ᕼEᗰᑭ ᖇOᑭE

A special person.

A yellow packet of original-flavoured, thin-sliced potato chips was now empty. Win licked the salty grains on his fingers before he crumpled up the bag and threw it in a bin nearby.

 

"You eat that too?" Dean glanced from his laptop and was surprised at how his friend, who rarely ate chips, devoured that thing in one go.

 

"It's nice... once in a while." They were at their faculty's table, working hard on an International Finance report.

 

"You got that from Team. Pharm said Team eats so many potato chips, no matter how much he told him not to."

 

Fwip

Everyone at the table turned to Dean, making a slip, yet he continued to type away at the report until he noticed the silence. His greyish-green eyes, which he got from his mom, glanced at his best friend, who looked at him like he found something entertaining in the midst of boring work.

 

"You two are close," Phawin smirked, nodding in agreement with their other trends.

 

"Who?" Dean wasn't following.

 

"Pharm. There are so many photos of you two. What's the latest one? Aquarium, wasn't it?"

 

"Nosy."

"Oops," Everyone exclaimed.

 

"Hurry up and get to work. If you keep bringing that up, I'll make each of you do the presentation." Dean scowled and changed the subject, ignoring his friends' chortles.

 

"You moron. I contributed significantly to the report. I shouldn't be presenting it." Win pointed a pen in accusation at his friend. Dean was unfazed, so Win had to move on.

 

"Oh, right. Next week we'll have to prepare for the open house. This Saturday, Team and I will get the supplies and work on the boards in the afternoon. You coordinate with the university about the space."

 

"Ok, I'll get it ready for you. Do you want any food?" Phawin flashed a smile "How about Pharm's cooking? Ouch. Asshole."

 

Win rubbed his forehead where a pen had smacked. His friend was so possessive of Pharm. If their relationship was established, would Dean gatekeep Pharm's cooking?

 

"What are you listening to?" Dean bent down to retrieve his pen, noticing that Win had only one earphone on since they started this report. He knew Win had never been a fan of music.

 

"I'm nursing my earworm." Phawin's eyes glazed over. He pulled the other earbud back from his friend; a faint sound of music was audible to Dean. It was the song Win had been listening to over and over until he owned Sin's album.

 

Have you ever wanted to know what the person you're interested in likes?  Have you ever wanted to do something like someone you've been watching?

 

The young man replayed the song again, letting the familiar voice run through his ears. 

 

Have you ever wondered what others are thinking about the songs they listen to?

 

Inside or outside of the mall, Saturday was bustling with crowds. The pickup truck's truck bed, borrowed from a member of the swimming club, was full of materials for the Dunk Tank Boys. Phawin, Team, and the other three club members had been wandering from vendor to vendor since morning. No vendor had everything they needed, so they ended up getting one or another item from each vendor.

 

"Hia, I think these should be enough. I'm starving." Team complained while driving

 

"Yeah, Hia Win. We've already been through three or four vendors. It should be enough." The second-year student, hugging the passenger seat, added.

 

Win checked through a list on his mobile phone, making sure to be thorough. He hated to come shopping again if he'd missed something. "Board, paint, ball..Yeah, we got it. Hey, wait. We missed reward snacks."

 

"Oi, why didn't we get it from the start!?" The boo-hoo tilted the car. They'd been to the mall, and now they had to redo it. Thanks to Bangkok, malls were as ubiquitous as convenience stores. Team swerved the car into the closest mall and went to a supermarket. At two in the afternoon, they still hadn't had lunch.

 

"Okay, okay, it's my fault. Each of you is allowed to get one snack; my treat. But no pricey one!" The club members got their hands on different snacks even before he finished speaking. Team got a yellow packet of potato chips in their cart right away.

 

"This again?"

 

"You have allowed me. So, don't complain. Team arched his brow at the club's financier, then pushed the cart towards his friends to look for reward snacks. The eldest in the group shook his head. He looked at the checklist again, and by the time a LINE notification popped up.

 

Wiew: Hia, are you coming back next week?

Waan Hang Chorakhe', internal and external use in one plant: Which Hia? Be specific, Tee Lek.

Wiew: Why would I be asking for Hia Waan? You're home every day. I'm asking Hia Win.

 

Winnie the pool: Not yet. I gotta work for the university's open house. Is something up?

 

Waan Hang Chorakhe, internal and external use in one plant: Is there anything else except for you to teach him homework?

 

Wiew: Not that! Mama asked for Hia Win. She grumbled about Hia Win not coming home lately. She's wondering if you're seeing a girl in Uni.

 

Winnie the Pool: There's no girl/eyes rolling sticker. 

View: But, Hia, you're popular.

[Waan hang chorakhe in Thailand is the name of a plant defined as Aloe vera.]

 

Waan Hang Chorakhe, internal and external use in one plant: Popular because his kindness is evident everywhere.

 

Winnie the pool: Why's everyone saying I'm kind these days? And how all over the place, Hia? Dean just said the same thing to him recently.

 

Waan Hang Chorakhe, internal and external use in one plant: You don't remember what happened in middle school? You were kind to one girl, but closer to another. They ended up fighting each other to win you over.

 

Phawin frowned, trying to recall his Middle school life. It was a turning point where he had no idea what to do with his life until he met Dean and stepped into the world of swimming. Did it really happen?

 

Winnie the pool: Bullshit, Hia. I don't remember that.

 

Waan Hang Chorakhe, internal and external use in one plant: Duh, I knew it. I saw those girls crying like a river, asking you What are we?' and you replied, 'We're friends' with a dumb look. You don't get it, do you? You misled them into thinking they were special. If you keep this bad habit, it will happen again.

 

Winnie the pool: What bad habit?

Waan Hang Chorakhe, internal and external use in one plant: Being nice to everyone. Your actions are vague and misleading.

 

Wiew: ..That's true. Aside from our family, Hia Win is just nice to everyone.

 

Win frowned harder at his siblings, chiding him. What's wrong with being nice to everyone?

 

Waan Hang Chorakhe, internal and external use in one plant: Tee lek. One day, he'd meet someone he really likes and spoil them rotten.

"Hia, what are you doing? Are these enough?" A voice called out as Team's lively face poked into his line of sight. The cart was filled with snacks, and apparently, some of them had secretly stuffed their stash, probably costing more than the budget. Upon his disapproving stare, the junior quickly promoted the qualities of each.

 

"This one's super yummy, and also low sugar. Hi, look, look, it's healthy." Then he picked up the next topic to discuss. "This one's good for our club. A large quantity, we'd be full until tomorrow." Spoil, huh?

 

"Your kindness is all over the place. You're looking after Team more than anyone else. If you're not serious about it, don't give him false hope. He could mislead your kindness for something else."

 

Mislead, huh? Dean's words pulled a smile at the corner of Win's lips. Upon that, Team jumped out of his skin, sweating and creeping out. He moved to hide the chips in the cart, hoping that Win wouldn't see them under all the other items.

 

"Let's get these paid." Win exhaled, ruffling the brat's hair and shooing him to the cashier. Then he typed his final response to his siblings before putting his phone away.

 

Winnie the pool: Yup, it's like you said. I'll spoil them rotten until we're inseparable.

 

If it were vague, then he'd make it clear. If it were misleading, then he'd mislead it to the very end. He didn't have the foggiest idea whether it was love, but he could tell Team was special to him more than anyone, and he'd make sure of that. 

 

The song he listened to on a loop came back to him, widening his smile. His glazed eyes locked onto his junior's back, the one who unexpectedly swept him off his feet. If you want to know, I'll show it. Just hope you won't chicken out.

 

At six in the evening, the weather was overcast as if it was about to rain. The slightly chilled weather was wicked in a way that it lulled a student to sleep for an hour instead of studying. Until the aroma of baked chicken with tamarind sauce awoke him. Team rubbed his drowsy eyes before they could focus.

 

"Really? Waking up because of food."

 

Team had been studying with Pharm after school since two in the afternoon. The club's pool was temporarily closed to prepare for the dunk tank boys' activity. The athletes took this chance to rest.

 

Pharm looked at his friend to clear the table. Team happily did so, putting things on the floor while Pharm carried the food in. He was delighted to see the food he had requested a long time ago.

 

"You can really cook anything, man!" Once they sliced the chicken, the juiciness and sauce gushed out. The sweet-and-sour taste permeated its inside. Team had eaten this dish at a Swedish department store. He loved it so much that he begged Pharm to cook for him, and now his wish had been fulfilled.

 

"It's not that difficult if you really want to do it." Pharm slid a plate of rice and boiled veggies in. "You slept after reading less than three chapters. You think you're gonna make it?"

 

Their teachers often give pop quizzes these days. So, they needed to review the lesson, or they would lose points. Team made a face but kept eating. He knew he was no good in academics, as he was an athlete. But he wasn't that bad, except in English, where he almost always failed.

 

"Every time I see the English alphabet, my brain malfunctions." Team chewed on broccoli. Pharm sighed. As an international school student, he couldn't possibly teach Beginner's level English to Team. He tried, but it didn't work out. Even Manow gave up in two days.

 

"Oh, right. How about you ask Hia Win to teach you?"

"What?" Team almost choked at that option.

 

"Hia Win. P'Dean said Hia Win is very smart. He often teaches his friends. I bet he could teach you."

 

Team shook his head. He couldn't possibly picture the blond senior with piercings, looking like a troll, teaching him.

 

"Nope. He'd make fun of me to death." Team pried the chicken out of its bone. The sauce was so good he almost licked it clean off the plate.

 

"Hia Win, making fun?" Pharm ate his portion slowly. He ate little; his chicken was even half smaller than Team's.

 

"Man, you know nothing! He even enjoys it. He likes working me up." After saying it, Team got a little frustrated. He munched on the chicken until only the bone was left. Pharm laughed softly. "How would I know? A day ago, I saw him teaching the juniors. He's good at explaining things. You're in his club; it should be easy for you to ask him."

 

"That'd be my last resort, man." Team supposed that in getting a lesson taught, there must be something in exchange. As before the open house event, he was told to run many errands for the senior. If he complained to the senior, he'd be bought with food to make up for it, like he was being rubbed on the back after being smacked on the head. Like a kid teasing someone they like...

 

His hands jerked as they carried their dishes to the kitchen. Team squeezed the sponge to form bubbles before doing the dishes, while Pharm walked to close the balcony door as the rain pitter-pattered.

 

Pharm pressed the remote controller and played random music, which he always did when it rained. Both of them were lost in their own thoughts, with a soft sound from

the music as their company.

 

"Pharm...what's love like?"

 

Pharm, snuggling on his sofa, raised his head to his friend at the sink. "What do you mean?"

 

"I mean, what makes you know what you're feeling is love?" Team put the plates on the shelf, not bothering to look at the person he expected to answer. Pharm smiled softly. He got up and walked over to his friend, seemingly distressed.

 

"I think it's the special thing.." Pharm stood next to Team, leaning in to look Team in the eyes. "Like we know he's more special than anyone else. Happy to be with him. Just seeing him puts a smile on your face, and you want to give him something more special than anyone else..."

 

"Just like how you made P'Dean star-shaped Luk Chup, different from everyone else, huh?" He teased, and Pharm's face went red.

 

"Are you still listening?" Pharm's voice hardened.

 

"My bad! But how is it different from friendship? I like being around you; it's comfortable. And you like cooking for me, right?" Pharm turned to lean his hip on the kitchen counter "No, it's different. Because in doing what I do for you, there's no possessive feeling."

 

Team's eyes went wide; he never expected to hear such an idea from Pharm.

"I cook for you and Manow because I love you guys as friends.

 

I don't want to call you guys my own. But...but with P'Dean.." Pharm tried to hide his reddened face. Team smirked. He leaned down close to his friend's red ear, whispering, "But you're doing everything for P'Dean because you want to own him, am I right?"

 

Pharm pursed his lips tight. "I'm a guyman, right? If I like or love somebody, I must make a move. Not just wait for the other to do it first."

 

Team mocked with a hand close over his heart, "Fuck. That hits so close to home. P'Dean has nowhere to run; surely can't escape from you."

 

"Ai? Team!!!"

 

Team crushed his friend into a tight hug, kissing him fiercely on the top of his head—the awkward air of discussion was all gone, filled with Pharm's yelling that probably reached his neighbour.

 

"You can leave now!!!"

 

The convenience store at eleven at night was quiet. Team, the buyers could shop with ease. He was in his pyjamas, a t-shirt, and knee-length shorts. He lurked about a snack shelf; his basket was filled with rice, bread, milk, yoghurt and three litres of water. He still needed potato chips. He didn't expect Pharm to be so embarrassed that he'd chased him out of his room. 

 

Team had been reading texts and studying on his own. Next thing he knew, it was so late that his tummy called for a brain boost. A yellow packet of original-flavoured potato chips was a must in his basket. He picked one first, but the second and third packets followed. He felt bad, but he couldn't help it. If Hia finds me, I'd be doomed.

 

His two hands held onto the basket. Creeps ran down his spine, thinking about Win knowing he overdosed and binged on sodium again.

 

"You're going to destroy your kidney?" Speak of the devil, a low baritone whispered into his ear, and he could feel the body heat right behind him.

 

"Fuck!!!" yelled Team, his eyes bulging. The clerk ran from his cashier counter, alarmed.

 

"Is there anything wrong?"

 

"There's nothing to worry about. My juniors are just surprised." Phawin raised his hand to apologise. He had just returned to his dorm, feeling hungry. He didn't expect to see the brat at the convenience store. His head hurt. It got him frustrated when he saw what was in Team's basket. The kid kept eating potato chips, no matter how many times he was told to limit them.

 

"Damn, Hia, you scared me." Team stroked his chest, glaring at the senior.

"Why are you still up at night buying stuff?"

 

"I'm reading and studying. The teacher gives quizzes these days." The samurai-haired man arched his brow. "What subject?"

 

"English. Don't even start, make a face. This subject is really not my forte. Even Pharm and Manow gave up on teaching me. Oh, hey, that's my basket cart!" His senior snatched the cart basket from him to pay for the groceries.

 

"On the house, my treat." His big hand patted his junior's head lightly.

 

From the store to an elevator, Team glanced at his senior, wary of his next move. He'd been pranked so much he couldn't tell what was true or a tease.

 

"What's your score in English?"

 

"5." Team's voice was as low as his confidence.

 

Sharp eyes glanced at the brat. "What's the full score, 5 out of what?" He thought maybe ten.

 

"30" The voice came out even softer, lower. Phawin rolled his eyes up at the elevator's ceiling. "You suck, Team. Even if you are an athlete scholarship student, if your scores are too low, your scholarship will be revoked!"

 

"I know. That's why I'm reading, studying!" Team grouched. Once the elevator door opened, he turned to raise his hand and wai his senior, thanking him for the food, then hurried to his room. His closing door was stopped by Win's hand, who closely followed him.

 

"What the hell matters again, Hia?!" Phawin waggled his brows. "'I teach you."

Team mocked, giving the senior a once-over. "You, Hia? Teaching me?"

 

"Man! You've no idea. I'm a future honorary graduate. Even the swimming club president asks me for my help before an exam. Also, my lecture notes are one of the most expensive notes at the photocopy shop!" The said future honorary graduate offered, but Team hesitated. "So what's your price? Don't tell me it's free. I won't believe it."

 

Phawin stopped in his tracks. He didn't think about that; he just worried that the brat's scholarship might end up in trouble. But since he asked. He'd set up a price.

His lips pressed on Team's forehead. He felt the tension and a struggle to breathe. The touch on warm skin made their hearts flutter. It was more exciting than physical contact and their passionate kisses in the past.

 

"This is the price per session."

 

Team bit his lips, rubbing his hands on the spot where he had been kissed. He couldn't stand the tickle, and his heart was beating too hard. He didn't want to mistake it for anything else, didn't want to keep thinking about it.

 

"Hia... is this price for everyone?" Team's voice quivered.

 

Phawin licked his lips. "With others, I teach for free." He muttered, holding Team's eyes. "I just made this price for you."

 

“Why?”

 

Because people would do something different for their special someone.

 

"Because you..."

 

He didn't want to let go.

 

“Are special to me.”