Chem Chey: English Translation.
After changing into fresh clothes, Intha casually strolled downstairs. He didn't see Akara, but he could hear his voice from outside, giving away his location. Who's he talking to? Laughing so chirpily like that. When Intha pushed open the unlocked swinging door, he saw Akara crouched on the ground, playing with a small child. The child's tiny hand was holding onto his mother's, while Akara was playfully pinching the boy's chubby cheeks.
"Who's that, Eung?" the soft whisper came from the small mouth of the woman, who was presumably the child's mother. Whispering so quietly... so quietly I can't hear a thing.
"He's my senior, the new business partner for the shop. Hey, Weenie, say hello to Uncle In! Uncle will give you money for snacks."
What kind of kid is named Weenie... and when did I ever say I'd give money for snacks?
"Eung, my kid's name is Winnie, not Weenie."
"Weenie! Come on, say hello to Uncle In now."
The little child stood with his belly sticking out, twisting back and forth, glancing shyly at Uncle Intha. Intha crouched down next to Akara, his long fingers gently brushing the child's soft cheek. So gentle...
"N' Winnie, right? Can you say Uncle In's name?"
"Handsome..." The child didn't call Intha's name but instead complimented him with innocent eyes. Akara clicked his tongue in annoyance, pulled the child into a loose hug, and frowned with a determined look after the child praised Intha.
"Uncle In is handsome, but what about P'Eung? Is he handsome, too?"
"Auntie Eung is a ladyboy..."
Akara lowered his head, staring at the ground, mouthing silent curses. He glanced up at Intha, who'd already stood up, his face red from holding back laughter.
"Alrighty... It's hot today. You should take your kid inside. Auntie Eung is leavin' now. Bye-bye," Akara kissed the child's cheeks a few more times without holding a grudge, then handed Winnie back to his mother. He watched the mother and child walk away before stepping closer to Intha, who was waiting nearby.
"Who was that?"
"Just someone from the neighbourhood. They live at the end of the alley. Probably came out to buy snacks at 7-Eleven," Akara explained, knowing exactly who Intha was asking about. His kind gaze followed the mother and child until they were out of sight, then turned back to focus on the tattooed man in front of him.
"Let's take my car."
"No, parkin' is a hassle. Let's take the subway; it's just at the end of the alley." Akara complained lengthily, grabbing Intha's arm to pull him along. "I hate traffic the most."
"So Auntie Eung hates traffic."
"Are you mockin' me?"
"No, not mocking. I like it. Uncle In and Auntie Eung... It's cute. Should we name the bar that?"
"No way... that sounds too much like a made-to-order restaurant. Others might think I copied their place name."
"Then how about 'Auntie Eung is a Ladyboy'?"
"Like hell!" Akara shouted, but his eyes and mouth were smiling widely. He slowed his pace slightly, waiting for Intha, who'd stopped to look at a utility pole, to catch up.
"What are you doin' standin' by the pole, Hia? Is the pole more interestin' than me?"
"Just taking a picture of a barbecue delivery number."
"How about barbecue for dinner?"
"You want barbecue?"
"Yeah."
"I don't like grilled food. How about shabu instead?"
"Anything's fine. I just want meat. Meat, meat... beef..." Intha trailed off dreamily as they descended the escalator. His eyes scanned the surroundings before stopping to meet Akara's, who was shorter. "If there's no beef, I'll just gnaw on your arm instead."
Not just words, when they reached the bottom of the escalator, Intha grabbed Akara's tattooed arm, lifted it close to his mouth, and mirthfully bit it lightly with his white teeth.
"Honestly, I think it's not about the meat. You're just lookin' for an excuse to grope someone defenceless like me. Bein' such a belle like Auntie Eung is tough, gettin' harassed by dudes." Akara pulled his arm away from Intha's mouth but loosely held onto the older man's wrist.
"Well, you're delicious."
"Addicted, huh?"
"So, when can I have more?" Intha whispered huskily, intertwining his fingers with Akara's and gently tugging him closer. His perfectly arched brows above his sweet eyes raised slightly, waiting for an answer.
"Are we really gonna walk around holdin' hands like this?" Akara raised their clasped hands into the space between them, not answering the question... he'd already said, Whenever you're hungry, just drop by...? 7-Eleven!
"Can't we?"
"No, it's just... surprisin'. No one's ever held my hand while walkin'. Aren't you embarrassed?"
"What's there to be embarrassed about?"
"Walkin' with me."
"Why should I be?" The more Akara spoke, the tighter Intha held his hand.
"I'm not cute, not small..."
"You're small now."
"Well, you're my little cupcake, aren't you?"
Akara's face flushed as he heard that. He pressed his forehead against Intha's shoulder, rubbing it to hide his embarrassment. "Shit, I'm blushin'."
"Yeah, I said it to make you blush. Have you ever felt your heart race because of me?"
"I dunno... not yet, maybe."
"Whatever. I told you I'm not in a rush... Let's get off at Kamphaeng Phet Station. I like getting off there more than Chatuchak."
Intha asked for Akara's opinion, but had already selected the destination at the ticket machine. "It's closer."
"Same here. I prefer getting off at Kamphaeng Phet over Chatuchak." Akara looked up at the ticket machine, blushing even more when he realised they were the centre of attention. Even though passersby tried to be discreet, it was evident... they were being gossiped about.
I'm so embarrassed!
Fuck you, Hia, you bastard... always makin' me blush.
Akara wanted to throw himself into Intha's arms and playfully punch his chest, yelling in his small voice, "You bastard! I'm blushin' so much!" But when Akara looked at the size of his own hands, he thought Intha might actually feel it if he punched him… Better not, Eung. Have mercy on the guy.
"So, what's the plan for dinner?" Intha ignored Akara's flustered expression and let go of his hand, handing him the subway token.
"Shabu. We can buy ingredients and cook at home. My place has a pot. But what about you? What are you doin' at the market?"
"Looking at amulets and antique shops."
"Where's that in Chatuchak?"
"Do you actually believe me?" Intha raised an eyebrow as they continued walking.
"Why? Is there.somethin' strange about it?"
"I was kidding. I'm actually planning to buy scented sachets for the car. The shop's right by Kamphaeng Phet Station. Do you want to walk around more, or should we head to the mall for some air conditioning?"
"Oh... I know the place. It smells really nice." Akara rubbed his neck, glancing at the train pulling into the platform. When the doors opened, Intha nudged him to step in first, using his larger frame to shield him. He really felt like Intha's little cupcake... just like being on the subway in Taiwan.
"You're the first person, Eung, to ask where it is instead of telling me not to go. Usually, when I say I'm going to look at amulets or antiques, people either stop me or call me weird."
"That's why you like me, right?"
"Mary had a little lamb."
"Little lamb, little lamb... you're changin' the subject again." Akara turned away, avoiding eye contact, before casually saying, "Let's go check out the antique shops. I know you like weird stuff."
"How do you know I like weird stuff?"
'Cause you like me."
"Mary had a little lamb. Its fleece was white as snow."
"And everywhere that Mary went, Mary went, Mary went, are we goin' or not?"
"Let's go..."
"Are you blushin'?" Akara teased, noticing the deep red spreading across Intha's fair cheeks, all the way to his ears. Intha didn't respond. Instead, he took Akara's hand and placed it over his left chest.
Thump, thump... thump... thump...
"My heart's racing for you like this..."
"Hia.."
"What? I was just going to say, Mary had a little lamb!"
"Just so y'know, I don't stop anyone. Especially if you're payin' for this haul, I won't stop you at all." Intha's long legs in his worn sneakers stepped onto the supermarket floor. He and Akara were at the grocery store, shopping for fresh ingredients for dinner. The shopping cart was already running out of space. "But we should think about the fact that we didn't bring a car, and we also bought ceramic mugs from Chatuchak. What if the mugs break while carrying all this stuff?"
Akara glanced at the mugs in their cardboard box. He'd wanted them when they passed the store, and Intha had offered to buy them-two mugs, one for each of them.
"Hia... are you even listenin' to me? You're carryin' this stuff on your own. I can't handle it."
"I want some spicy Korean ramen, too," Intha said, hearing him but ignoring the complaint. The temple boy pulled the cart forward to find the ramen he wanted.
"I know I can help you carry it, but I'm lazy. Sometimes I just wanna act delicate."
"Which ramen? Red or black pack?"
"Black. It's a bit spicier."
"What else..? I'll buy it for you."
"A case of dark beer would be nice. Just thinkin' about it makes my throat itch."
"You just said you couldn't carry anything."
"Who said that?"
"Never mind." Intha shrugged, letting go of the cart so Akara could push it toward the beer aisle. The one who claimed to be delicate lifted two cases of 24 cans of beer each with ease... his arm muscles didn't even flinch. Like it wasn't heavy at all. Oh wow, my wifey is so strong.
"Alright, let's head back before it gets too late."
"Watch out!" Intha pushed the shopping cart to a stop just in time, preventing Akara from accidentally running into a young woman in a university uniform. The younger man had been rushing with the cart, paying little attention to his surroundings. Luckily, Intha's sharp eyes caught it before an accident happened. "You're being dowdy again," he muttered.
"Are you gonna ask for her number, Hia? You were starin' so hard your eyes were about to pop out."
"I did no such thing!"
"Then come here and push the cart properly."
"Eung..."
"I wasn't looking at anyone." Intha was starting to panic as Akara stood there, arms crossed, lips pressed tightly together, with a blank expression.
"I didn't say anythin'. How could I? I can't say anythin' to you."
We aren't anything official, but I'm still just a little irritated. He really smiled with his eyes at her, though. Didn't you say you liked me? Minus ten points!
"Hey, I've thought of a name for our bar," Intha said, hastily switching gears after sensing the tension.
"You're going to love it. It's perfect for us."
"What's the name?"
"Cherm."
"Chermchey."
"A bar named 'Chermchey'? Are you for real?" Akara frowned, turning to stare at the taller man. Intha's doe eyes locked onto his, showing him that he was serious.
"The name is catchy and easy to remember."
"How about we redecorate the place in a retro style? It shouldn't be too hard. When I walked past the antique shops in Chatuchak, I got so many ideas. It'd match the name perfectly. We could even change the music. like country songs... but the old partner liked EDM."
"I like country songs too... I can like them as well."
"No, no, you can't like them. You like me."
"How is that related?"
"It is now. But you'll have to cover the cost of redecorating first. I already told you I'm broke through and through."
"Then put yourself up as collateral."
"Sure thing. I'll pull my pants down and wait."
"You're so cheeky." Intha pushed Akara's head onto his shoulder and ruffled his already messy hair. He leaned in, inhaling the scent of the other's hair before whispering softly into his ear, "Eung.."
"What?"
"I like you... I like you even more now."
Intha let Akara go and pushed the cart toward the checkout counter. The young man followed behind, tossing in a few more snacks. Well, likin' me more is a good thing. Chermchey is off to a fantastic start!