Chem Chey: English Translation.
After Chermchey had been open for a while, Intha's gang often used it as their gathering spot. One winter day, Intha arranged a barbecue party with his friends. The hubbies went out to buy groceries, leaving only Akara, Chen-Nhai, Chonlatee, and Jao-naay at the bar. Akara and Chonlatee were particularly close, so they sat chatting about random things. Chen-Nhai, who was also close to Chonlatee, kept teasing them, while Jao-naay leaned back, resting his eyes, completely indifferent to everyone else.
Chonlatee: P'Nhai, Eung, do you think the hubbies will manage to get everything?
Akara: Of course, they'll manage. My hubby is great at shoppin'.
Nhai: Iyares is pretty good at shopping, too.
Akara: Can you not one-up me for once?
Nhai: When did I ever one-up you?
Akara: When it comes to hubbies.
Nhai: I don't give In any credit, even if he's my best friend. Honestly, how did you two even meet? That guy tells so many different stories, it gives me a headache.
Chonlatee: Can you tell us? Or is it a secret?
Jao-naay, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and shifted to sit with his chin propped on his hand, waiting to hear the story. Intha really did tell a bunch of nonsense, sometimes saying they met in Chiang Mai, sometimes China, Korea, or Japan. It was all over the place.
Jao-naay: In doesn't like talking about personal stuff, but we all want to know.
Nhai: He acts all quiet, but he's actually pretty nosy.
Akara: Fine, I’ll tell you. It's not really a secret.
Nhai: Go ahead, sis.
Akara: Well, now that you're nosy about my story, you're callin' me sis, you're so annoyin', I want to smack you.
Nhai: Come on, no dilly-dally.
Akara: We met in Taiwan. It was a one-night stand thing, and then he confessed he liked me before disappearin' for the Kathin ceremony.
Jao-naay: The Kathin ceremony?
Akara: Yeah. At the time, I thought he just nailed and bailed me, but who would've thought he'd come back and make my dream of havin' a proper hubby come true? What about you guys? How did you meet your man?
Chonlatee: I don't really remember. As far back as I can recall, I've known P'Thon. Our houses were next to each other.
Nhai: That family had it arranged since they were in the womb. As for me, we were just friends.
Jao-naay: And then you got drunk, and Ai took advantage of you, making you his wifey.
Nhai: Right there on the couch, with all our friends as witnesses to our love.
Jao-naay: I was passed out drunk that day, but I know exactly what happened-every position and all.
Chonlatee: How do you know?
Jao-naay: Nhai told me. He seemed proud of losing his virginity.
Nhai: And what about you and P'Lit? Spill it. You kept it so quiet. We didn't find out until you dragged In to drink beer with you, got drunk like a dog, and then had the nerve to call your dad crying to pick you up. I heard you even threw a shoe at him.
Jao-naay: That's a secret under the sheets." (He smirked mischievously.)
Nhai: Come on, we're friends, right? Spill it now.
Jao-naay: There's nothing much to it. Lit just started talking to me out of nowhere, chatting about ordinary stuff. Next thing I knew, I was like, 'Wait, how did I end up as the wifey of someone so hot?' As for the time with In, there was a misunderstanding, so I had to, you know, stake my claim. No one messes with what's mine.
Akara: Naay, you're the sneakiest of us all.
Nhai: You guys are just the same as me.
Chonlatee: Hehe, P'Thon is a pretty good guy.
Akara: He's the worst, if you ask me.
Jao-naay: Stop gossiping. They're back... I can hear the car and Thon talking to Lit. Chonlatee: I'll go greet P'Thon.
Nhai: Oh, go ahead and baby him. Ugh, it's nauseating... Ai, what's there to eat, baby? I smell French fries.
Jao-naay: You criticise everyone else, but you're the worst, Nhai.
Nhai: Go back to sleep.
Jao-naay: Fine, but don't tell Lit about what we talked about just now.
Akara: Why not? What are you hidin'? Explain.
Jao-naay: Because I won't be able to get out of bed tomorrow.
Akara: Oh my, I can't think of anythin' innocent now.
Jao-naay raised an eyebrow at Akara, then leaned back against the soft cushion again. He closed his eyes, but his ears still caught Akara chatting away with Intha about how sneaky Jao-naay was. Before long, a warm touch from familiar fingers brushed against his right cheek. The warmth of someone he knew well lingered beside him. A sharp nose nuzzled along the path the fingers had traced, ending with a kiss pressed firmly on his lips, leaving them sore. You can't just sneak a kiss like that...
"Wake up, Jao-naay."
"You like to take advantage of me."
The accused only smirked at the corner of his mouth before stepping back and turning away. Jao-naay watched the broad back retreat before getting up to follow. It was his turn now....See you soon.