Lately, It's Winter Season.
Chapter 21 - Oyster Sauce as the Cause
The wall clock told me at one thirty minutes. The person next to me had already fallen asleep. I was the only one who kept lying around for about half an hour. I decided to get out of bed. When I got out of the blanket, I felt the cold air, so I picked up my sweater to put it on. I walked down the stairs to the dark first floor of the house. I saw a person lying down, turning around this way, raising his eyebrows, and looking at me as if he had just woken up because of my footsteps.
"I think I'm light-footed. Are you still awake?" I said.
"Going to the bathroom?" Suea asked back. I get up and sit on the bed.
"No," I shook my head. "I can't sleep. I'm going out for a walk. Get a little wind."
"To receive the wind, you have to have a motorcycle", Tiger said. I smiled.
"Do you bother me? You also need to rest."
"If you still can't sleep like this, it will be a disaster." The other party frowned, "Wait for me to change clothes for a moment"
"Okay," I replied. I waited for him to change his clothes in the bathroom for about two minutes. He came out in a sweater and trousers. "Can we go to the market first? I'm a little hungry."
"Yes," he nodded. "Your shirt looks good."
"Yes," I replied secretly. When I put on his shirt, he would compliment me like this every time. We left the house. Tiger rode the big bike. It's the same for me, sitting at the back, buying food at the night market. On the night of mid-December, this year is colder than in previous years. I like cold weather. Maybe it's because of winter. I was born in January, which is the cold month, so my mother named me the winter month. The north is set to suit me again.
When I finished shopping for food, Suea took me to the bridge over the river—the place he used to bring me many times. The atmosphere is quiet that if I came alone, it would be scary.
"How are you? better?" Suea asked before sitting down on the roadside, stretching his legs on the damp grass. He sat down next to me and put the snack in my hand.
"A little bit, the weather is good," I said, picking up the snack and eating it in the cool breeze.
"Are you excited?"
"No, I didn't get excited the first time. I don't know why."
"Because I feel that no matter what, I have to win or not. Like being confident in yourself."
"About that. I feel like I have to win tomorrow. The other party sent me a thin smile. Those words made me smile accidentally. I'm having trouble sleeping tonight because tomorrow is our big match. It's the first serious football match in my life, so I can't help but get excited. Additionally, I'm concerned that I won't perform well. "Don't put pressure on yourself. You don't play alone on the field."
"Yes, but the other team is very good, isn't it?"
"Do you know what we have that the other team doesn't have?"
"What"
"It's me"
"Well, that's what makes me stressed."
"Oh, animal," the Tiger glanced at the river view. "Very stressed. Just stand still and watch me score a goal."
"How can I win without it?" I said in a high voice with a shrug.
"It shouldn't be okay if there is no water server. I think we can pick it ourselves."
"Serving water is bad," I laughed. "I'm afraid of running and tripping. For sure."
"What a disaster, the whole team's throat is dry."
"I'm a striker, beast," I made a face again. "I also brag to my mother that I would score at least two goals. Send me the ball if there is an Opportunity"
"If you have a chance, always send it to me," Suea said. "It means that there is a rhythm to send it to someone. Send it to that person."
"I'll offer my face to be in the row to get a goal easily," I frowned.
"Are you going to win?"
"I said it won. Other people have always practised together. It's also in the field. What are you going to put pressure on? Win is win together. Lose is lost together. Finally, it ends at the pan pork anyway."
"It's true, I don't know if I won or lost, but we have an appointment at the pork pan shop." I smiled slightly, "But I still regret that you can't get rid of it."
"What, the national team?"
"Yes, why don't you try it?"
"Do you want me to try it?"
"I just regret the opportunity for you." I leaned my arms back and looked at the crescent moon above. "When I think about it, it can be a turning point in my life. For example, if you choose to qualify for the national team and pass, which I think you will do. Your life will change."
"No," the person next to me said, "I still don't want my life to change now."
"Because of the house?"
"Yes, I can't change it." His words made me accidentally wrap my shoulders down by my sides. I didn't realise it. "And I don't want to change anymore."
"Well," I nodded. "It's better to change the subject. How about this new year?"
"I guess I have to go home." Suea made a face. "Big party at home. Anyway, I have to go. Do you come with me?"
"Hey, the mafia party is so easy to invite each other?"
"There must be an invitation card, but how can I take you in?"
"I'm going to die," I said, according to my thoughts. "I don't know who it is. You're welcome, but the food should be delicious. Just wrap it back."
"Yes," the other party nodded. "What about your New Year?"
"Let's stay at home and eat pan-fried pork or get on the bike to go to the mall. They have a fireworks Countdown"
"Take a picture for me"
"Yes," I nodded. "Inadvertently, it will be a new year. I'm about to go to university. Five years go by so fast. I'm already seventeen, too. Seventeen before you call me brother."
"No way, I'm a brother for two months." He wrinkled his nose. "Sing is away from me. It's been seven years; I haven't called you yet."
"I saw when someone asked, you still said you were a brother."
"What do you want me to say?"
At that time, Suea's brother came to the school. He said that the school was in a horrible state. I was eating at the school. Suddenly, someone shouted that the mafia had invaded the school, and everyone had to flock out to see. Of course, including me. When I saw that it was P'Sing, I was not surprised. He was tall and wore a full suit, as if he didn't try to hide who he was.
But nothing happened that day. Additionally, the teachers also came out to warn against spreading random rumours and causing damage to the school. That person is just a friend of the director. That news quickly disappeared, but some people were very interested in Sing, especially the male friends. Probably because they saw that he was cool. So Suea was asked a lot about who he was. Suea answered everyone that he was a brother who was wearing a suit because he was going to work. Nothing much.
But after Sing left the school, the whole school gradually changed one by one. Many regulations were cancelled, and some were relaxed. The old building, which was not in use, was to be renovated into a new cafeteria. The classroom bathroom looked better. It is said that it looks better. The whole school is better. The club also got the budget to buy new equipment.
I think it's Sing's hand. It's the right time, but Suea disagrees. Tiger doesn't understand why Sing did it... He indeed did it. But there is still a matter that the school was ordered to close. Our club will not be punished again. Anyway, it's Sing's work. I don't know why. I'm not sure if it's been done for Suea. When I said this, the Tiger made a big face.
"What do you want for your birthday?"
"I want to get a star," I replied without thinking. "I asked my mother for a birthday gift. If you score a 3.5, you'll receive a computer. It's so cool."
"Besides the guitar"
"Ah.... Guitar pick"
"I saw the hedgehog's finger scratched, so I think it's better to use a pick."
"Guit, this is your birthday gift with Nuea, right?"
"Well, we agreed to take the guitar."
"It seems to be remembered that you once said you didn't want a guitar," the person next to him said with a Thoughtful look," when talking to Aunt Cat."
"I see the hedgehog carrying it to school every day. It's so cool that I can't stand it." I patted my knee lightly. It's cool for no reason. Cool without a source. It's like a seventy per cent cool item. I don't know how to play. But he’s a cool, handsome guy. "Dan sings because too. Take it to play with Dan"
"What about the north? Don't you want anything else?"
"Dan said no, but I think it would be my heart's will," I replied, "You'll buy it for Dan?"
".. Seriously, you should buy it." Suea made a thoughtful gesture. "Friend Together.. Do you think Nuea will think I'm a friend?"
"We've been living together like this," I said before proposing my idea.
"Take this, you and I combine money to buy a book for Dan Dee so that I can give Dan a gift.”
"Alright, what about yours?"
"Me? It's a guitar."
"No, from me. What do you want?"
"Hmm", I accidentally frowned, thinking for a long time to get the answer. "You got it all. It's up to the person's birthday. I came to ask like this, sir-Price"
"Let me surprise myself. " Tiger raised his eyebrows "I'm good at it. Create a vinyl sign as large as a building and hang it in the social building in front of the school. Write on the sign, " Happy Birthday, cold month, Deema"
"Buffalo", I couldn't help but curse. "You're good at teasing me. I don't want anything special. It's up to you. But don't be surprised. I think it's better to be simple."
"shoes"
"watch"
"It's okay."
"Okay"
"What do you agree to buy, shoes or watches?"
"Both of them," Suea replied, "Then I'll take you to buy it."
"Okay," I said Yes. "Don't be too expensive. I have no wisdom on your birthday. Buy back"
"Okay", the other party shrugged. We sat and talked for a long time before agreeing that we should go back. Hurry back to rest for tomorrow's competition.
I feel much better after sitting and talking like this, if it wasn't for my Tiger. It must be difficult to see.
I woke up on time so that I could get a whole night's rest. Have breakfast to fill my stomach. I'm separate from my mother and Dan because I have to ride the school bus. As for the couple, they will take a bus. Because it's a big competition, there are a lot of people. Whether it's students that the school brings to cheer, or outsiders who come to see. When I arrived at the racetrack, I immediately called my mother.
"Mom, I'm here. The coach will take me to the preparation room."
(Now I'm here to buy silk. What is the month of the competition?)
"Four, sir."
(IK, mom and Dan are waiting to cheer, but I don't know where to sit. There are so many people.)
"Mom, I'm excited," I said for the third time today to my mother. The other person's throat was heard softly.
(It's not strange. Take it easy. Do you want to talk to Dan?)
"Talk"
(What's up, Duan? Have you got ready yet?)
"I'm walking," I said. Now the coach is walking in the section. That prohibits outsiders from entering, "Dan said, " the month will win or not"
(I don't know either. I have to ask the month of practising with friends in the team, all the time, isn't it?)
"I think we will win. We practised very well" (Then we will definitely win, I'm sorry)
"What?"
(Inadvertently bumped into someone else)
"Oh, are you okay?"
(It's okay, but the silk line fell to the ground.... What a pity. Dan sighed.
(This is Dan, it's unlucky. It means that you are lucky to find a month for sure.)
"Really? It's not that we're going to be screwed together."
(No way, let's put it down first. I have to hurry to book the last one. Wait. Not good)
"Okay"
(Wait to see the cold month, cool people score goals)
"Ugh"
I nodded darkly. It shouldn't really be a stinky stick about scoring goals. When I hung up the phone, I kept walking with everyone. Entering the athlete zone, the coach took me into a room. Say that this will be our preparation room. While waiting for other teams to compete, we can go out and enjoy ourselves. But have to come back thirty minutes before the actual match time.
"It's cold, are you going out to see?" Suea put his bags in the locker, then turned to ask me.
"Look, I'm just in the uncomfortable room."
"Mick and I are going out to find something to eat," Field walked over and said.
"Be careful of the belly plug," I warned.
"It's okay, comfortable." The other party shrugged. "Do you go together?"
"No, I'm afraid of the stomach pacifier," I said, "Po, go see him compete?"
"Go," Po nodded. Many of us and our friends walked out. At the same time, in the corridor, the Tiger had a call.
"I'll be right back."
"Why?"
"Sing came to me. He's waiting for me."
"Okay," I nodded. Suea walked out the other way. Sing would have come to cheer me up before the competition. The relationship between us brothers has been much better since we talked at Bing Chu's shop that day. I was really right to convince Suea to talk.
Soon, Suea came back to watch the other team's match. Time passed until it was our team's turn to compete. We went back to the room. The coach reiterated the plan, ready for us to prepare our bodies. I lined up and walked out with the others. My heart beat harder than before when I stepped into the field and saw the eyes of a large number of people. Then I heard the cheers of our school.
Tiger gently touched my shoulder and smiled at me. Both the eyes and the smile, full of confidence, made me feel at ease. The competition began. At first, I was still tense and excited. But after playing for a while, I forgot those feelings. I came to the game fully. I passed the ball as skillfully as I had always practised. Tiger scored the first goal and then scored the second goal. The cheers were loud throughout the field.
The game ended with a score of four to one. I scored one goal. Another friend, the Tiger, scored twice. We opened our mouths and shouted, darts and hugged each other with joy. When the game ended, we returned to the room. I dropped to the floor, leaning against the wall exhaustedly. It was more than an hour, and exhausting. Other friends were tired, just like me.
"It's cold. I'm going to see Sing for a moment. He's going to be back." Suea walked over and told me that I had no strength anymore. I could only nod my head to recognise it. Looking at Suea walk out of the room, isn't he tired at all?
Wait for a while to make yourself better. I quickly took out my phone and called Dan. Immediately, but no one answered the phone. It made me feel surprised. Mom and Dan probably won't watch other teams anymore. Should be able to come down from the audience seat.
"What's wrong with the cold, making a stressed face?" Po asked.
"Dan didn't answer the phone. I'm going back to find them," I frowned and replied.
"Ah, I got it."
*****************************
After I finished talking to Sing, I returned to the room. Surprised, I didn't see any signs of cold, so I went to ask Po, who was changing his shirt.
"Is it Nao?"
"I saw him calling to Nuea and running out."
"Oh", I nodded in understanding. I thought I would be happy to win until I rushed to the North with Aunt Cat. Of course. I told others that Nao and I would separate. So, everyone else went out, leaving me alone in the room. I managed to change my clothes before sitting and waiting. I thought that the miaow would come back. He didn't leave me here. Plus, his bag is still here.
After ten minutes, I dialled the call, but no one answered the phone. I picked up my bag, walked around and pressed the call button. After another fifteen minutes, Nao still didn't answer the phone. I started to get nervous. Walking around the accommodation zone, I couldn't find him, so I went outside to look. Whether it was a sales zone or an area that wasn't crowded, I ran all over the stadium and made my way to my seat in the audience. Or have you gone home?
You should tell each other or answer the phone for a while. Nao's number was called, but no one answered. As for Nuea's number, the phone was turned off... I'm so nervous that I'm paranoid. I'm afraid that something has happened.
I call cold again, but this time it's a call before turning off the power. I immediately dialled Sing. When the other party answered, I said with a trembling voice.
"Sing, please come back. My friend is missing. At first, he didn't answer the call. But now the call was cut off. He's definitely not back home. His bag is still there. I ran around and couldn't find him. He's been gone for almost thirty minutes"
(Wait for me at the front door)
"Ah, okay," I accepted. I rushed to the front door. I felt like crying, but I had to try to hold back my tears. I didn't wait for a long time, and the same black car pulled up. I opened the door and sat up immediately. "Have you got someone to find him yet?"
"I found him"
"Nao? Is he okay?"
"He’s safe. I'm taking him to the hospital."
"Is it safe to take him to the hospital?"
"He’s just a little hurt."
"How little bit?"
"I don't know. You'll know when you go see him."
"So what happened?"
Sing turned to pick up some documents that were placed next to him. I quickly took it and flipped through it. It was the information of a man whom we knew nothing about until he revealed his name.
"Chat?"
"Have you ever seen him?"
"Never, I just know that he was Aunt Cat's ex-boyfriend, who is in prison."
"He's not really in jail," Sing began to explain. "He's a gang member. That's not right for us."
I was silent. I heard that he likes to use violence against Nao and his family, but I thought he was just an ordinary person. "Was he not really in jail? Does it mean that in the past, he has always been outside?"
"It's been late in prison. He just came out a few months ago."
"I thought he would come back to the cold house, but there was no sign of him, so I forgot." I frowned solemnly, blaming myself for being too careless. I thought he was just an ordinary person, so I would wait to deal with him if he came to Nao’s house.
"The other gang's people... Is it huge? Can we manage it?"
"He doesn't have a very big position."
"But it's more complicated than that," Sing said calmly. "You stop messing with that family."
"Why? I don't want to. There's no way." I said without thinking. "It's just that the people in the gang don't use Ree. You can order someone to collect it. Or you can let me go. Just a subordinate is not a big deal."
"It's a big gang," Sing sighed. "That gang leader is a disgusting old man. He has a preference for young boys, especially those of a young age. Young boys who look beautiful. "
Sing's words made my heart ache. "Does he want the cold?"
"With his twin, too, yes, the person named Chat would like to please the boss by giving up two sons and bringing the mother to live with him." I can feel that my hands are numb to my heart.
"... Is it true, Sing?"
"It's true," he replied in a serious tone. "At first, Ben was spinning me. Additionally, my old friend and I have been together for a considerable amount of time. He was always staring at him for trouble, but his father tried to see through. Because even if he could handle it, it wouldn't be worth the loss anyway."
"This is my business," I said anxiously.
"It's not your business. It's your friend's business," Sing frowned.
"It's like my story."
"Tiger,, the other party began to press in a low voice. "Think of asking your father to use manpower to deal with that problem. All the money that must be exchanged to help your friend. What do you think Dad will say?"
"But now you've saved the cold, haven't you? It's like you handed it. The hand has interfered."
"It's okay to just deal with a few subordinates. Besides, I just realised that the matter will reach this stage. If I knew first, I wouldn't let you interfere with that family."
"You can do it. Become the target of that old man... Really pitiful."
"What if we say we belong to the gang?" I still stubbornly offered. The idea went out again. Sing shook his head.
"If you tell him like that, he will want them even more. He wants them. There is already something with us."
I was silent again. I was thinking of a way to get myself involved in this matter. In case my father can’t reach out to help, my father may not love me, but no matter what, I'm a child. He probably doesn't want to lose face, right?
Yes, yes, I'll go with you. No matter where the cold is caught, I'll go to him. Even if you don't come to help, never mind. I'll help him by myself.
I tried to control myself still. Turning to look at Sing, when we met each other's eyes, it seemed that we both read the other person's mind. I didn't wait for myself to be caught. I opened the car door and jumped down immediately. Sing reached out to grab me, but pulled his hand back first. I hit the ground and rolled several times, depending on the speed of the car. When I got up, I immediately ran into the tall grass on the side of the road. If Sing had grabbed me just now, I would have been dragged along with the car for sure... Fortunately, it doesn't do it.
Sing already knows what I'm thinking about. He can't let me do it. He has to hold me for sure. If he gets caught now, it will be over. I broke through the grass deeper and deeper. I couldn't see what was in front of me. The more Sing shouted after him, the faster he accelerated his steps.
"Tiger! Come back! Don't do anything stupid. Helping that child is like taking yourself to death! Tiger! I told you to come back!! Damn animal! You guys can follow my brother to come!"
I didn't answer and continued to run. I couldn't figure out how to escape it until I reached the main road. I intended to run out of the car. I'm sure it will be in time. I'm lucky enough not to be hit by a car. I ran to the middle of the road. Many vehicles had to brake suddenly. Squeeze the horn. I moved to the other side and heard a call.
"Hey! Ger, what the hell are you doing! Look at the car."
"Jab!" I screamed with joy. I've never been so happy to meet Jab before. Hurry up and get on the motorcycle immediately. "Get out of the car, Jab, hurry up!"
Jab was so shocked that he couldn't do anything but agree to drive the bike.
"Hurry up!" I ordered, "Go to the small alley on the left."
"Where are you going?"
"Let's go to the left," I said. I'm not sure where to go on the left, but it's a small alley that looks mysterious. Sing would be difficult to follow because he was in a car, and we kept turning and turning again. Riding so far that I thought it would be safe. We were near an abandoned barn outside the city. Jab parked the bike, looking exhausted.
"What's this summary? I was going to buy Clam Oil for Mom."
"Jab", I reached out and touched my shoulder. "Thank you very much. I'm so glad to see you. I'm really happy."
"Huh, uh, I'm glad to see you, too. No, what's the conclusion? Wait a minute, my mother called me." Jab raised his hand, took out his phone, and pressed it to his ear to pick up.
"Wait a minute, Mom. Aunt Waew's shop is out of stock on its clam oil. Aunt Kaew is out of stock. I have to go out and buy it at the mall. What should I do? It's out of stock. I want to eat fried pork. Isn't it clam oil? Do you want me to be angry? Kiss it, it's even more for the sake of eating. Hurry up, I'll hurry back."
Then he hung up and turned to look. "My brother will eat fried pork with oil. Is this a clam?"
"I should have some dinner," I replied, "I'm sorry."
"Well, can you tell me something? That's not a thank you and an apology. Then I have to hurry back. Jab is very angry and hungry. Wait, he secretly took my main card to sell again."
"I pushed to stir the feet of the gangsters in that neighbourhood." I took a deep breath and told the lies. Fortunately, it's Jab. It would be enough to believe. "A big gangster."
"Is it big? Can the rust help me?"
"No, it's an adult."
"What the fuck?" Jab made a tense face. "So what are you going to do?"
"He won't be able to see your bike. It's okay. Just go back and tell him. It's enough for anyone to meet me."
"Ah ha", Jab nodded, "What about you?"
"I'll find my own way, right?"
"What's up?"
"Uh", I licked my lips, trying to think. I want to go to the cold. I want to see for myself that the cold is really safe. However, I'm unsure of what to do. Sing probably already knows that I have to go to the cold. Nao must be guarded for sure.
Additionally, I'm unsure of the hospital he's in. Is it really in the hospital? I still don't know yet.
"What's up?"
I suddenly thought of someone. It's a man I know from when I used to race.
"Please lend me your mobile phone."
"Ah"
I left my phone on the way because I was afraid of being followed. I found it. I received my phone from Jab and logged in to my Facebook. Then I called him on Facebook. Waiting longer than the end of the line to pick up.
(What's up)
"Brother! Brother Johan! I have something to ask you."