HEMP ROPE

31.

 

#Daddy, that doesn't mean a father.

 

Team was puzzled by the trending tweet, not understanding it. He sucked at English, but Daddy couldn't mean anything other than a father, eh? Or was there a homonym?

 

The young boy opened a dictionary and got the same answer. His curiosity got him to call his international friend.

 

"Hmm...What's up?" The sleepy sound made Team pout. He'd forgotten Pharm was an early bird, went to bed and woke up early. It wasn't even midnight yet.

 

"Hey, what does daddy mean?"

 

There was a pause before Pharm said, "Father. How dumb can you be with English? You need P' Win"

 

"Stop, stoppp it. I know "father" means father, but I saw a hashtag on Twitter saying "daddy" doesn't mean father. I got curious."

 

Pharm responded with a soft 'oh?

 

"That doesn't mean father. How do I put it? It's like Pa.

 

"And Pa doesn't mean father?" Team was lost.

 

"Sometimes I question your belief...let's say, you go try to call P'Win daddy or Pa."

 

Team frowned. "Hia's not my father."

 

"Yeah, but come on, believe me. He'd give you the best explanation."

 

Pharm hung up, leaving Team to his confusion. Team looked at the time and grabbed a pillow, ambled to an elevator and pressed the tenth floor. The same room he frequented until...

 

Click

 

He got the key to come and go as he pleased. The room was cold with A/C. Team clambered onto the bed as the owner was sleeping soundly. The bed shifting woke Win up, yet the looming shadow didn't freak him out. He got used to it.

 

"Still up?" Win asked

"Mhm, I got a question." Team lay down on the bed, looking up at the ceiling in the dark.

 

"What the heck is it about?" Win was more awake now; he stretched. His muscles moved, making his tattoos move along as if they were alive. Team pushed his tongue against his cheeks before turning towards the senior, looking at him.

 

"Hia..Pa.." Team called softly.

 

[Pa: Daddy in Thai; has a different pronunciation from Pa (Un), meaning a father in Thai-Chinese form.]

 

Team felt the other freeze, but Win was speechless. Did he call it wrong?

 

"Pa..daddy."

 

Win seemed to choke on his breath.

 

"Fuck...you.."

 

The swearing and funny behaviour amused Team. Maybe it was funny slang?

 

"Daddyyyyy." Team drawled and laughed. "Man, Hia. Oop!!!" A hot kiss pressed down on him. Team scrambled about.

 

"Gasp, wait. What the hell are you..ngh. Stop, Stoppppp!" Team smacked Win's shoulder hard, yet Win's eyes danced passionately.

 

"You started it, baby."

 

Team's jaw dropped open; his face burned. "Who... Who's the baby!? Shit, Hia!!"

Oh, now it was crystal clear.

 

Team mentally screamed, Why was he such a blockhead, not catching on? Pharm could have just told him that Daddy was like a rich man who likes young ladies to call him Daddy.

 

The next day.

 

Team: Ai Pharm!!

Pharm: /jumps/??

Team: Because of you!! Of your Pa!

Pharm: ...Whoa, so you did ask!!! Argh, Team, don't bully me!!