing Arthit…
Papa wasn’t suspicious or anything; he probably trusted the person I chose, but for Dad, he couldn’t help but worry. Because every time something bad happened to me in the past, it was always Papa who suffered more.
Hearing Arthit’s voice made me feel relieved; he had disappeared from the bed, and I thought he went to the bathroom, but he didn’t come back for a long time, so I came down to check because I was worried, only to find out he was just enjoying drinks with Dad and Grandpa.
I paused my steps slightly as I got closer and heard the conversation among the three of them.
“If you make my son sad, I’ll kill you, understand? Gavin, you have to deal with him if he makes Daotok sad.”
“Understood. I’ll deal with him, kiddo. I won’t spare you if you make my son even slightly sad.”
“Yeah. If I make Dao sad, I’ll let you kill me.”
“Promised?”
“I swear on my life.”
“Are you sure?”
“Definitely, my whole life, I’ve already given it to Dao.”
I couldn’t help but smile when I heard that. Aunt and Dad looked stunned before breaking into wide smiles. At that moment, I decided to step out, and everyone turned to look at me simultaneously.
We talked a little before Dad took Papa to rest since he was starting to get drunk, leaving me and Arthit alone outside the house.
“I thought you’d disappeared for a while, turns out you were just drinking with
Papa and Dad.”
“Came down for some water, saw my in-laws drinking, so I joined in.” He said,
“Want some?”
“Yeah.”
“How much?”
“You’ll see me drunk soon enough.”
“Drunk? It would take a whole crate to get me drunk.”
“Are you that tough?”
“Kind of.” I smiled, watching him pour liquor into an empty glass, add water, and slide it towards me. We clink our glasses and take a sip, letting the bitter taste flow down our throats. “What were you talking about?”
“Didn’t you hear?”
“I only heard the part where you promised Aunt and Dad.”
“Oh, before that, it was just general stuff. Aren’t you cold?”
“Just cool, why?”
“I’m cold, thank goodness for the alcohol, it makes me feel much warmer.”
“Oh, you prefer hot weather, right?”
“Right. Yeah, you’re good for accepting Dad’s new partner like this. You get along with everything without any problems, imagine if it were me, I couldn’t do it.”
“You mean if uncle had a new partner?”
“Yeah. If one day Direk brings a new partner home, I’d definitely kill them. No one should dare to come into my family’s space without my permission, replacing my mom? That’s too arrogant, Direk, just thinking about it makes me furious, damn it.”
“Hmm. Just because I can accept it doesn’t mean everyone can accept it like I do.” I said understandingly. Arthit is very protective and loves his family a lot; I know how sensitive he is about these things, “But Uncle won’t have a new lover anyway.”
“Why not?”
“Uncle loves your mom too much.”
“Did you secretly read Direk’s feelings or something?”
“No. Just observing is enough to know.”
“Yeah. That’s right, Direk knows how crazy it would get if he brought someone new. Plus, he loves me the most, doesn’t he, Direk? Who could be as important as me?”
“Your flirting skills have advanced to the point of flirting with your dad’s love, huh?” I teased a little, “And what about me?”
“Hm?”
“Have I been allowed into the family space yet?”
“If it were up to me, I wouldn’t even ask. Direk loves you like another son, I’m damn in love with you, what more do you want?”
“Ha ha, okay, ouch!” I yelped as he suddenly slapped my arm, then he held up his hand with a dead mosquito and some blood on it, “Ah, so many mosquitoes these days, let’s go inside…what are you doing?”
I asked when I saw him squashing the mosquito corpse on the table.
“I hate it, it dared to bite my wife.”
“…It’s dead now, calm down.”
“Damn, I’m still not satisfied. I should have tortured it first instead of just killing it.” He said through gritted teeth, clearly angry, “Should I eat it?”
“No, don’t.” I quickly stopped him as he was about to put the dead mosquito into his mouth, swatting his hand away, causing the mosquito to fly off. I stood up, took his face in both my hands, forcing him to look up at me since I was standing and he was sitting, creating a height difference. I furrowed my brows and stared into his sharp eyes, “Don’t eat mosquitoes, understand?”
“Understood, why so serious?”
“Sigh, crazy people do crazy things.”
“I’m the crazy one?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, huh, oh…what’s this?” I pressed harder on both his cheeks, making his speech garbled, and he immediately looked annoyed. I burst out laughing at his funny face, “Let go.”
“Yeah, funny.” I released my hands.
“You’re the only one who has the right to do this.” He said, pulling my waist closer. I lightly wrapped my arms around his neck; he leaned down to press his face against my stomach. I pushed him away, “Why push?”
“What if someone sees?”
“No one will see, they’ve all gone to bed.”
“You never know, what if Dad gets up to use the bathroom?”
“Then let’s go back to the room, mosquitoes are starting to bite.”
“Yeah.”
We helped clean up the things on the table, made sure he washed his hands, which were dirty from swatting the mosquito, before heading back to the room. “I want to smoke.” Arthit said immediately after sitting on the bed. I didn’t respond because I understood what he meant; I moved closer, straddling his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck again, and leaned in for a gentle kiss before our tongues started to intertwine.
Want to smoke…
For him, it meant he wanted to kiss.
Because he used to be a heavy smoker until we started dating and I asked him to cut down because I was worried. So, when he felt like smoking, he would kiss me instead, to the point where this phrase now meant he wanted to kiss. We left Dad’s house early the next morning and got back to our place by evening. I had to leave Mr. Jeon at home because we had planned to go back to San Francisco together at the end of the year.
At first, I was a bit worried about whether it was right to take me to be part of his family’s important moments like that, but he insisted it was definitely a good thing because he considered me part of his family already.
But before we could reach the New Year holidays, we had to get through the end-of-term exams first.
Even though winter had come around, I didn’t feel cold at all, at most just a slight chill on the skin. Arthit, who hates the cold, said that this was one of the reasons he likes Thailand because even in winter, it’s not cold.
Today was a day off from my faculty to give students time to prepare for exams. I woke up early as usual to cook breakfast and make hot coffee. Once everything was ready, I went to wake up the lazy one who was still burrowed under the blanket.
“No, not getting up, too lazy.”
“You have to.”
He opened his eyes, glaring at me.
“Why does a person have to wake up early anyway?”
“Arthit has to go to the ward, right?”
“Forget it, you come to sleep here, I’ll call the professor, I’m going to quit.” “You really complain a lot.” I said. He’s said he would quit for the millionth time because the heavy coursework combined with it not being something he enjoys wears him down more and more. But despite that, he remains stubborn about continuing because of a promise he made when he was young.
I once talked to Uncle Direk about his studies. We agreed that he doesn’t need to do this; his mother probably wouldn’t want him to endure something he doesn’t like either. “Here.”
“What?”
“I talked to Uncle.” I decided to say, my serious tone and expression made him sit up in bed. I sat down next to him, “Studying is definitely a good thing, but doing what you love is just as important.”
“…What’s this all of a sudden, so serious?”
“I don’t want to interfere with what you decide, but can I speak from my own perspective?”
“Hmm.”
“Arthit…Right now, your music is very popular, you know that, right? Many record labels have been contacting you, and if you keep studying, you might miss out on these opportunities. If it’s what you like, that’s okay. I won’t say anything, but you have never been happy about waking up to go to school. There isn’t a single day when you don’t complain to me about being tired. It’s not that I’m tired of listening, but I’m worried because it’s deteriorating day by day.”
“…”
“Arthit you are talented, I know. If you put your mind to it, the results are always good, even with something as challenging as medical school. But living with something you don’t like isn’t good. Your identity will be slowly consumed, and before you know it, you might lose your way completely. Fortunately, you know what you like, what makes you happy, and have the capability to go forward in that direction.”
“…”
“What keeps you here is the promise you made to your mother. I understand because your mother is very important to Arthit, but if she were still here, would she want you to do this?” He shook his head.
“She would probably want me to do what I want more.”
“Right?”
“…But I’ve been studying for four years already, damn it.”
“But if you wait until you graduate, that’s another two years.”
“…”
“I’m not saying it’s bad. Not at all, university opens up opportunities for people. Like Arthit, you met friends. I’m the same. I’ve met everyone here, met excellent professors, new people, new things. Everyone has dreams, many choose to study to fulfill those dreams, but your dream isn’t here, is it?”
“Damn, you’re making me feel all soft-hearted now.”
“I just want you to listen to me, because even Direk thinks the same.”
“Yeah, Direk has been against it since I decided to apply to medical school, and look how stubborn I’ve been, sigh.”
“And how’s studying medicine going?”
“Don’t call it medicine, call it ‘dog’, damn it. It’s hard, and there’s so much, damn it. Forget about ‘A’, I want to bow at the professors’ feet when I pass ‘F’.”
“Do you feel like you have any identity there?”
“What identity would there be? The department dog, George, is probably better than me.”
“Stand in the right place, and you’ll have your own identity. In the music industry, people are watching your identity right now. There are millions of listeners, record labels wanting to sign you, and even Uncle Direk wants you to follow what he loves. Your mom would feel the same way. Of course, I feel the same.”
“Wow, I’m really down, seriously. I’ve thought about quitting a lot too, always asking myself what I’m doing here. Yeah, okay, I can do it. If I try hard, I can get good grades too, but I don’t want to try at all. I’m tired because I don’t like it; I get discouraged by the slightest thing. I have no energy for it, but with music, it’s completely different.”
“Hmm.” I nodded gently, “I’m glad you listened to me. Think about it. No matter which path you choose, I’ll always support you. I can listen to you complain about anything.”
“Thanks.”
…
Arthit
After breakfast, I sat lost in thought on the balcony. It was already half past seven, considered late if I were to go to the ward, but today I wasn’t in the mood to do anything.
Ever since I started making music, I’ve felt happiness because I’m doing what I love, following my dreams. For the past four years, I’ve never felt this before; it was so discouraging that I wanted to give up many times, but I ignored those thoughts and kept pushing forward.
This isn’t my place. I know that well.
If I tried a little harder, things might get better, but the point is, I don’t want to try anymore. I don’t know what I’d get good grades for, trading them for so much fatigue and pressure. It’s not like others who have clear goals.
No matter what, if I graduate, I won’t become a doctor; it’s not what I want. I can’t see myself on this path; I’m only studying because of a promise I made to my mom when I was a child. I thought I could do it, even though my own mother, if she were still here, wouldn’t want me to force myself like this.
If I take a step further, not towards the study desk but the music desk, I’m happy with what I’m doing. The word ‘tired’ never crosses my mind. I enjoy experimenting, enjoy the sound of music, enjoy singing, and always feel proud of myself every time I complete a song.
It must be as Dao said, stand in the right place, and you’ll have your identity.
Because of what Dao said, it made me reconsider myself.
Because of this faculty, I’ve met talented people like Hill, kind people like Fah, and rich people like Jo’s dad, met skilled doctors, encountered lazy dogs like George, learned new things, and have so many memories.
And what if I switch to studying something else?
No, no, I don’t like studying anything. I’ll make music.
Sigh, thinking too much, this isn’t like me at all.
I glanced at my phone, not sure how many calls I had missed. This time it was Jo. I let out a big sigh before answering.
“I’m not going today.” I immediately said, thinking he was calling to get me to go to the ward.
(That’s not what I was asking.)
“Then why call?”
(Just come over.)
“Want to meet up? No, how about tonight?”
(Damn, come to my room, I’m too lazy to go out.)
“Wouldn’t a hotel be better? Doing it in the room, isn’t that too disrespectful to
North? He’s my junior, I want to keep some respect for him.”
(Respecting him by taking his boyfriend out to a hotel, huh?)
“Yes, enough. I’m not in the mood for this, what do you want, I’m not in a good mood right now.”
(You’re the one playing, I’m too lazy to talk on the phone. So, are you coming, or should I come to you?)
“I’ll come in a bit.”
(Okay.)
And then the call ended, making me wonder what was going on, why he needed me to come to the room…Wait, does that mean he’s not going to the ward today either?
“Dao.”
“Hmm?” Dao, who was reading, looked up at the sound of his name.
“Let’s go to North’s room.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know, but his boyfriend called.”
“Okay.” Dao immediately closed his book, put it in his bag, gathered a few things, and changed his clothes. We drove to Jo’s condo, and when we arrived, North was the one who opened the door, with a face that wasn’t as cheerful as usual, making me feel uneasy.
What’s going on?
“Phipungto, I’ve already said it, Phii Jo is really stressed.” North said as he shook Dao’s arm.
“I just said it out loud too.”
“Really? And what did Phii Arthit say?”
“I mean, aren’t I here?” I said, turning to North, who looked at me. “What’s going on with you guys, and where’s Jo?”
“In the study.”
“Alright, then I’ll go see him first.”
“Hmm.” Dao responded. I left the two of them outside and walked into Johan’s study. He was leaning back in his chair with his feet up on the desk. When he heard the door, he glanced over at us.
“What’s up?” I asked as I sat down on the nearby sofa, leaning back in a familiar way.
“North came to talk to me this morning, said he consulted with your wife.”
“Consulted with my wife?”
“Yeah, about studying.”
“Dao just told me this morning too.” I raised an eyebrow, immediately understanding what those two had discussed, and by coincidence, it was on the same day.
“Oh, that’s the same then. Fah called me to say you didn’t show up for your ward duty and asked me to call you. When he called, you didn’t answer.” Jo said, “So I thought you were skipping today and wanted to talk about it.”
“About quitting, right?”
“Yeah, you know, I work, and the reason I studied medicine is because my dad told me to. But last time I asked him if he really wanted me to study, he said he didn’t want it that much. He just thought having a doctor for a son would be cool, but if I can’t handle it, I can quit and just work, he doesn’t mind.”
“Oh, well, if your parents are okay with it and don’t force you, then there’s no reason to keep studying, especially since you don’t want to be here.”
“It’s not that I can’t handle it, I can study, but it’s just not right for me.” the guy sitting on the desk rubbed his head back and forth, “When I heard my dad say that,
I was half-convinced already, and after hearing North today, I really want to quit.”
“What did he say?”
“Something like, don’t force yourself to do what you don’t like, and he’s right. A lot of people from our faculty have quit. If it’s not for you, just step back.” “Yeah, Dao said something similar to me, and now I’m thinking about it too. It’s a turning point; you need to think a lot about it, but thinking a lot isn’t my style, damn it.”
“And why are you still studying then?”
“I promised my mom when I was little, but now when I think about it, my mom probably wouldn’t want me to force myself. She’d want me to be happy, and now, my music is doing great, you know? So many record labels have contacted me, wanting to sign me. Next year, at the Billboard Music Awards, there should be
Dylan Castillo, right?”
“That’s good then, so why don’t you drop out now? You won’t even have to take exams, damn it, Me too I think I’ve had enough, I can’t take it anymore.”
“Then we will leave Hill and Fah to work together.”
“I think they’ll be happier. They won’t have to work for us, let them be free from us for once.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” I nodded in agreement, “But Dao, he’s working while studying. In the end, when he graduates, he wants to open a gallery. It has nothing to do with his studies.”
“Isn’t it that your wife likes studying?”
“Hey, how do you know?”
“My wife told me.”
“Yeah, Dao likes studying, but we don’t.”
“Then drop out.”
“Open your laptop, I want to print the withdrawal form now.”
“Damn it. I’m not waiting to graduate, I’m dropping out now, I can’t take it anymore.”
“Open the laptop, hurry up, I’m in a rush.”
“Okay, okay.”
And then the two of us printed our withdrawal forms together, took them home for signatures, and then submitted them to the faculty in the afternoon. We talked to our professors for a long time; they weren’t too keen on us dropping out since we were in our fourth year, but we talked until they understood. We left the faculty office, looked at each other, and burst out laughing.
“Damn it. I never thought this day would come, the day we both drop out together.” Jo said cheerfully.
“Yeah, it’s that simple, it’s good. We shouldn’t have forced ourselves for so long; it didn’t feel like us at all.” I replied, “Sigh, the professor signed Dobby’s withdrawal form, Dobby is free.”
“What did your dad say?”
“He seemed happy, man. Direk has wanted me to do what I love for a long time, and what about your family?”
“Gene didn’t say anything, just respect my decision.” Said the person beside me.
I shrugged. I walked out to where someone was waiting below the building, seeing
Hill and Fah there too. “Are you guys done?”
“Yeah, why didn’t you come today?” Fah asked immediately. I gave him a victorious half-smile.
“We’ve quit.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, me and Jo just handed in our resignation.”
“Oh, so you’ve made up your mind, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s good then, I hope you both do well with the path you’ve chosen.” Fah said. I sat down next to Dao, turning to look at him.
“Phii, why do you look so down, you’ll miss us, won’t you?”
“No, me and Hill will finally have some peace, right, Hill?”
“Yeah, finally free from freeloaders, always having to tutor for exams, take notes during lectures, teach everything, do the work for them, some days even having to call to check on them. I’ve always wondered how you guys could stand it for so long.”
“Can you guys at least pretend to be sad? Don’t look like you’ve been liberated.” “But that’s how I really feel.” Hill said. I shrugged indifferently; their reactions were not far from what I expected. They weren’t that lonely; we’d probably see each other often anyway, “And are you guys studying tonight?” Hill turned to ask North.
“Oh, yeah, we’ll meet at the usual coffee shop.” “Say ‘khrap’ to me sometimes.” I said.
“Ew.”
“Blergh.”
…
In the evening, we met at the coffee shop. Actually, I was supposed to study, but I don’t have to anymore. I felt the freedom for the first time in almost five years of enduring and overcoming so much. Whatever had been haunting me every day was gone.
I am free!
I don’t have to study. Don’t have to go to the ward. Don’t have to get scolded by the doctors anymore!!
“You look so refreshed.” Dao remarked as we were about to leave the room. I reached out to hug the person beside me.
“Of course, who could be more refreshed than me in this world?” I ran my hand through my hair, “I don’t have to wake up early, don’t have to study late into the night, that Dr. Arthit is dead, only Dylan the musician remains, what do you think about this?”
“As I said, I support you in all his decisions. Seeing you this happy makes me glad.”
“If you hadn’t spoken up, I probably wouldn’t have decided on anything.”
“Hmm. I’ve seen you suffer for so long.”
“I really didn’t choose wrong by following your religion. This religion has truly led me to enlightenment, freeing a sinner like me to the path of heaven. Oh, your head is glowing now; is this the light of sanctity? My eyes are burning.” “…Madman.”
“Oh, hey. Are you running away just because of that? Just kidding, your head isn’t glowing. I just wanted to say that your forehead is so sweaty it’s reflecting light.”
Hearing that, Dao stopped in his tracks and turned to look at me with disgust.
“What kind of person makes excuses that make things worse?”
“Arthit, get lost.”
“Why are you chasing me away?”
“You’re annoying.”
“Have I done anything to bother you? No, right? I’m just in my own space, right?”
“Your father’s space, huh?” Hill snapped, looking at me with clear annoyance after I started doing push-ups in the coffee shop. This is the top floor, which is usually a private room in Jo’s coffee shop where we normally read. But today, why, oh right! Because today I don’t need to read! “Why don’t you do your pushups in your room or at the gym or something? It’s so annoying to see something moving up and down like that.”
“Why?” I asked back, doing push-ups even faster. Hill sighed heavily, “Is it really that annoying, Hill? I think it’s quite fun, look, I can do push-ups so fast.”
“Your problem.”
“I can do one-handed push-ups too, Hill, look.”
“No.”
“Whatever, I can do high push-ups too.”
“I’m going to read. Sigh, Fah, can you stop him?”
“Can’t stop him. I suggest you turn your back to him like I do.” Fah said. After getting annoyed by my push-ups, he moved his chair to another spot, turning his back to me.
“I turned around and he followed me here, what’s your deal with me, Arthit?”
“I don’t know, I just feel like messing with you today.”
“…” Hill didn’t reply, just sighed quietly, continuing to endure my provocation. I glanced over at the wives sitting on the other side of the room, deeply engrossed in their reading.
“Jo.” I called out. Jo, who was tutoring North, turned to look at me, “Want to do a push-up contest?”
“I’ll do it one-handed.”
“Jo, don’t go along with his craziness. I already have a headache.”
“Oh, Hill has a headache, huh? Come on then. No need for one hand, just come.”
Jo got up from the table and walked over here immediately, “I was thinking what
Arthit was up to, coming to do push-ups next to Hill.”
“Hill shouldn’t have warned him.” Fah said with an exasperated tone, Hill nodded in annoyance, “What time is it anyway? You guys are not going to read anymore, so you come here to do push-ups while we’re trying to study? Have you been holding this in for a while or what?”
“To show you guys.” I said after getting back into a sitting position to wait for Jo, “How good it is not to have to read books, see how I can use the time to do push-ups.”
“Sigh, just doing push-ups, isn’t that normal?” Hill remarked, “If it were me, I’d put something on your back.”
“Yeah, what would be good, hey, Dao.” I called out, both of them looked up from their books, “North too. Come here.”
“What, Phii?”
Both of them got up from the table and walked over to me and Jo.
“We’re going to do a push-up contest. Can you guys sit on our backs for a bit?” “We need to study.” Dao frowned, to be honest, I usually like Dao to sit on my back when I do push-ups, it’s not too heavy.
“Yeah, consider it a break, and help count too.”
“Are you serious, Phii Jo?” North asked, Jo chuckled a bit and nodded, North sighed, “Okay. Just one round, but isn’t this cheating, Hia? Because you’re lighter than me.”
“No. I’ve gained weight.”
“How much do you weigh?”
“Sixty.”
“I weigh sixty-three, go get something to hold.” North commanded.
“Make my wife hold three kilos? Are you crazy? You might as well cut off your own arms.”
“Oh, not letting her hold but asking me to cut off my arm, how touching.” “Never mind. Just add three kilos then.” Jo said, raising his eyebrows.
“Who would agree to that? Just get a thick book, hey, Fah, do you have one?” “I’ll look for one.” Fah responded, standing up to fetch a book, returning with a stack in his hands, “This should do.”
“Okay, you don’t have to hold it, just lay it down. Just make sure it doesn’t fall.”
“Hmm.”
And then, the two of us got into position to do push-ups with someone sitting on our backs, competing to see how many we could do while the person on our back counted.
“We need to read.” Dao said, frowning. Actually, I like having Dao sit on my back while I do push-ups; it’s not too light, which is good. “Yeah, consider it a break then, and help count too.”
“Phii Jo, are you serious?” North asked. Jo let out a small laugh and nodded.
North sighed, “Okay. Just one round then, Hia, isn’t this cheating? Because
Phipungto weighs less than me.”
“No. I’ve gained weight.”
“How much do you weigh?”
“Sixty.”
“I weigh sixty-three, go get something to hold.” North commanded again. “Make my wife hold three kilos? Are you crazy? You might as well cut off your own arms.”
“Oh, not letting her hold but asking me to cut off my arm, how touching.” “Never mind. Just add three kilos then.” Jo said, raising his eyebrows.
“Who would agree to that? Just get a thick book, hey, Fah, do you have one?” “I’ll look for one.” Fah responded, standing up to fetch a book, returning with a stack in his hands, “This should do.”
“Okay, you don’t have to hold it, just lay it down. Just make sure it doesn’t fall.”
“Hmm.”
Then, both of us got into position to do push-ups with people sitting on our backs. We started pushing up against each other while people behind us counted how many times.
“Forty-five, forty-six, forty-seven.” the numbers kept counting, along with sighs from those who were reading not far away. I looked up, laughing at the thoroughly annoyed expressions of Hill and Fah. They had stopped reading because they couldn’t take it anymore, sitting with their chins in their hands, watching me and Jo compete in push-ups.
“Sigh. You really shouldn’t let two crazy people be together.”
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