OOPS! MYSTERIOUS SOUNDS: BOOK 1.

The Eleventh voice. 

"How to ask for a phone number and get a girlfriend/boyfriend."

 

At the sound of Tum's voice, I choked on my water and coughed violently. My damn friend glanced at me suspiciously before turning his attention back to the content on his mobile.

 

"Techniques for asking for someone's number and making their heart flutter."

I was still coughing nonstop, so Tum quickly handed me a tissue to wipe the corners of my mouth.

 

"What's wrong? Why are you choking so much?"

 

"N-no."

 

I'm really shaking.

 

I shook my head quickly and waved my hands in denial because I didn't want my friends to notice that someone had asked for my number last night and made me feel flustered.

 

"You're acting weird," Tum narrowed his eyes at me. "Why? Have you ever had a chance of someone asking for your number?"

 

"Plague"

 

"Your voice is high-pitched."

 

I paused, then shrugged and turned my face away, but in that direction I found Boom's smiling eyes watching me.

 

"What are you smiling about?"

 

"Did something good happen that day?"

 

Boom grinned and leaned closer, because on the day of the event, Boom knew I went back with Jin. It's a good thing I didn't get teased by her at the event. She saw me glued to Jin the whole time.

 

"Wait a minute, I was only gone for a few days. What's going on?" Tum stared at me suspiciously before smirking as if he knew what I was thinking.

 

"Nothing at all."

 

I made a face at it, trying to think of a way to get out of this awkward situation. Of course, I kept my mouth shut. It was out of the question for me to focus on, just as Dang walked into the classroom. The professor had a lab exam scheduled for this morning, so we needed to have a review session beforehand.

 

When Dang arrived, Boom turned to explain the study sheet to her boyfriend, while Tum just sat there listening to music with his headphones on. Speaking of headphones, I wondered why the ones my close friend bought me back were making strange noises, as if someone had passed away. I remember checking the serial number for warranty repairs last week, but he had activated the warranty before I even used it. It's as if someone had used them before.

 

"Tum," I nudged my friend's shoulder, "Phu has something he wants to ask." He took off his earphones, looking puzzled.

 

"What's the matter?"

 

"The headphones you bought, please return them to me."

 

He furrowed his brows before his eyes darted around strangely.

"W-what the heck?"

 

"I'm going to ask where you bought it from."

 

"I asked a friend to buy it for me."

 

"Whose friend are you talking about?"

 

"You wouldn't know."

 

"You're acting weird, Tum," I narrowed my eyes at him.

 

"Yeah, whatever. But what's wrong? Is it broken? It's brand new. Don't worry, it's still under warranty. We can get it repaired." He spoke rapidly and acted strangely, which made me suspicious.

 

"You're talking too long."

 

"Well..." he scratched his head, "I was afraid you'd scold me for buying you something of poor quality."

 

It's not that they're bad, but they're strange headphones that let the voices of the dead through the wires, to be honest. I couldn't help but sigh heavily. Any further questions?

 

I got the feeling that these strange headphones must have an unusual origin. Seeing my best friend's agitated behaviour only reinforced my suspicion. They must have gotten those headphones in some strange way.

 

"Goal"

He gave me a wry smile.

 

"Is there anything you want to tell me?"

 

"No."

 

"Your voice is high-pitched."

 

This time, it was me who repeated what had been said earlier.

 

"No, nothing."

 

"Really?" I pretended to ask.

 

"That's right."

 

"Naree"

 

"Of course."

 

That damn Tum even added a melody to it, which made me laugh out loud.

 

"This bastard"

 

"Why do I like old songs?"

 

I shook my head at how smoothly he kept changing the subject. It seemed impossible to get an answer from him, so I decided to let it go for now. However, anyway, I'm definitely not giving up on this. I'll find the answers to my questions eventually.

 

That afternoon, after our last class at the Faculty of Science, my friends and I gathered to wait for the university's shuttle bus. I took a bus back to my faculty building, which was on the other side of the university. Meanwhile, I took out my phone to kill time while waiting for the bus.

 

Risa Warisala was with Jin. Jinna'

 

A post popped up on my Facebook feed. It was interesting because it featured a picture of Jin with a pretty girl, who was the woman who posted it and tagged the photo. Honestly, I didn't want to pay attention, but I couldn't resist clicking to read the comments.

 

~Man, Skyhigh, huh? Is that its official launch?

~Tew Danupol: Hey, I've been rooting for this couple since the club event last year!

~Beau Bibeauty wanted to tease, but our friend was too embarrassed.

~Teddy.tod, so what's up @Jin.Jinna? Are you cheating on the sports science student?

 

I pursed my lips tightly, glancing at the messages. Most of them were teasing the two of them. Judging by their personalities, Jin and the woman in the photo must be quite close. For a moment, I recalled last night's events.

 

"Why give me your number? We're not even together."

 

These were the words I steeled myself to say last night, before I sprinted up to my condo, my heart pounding erratically. 

 

'I'll make your heart race even more.'

I remember Jin saying that to me.

 

I sighed deeply. It was strange, but after reading the comments cheering on both of them, I felt an odd emptiness in my heart. I said we're not together, and I wouldn't even give him my number, so why should I feel bad if there's someone else involved? Damn, I hate this feeling.

 

"Who is that? She's so cute."

 

"Yeah, taking pictures with Jin like this makes them look really close."

 

I don't know when Tum and Dang got up behind me. They both leaned forward, looking curious at my phone screen. I shook my head, shrugged, and locked my screen. Just then, my eyes caught sight of Jin and his engineering friends walking arm-in-arm with two girls from the accounting faculty. I guessed they were accounting students because second-year female students usually wear long, fitted skirts. And one of them was the girl in the picture Jin had tagged on Facebook. I forced a smile before turning my face away.

 

"Oh, there are those Ginny guys."

 

I tried to keep quiet, but that damn Tum blurted it out. And as if that wasn't enough, he pointed and gestured for Boom and Dang to look. Of course, when Dang saw him, he waved and greeted them. The engineering gang then started walking towards us. If you look at it realistically, the accounting girls are really cute, pretty, and friendly. Look, even though we don't know each other, they still managed to send me that smile. Before the two girls waved goodbye to the engineering guys and headed towards the accounting faculty, which required passing the 'pop-up' bus stop where we were waiting,

 

"Just finished school?" Jin turned to ask Dang, but his eyes glanced at me for a moment, and he smirked as usual.

 

"Hey, what about you? I saw you just now. You said you were talking to my friend, so why are you walking around smiling with a girl?" The jerk glanced at me for a moment before turning to ask the one who started the conversation.

 

"He came to coordinate with the student club at the faculty. We knew each other from our first year, so he walked me here."

 

"Oh, really?"

 

Tum spoke in a high-pitched voice, as if he were mocking me. He wasn't mocking Jin, he was mocking me!

 

"Can you hear me?"

 

"what"

 

I looked bewildered when Dang suddenly turned to ask me that. So I turned to look at Jin, who had moved to stand next to me without me noticing.

 

"Are you feeling unwell?" It asked.

 

"What the hell?"

 

"I saw you frowning."

 

You could have spoken nicely. Why whisper? It's so suspicious. And look at the expressions on both my friends’ and his friends' faces; they're all looking at me like they're teasing me. I glanced at Jin with a frustrated look.

 

"I'm fine."

 

"Are you angry with me?" It asked with a smile.

 

"What the hell, what would I be so angry about?"

 

Jin didn't say anything, but he pulled his phone out of his pants pocket and pressed something on it. Soon, he turned the phone's camera towards me and then handed it to me. Showing it to me. That's how I saw my own face in the camera. My face was contorted with displeasure, my eyebrows furrowed. Wow, that's a really intense feeling.

 

I didn't know what to do. At that moment, my friends gave me a blank smile and started boarding the university shuttle bus, while my other friend just stood there with a clueless expression.

 

"What are you angry about?"

 

"....”

 

"Did I do anything to displease you?"

 

I made a troubled face before shaking my head.

 

"No, I'm going first. The shuttle is about to leave."

 

"Those two are Bua and Risa. They met in their first year because they lived in the same house during the freshman orientation. They just came to contact the faculty club about some work," Jin explained at length. Don't you realise that the more you talk, the more your friends will laugh? Tos and Art are grinning mischievously. I can't stay here any longer.

 

"Mmm."

 

I gave a perfunctory nod before quickly walking away, but Jin still followed me to see me off.

 

"See you at the football field this evening."

 

"Yes"

 

"My knee hurts again today. Can you bandage it for me again?"

 

"Yes"

 

I glared at Jin, who was smirking at me. For a moment, I wanted to punch him in the back because I felt so defeated.

 

"I'm going now."

 

"Okay, go ahead."

 

"Were you angry with me just now?"

 

"Yes"

 

I was taken aback that I'd blurted that out. Before I knew it, the person who asked had walked away smiling with his friend. That damn Jin!

 

I trudged onto the bus, trying to avoid eye contact with my best friend who was grinning at me, and pretended to pull out my phone. I checked to clear my embarrassment before I stumbled upon a particular message.

 

Social media detective @SecretNews

Breaking news: Police have found suspicious activity in the bank account of #Anda's boyfriend, with tens of millions of baht deposited, seemingly originating from Anda's account.

 

I pressed my lips together tightly. For a moment, I remembered what P'Itti, Anda's older brother, had said: "Sigh, these reporters really have ears like pineapples. Even though the police didn't mention this issue."

 

Despite all that, they still managed to find the news. That's truly extraordinary.

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

"I can't believe it."

 

I eavesdropped on Jin's group of friends' conversation. Today, my friends and I were attending Anda's funeral service for another day. As usual, my friends and I were helping serve drinks and greet guests. The monks will start their chanting soon. Right now, it's just me and Dang, but he went to the restroom earlier. Boom couldn't come because she had other commitments. Tum was supposed to come with us earlier, but he left. Now, Jin's friends are sitting in a corner chatting amongst themselves, so I'm quietly listening in.

 

"So it's P’Kumbh? He embezzled Anda's money? I can't believe it," Tos whispered, glancing left and right as if afraid someone might overhear.

 

"That's right," Art stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Even when Andaman bought expensive perfume, he still got scolded by P'Kumbh until he was dejected for days."

 

"..."

 

"How could someone who never wanted anything from Anda dare to transfer money into their own account so blatantly?"

 

"I thought so too. Aquarius has a considerable amount of personal assets. What reason would he have to do something like that?" That's right. I heard that Anda's lover is quite wealthy, so financial problems shouldn't be an issue. I secretly observed his face.

 

Jin, who had been sitting quietly listening to his close friends discussing something, showed a flicker of doubt in his eyes while they continued their silent conversation. Suddenly, Jin stood up and turned to me, saying he was going to the restroom. After a while, I heard a commotion behind me, and Tos and Art quickly got up. I ran after them, before I gasped in surprise when I saw Anda's lover, Aquarius, raising his fist, ready to punch his opponent. And when I saw the opponent's face clearly, I was even more shocked. That handsome man was James, Anda's on-screen partner from the popular BL series they both starred in. I made a surprised face.

 

Seeing the series’s leading man and his real-life leading man glare at each other, the atmosphere was tense. Luckily, there aren't many people around here. Otherwise, the famous actor clearly getting intimate with Anda's lover would definitely become front-page news. Even though there were no media present, a fight shouldn't have happened at an event like this, so two of Anda's close friends quickly rushed in to separate the two.

 

"Calm down first, brother." Tos, who was holding onto Kumbh's arm, spoke up.

 

"Get out of here." Brother Kumbh spoke in a harsh tone, pointing his finger at his opponent, who was smirking provocatively. When answering questions from the media, why is there such an unprofessional attitude that undermines one's image?

 

I've seen a famous actor behave like this before; James is polite.

 

"P has no right to chase me away. I came to the event as an acquaintance."

 

"You bastard!"

 

"Today!"

 

Art quickly pushed Anda's lover away, making him step back. The scene of their argument made me feel uneasy; The punch that Aquarius threw was about to reach James's cheekbone.

 

"Calm down first. Separate yourselves, guys. There are reporters at the event. Don't do this."

 

"Yes, brother, please don't cause any trouble at the event. We beg you."

 

Brother Kumbh fell silent immediately after hearing that, while the other man shrugged mockingly. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if James came back with a broken lip.

 

"For Anda's sake, please, brother. My friend would probably feel bad if you two got into a fight at his party." I nodded in agreement. Brother Kumbh calmed down noticeably. James merely shrugged before reluctantly nodding and stepping back, much to the hatred of Anda's lover. Brother Kumbh's eyes were terrifying; if they could kill, James would have been dead by now.

 

I pursed my lips tightly, secretly glancing at Anda's lover once more. Was the weak, tearful man of yesteryear the same person as the fierce, stern man who created such an oppressive atmosphere now? This thought made me wonder if the person in front of me might have multiple personalities; sometimes polite and kind, but at the same time, possessing a wicked side.

 

"Phod Duang"

 

"How is it going?"

 

"Go and get Jin for me, please. The monks are about to start chanting."

 

"Okay, sure."

 

I promised before turning away, but at that moment, I couldn't help but turn back to look at P'Kumbh's back as he walked into the event with Tos and Art. One of Aquarius's hands was still clenched tightly. What kind of conflict is between Aquarius and James? It must be something serious enough for them to resort to physical violence in the middle of an event like this.

 

I walked around looking for Jin for a while, but couldn't find him. As I walked past the parking lot, I saw James drive off in a car. It was quick, but I didn't pay much attention before walking over to Jin. In the bathroom, near the cage, I saw a couple of police officers standing in a group talking. I didn't want to be rude, but I happened to overhear what they were saying.

 

"I actually feel sorry for Captain Itthin. He was about to get promoted, but then this news about his younger brother came along."

 

"What news?"

 

"Well, not only was his sibling gay, but they also got murdered."

 

"My family probably wouldn't accept it."

 

"Who would accept that? Being gay is bad enough, but to get dumped because of money issues... It's so embarrassing. It'll make anyone's heart ache."

 

I clenched my fists. I felt terrible hearing those malicious rumours from that group. They just have mouths to talk, don't they? Their words were so inappropriate.

 

"Prosecutor Adisak must be really embarrassed to have a child who is gay."

 

I couldn't take it anymore. I was about to walk away, but then I glanced over and saw P'Itthi standing in another corner. Anda's older brother turned to look at me and gave me a small smile before glancing at them, his eyes full of an incredibly terrifying look. Who could tolerate having a family member gossiped about behind their back like that?

 

Seeing that, I quickly walked away. As I kept walking, I saw Jin standing with his back to me, talking to someone. I couldn't see clearly, but I could tell the other person was a man in a very polite, formal black suit; he was probably an acquaintance. Seeing that, I prepared to step back if I hadn't heard Jin speak in a curt tone, as if he were angry at someone.

 

"Leave me alone."

Huh?

 

"Mr Jin"

 

"You, huh?" The man who spoke acted so deferentially towards Jin that I became suspicious.

 

"Your father only wishes to speak with you."

 

"But I have nothing to talk to him about."

 

"Achawin is in a coma. The doctor said to prepare ourselves. Ronnalak is having a difficult time right now."

 

Huh?

I immediately furrowed my brows, feeling a sense of familiarity with the name. For a moment, I recalled the events of an hour earlier, when we were helping to serve water. At that moment, the reporters' flashbulbs from the event intensified as a middle-aged woman in an elegant black Thai Chidralada dress appeared beside them. She had gained a number of followers. This page popped into my head. I remember now that the person following me is the one standing and talking to Jin right now. Then recalled the earlier conversation among Tos, Art, and Dang.

 

'Who is it?'

Ms Phichitra Ronnalak

 

"How did you know, Art?"

 

"Well, my dad's an insider."

 

"Oh yeah, I forgot your family is so fancy. By the way, who is he? Do you know Anda?"

 

"wait'

'That's the wife of tycoon Chanin Ronnalak, a high-society owner of a famous real estate development business, the one behind the Sivalai and Phiromlak houses...'

 

'Whatever project you design, it sells like hotcakes.'

 

"Yeah, the name sounds familiar. How is it related to Anda?"

 

"If I had to guess, Dang, the condo Andaman is living in is part of a group he owns. It's a condo located on a major economic road."

 

‘Those are all Ronnalak's. I think he came to express his condolences.'

 

"Oh, I remember. Last week, there was news that his son was in an accident and was in a coma, right?"

 

'That'

 

'I understand now. It's not surprising he knows Anda.'

 

Yes, that's not unusual. But it is very strange that the tycoon's wife's followers know Jin. I quickly brushed that memory aside and focused on the situation in front of me. Jin finished speaking and prepared to turn and run, but his followers continued to pursue him relentlessly.

 

"That doesn't concern me."

 

"Mr Jin"

 

"Uncle Lawyer," he said firmly, "I don't want to be impolite by saying don't come to see me again, but I have to be frank, I want nothing to do with it."

 

"I'm involved with someone from that family, so please, don't ever show your face in my life again."

 

"And let me warn you, if he sends that lawyer uncle to see me again, I won't show anyone any mercy." I almost stopped breathing when I heard that, and I was even more shocked when Jin turned around, saw me, and stopped in his tracks. That made me feel Awkward because they couldn't dodge in time.

 

"Jin..."

 

It didn't say anything, just kept a straight face and walked past me immediately.

In short, throughout the entire event, Jin kept his mouth shut, didn't say anything, and didn't even look at me. I couldn't help but worry that he might be angry because I had been rude and overheard his conversation with someone else.

 

Sigh.

After the monks finished chanting, Dang dropped me off at my condo that night.

 

"Drive carefully, man."

 

I waved goodbye to Dang as he drove away, but because I still had things on my mind, I didn't want to go up to my room yet. I planned to walk there instead. I was sitting in the small garden in front of the condo for a while when the familiar sound of a two-wheeled engine grew closer and closer until the vehicle stopped right in front of me.

 

I stood still as the owner of the motorcycle, who was straddling it, lifted his helmet. I didn't know how to react until he stopped the bike and took off his helmet. Then he got off the bike and came straight towards me.

 

"Hey, you!" I was taken aback when he suddenly walked straight up to me and hugged me. 

 

"Hear."

"excuse me"

 

I couldn't make head or tail of it, I was trying to push it away.

 

"What's wrong with you, Jin?"

 

It didn't answer, but hugged me tightly. Finally, I stopped struggling and let it hold me still. I could feel its hot breath near my ear. I try to suppress the uncomfortable emotions in my heart.

 

"Can I hug you like this first?"

 

I unconsciously nodded. It wasn't anything in particular, but the pain in his voice was so intense that it made me feel bad, too.

 

"Jin"

 

"I'm sorry about what happened just now."

 

I pursed my lips tightly before wrapping both arms around him in return. Actually, I wasn't angry, I just didn't understand what had happened. Why did Jin...?

His opinion changed after speaking with the tycoon's wife's assistant.

 

"It's okay...I'm not angry."

 

It shifted slightly and looked up at me. Its handsome face leaned down until its forehead touched mine. Neither of us spoke until I felt lips gently kiss my temple and then someone spoke.

 

"Thank you for being here."

 

I admit I was startled by that, but deep down, I didn't want to refuse the light touch on my temple just now. I pursed my lips tightly as I began to think.

Saying that you no longer feel the same way about the other person.