HEMP ROPE

The dream in the pool.

"You want me to sign up for the Thailand swimming championship?" The swimming club coach nodded.

 

"Yes, your accumulated records meet the criteria. I'd like you to participate in the qualifying round." He handed a document to the young man and patted his shoulder, "You've done well, Teerayu."

 

Team looked at the document with sparkling eyes. He'd been dreaming of this program ever since he was a child, but there had been some reasons that kept him from enrolling until he enrolled in the university.

 

"Thank you, I will try my best!"

 

The young man rushed to his friends. They jumped and hugged each other in delight. University T had a few representatives for the competition qualifying round, and he was one of them. Finally, one step closer to his dream.

 

"You will be qualifying for the Thailand swimming championship?" Manow, Pharm, and Del exclaimed in unison.

 

Today they had a barbecue at a famous department store in the city centre. Manow and Pharm had noticed that Team seemed more enthusiastic than usual until Team brought them good news.

 

"Yesss, but it's just a qualifying round." 

 

Team ate a slice of meat with his chopsticks, closing his eyes to savour his favourite flavour.

 

"But that is already your accomplishment," Pharm nodded. He grilled more meat and gave it to his best friend. "Here's your reward."

 

"If you pass qualifying, the next BBQ is my treat." Manow grilled more meat for Team. "Here, congratulations."

 

"If you get a medal, I'll treat you to any food." Del made a 'keep fighting' gesture and grilled the meat for Team like the other two friends.

 

The meat flooded Team's plate. Though his brow twitched at how effortless his friends were with their rewards, he wouldn't say no to food, especially ready-to-eat ones. He grinned at it.

 

"Whoa, you look so well these days. Bright and cheerful, club's good performance, and you're on your cellphone often." Manow grinned mischievously. She squinted, mocking a chu lip, shifting closer. "Is there something you wanna tell us?"

 

The young man almost choked. Team looked away, ignoring.

 

"T..this one's gonna burn. Eat quickly." He put the meat on Manow's plate to keep her mouth busy.

 

"Yeah." Pharm tilted his head. "You keep responding to LINE all the time these days. Sometimes with a smile." This was his chance to tease Team.

 

"Or…."

 

Even Del joined in, her pretty eyes studying Team. If it were someone else looking at the greyish-green eyes of the performance club's actress, they'd fall for her, but this was Team, who'd been scared of Dean's eyes all along. His sister's eyes had the same effect on Team.

 

Team couldn't eat under pressure from his three friends. He put his bowl and chopsticks down after holding them for a while. It was about time he told them.

 

"Yeah."

Pharm lifted his brows. "Yeah, what?"

 

"Was that a response or a burp?" Manow looked disturbed.  Team rolled his eyes. 

 

"Not a burp! I mean, yes, I have something to tell you guys." Once he got their attention, the meat on the stove was forgotten.

 

"Oh, oh, oh." Del's hand shot to her mouth, and she did a high five with Manow, holding back her squeal.

 

"The one I told you about." Team tried to put together his words. Man, how would he phrase this?

 

"The one you like?" Pharm helped him out, a naughty grin on her face. Team tsked, he'd get back at his friend after.

 

"Yeah, that." Team considered his friends' reactions. Seeing how Manow was going to burst because he stalled, he laughed, and it rolled out easily.

 

"We're together."

 

"Together." Pharm's eyes went wide. He had no idea it was fast.

"When?"

 

"Two or three months ago." Team shrugged, but he felt oddly liberated telling them about his relationship. This was probably what coming out was like.

 

"Who is it? Tell us quickly. Senior or same year?" 

 

Manow shook Team's shoulder. This was a disgrace to her in the name of Madam Rumours. How could she miss it, not knowing Team had a boyfriend? 

 

"I'm not telling." Team looked smug. He wasn't going to become their plaything.

 

"Boohoo!" Manow made a face. She wanted to know about her friend's lover. What was Team's type? Was it endearingly cute or strikingly handsome?

 

"I'll tell you when it's time." Team nudged the young lady away with his finger on her forehead. Manow puffed her cheeks and stopped nagging. "Okay. I'm just glad you're happy."

 

"Yep." Del smiled. "We want Team to be happy." She might have joined this group of friends later than anyone else, but she knew how much Team cared about them.

 

"Yeah. Thanks, guys." This group of friends was a key factor in his decision to confess to Win. They were now a part of his happiness.

 

"Phew, everything works out well for you guys. 

 

“Ahem." Manow cleared her throat. "So I'm telling you I myself am having a sweetheart too."

 

"What!?" They all exclaimed at once; it was truly a surprise. Manow, who had loved squealing at young men in general, now had her own man.

 

"What, where, who, when?" Team startled. How could he let anyone woo his friend without his knowledge?

 

"Hee." Manow showed them a photo on her cellphone. It was of a man grinning, his hands holding a big bouquet. "P'Flower, he's the cutest." 

 

Two guys and one girl looked at the photo before Pharm and Team cried in unison.

"P'Pruek!!"

 

Team was lost. There hadn't been many interactions between Pruek and Manow when she visited the club. When did Pruek flirt with his friend? That guy seemed collected and calm, yet Team looked at him in a new light.

 

"We started talking after the competition at K. Uni. He was so lovely, always showed up with pretty flowers." It was confusing to her, but it left a good impression. The flower guy was so kind and so comfortable to be around, too."

 

"Whoa. Pharm got a boyfriend, Team got a boyfriend, Manow got a boyfriend." Del said with a sulky voice, but Manow pinched her cheeks.

 

"Don't even. You're talking to P Alex, aren't you?"

 

Yes, the performance club's main actress was seeing the club president himself. It was a topic in the town. Alex was quite a popular idol at the university. Although he used to come after Pharm, a change of heart led him to his romantic rival's sister.

 

"Yeah." Del's cheeks turned red. "But I'm not at Pharm's level."

 

"Oh?" Pharm jumped, having that issue thrown at him.

 

"You got a ring from my brother." It came as a surprise to her when she discovered that her brother had given his boyfriend a ring. That ring was given to him by his Grandmother. It was an important ring. Pharm grinned and looked down at the ring on his index finger. He smiled, thinking about the giver.

 

"Ah, you're so shy." Manow elbowed her friend.

 

“That's what you get for being in a relationship." Team followed Manow's gesture, elbowing Pharm.

 

"Oi, that's enough!" Pharm's face burned as he pushed his friends away. He'd been teased ever since he got this ring. Did they not understand it was a family name ring!?

 

Del laughed, picking up her cellphone to text her older brother about how Pharm was embarrassed. But before she could, a burning smell hit her nose, and she had to lower her phone.

 

"Do you smell that?"

 

Team froze. "Oh, it smells like burning." Manow sniffed her nose, "That's right." Before Pharm shouted, "Meat!! The meat's burning!"

 

"Fuck."

 

"Ahhh, Team, don't splash water, it'll bring out the smoke." A loud cry rang out. All the meat on the neglected grilling pan was now burnt. The waiter ran in to manage the situation. Good thing the place wasn't too busy; they ended up apologising to the restaurant for the trouble. Their lesson learned: If they need to discuss something important, never do it over a grilling eat-out.

 

The swimming club began special training for its athletes ahead of the qualifying round. The training schedule was so packed that Team hardly had time with his friends, save for class time. Thankfully, Manow and Pharm helped summarise the lessons to help him keep up with his classes.

 

As for Win, Team wanted to flee at the sight of Win's face. It was as if his beloved boyfriend didn't exist; the one in front of him at the swimming club, supervising the training, was a cruel demon. He no longer knew the kind Win when their relationship became official.

 

Splash.  

 

In the early evening. Team closed his eyes under the shower, letting the water run down his face and head. Once he had a chance to rest, he hurried straight back to his dormitory as soon as his class was over. He'd meant to have snacks and play games to his heart's content.

 

Since he trained for the qualifying round, he hadn't been dreaming of his past. No panic attack whatsoever. He turned off the faucet, smiling to himself. Maybe he was getting better. Characters ran widely on a computer screen. Players' incessant curses and yelling came through a mic.

 

"Hia Waan!! You're going the wrong way!"

 

[Shit, again, him again.]

 

A loud laugh was deafening. Every day, Waan was killed by the same guy. It even seemed like the other party was masochistic, loving Waan's strings of curses as if it were his personal lullaby.

 

(Enough for today. You're sulking?] The killer asked with humour.

 

[Sulking my ass. It's just enough for today! Enough!]

 

"Oh." It seemed like Win's brother was whinier than usual today. Yet it was late; it was about time he went to bed, too. "Alright, enough for today."

 

[Next time, let's play a game at my house, bring Pharm along.]

 

"As long as P'Dean doesn't break my neck, it's ok." Team felt the nape of his neck in horror.

 

[I'll call him.]  T-Rex said in a baritone voice. Waan responded with a hint of irritation, yet there was no objection. Their last conversation before both went offline left their fellow gamers baffled.

 

[So they're close?] Someone asked. 

 

Silence was the answer for everyone before they all returned to playing the game. Team unplugged his earphones and placed them next to the computer. He stretched after sitting for a long time. After meeting Win's older and younger brothers, the siblings were like his now. He either played games with Waan or chatted with Wiew. Sometimes they would hang out and eat together, which made Win complain.

 

Line!

The young man glanced at the text message popping up on his mobile screen. 

 

Winnie the pool: I'll join you tonight, but a little late.

(-_-)/: Ok

 

He grinned at his response. They took turns visiting each other's rooms as the night drew near. Both of them were too busy with their own activities, and they just crashed once they reached their beds. But at least they could still talk and hold each other once in a while. It was nice, and Team loved it.

 

Team texted his gamer friends goodbye, shut down his computer and climbed up the bed. He meant to play with his cellphone while waiting for Win, but he fell asleep without knowing it.

 

Plop

The surface of the blue water rippled. The cold pierced his body.

 

"Phii, let's race."

 

Plop

His body sank to the bottom of the pool.

Ugh, Argh.

Two hands struggling, eyes widened. His lips opened, and he tried to gulp for air, but all he got was water flowing into his lungs.

It was painful.

Help

Help!!

 

"Team!!"

 

The young man was startled to his entire being before he choked on a violent cough.

 

"Cough, cough, ack"

He couldn't breathe.

 

"Shh, calm down, look at me." Win's face stood out in the darkness. Team was crumpling the other's shirt in pain.

 

"Hia. Can't breathe..."

 

"You had a nightmare. It's okay." A large hand cupped Team's face firmly. "Breathe... slowly, that's right."

 

Team slowly breathed in, but it hurt like hell. He felt like he choked on the water; his nose and throat burned.

 

"Water, cough, drowning."

"You're on a bed right now." The tip of his thumb rubbed Team's cheeks, soaked with tears. "You're not in the pool," Win said slowly, pulling Team back to reality.

 

". dream?"

"Yes, it was just a dream."

 

Team's stress decreased, his breathing relaxed, yet his entire body trembled with fear. He...dreamed of it again.

 

Once seeing Team get a grip, Win drew the younger man to lean on his shoulder, stroking his back to calm his panic. Win's brows knitted. He came back, thinking about showering and staying over. But after stepping into the room, he heard a murmur before it turned into a violent choking.

 

The young man held Team tighter in his arms. As far as he knew, Team couldn't sleep; he had anxiety attacks whenever there was a competition. He never knew Team's condition could get this bad with severe sleep-talking symptoms. He just choked, unable to breathe...

 

"Feeling better now?" The face, buried in his arms, moved up and down in response. 

 

"Do you have it this often?"

 

Team gripped on Win's shirt became tighter. Win could do nothing to push Team back, but sighed.

 

"Team, do you realise what we are now?" Win rocked the stubborn kid. "Give me a chance to do my job as your boyfriend. Let me console you when you're sad, help fix you when you're in trouble." He lowered himself to give Team's head a fierce kiss. 

 

"Can I do that for you?"

 

The pleading baritone voice made Team's eyes burn. Was it time, wasn't it? Team nudged his lover away slightly. Win's expression was worse than having a nightmare.

 

"It's not usually this bad." Team took his time explaining. The worst he'd used to get was jolting awake from a bad dream, unable to go back to sleep. 

 

This time, he truly felt as though he was drowning. It was so real, even the pain of choking.

 

"So you have had this symptom before." Win's face turned solemn. "You can't sleep. Is it because of this?"

 

"Yeah. I have nightmares, so I can't sleep."

 

Team turned towards the nightstand. He reached for the picture frame, which was kept in the innermost drawer. It was a photo of two boys with their arms around each other's necks, their faces filled with a wide grin.

 

"Hia. I have to tell you something."

 

The elementary school's pool was quiet today. No one was there because it was scheduled for water drainage and a thorough cleaning. It was time for the swimming club's little members to rest.

 

"Team. I don't think so." A little elementary school boy pulled at his younger brother's shirt, stopping him from squeezing through the gate.

 

"There's no one here right now." The little hand pointed towards the pool, where it was usually packed with children. The stubborn kid didn't give up and kept trying to get into the pool area; his brother had to follow in.

 

"Today the pool's ours!" Team jumped and ran around. Without adults, they could do anything. "We'd be punished if the teachers found out," the older brother scratched his head.

 

On normal occasions, they trained at the swimming club every day after school. Their mothers would watch over them from six till seven at night before taking them home. They had forgotten the pool was closed today, with a "Closed for big cleaning" sign hanging in front of the door.

 

They still had two or three hours. He meant to wait for their mother at the library, but the little rascal wouldn't listen to him.

 

"Phii, how about a race?" Team waved his bag, which had a swimming suit inside.

"We can't go in the pool."

 

"Of course we can. The water's still in there; we can play for an hour. Please, please, please?" 

 

Team ran in to pull the older brother's arm, pleading. "Just one hour, no one will know. After that, we'll change and wait for Mom." The older one was reluctant, but he caved in to his little brother's pleading eyes. What could he do?

 

"One hour."

"Yes, sir."

 

The little boy picked up his bag and went to change. He glanced at the pool again, thinking he had been swimming here every day. An hour should be fine.

 

Plop

 

"Oh, it's cold." Team squeezed his eyes and swam to the centre. He called his older brother.

 

"You haven't warmed up." The older one hesitated. Their teacher kept telling them that they had to warm up before getting in the pool.

 

"It's fine, we're just playing, not training." Team dove down and up to show that it was fine. 

 

The older brother slowly climbed down the ladder from the pool. Then he swam to his younger brother. They took turns splashing at each other, having a great time. The little happiness of two children was simple. A little playtime should be fine. 

 

Team gripped the edge of the pool, kicking his legs next to his older brother. The pool looked bigger than usual with just the two of them.

 

"I'll be the best coach when I grow up." He gave his brother a cheeky grin.

"Then I will be a national team athlete, with you as my coach."

 

The older brother smiled, squinting, imagining his future dream with his little brother.

 

"Great. You're a national team athlete. I'm a coach for national athletes."

 

The two of them had been swimming together as long as they could remember. It could be said that they could swim before they knew it. That was why their dreams were not far from the pool, and fortunately, both their parents supported the idea. 

 

They became youth swimmers, and their dream of making the national team should be right around the corner. They both giggled at each other before they realised the time.

 

"Team, it's about time. Mom's almost here." They still had to change and dry their hair before Mom came.

 

"Eh? Already?" The younger one whined and offered, "Phil!! How about we race one last time? Then we have a shower and wait for Mom."

 

The older one hesitated, but thought the race was short; a few meters wouldn't be a problem. He'd let the little one have his way. 

 

"One round."

"Okay!"

 

Two little kids clung to the edge of the pool. Their feet against the wall under the water, ready to send themselves off as far as possible. The future coach and athlete of the national team were determined. Whoever reached the other side of the pool first got two pieces of a snack.

 

"One"

"Go!!"

 

A small but swift body rushed into the water, swimming through the cold water. Team performed his arm strokes. Impatience got the best of him when he saw his elder brother leading the way. No, he wanted two pieces of a snack!!

 

The kid who hated losing sped up, forgetting all the warnings he'd been taught. Two arms and legs sped up before sharp pains shot all over his body.

 

"Ah"

Cramp!!

 

A small body curled up into a ball. Two hands held onto his aching leg. At the edge of the pool, the race's finishing line, the older brother grinned and prepared to tease his little brother. Despite his winning, he'd still let his brother have two pieces of snack as consolation.

 

"Team?" There was no sign of the little guy. The older brother pursed his lips. He looked around the pool in haste, expecting Team to prank him like usual. But even a shadow couldn't be seen.

 

"Team!! Where are you!?" 

 

"Phii, cough." The voice called out, then stopped. The older brother's eyes widened when he saw a small hand waving in the middle of the pool. The older brother's heart dropped. Team was drowning!!

 

"Phii, help...cough, help me."

 

The small hand disappeared along with the head, sinking beneath the water's surface. The older brother rushed forward, swimming faster than he had in his life.

 

"Team, team!" He dove into the water, searching for his younger brother's body, which was sinking to the bottom of the pool.

 

No, no, no, no!!

 

As his consciousness was fading, Team remembered seeing his older brother rush down to grab his hand. His body was pushed to the surface in exertion. 

 

Unfortunately, the elementary school students' body strength wasn't enough. Not enough for both of them to survive.

 

"Team, Team!" A voice called, and the shaking brought him back to his senses. Team choked the water out, his face scrunched up. He felt someone helping support him and rubbing his back.

 

"Let it out, that's it."

"Ugh, cough, cough."

 

His chest burned with pain, and painful tears streamed down his face. Team hiccupped and sobbed in an adult's arms before he jumped upon a mother's heart-wrenching scream.

 

"No!!! Son, No!!" The lady cried her heart out.

 

Team was terrified and trembled all over. There, his brother's body lay motionless. The adults took turns doing CPR. 

 

"Is the ambulance here?"

 

"It's coming."

 

"Son!!"

 

Why? Team didn't understand. It was he who should have drowned, not his brother. Why wasn't his brother breathing?

 

"Phi.."The small figure struggled to escape from the adult's arms, but he was held back.

 

"Phii!!"

No.

 

"Phii!!!!"

 

Didn't he say he'd be a national team athlete?

Didn't he say Team could be his coach?

Phii!!