HEMP ROPE

SPECIAL.

After returning home from the outer province, he left his discomfort and frustration behind. A messy knot holding him back for years loosened, one by one. He felt lighter and slept better, with fewer irrepressible thoughts. His swimming time dropped significantly, even though the coach continued to praise him. His life and love were on a roll. But happiness was tinged with anxiety as he saw master's degree applications strewn across Win's room.

 

"You started applying?"

 

Team, now a second-year student, had just finished the first part of the exam. Team didn't dare to look into the details of the thick piles of applications. All the institution names were far-fetched to him, but not for Win, who, with a cumulative GPA of 4.00, had his academic honour just around the corner.

 

"Yeah, I have sent three applications." Win gathered the documents and placed them in a cover. He pulled his boyfriend tightly into his arms. 

 

"Where should we go this Christmas?"

 

December in Bangkok would never be cold, but the lights and sounds of festivities still went all out as usual.

 

"I want to stay in this year." Team leaned on a broad chest, nudging his feet at the other's. "When is the result out?"

 

Phawin lifted his brow. "Master's degree? In about two or three months."

Team's heart wavered. "If they accept you, when are you leaving?"

 

"Mhm." Win frowned, recalling. "About September or October."  Not even a year away...

 

Team bit his lips, holding back what he wanted to say. Can you not go? Can you take a master's degree in Thailand? How long will it take? Will you come back during the holidays? But... he didn't want to be Win's burden. An exhale interrupted his thoughts. He looked at Win.

 

"Sometimes, I don't want to go" Phawin placed his chin on Team's head, rubbing it. 

 

"Oh, why?

 

"I'm worried about you." Team's eyes welled up, but he faked laughter, avoiding Win's eyes.

 

"What are you worried about? I am a grown-ass man. You don't need to worry about me."

 

"I'm worried you can't sleep." Win held onto him, his hands squeezing Team's on his lap. "What if you have bad dreams? Who'd wake you up? If you're hungry in the middle of the night, who'd cook instant noodles for you? What if you failed English? Who'd teach you? When you go to swim training, who'll watch over you?" The more he spoke, the more Phawin's features darkened.

 

Team shook his head. "I can sleep better now. My doctor said I'm much better, too. I can cook instant noodles for myself. Pharm and Manow help me with classes. ABC and the coach will be there in the club, so what do you have to be afraid of?"

 

"Don't sneak in and swim alone." Win still hadn't recovered from that incident.

 

"I promise you." Team laughed. "You're over-worrying." He turned around to straddle Win's lap, face to face. He ground his hips against Win's legs, teasingly.

 

"The result isn't out yet. Why do you have to worry? You'll be so lost if your result is no go."

 

Phawin made a throaty sound, and his hands slid on Win's hips. "Be considerate of my academic results."

 

"Hia, why can't you share your brain with me?" He bit down and kissed Win's lips softly. His examination results nowadays weren't bad, but not as good as Win's. English always dragged his GPA down.

 

"I’ll teach you online." Phawin couldn't help it. "When is Mom's due date?"

 

A big grin spread on Team's face upon that "Next year, maybe February."

 

His mother had been pregnant for eight months. Both she and the child in her womb were healthy. With an ultrasound, they found out the new family member was a girl. Her name was Teeraya, meaning clever. A name that sounded similar to his brother Teerayu. Team had high hopes his sister would be smarter than him, especially in English. He booked English tutors with Pharm and Win ten years in advance.

 

Okay, he'd already adored his sister. Her nickname was Tri, a third child after P'Ton and P Team. His heart filled with happiness as he thought about it. Upon that, Phawin joked, "You'd adore her and forget about me.”

 

"Hey, it's different." Team quickly pampered Win with a shoulder massage.

 

"How?" He tilted his head slightly to kiss a tan arm, now a little tanner. "That is a little sister." He kissed lightly on Win's lips. This is a boyfriend." 

 

He waggled his brows. Phawin couldn't control himself. He had the brat's face closer to kiss him. Starting with light teasing, but when their bodies pressed close against each other, the kiss changed. Hotter, deeper.

 

The young man was breathing heavily. He took off his shirt before throwing it on the floor. The senior had a self-satisfied smile as he removed his own clothes. They both made the most out of their time together before their parting day arrived.

 

The day Tri was born was the same day Phawin received a passing result from the university he hoped for the most. Other universities responded to him before this, but he'd been keeping it to himself.

 

Win stood smiling at Team, adoring his little sister in his arms. Team kissed the small fingers tenderly and carefully. Tri was overall healthy with chubby cheeks and round, wide eyes. Even though they could not see things clearly, their eyes focused on her brother with interest.

 

"She's so cute, I'm melting." Team lay down on his bed in his bedroom, still excited. Even up until five minutes earlier, he was still babbling away about how cute Tri was to Ton's frame.

 

Tri was one month old by the time Team visited them. Win and Team caught a plane on the weekend for this quick trip. Upon meeting his sister, the brother never left her side unless she and Mom needed their rest.

 

"Yeah, you're so into her." Phawin shook his head. All the things they got for her from Bangkok were baby clothes, but it seemed she might outgrow them.

 

“I’m visiting her again next term break. Come with me, Hia." It is March now. In two months, he'd finish his second year. It wouldn't be long until he became a third-year senior. Time sure flew.

 

"I... might not be able to make it." Win dropped himself next to the other. Team's shirt slipped over his stomach; Phawin gave a faint kiss on it.

 

"Oh? You're going somewhere with your family?" Team blinked, feeling guilty as he got used to sticking by Win's side. He'd overlooked that Win also had his own things to attend to. On that crestfallen face, Win reached to pat Team's head, then he slid his hand to close Team's eyes.

 

"I have to prepare for my studies abroad." His heart sank, and his entire body went numb. Team went stiff like a malfunctioning robot. He was so caught up with his sister that he forgot about Win's plans to study abroad.

 

"Is the result out?" His voice quivered

 

"Mhm." Phawin smiled faintly, feeling rapid blinking from eyelashes beneath his palm.

 

"The result is out all along, right?"

 

"Mhm."

 

"Did you get to where you wanna go most?"

 

"Yeah."

 

A smile took Team's features. "Good."

 

"I got a scholarship too." Win's voice was low and gentle.

 

"Very good... ah..." Team swallowed his sobs. "Congratulations, Hia. I'm so proud of you."

 

Despite the wet sensation beneath his palm, Phawin kept his palm on Team's eyes. He leaned down to press a kiss on the back of his hand before moving down to Team's red-bitten lips.

 

"Guess what, Dean is going to let you take over as the president of the swimming club."

 

"Telling me now beats the excitement." Team's voice was a mix of sobs and laughter. Win laughed lightly. "I'm so damn proud of you..."

 

From a guy who had trouble sleeping before a competition, almost drowned pushing his limit, knocking on his door in the middle of the night, silently asking for consolation and making it through the worst kind of past trauma. He'd gotten past all of that, and now he'd move forward to the promised goal. "I'll come back before you know it."

 

The face below his palm gave a constant nod. Phawin knew Team didn't want him to see his teary face; he didn't want Team to see his either. Distance always hurts any relationship, no matter how long the couple has been apart.

 

“Promise?”

 

“Promise, I will come back to you.”

 

On the first term break, Team flew up north to stay with his family and his chubby little sister. Tri's neck was much stiffer now. When facing down, she liked pushing herself forward with her elbow and a little strength from her little legs. But their main concern was that whatever she grabbed hold of, she'd put it in her mouth. They had to clear their house all the time.

 

Win went to England with his family for a week to look for a place to stay. One time, Win FaceTimed Team, complaining about his mom trying to buy a room for her son's comfort. But Win was so against it that he stayed in a regular dorm at a Thai university. What use was it to buy a room for a few years of studying? He had to reason with his sulky mom about staying at a dorm near the university where he could make friends and learn the language. 

 

Soon, their contract with their dorm expired. Team planned to rent out Win's room, but he was let down when Win gave the right to another junior. Team himself forgot to renew his contract on the ninth floor; another junior rented out his room. All of a sudden, he had no place to stay during his third year...

 

A flustered Team was consoled with a key to a condo close to the BTS Skytrain, making commuting to and from the university twice as easy as it was from the dormitory.

 

"It's my condo. Look after it for me until my return." Team grouched but took the key and held onto it like he was scared that Win would change his mind.

 

"Why didn't you get this condo ever since you started university?" Team couldn't help wondering. The dorm room was small and loud.

 

"Condo never crossed my mind. The dorm is convenient enough, and there are faculty friends there. Like Tul, it's easy when we tutor." Team frowned like he didn't buy it, so Win clarified.

 

"I planned to buy a condo near my family business's hotel...But I changed my mind as we're together now."

 

"Oh?"

 

A nimble finger flicked Team's forehead. "Well, aren't you planning on getting a master's degree here? Plus, the coach told me you discussed applying to be a coach after graduating. You'll be here for a while. It won't hurt to buy it. I'm paying Mom back in instalments."

 

Team looked agitated. "What if I don't get a job at this university?" Condominiums right in the heart of the city, next to the train station, with a big area and two bedrooms, must be expensive.

 

"Then I'll resell and get a new place." Win shrugged. "A room with this calibre comes with good rates. My relatives work in real estate, so no worries." Team made a face. How could he forget that this family was rich!!

 

"How many years of instalments?" Team began calculating how much income they would need to earn to help Win pay this off. He may need to take on another job as a swimming instructor.

 

Phawin held back his smile. This kid probably didn't realise that he had taken himself as the host, taking on such a huge responsibility. Win's heart warmed with tenderness....He loved this brat so much.

 

September came around quicker than expected—team and Pharm, now third-year seniors with the title of the Club's President, are ready to take on their roles. Manow turned down her offer because she wanted to remain an actress to have time with Pruek and to take a special intensive English course for cabin crew application next year. The cooking club welcomed many new members, likely due to the fascinating new dishes introduced by the president, who has a cute smile.

 

Their club's YouTube channel was popular, with ten thousand viewers for each live. The pharmacy made all the income for the club. Team shrugged, thinking about how popular Pharm's channel was. Aside from all the delicacies he came up with, his channel had an outer party to help him. The channel went wild every time Dean's stern face was on it. The thing was different with the swimming club.

 

Dean was uncooperative. He made a face when asked to pose for a photo for the swimming club Facebook Page. That was a double standard. This year, the swimming club organised a tryout and got many promising new club members. Team was eager. As the club president, he discussed the year's training and competition plan with the coach.

 

A, B and C wailed as the training was way more intense than the one by P' Dean and Win. A few days ago, Team's family came to Bangkok. Win invited them to stay at their condo, but Team's parents didn't want to be a bother. Plus, they wanted to show their seven-month-old little one to their cousins, so they stayed with their cousin. That aside, Team's parents meant to see Win off at the airport. Right..Hia is going to England tonight.

 

Team remembered Win's university, located in London. He bought the red box of cookies named after Win's university to help him remember the name. Yet he had too many red, round boxes stacked in their place; Win even asked if Team wanted to keep the cookies until they rotted the next year. That was when Team decided to give them away to his friend and his juniors, leaving only one for himself. After finishing the cookies, he used the box to store his important things. Passport and cash for his trip to England were hidden inside the red cookie box, a reminder of his savings for his trip to visit his lover.

 

Team closed the lid and hid it in a wardrobe. He ambled to Win's room, packing for the last time. Though living together, they agreed that each of them must have their own space. They could just knock on each other's door if they wanted some time together, and sleep separately if any of them came home late at night. They were comfortable this way.

 

"Done?" A big piece of luggage lined up neatly with a backpack for essentials and a coat on the bed.

 

"Yep." Win beckoned him to sit down beside him. Team pliantly sat next to him, leaning on Win's shoulder. "What time should we leave?"

 

"Flight's at midnight. We'll leave a little after eight." It'd be a hassle to check in and say goodbye. 

 

"Our families will be at the airport at nine."

 

"P'Dean, P'Pruek and other swimming club members will be there." Team noticed the club's LINE group kept talking about seeing a kind, former vice-president off.

 

Phawin shook his head. "Just a further study for a short time. Why'd they bother?" He joked with amusement, but he was pleased to be loved by many.

 

"How long will the flight take?"

 

"Direct flight for thirteen hours." He breathed in Team's temple.

 

"I’ll call you once I arrive." Team nodded, silence eating him as the time came. His conscience warned him that if he said something, he would only hold Win back. 

 

The digital clock read 20:20. Team could only sit and watch as Win gave him a faint smile and said something. He got up to help Win load his luggage in the car. Team felt empty with everything around him. His ears were ringing like he didn't want to think about coming back home to sleep alone. Frightening....

 

Commuting to an airport, Phawin drove as usual. Team sat looking out the window, keeping his eyes on Win's reflection the entire time like he was scared it'd be gone.

 

Win patted Team's head. Both of them were silent. They'd done enough saying goodbyes and crying. They promised to see each other off with smiles. Suvarnabhumi Airport at night was packed with travellers, suggesting that midnight flights were expected. Upon check-in at the counter, Win loaded two heavy bags onto the flight. They brought their parents to eat until it was almost time for Win to leave. Win began to say goodbye.

 

"Safe trip, son." Win's mother hugged her second son with a big smile. She had seen the biggest son off to the States before, so she wasn't too worried. Win's father held Win with a smile, not saying much, knowing his son was more than capable. That left Wiew, who cried, bulging his eyes out, latching onto his brother and not letting go; Waan had to tug him out and away.

 

"Thank you for seeing me off." Win raised his hands to wai to Team's parents. Unfortunately, Tri couldn't come to see him off. She'd probably cry; her favourite blond hair and samurai bun were gone, leaving only short, black undercut hair.

 

"Hurry up and come back once you're done." Dean knuckled a fist on Win's shoulder. They had never parted ever since they knew each other, from high school to university. Dean couldn't help feeling lonely, having to part with his best friend, but he'd take that to his grave.

 

"Yeah." Phawin returned the gesture, then looked at Pharm, who wished him melodies of good luck. He lowered his face to whisper something to Pharm. By the time Dean glared at him and Pharm nodded, Win turned to bid Pruek, Manow and club members a farewell.

 

A couldn't help but sob. "Without you in the club, I'll die." Bee and Sea mocked with wistful tears, "For real, we're all going to die." Win frowned, "What?"

 

"Fucker Team scheduled a training to death, brother. I think he wants all the gold medals in every program." A complained before his head got smacked by the current club president.

 

"Complaining already? Don't even. Just do it." Team barked. Everyone roared with laughter. Win didn't know how to bid farewell to this last person.

 

"Study hard, Hia." Team looked him in the eyes, clear with resolve. He wouldn't be sad.

 

"Yeah, you too."

 

"Come back quickly."

 

"In no time, you watch over our home."

 

Phawin clenched his jaw. It turned out he was the one fearing this departure. His hands itched to hold Team tight in his arms, but he had to hold back in fear of their parents. Most importantly, Team wasn't ready. It's ok. I can hold him after I return. Win looked at his watch before speaking softly.

 

"Here I go."

 

"Hia."

 

"Hmm?"

 

A light kiss pressed on his lips, followed by arms wrapping around him. Despite the confusion, Phawin let his backpack and coat fall as he held his lover tight. He repeated the kiss over and over on Team's soft lips until they turned red, as if to imprint all unforgettable memories on them.

 

"Wait for me." This time, the senior said in a quivering voice.

"Yeah."

 

Amongst the gasp and shock from people around him, Team no longer cared. Time and time again, he thought about whether he was ready. In the end, he stepped past that indecision; now he was prepared to let it be known that Win was his love.

 

"You should go, Hia. You'll miss the flight." They held each other tight one last time before parting. Phawin's red eyes turned to Team's parents to wai to them. Their response was a kind smile in response to their kids' love.

 

"Until we meet again."

"Yeah, until we meet again."

***** And now I'm crying again! Doesn't matter how many times I have read this book; I cry. I really wish some of this had been added to the TV series :/ ***

The big guy knelt to pick up his backpack and coat before waving goodbye to everyone as he walked through the gate. Team watched him go before turning back to everyone with his usual smiley face.

 

"It's late. Let's go home." He held Pharm and Manow's shoulders and laughed at the club members' banter without any hint of discomfort. Win and Team's parents silently exchanged their contacts and followed their kids home. Both sets of parents exhaled at how far their children had grown up.

 

Two in the morning, after coming back from the airport, Team changed into pyjamas and ambled to drop himself on a bed with someone on it. He didn't return home today, but he stayed at Pharm's.

 

"Come here, you." Pharm beckoned him closer. Team buried his face in Pharm's chest. Though not a regular scent, he slept with it every night, but Pharm's scent calmed his nerves just as well. His groggy eyes started to drift off, but his hands held tight to a cellphone, afraid of not hearing Win's call. Pharm looked at his best friend curled up like a baby, then he turned off the light with a controller. He rubbed his friend's back, lulling him to sleep.

 

"Sweet dreams."

 

"Mhm, you too."

 

Pharm continued his gesture until his friend drifted off to sleep, and he then reached for a cellphone to text Team's lover that everything was fine. Before Pharm closed his eyes, Win's words earlier brought a smile to his lips.

 

"Please look after my heart when I'm not here."

 

***** Me again 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭****

 

Mhm.

 

(I'll tease him after tomorrow:)

 

"Wait for me."

 

"I’ll come back in no time."

 

To a Thai guy living far from home, London's summer was much kinder in comparison to Thailand's, not to mention that Fall was approaching. Phawin carried a paper bag embossed with pretty letters as he walked down the road leading back to his dormitory. Yet this fine weather, with no rain and a chilly breeze, was rare, so he had to stop by the park.

 

Kensington Gardens, a big park near the university, was busy with people. Win sat himself down on the greenish-yellow grass and looked out at the blue sky and people walking around.  Before he knew it, Phawin finished his Master's Degree. Yet he stayed a bit longer to run documents for Wiew, his family's youngest sibling. 

 

After graduating from high school, Wiew received an acceptance from a university in England. The kid was so elated, thinking he'd stay with his big brother, but their universities were far apart. Besides, Win had just finished his degree when Wiew was starting. Turns out Wiew had to be on his own for a long time.

 

Phawin brushed back his black hair, now long enough that he could almost tie it into a bun. He glanced at his watch; it was two in the afternoon, which meant nine at night for Bangkok. He called the one he missed so much on the other side of the world. 

 

After a few rings, the other end picked up the line quickly. The face appeared in the centre of the screen, graced with a bright smile like the sun, soothing Win's lonely heart. Fucker Win, you're so smitten. Win mentally kicked himself and smiled at Team.

 

"You just came back?" Win guessed that Team looked wet, probably from a shower.

 

[Yes, we prepared for the open house today. I just arrived home and showered. What about you? No part-time job today?] Team arched his brow. He thought Win had to work until nighttime today, which didn't give them a chance to talk.

 

"I had to take care of other things." Win dodged the question. He'd already quit the job and was preparing to go back to Thailand.

 

[I don't get it. Why'd you have to work?] Weren't all the scholarships and his family support enough for him?

 

Win felt the bag next to him, and a grin spread across his face. "Well, sometimes I want to spend on things with my own money."

 

Team nodded before reporting on his life, as he did every time. Regarding his swimming performance, he progressed by leaps and bounds, ultimately receiving the university's commendation announcement. Not to mention his cumulative points, it'd smoothly pave the way for Team to his dream.

 

"What's the activity this year?"

 

[Guess.] Boredom took over Team's features.

 

"Don't tell me it's Dunk Tank Boys."

 

[Correct!! Damn it. Hia, can you believe it? I let everyone write down their activities, put them in a box, and draw one at random. I drew out what I wrote.]

 

"And why'd you write Dunk Tank Boys!?" Phawin's laughter came straight from his belly. This kid always made him laugh.

 

[Well, I was at my wits' end.]

 

"Hahah, have you talked to your teacher about continuing your studies yet? It's better to be prepared as you're in the fourth year."

 

[ l have. There shouldn't be a problem. I should be able to pursue a master's degree in the Faculty of Sports Science.. I just need to pass the exam.]

 

Phawin frowned. "Don't tell me your English has gone down the drain again."

 

[Naur!] Team quickly grabbed a towel and wiped his wet head, covering it up. The tattoo around his upper arm was smeared with water droplets. The one that Phawin flew back from England specifically to get Team tattooed.

 

[I'll get books and let you teach me. Now I've saved enough money to pay for tickets at year's end.] 

 

Team grinned from ear to ear, with every intention to celebrate Christmas with Win in England this year.

 

"Great, I'll take you out till you're bored." Win laughed mentally. December was the time for his graduation. He'd get Team to come with him.

 

"Hope you won't get lost this time." He teased. 

 

Back in November, when Thai university was on term break, Team packed up and flew to England using his savings plus pocket money from his parents. Without telling Win, Team got lost and was unable to communicate with anyone until he met a kind Thai fellow who helped drop him off in front of Win's dorm. It had been only three months, and they felt it was unbearable.

 

Team surprised him by sticking a snack box on Win's room door in celebration of Pocky Day. They just stayed in their room on weekends, never even taking one step out of the room. The rest of the days, they wandered around the university, holding hands, snuggling and strolling through the park. It was his unforgettable happy week. 

 

[I won't forget; I can remember the station to your dorm room now.] He had a photo and a note; he wouldn't forget.

 

"Keep it real," Win chuckled. "Oh, I have to go back to my room now. Dry your hair, don't catch a cold."  A tall figure stood up from the grass, brushing off leaves.

 

[Oh, already?] Team looked crestfallen at having such a shorter-than-usual conversation. Upon that, Win couldn't help but wish to hug Team hard for two or three minutes. Unfortunately, this evening he had to return his dorm key and carry his bags to the hotel he'd booked before flying back to Thailand at noon tomorrow.

 

"'I’ll call you later."

 

[Okay!] Team made a face, then he waved his hand a few times before they hung up. Phawin smiled and looked at the blank screen on his cellphone. Just a little longer... Just be patient a little longer.

 

The swimming club was as busy as usual when T University started. The president scratched his head at how the club members ran about organising an open-house festival. After queuing up the Dunk Tank Boys, the president snuck out to have a quick bite to eat before the club got busier. Of course, his goal was the cooking club. As soon as he poked his head in, club members greeted him all at once.

 

"P'Pharm. P'Team is here."

 

Pharm was inspecting the prepared food for the visitors. He turned to wave at his best friend before pointing to a set of Thai rice noodles with fish curry soup, and to a pot next to it filled with fish balls, a nice aroma wafting about.

 

"That one's for you, help yourself."

 

"Ooohh, you know me so well. I love you." Team hugged Pharm, then got a light smack with a spatula. The girls in the club snickered, as they always saw the two banter with each other. If it weren't for Pharm's boyfriend showing up every day, they'd have thought these two were boyfriends.

 

"Today, P'Dean said he'd visit the swimming club." Team almost choked on his noodle "Oi, he doesn't have to."

 

Just seeing Dean's face reminded Team of a certain blond senior having fun at his expense as a dunk tank boy.

 

"Did you sleep late last night?" Pharm studied his face. Without someone to watch over him, Team played games with Waan until late at night. One time, Team was late for class; Pharm texted to inform Win, and Team had been on time since.

 

"No, no. I'm not playing games these days. P'Waan is busy for a whole week at work. He talked about restructuring the company. P'Tul is also busy with his company." Without familiar faces to go online with, Team didn't feel like it either. Besides, his club kept him busy enough.

 

"How about P' Win?" Team chewed before swallowing. "Good. I just talked to him days ago, but he seemed busy."

 

"It's probably the time difference, too. Here, this one's for your club." He pointed to a big plastic bag of lunch boxes; inside each box was seafood fried rice with fruit and luk chup as desserts. 

 

"Did you make it star-shaped for me?" Team elbowed his friend. Win told him Pharm made a special one-star-shaped one for Dean. Win wanted to make a request. Pharm made a face as he walked to pick a special one made for Team.

 

"Here."

 

"Let me see.." Team opened the plastic lid, and his eyes went wide at the contents. 

 

"Fuck, Pharm. This is bone-shaped!"

 

"It's for a dog team."

 

"Oh, you."

 

The clubs' presidents exchanged hits and smacks, and flour flew about. The juniors just laughed at them until the cooking club's vice president intervened to prevent them from destroying the food.

 

"Oi, P' Team. The day P' Pharm made Luk Chup, we were wondering what it was. I thought they were dumbbells." Team laughed. He took a picture of one piece of Luk Chup and tried one.

 

"Delicious. Now I don't mind being dog-Team. I'm full, thanks." Team cleaned his plates at the sink and then carried bags of all 30 food boxes back to his club. On his way, he walked past the university's parking lot. A small smile crept onto his face, recalling fond memories.

 

It was a place where he was wasted from milk tea, so Win had to take him home, marking the start of his trip to Kanchanaburi. Time sure flew; that had been two years now.

 

"P'Team!!" The younger club members, starving, called him and rushed out to help him and themselves with lunch boxes. Team felt like he was feeding pigeons where he was attacked and pecked on. 

 

"You're here; I want to talk to you about the activities." The vice president rushed in, too. Team felt dejected at how his short break was over, but it couldn't be helped. He'd agreed to become the president himself.

 

"Ok, ok. Let's go, guys." He beckoned them to head inside the club. The university might hold many memories of him with Win, but the swimming club held them even more. Laughter and cheers echoed throughout the university's swimming pool. 

 

People still kept coming in at three o'clock. First-year students kept falling into the water one by one. The young ladies were having lots of fun.

 

Team checked the time; he had to announce the closing in fifteen minutes, and the rest of the time was for clean-up and rest. As he walked to the person managing the queue, the first-year students swarmed and carried him to the bucket. His sweatshirt was taken off, leaving only black knee-length swim trunks.

 

"The time for our vengeance on the president has come. Let's go!" Juniors fought to get in line while Team was pushed up the stand. Team had no choice but to sit there as a Dunk Tank Boy.

 

"Yeah, come and get it." Despite the involuntary act, he challenged them. It turned into a hot game in the last fifteen minutes.

 

Woosh

Woosh

 

To Team's luck, no one hit the target, and each person had only one chance to score for Team. The ball swerved left and right from the target. Team whistled and mocked, chilling out and instigating frustration among the juniors unable to get back at Team.

 

"Kuh, just you wait. This guy won't miss." A's yelling made Team look at the newcomer. His knee buckled at Dean's face. Team cursed.

 

"Ai A!! You traitor. Why, P'Dean!? Don't even laugh, Pharm!"

 

Team pointed an accusing finger at Pharm, hiding behind Dean. Team made a promise to himself that he wouldn't save any ice cream for Dean next time.

 

The former swimming club president twisted his shoulder and flicked his wrists, ready to throw the ball with all his might. Team shut his eyes tight. This is it, the end of me. Why hasn't the ball hit yet? Team opened his eyes slowly. Well, the Dunk Tank Boys were really scary when you fell into the bucket unexpectedly.

 

The atmosphere was still lively with cheers. But the person holding the ball wasn't the former president of the swimming club. A tall figure dressed all in black stood and smiled, waggling his brows. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, revealing strong arms and visible blood vessels. Today, his hair wasn't a golden samurai bun but was roughly tied in a black style. His ears were lined with earrings. 

 

Hia win...

 

Phawin tested the weight of the ball in his hand before Team could open his mouth.

 

Bam!

The ball hit the target with precision. Team instantly disappeared into the water tank with cheers and applause from onlookers. Team was still lost. His heart hammered, thump, thump, thump.

 

Splash

 

As soon as he broke the water's surface, he quickly searched, afraid it was just his imagination.

 

"Here." A soft towel was draped over his wet head, and he was rubbed gently. Team gazed into the other's eyes absentmindedly.

 

"As promised," It's not a dream.

 

"I'm back." Hia's really back.

 

A light kiss touched Team's still-opened lips. A towel served as their shield, covering their kiss from view. The applause and cheers were the loudest ever since the club's activities began.

 

May you be happy.

May you be together for a long time.

 

The well-wishes made Win and Team grin from ear to ear. Team wrapped his arms around his lover's neck before kissing back with a whisper. "Hia. Welcome back." 

 

Amidst the Bangkok roads, two sleepy guys in a car were on their way to work. "Told you I can take BTS; you don't have to drop me off. You'd be late.”

 

"I want to." Phawin's face turned sour. Ever since graduation, he barely had time to drop his boyfriend off at work. He really envied Dean. Team shrugged, opening a photo-sharing application on his cellphone. Scrolling through it, he came across old posts that took him back to his university years. He stopped at the post of Win's graduation in England, which was both hilarious and frustrating for him.

 

"I'm still pissed that you never told me about the master's degree." Phawin almost choked on his coffee in a thermos flask. He blew on it before responding. "You still are?"

 

"Why didn't you tell me that a master's degree in England is just a one-year course?" Team had thought it was two years. He was so pissed, he wanted to take back his tears.

 

"I wasn't hiding it from you. You'd know if you just looked up." Win flicked his boyfriend's forehead. " I chose England because of its short course, remember that."

 

"Yesssir." Team chuckled. 

 

He slid through the next photos until he saw his own graduation and photos of Pharm and Dean's marriage in the States. A small wedding, just among a close-knit circle, was unforgettable to him. Photos posted on an app for fun turned into memories, letting him look back on how times changed until his master's degree graduation. He moved to the next image, a picture of two hands holding each other.

 

On one hand was a simple but beautiful platinum ring. Team had a one-word caption, "yes", while Win had posted the same picture with "He said yes" on the same application. That day, their inboxes went wild. Team felt the ring on his finger, the one Win worked in England to pay for.

 

The car stopped in front of the familiar swimming club. "Here we are. Work hard, coach."  Team put his cellphone in his backpack. He paused when he noticed what was at the bottom of the bag. A mischievous smile appeared on his lips.

 

"Hia, give me your hand." Phawin tilted his head but did as told. Team picked up a small piece of hemp rope from his bag and tied it elaborately around Win's wrist. Upon Win's puzzled look, Team leaned in to kiss the side of his lips. "With this, you'll think of me all day."

 

The small pieces of rope from the swimming club's activities bound the top hotel executive, preventing him from escaping. Phawin felt the rope with a gentle smile. 

 

"Yes, I will miss you all the time." From a superficial relationship to an obsession, spiralling into Love.

 

Woven into a thread that binds two people together.

From a special person to a lover and life partner.

With love... forever and ever.