Love Mechanics

Chapter 10.Unbashed.

[Mark Masa]

I lift the Japanese table and unfold it on the bed. I toss the study sheets I need to read in preparation for the exams, then head over to get a cup of instant porridge, add hot water, and return to bed. I turn to look at the guy beside me, who's still lying face down.

I curl my lips at the guy who looks good even while sleeping. I really wanna ask him what his mother fed him as a child. When he was on top of me and clenched his lips while looking down at me with his squinted eyes, it drove me so wild that I nearly exploded. But let's skip the part about me being so easy.

When he said I seduced him, I'd like to set the record straight and say that I didn't seduce him, though I confess that my emotions got the better of me this morning. P'Vee's sad eyes conveyed a pain that I could fully sense. I don't know why, but I felt his pain as well.

I pick up my phone to take a selfie, showing just my face and neck, and upload it to Facebook. I'm surprised upon seeing the likes and comments piling up quickly, though I'm confident that I didn't catch P'Vee in the frame at all.

Masa Mark

4 mins

Will I go to hell for my promiscuity?

23 likes 6 comments

Kamphan, whose house has a lamp larger than a tank: You didn't attend class to fool around? What a sinner!

Future Forfun: My senior line's turned a new leaf. Just let him be.

James, it's read James, not Ja-mes: What happens in hell for those who are promiscuous? A gentleman like me has no clue.

Winnie the Pooh: You found a pretty boy to play with last night? Better not let me find out about it.

Northh: No. Don't go to hell. Stay with me here.

Winnie the Pooh: OMG! P'Nuea. I'm rooting for you, P'Nuea.

Masa Mark

Perhaps it's because the caption I uploaded seems savage, but my friend's comments all chimed in their thoughts on promiscuity and hell. Making a pretty face for the camera didn't help at all.

"The hell you doin'?" The groggy voice from behind me prompts me to turn around. Vee squints his eyes at me before yawning.

"I'm about to study. Exam time's coming." I reply and put down the phone.

"You're so good at lying, so keep at it." He says, as he gets up and sits on my back. 

He still looks good despite his groggy face and dishevelled hair. His thick hand reaches out past my arm to grab the phone that's placed on the Japanese table. He uses it to tap on my arm.

"What?" I turn to ask him. But for crying out loud, since when did his face get this near to mine?

"Passcode." The groggy voice is heard next to my ear, prompting me to place my right thumb onto the phone. P'Vee backs off slightly before checking my phone.

"What's with you?"

"I've been observing for a while." The deep voice responds along with furrowed brows. "You guys that close?"

"Who?" I turn to ask P'Vee, who shows me the Facebook page on the phone screen.

"The guy who's your senior line." The voice calmly responds.

"P'Nuea?"

"Hmph!" I furrow my brows upon hearing the sound from his throat.

"Why the hmph? 'Nuea's just my senior line group." I question the guy with the frowning face. Are you that cute? Are you melting hot? I really just wanna use the pillow to suffocate him to death.

The guy named Vivis is very handsome. I never thought I'd be attracted to this kind of guy, but this guy doesn't just have good looks. Disregarding the sex, which is something new to me, P'Vee is a guy who can express various emotions, which I think is one of his charms. Like now...if we were in a relationship, then I'd think he's being jealous over me, but I've got to say sorry to myself several times over before my thoughts carry me away, since we aren't an item.

"Well..I was just asking whether you guys are close." The snappy voice answers, prompting me to furrow my brows.

"We're...just senior and junior."

"Hopefully it stays that way." He says as he hands the phone back to me.

"And what if it doesn't?" I look at his handsome face and flash him an impish smile. My mouth let slip the question before the brain could stop it.

"Mark..." P'Vee doesn't answer, but the deep voice calls out my name. Should I feel happy? I'll give myself the benefit of the doubt just this once.

"What?" I twist my body back and ask him. P'Vee doesn't reply, but comes closer to my back before placing his face on my shoulder.

"...maybe I'm jealous?" The deep voice softly utters beside my ear, but my heart starts beating faster. 

"I've never been with a guy before. It's called jealousy if I don't want you to fool around with others, right? If so, then I guess it is."

"P'Vee..."I softly call out his name, but dare not look at his handsome face, knowing that it's so near that our faces would brush if I turn towards him.

"Your heart's racing, Mark." The voice that was upset is in a better mood upon finishing the sentence. The long arm, whose location I don't know, hooks around my waist. The older one moves closer and plants his face so near that I can feel his warm breathing.

"Then...move away from me," I said. 

"I'm sleepy."

"Then go to sleep."

"I like it like this?" He still has the guts to talk back. I let out a strong sigh, hoping to alleviate the heat on my face. My brain thinks of hundreds of things to say to make him peel himself off me, although my mind says It's good like this.

"I'm gonna study," I utter to him after absorbing the warmth of his embrace into my heart. The annoyed sighing beside my ear makes me chuckle a bit, but it was subtle enough not to let him notice. I admit that this makes me happy, though I won't express it that much.

"I'll go take a shower then." The deep voice says as he shoves my head with his hand. I turn around and glare at him sternly, but he instead flashes me a smile, before…

Smooch!

"Ya bastard, P'Vee!"

"Call me that again and I'll kiss you till your lips run dry." 

P'Vee looks at me playfully and flashes a confident grin, as if to say I'm far superior to you or something along those lines. I can only let out a frustrated sigh and get back to my reading.

I've never thought of liking a guy like P'Vee, but I can't help myself when I'm around him. I like it when he's tender to me, when he's flashing me a naughty grin, when he's scolding me for doing something wrong. I like this moment...right now...when he's here with me.

I don't know when, but I've made it clear in my mind that my heart beats faster whenever I meet him, and there's no other conclusion but that I like him.

I turn to look at the handsome guy who walks out with a bundle of muscles. No need to describe the firm abs he's got, since I've got them too, but the point is, why do those abs look so good when they're on his body? His wet, dishevelled hair drips water onto his broad shoulders, down to his chest and sides. Does there exist such a person who defines perfection like this?

"Keep it to yourself a bit. I know I've got a hot body." The deep voice mixes with a chortle from his throat, and makes me roll my eyes.

"Hmph!"

"Your face is expressionless, your voice seems upset, but your eyes are so sparkling." He says and approaches me, although he's wrapped in just a towel around his waist. "You envious or you want it?"

"Neither," I answer and turn my attention back to the study sheets.

"But this morning you were so into me."

"P'Vee!" I turn and snap at him. He simply responds with an impish smile.

“Wipe my hair a bit.” The person standing says, as he hands me a small towel and sits beside me. 

"Can I possibly wipe it?" Since we're both of similar height, we're at the same level when we're seated. He turns his scruffy face to look at me before moving to the bedside.

"Can you do it now?" I look at the handsome face that's looking up at me and avoid his gaze. I pick up the small towel that he placed on the bed and start wiping his hair dry.

I don't want to think about it, but I can't help but imagine if the pretty senior does this when she's with him, too. Or does he play cuter, behave better, and wheedle with her more? I shake these thoughts away from my head and continue wiping his hair.

Silence befalls us, with only my beating heart heard. This morning, I decided whether I'm ready or not for what the future holds—the future of P'Vee, his girlfriend, and me.

Rrrr~

The phone rings, interrupting the thoughts in my head. It's for the better, as I won't have to think of these things now. I'll keep my mind calm for the time being. Whatever happens, I'll just deal with it as it comes.

I try to find the source of the ringing, but Vee points to the top of the bed. The slim phone is vibrating with flashing lights.

"Hand it over here." I get the phone and pass it to its owner. P’Vee picks up the call, so I move away in case it's something personal or in case it's his girlfriend.

"Yeah..." P'Vee says as he moves up onto the bed, holding my hand so as not to let me go anywhere. 

"I'm too lazy to go... just finished my project with Bar yesterday." P'Vee falls silent and turns to me. "I said I'm not going. I'll study in my room...yeah." He cuts off the line after finishing the sentence.

"Nuea called to invite me to go study with him." He tells me, prompting me to raise my brows and look at him.

"And? I didn't say anything yet." I tell him.

"I saw you looking. It was Nuea, after all."

"What's with you and Nuea, anyway?" I furrow my brows and look at the one beside me.

"It's nothing. He just annoys me." He says and moves towards me.

"Go get dressed," I say, as I look at his hot figure from head to toe.

"Yeah...I forgot." Can you simply forget to get dressed?

He goes to put some clothes on, while I turn my attention back to the exam preparation. I've let the time slip by for many days. The exams are coming up in just a few days, and I didn't even go to class today. I try to figure out the answer to a question for a while, putting my calculator to good use. Calculus is a fun subject, though it can sometimes get quite complex.

"Here, I'll tutor you." I don't know when P'Vee finished dressing himself, but the nice scent of the shampoo and soap I use wafts by my nose.

"Are you done with your own studying?"

"The books are in Ploy's room." I frown at him, then carry on with the calculations in front of me. "I'll go get them later this evening."

"And will you stay over there?" The meaning of this sentence, if properly translated, is If you go, then will you come back here?

"Who do you want me to stay with?" Well, you..."

"I'll get the books and come back to you." I look down at the study sheets, and my mouth furtively forms a small smile. I really wanna punch my own face and take my sinful heart out for a beating. Why do just a few words make me feel this happy?

"Yeah..." I reply from my throat. I've no idea why he wants to come back, nor do I know the details of why he doesn't want to stay with his girlfriend...

But I'm just so satisfied.

I continue to read on, while P'Vee lies down and fiddles with his phone. Not sure whether he's playing a game or chatting, but it doesn't matter. I've heard that Vee's a nice person and that whenever he's in a relationship, he's committed and gives importance to just that one person.

It's so different from me, who likes to fool around, but when I fall in love with someone, I'm fully committed. He's probably found out about his girlfriend's unfaithfulness, which is why he walked out of the room like he did this morning.

"Do you think I'm a bastard?" The deep voice behind me booms out, prompting me to put my pen down and look back.

"About?"

"Well...you and I..." The deep voice says gently, while the sharp eyes avoid me, as if feeling guilty.

"If so, then I'm also a bastard."

"But she cheated on me."

"..." I don't say anything, but just look at him calmly as he turns back towards me. His eyes convey a mixture of emotions —pain, disappointment, and confusion —clearly expressing the feelings more than at any time before.

"She has someone else. I saw a mark this morning." He slowly reveals.

"And you guys fought?" I raise my brows and ask him, though P'Vee shakes his head in response.

"Nah...she said she loves me." I look down at my hands upon hearing him speak. "But I feel it's not the same as before."

"So what're ya gonna do next?" I ask and look at P'Vee.

"I dunno. I've been seeing her for a long time. This hasn't happened before. I don't know what to do now that it has. And nowadays I've...got you." The sharp eyes look to me, the eyes which express confusion more clearly than ever before. I've also been like this...I understand this feeling of confusion well, since in the beginning, when Vee meddled with me, I also felt so confused. Until eventually...I allowed my heart to have its way.

"I'm fine...it's nothing serious." I send a light smile towards him, although it's somewhat forced.

I say I'm fine, but actually I'm not. I understand, though, that they're an item. She came before me. As for fighting and arguments, they're a staple of every relationship. Sometimes the heart or body can go yonder, but once the air's cleared up, they can go back to loving one another again.

As for me...who cares.

"Really? That simple? Like...you can just sleep with anyone just like that?" P'Vee's voice tenses up. His confused eyes turn to infuriation.

"Well, not quite..." I look at those pair of sharp eyes once again, attempting to convey my feelings through my eyes. "You've got her already."

"But I've got you..." P'Vee says after I finish. "Fuck it! Let's just stop talking about this. I've got a headache." Yeah...he's got a headache, whereas I've...got a heartache.

I've no idea when P'Vee brought the books to study. All I know is that between us is silence. After we talked about that matter, we haven't uttered a word to each other since. We each hit the books quietly, with occasional sounds of paper sketching and the pressing of calculator buttons.

I really meant what I said. I'm fine, even though when that time does come, I'll probably be devastated. But as everyone, including myself, knows, he's already got a girlfriend. Fooling around with someone already in a relationship requires us to be ready for the pain. Don't be biased enough to even think of him leaving his partner to be with us. Not that it's impossible, but it's just improbable...so better not to hope.

Rrrr~

The phone beside me rings, turning my attention towards it. It has also attracted P'Vee's attention, though I don't say anything and pick up my friend's call.

"What's up?"

[What's up? The person who skips class but uploads a feed about going to hell has the balls to ask me such a question?] Fuse teases, as I roll my eyes at my friend's enthusiasm. So cheerful...while I'm at risk of going to hell at every waking moment.

"So whaddaya want me to say?"

[Man, you fucker...study sheets, dude. I brought you the study sheets. I'm in front of your room right now.] He says...so I stand up and open the bedroom door. P'Vee looks at me before opening his mouth to ask.

"Who..." I don't answer but glare at him instead, worried that Fuse might hear over the line.

Who's that? Whose voice is that? Are you really hiding some lad in there like Wind's comment?] 

Fuse's excited voice makes me let out a frustrated sigh. So he heard the voice.

"It's no one's voice. So who'd you come with?"

[If you're gonna bullshit me, you've gotta try harder.] Why are so many people calling me a bullshitter these days? Am I really that bad of a liar?

"Whatever, man, it's none of your business. I'll go out to get it now." I say and quickly cut off the line to end this matter, but the matter doesn't end, as the tall guy in the room stands up from the reading desk and walks towards me.

"I asked who it was." He demands and holds the door.

"Why do you have to ask? I'll tell you later." I say with annoyance. But he stares at me sternly till I sigh out. "It's Fuse."

"You should've just said so," P'Vee utters and lets go of the door to allow me to go out to the living room. I proceed to open the entrance door. Fuse and Kamphan stand in front with a thin sheet, which could've been brought to me tomorrow

instead.

"Gimme," I say as I reach out my hand for the sheet.

"Lemme meddle," Kamphan says, before Fuse hands the sheet over to me. I roll my eyes at them before answering.

"I don't like meddlers."

"You think you can get away with this? I wanna be nosy right this moment, to see what you're up to." He says as he sticks his face into the room, though I cover his sight with my body. Kamphan's shorter than me, whereas Fuse is slightly taller.

"I won't allow," I say, as I reach my hand out for the sheet once more.

"Don't you think of inviting me inside for a drink as a show of gratitude?" The Prom King suggests and flashes me a handsome smile. But sorry, I can't catch on.

"Thank you," I say, as I grab the sheet from his hand.

"Oh wow...if you're not so willing, then never mind. It's not like I came here willingly anyway. I just wanted to meddle, but since I'm not allowed to be nosy, then fine. But if I come to know what you're up to..."

Fuse threatens as he points his finger at my face. "Then what?" I ask and swipe his finger away.

"We're friends, no? So I wanna know what you're up to, in case I can help you out." He says, and stretches himself to look inside, though it's in vain since the one they're looking for is in the bedroom. He won't be stupid enough to walk outside for his faculty junior to see.

"I'll let you know if there's anything I need," I say to them calmly.

"Sure, man. Take care of yourself." Kamphan looks at me crossly before telling me to take care of myself. Their actions indicate concern for me, so I nod in acceptance. Fuse pats my shoulder, and then they leave.

I walk into the room and glance through the Physics study sheet before putting it on the sofa. I find something to eat in the kitchen area and take a seat to rest. I turn on the TV and browse through whatever's on.

The sound of the bedroom door opening makes me turn towards it. P'Vee comes out with a frazzled look and seemingly upset expression, though I • don't ask him anything.

"Your friends came over, but you ignored me." He says before sitting beside me, placing down the white study sheet in his hand.

"Or do you want me to invite them in to see your face?" I ask and refocus my attention on the egg noodles.

"I wouldn't mind. I'd just say I'm here to tutor you." He says while furrowing his brows, annoying me.

"Bullshit." My turn to scold him.

"Watch your mouth." He says as he clasps my lips tight with his hand.

"Hey...I'm eating." I say and shake my face away.

"Hmph...and what did you say to your friends?" He chuckles and asks me.

"I told them not to be nosy. They understood. My friends aren't complicated." I turned to him.

"How nice. If it were my friends, I don't know how it would be. Both about Ploy and about you." He says as he looks straight at the TV.

"Why do you have to think so much? No one knows yet." I say.

"Hehe, a place in hell's waiting." He says with a smile, to which I smile back, of hell in itself.

Yeah...it's waiting for us. But what I'm going through now is a kind of hell itself.