South; Beside the Sky. 

Chapter 45. Friend

 

When Phoon asked permission to go to the zoo, there was no reason to stop him. After all, he just wanted to have fun with his friends, and the zoo wasn't dangerous. I was worried he'd get lost, but I trusted North and Ter to take care of him.

 

When lunchtime came, I called Phoon to see how they were doing. He said they were enjoying their walk and taking lots of photos. They were eating, so I hung up to go get something to eat. I ate at the faculty cafeteria because I didn't want to walk too far.

 

"Do we have class later?" Jo asked. I nodded. "Why do we have so many classes?"

 

“Aren’t you used to it yet?” I asked.

 

"I'm used to it, but I still feel like complaining."

 

"Yes, the final exam is approaching."

 

"Don't talk about it, Hill. I'm getting more and more stressed out," Arthit complained with a deep sigh.

 

"The food wasn't good either. Today, everything wasn't going well."

 

“I said the location wasn't good,” Joe commented.

 

"But everything is quiet, and I don't want to wait."

 

"So don't complain."

 

"Hey, Fah, why did Phoon decide to go to the zoo?" asked Hill.

 

"Maybe it was the light today. He wanted to take a photo and had some free time."

 

"Jo, Hill."

 

"What is it?"

 

"Have you ever talked about having children?"

 

"Huh?" My question surprised them a little. Hill answered first. "Yes, Ter wants to adopt."

"North asked me once," Joe replied. "But I don't like children, so no."

 

"Oh, I see," I nodded. "So, Hill, when you mentioned adoption, did you mention anything else?"

 

"No," Hill shook his head slowly. "I asked him, but he didn't answer."

 

“Embarrassed?” I asked, raising an eyebrow, and Hill nodded.

 

"Yes, that's exactly right."

 

"Why are you suddenly asking me?"

 

"Yesterday, Phoon got drunk and started talking about children. He asked me if I would have time for our children if I was too busy working, and if I would be a good father. The most shocking thing was that he told me that if I scolded them, he would take them away."

 

My words made everyone at the table laugh.

 

"Is Phoon going to take your kids away?" Jo asked, laughing. "Poor you."

 

"Yes, poor you," Arthit added. "It's hard for a father to have his children taken away from him."

 

“Yes, they don’t think about a father’s feelings,” I laughed.

 

"Did you talk about the children? Hurry up," Arthit said.

 

"It wasn't a serious conversation; we were just chatting. But time flies. Phoon and I will graduate at 24." Since I studied for six years and changed majors, we will graduate together.

 

"Have you thought about your future?" Hill asked Arthit, who looked confused.

 

"Why are you asking me? I don't know. I want to graduate first."

 

“Are you going to work as a doctor?” I asked.

 

"I've been studying for six years, let me use what I've learned." Arthit's response surprised us all.

 

"Why are you surprised? I'm going to be a doctor."

 

“Tell me which hospital you work at so I don’t have to go,” Jo joked.

 

"You'll come to me later, Jo. I promise."

 

"I would rather die than be treated by you if you were the only doctor."

 

"Do you underestimate me that much?"

 

"You, the one who always asks Fah for help?"

 

"Hill, you underestimate me."

 

"Have I ever been wrong?"

 

"Excellent observation."

 

Before I could say anything else, I received a video call from Phoon. I answered immediately. You're right.

 

"Hi, how are you? Are you having fun?"

 

Look, I'm here. North, Ter, come here. Phoon motions for them to come closer. It looks like they're feeding giraffes. North throws a carrot at the giraffe's head, Phi Jo.

 

"Why did you do that?" Jo asked, frowning. North was shocked. The giraffe suddenly lowered its head. Is he crazy?

 

"You go to the zoo to have fun, not to disturb the animals."

 

Phi Jo immediately scolds you. Phoon scolds North, who then frowns at Jo. Hehe, have you eaten?

 

"You look so happy. Yes, I ate. Now I'm going back to class."

 

I just wanted to show you how much fun I had today. Sure, it's fun, you're not tired. North said. It's your fault you lost.

 

"What is it?"

 

We played rock, paper, scissors on the hill. The loser had to carry the winner. I won and had a lot of fun thanks to my horse named North.

 

“Poor boy Jo, North is exhausted,” I said.

 

"Yes, he always loses at rock, paper, scissors."

 

Phi Jo! North leaned closer to the camera until his face filled the screen as he talked to Jo. I was a little surprised. Support me! Phoon and Ter are bullying me!

 

Why are you screaming? Phoon asked, pushing North out of the shot. "I'll hang up first. Let's start again."

 

Phi Fah, Phi Hill, pay three million before I kill your boyfriends and leave them at the zoo. I laughed at North's joke. I'm holding them hostage. If the police find out, I'll pinch Phoon until he's bruised.

 

"He won't go to the police. I'll transfer the money," I said. "Give me your account number."

 

Really, Phi Fah? I was just kidding.

 

"Really? I thought North always took money seriously. Was that a joke too?"

 

That was serious, but this is different.

"What's the difference?"

 

Um... Hi! Phi Fah, don't wire the money, or I'll be in trouble.

 

"Wow," I said as North disappeared from the screen, leaving Phoon behind again. "I'm going to class. It looks like it's going to rain. Did you bring umbrellas? Oh, I didn't."

 

“I brought an umbrella,” Hill said.

 

"Ah, so we can share."

 

Yes, I'll use Ter's umbrella. But, Phi Jo, the umbrella isn't enough. I have to ask North to cover his head with plastic. Joe chuckled. I'm kidding. If it rains, we'll take the zoo car.

 

"Okay. Take care of yourself and your friends."

 

Yes, sir!

 

“Phoon, this is the first time I’ve seen you joking with Phi Jo,” Ter said, surprised, after I ended the video call.

 

"Maybe so. Phi Jo knows how to joke and I'm in a great mood today."

 

"Yes, of course. You're very cheerful. What did you do last night?"

 

“I didn’t do anything!” I told North firmly.

 

"Come on, get on my back."

 

"No, I'm ashamed."

 

"Why are you embarrassed? There's no one here," I said. I don't know why, but the zoo isn't as crowded as I imagined. There are almost no visitors. Since we arrived, only a few tourists have been seen.

 

"Let's play rock, paper, scissors again. Win once and want me to take you around the zoo?"

 

"Yes, let's start again," I said excitedly. We were playing rock, paper, scissors. First, we eliminated one person, leaving two. The loser had to carry the winner. This time, Ter had to carry me.

 

“Ehehe,” I smiled widely, happy to have won.

 

"You won again. Did you cheat?"

 

"What? Come on, Ter, get in!"

 

"Phoon, you're acting strange. I'm starting to suspect you," Ter said, puzzled. "North is usually the most cheerful. Now you seem to have drained all his energy."

 

"Shut up and sit down." Ter bent down so I could climb on his back.

 

"Am I heavy?"

"Candies."

 

"Really? Then run away!"

 

"Damn! Instead of saying I'm a nuisance, you should have a little compassion."

 

"I ran, Ter, I ran!"

 

"I don't want to run," Ter said, pacing while carrying me. "It's like caring for a seven- or eight-year-old."

 

"Bad boy."

 

"North, you're so brave," I said, sulking. "Ter, let's get him. I'll beat him."

 

"Ugh, with you carrying me, I don't think I'll be able to reach you."

 

"Good," I said sullenly. "Put me down, I want to take a picture."

 

"Yes, yes." Ter put me down and I took pictures until I was satisfied. "I want to be carried too."

 

"You too?" North asked.

 

"Yes, there's another hill," Ter said. We played rock, paper, scissors again. This time I was carrying Ter. I squatted down so he could climb on my back, making sure it was comfortable so he wouldn't fall. Then I started running, and Ter hit me repeatedly on the back.

 

"Shit! Don't run away, Phoon! I'm about to fall!"

 

"You won't fall."

 

"Aaaah! Phoon, I'm about to fall!"

 

This game of transportation continued for a few more times. We took turns until we were completely exhausted, and although we didn't understand why we did it, we ended up using the zoo's transport and getting off at various points.

 

"Damn, why do I have to go through all this just to go to the zoo?" North complained.

 

“Come on, it’s a party,” I said.

 

"Shouldn't holidays be about resting?"

 

"Now you're resting."

 

“I took a break, but that made me even more tired,” North responded.

 

“Get off here,” I said as the vehicle stopped near the snow dome.

 

"I'm entering the snow dome!"

 

"Yeah, yeah, let's go," Ter and North said, following me into the snow dome. We paid the entrance fee and were given coats and boots. As soon as we entered, I felt a biting cold. We were the only ones inside. The ice was sticking to the ground, and there was no snow to throw.

 

"It doesn't seem like many people come here," Ter said. "I thought we might throw some snow."

 

"Yeah, it's just cold," North said. I pursed my lips, disappointed that this place wasn't that big either. "Here it is," North said, pointing to a tall sledging slope.

 

“Let’s play, let’s play!” I said excitedly.

 

"Okay, okay. Today's your day, Typhoon."

 

"Open!"

 

"It's like babysitting a child. I have to charge Phi Fah to take care of you."

 

"Look what? I just invited you to play."

 

"Be careful not to slip, Phoon," North shouted. I quickly grabbed the railing to keep from falling. Everything was covered in ice.

 

"Damn, what if you fall and crack your head? Watch the road!" North said.

 

"You don't have to be so angry."

 

"Ter, help him stand up properly."

"Come on, Phoon, before Dad gets even angrier."

"Is the North my father?"

 

"Yes, I am your father."

 

"Why?"

 

"I don't know, I just say it. Call me Dad."

 

"Dad, buy me some candy," I said to North, playfully shaking his jacket. He immediately sighed.

 

"I have nothing to eat, son."

 

When the staff saw us about to slip, they came to our aid because it was dangerous to do it alone. They told us to sit on the wheel, then they pushed North first, because I was still a little scared. After seeing North slide safely, I sat on the wheel behind him. It was weird, but fun, as he slipped, until Ter slipped and bumped into me.

 

"Why did you hit me?"

 

"I can't turn or brake."

 

"Does it hurt?" North asked. I slowly got up from the tyre.

 

"It doesn't hurt. It's just the tyres colliding again!"

 

It was a bit sticky and soft. Since there were no cars, we had to continue on foot. As we walked, we saw a bird sanctuary, so we went straight in. The interior looked like an artificial forest. I could hear the birds, but I couldn't see them.

 

"Where are the birds?" asked North, looking around.

 

"On a tree without leaves."

 

"I didn't see anything. I just saw a goose."

 

"I saw them and I wanted to eat foie gras," Ter said. This made North and I look at him.

 

"Why?"

 

"What kind of heart do you have? To see a goose and want to eat it. A goose?" North frowned and said, "Hey, birds, this fat guy wants to eat you. Run."

 

"North, you bastard, shut up!" Ter said, rubbing his back. Suddenly, I heard another bird call. I didn't know what kind it was, but it was flying overhead. I immediately raised my camera to snap a picture.

 

"Guys, I think I found a rare bird," North said. I turned to look at him. He nodded, and I quickly approached.

 

“Where?” I asked excitedly, moving closer to see that it was a chicken… a chicken?

 

"Oh, this is the poultry area, huh?" Ter said with a slightly annoyed expression.

 

"Oh, I paid for the zoo but only found one chicken. Maybe it's just hard to find," North said sarcastically. The oblivious chicken continued pecking at the papaya. We wandered around looking for birds until we were satisfied, then we left. "Where do we go now?"

 

“That’s all,” I said, pulling out the map I’d taken from the entryway.

 

“Listen to me, a guy like you shouldn’t be looking at a map,” Ter said.

 

"HEY."

 

"Focus on the camera," North said. "You have to keep an eye on him as you go. He can't get lost. If we lose Ter, we're in trouble. If I could, I'd tie him up with a rope."

 

"How cruel. You're so cruel, Dad."

 

"What? I'll hit you."

 

"You're always abusing your children." I pretended to pout a little.

 

"Oh, North, what kind of father are you? My son is about to cry."

 

"Oh, don't cry."

Excursions. Excursions.

 

"Then let me climb on your back."

"Yes!" Then North bent down and let me climb onto his back. I don't know why I was in such a weird mood, but I was excited. Most of all, I felt warm. It was nice to walk with them and be well cared for. "Run!"

 

"Okay, okay." North started running, but not very far. Then he turned to Ter and set me down. "Satisfied, boy?"

 

"I'm satisfied! But why isn't there a mother if there's a father?" I asked, pretending to be serious. "If there's a father, there should be a mother."

 

"Phoon, you say that because you want me to be your mother, right?"

 

"Okay, just for today."

 

"I don't want to be a mother. Can I just be a father? North, you're the mother."

 

"Just dream, I'm already your father and I don't want a wife like you."

 

"You must really want me as a girlfriend!"

 

“So I have two dads?” I suggested.

 

"Okay, okay."

 

"Oh, it's hungry."

 

“I have to get you something, okay?” North said.

 

"There's no need to offer me anything, just invite me to eat."

 

"Okay, let's wait for the bus," Ter said after looking at the map for a while. We waited for the bus and went down to the lunch area. I invited them to lunch, since they'd accompanied me to the cash register. Afterwards, we went to the aquarium.

 

“Starfish always look strange when I see them,” North said, peering into the clear water.

 

"They are like creatures that should not exist on Earth."

 

"They're called starfish. Have you ever studied biology?"

 

"What is biology?"

 

"He's so talkative, look at your dad. He doesn't even know biology."

 

"I just wonder why they call themselves that." North groaned softly. I silently agreed with his opinion. "So, what should I call you? Phoon, my son?"

 

"Yes, Dad!"

 

"Wow! Why do I suddenly have a child?"

 

“You must have gotten someone pregnant and been irresponsible,” Ter said.

 

"Isn't he your son too?"

 

"Yeah, maybe. Hey, kid, be nice."

 

“You don’t know whether to call me ‘boy’ or ‘Phoon,’” I said, laughing and taking pictures.

 

"Why don't you try calling Phi Fah 'Dad'?" Ter said. I immediately turned to look at him. How absurd! I remember last night and this morning when Phi Fah asked me what we were going to name our children.

 

"It's crazy!"

 

"Oh, look, it's turning red. Did you press the camera button correctly?"

 

"Dude! Stupid!"

 

"You used to call him 'Dad'."

 

"I won't do it again!"

 

We continued walking around the aquarium. Tired, we decided to wait for the zoo shuttle to return to the entrance. Shortly after, the vehicle arrived. As I watched the scenery pass by, my thoughts wandered. I glanced at Ter and North, who were also enjoying the view. Subconsciously, I smiled. I felt something warm fill my heart. The rain began to fall, making the atmosphere even colder.

 

“Thank you,” I said.

"Why?" asked Ter.

 

"Thanks for bringing me here. I've always wanted to come, but never had the chance. Thanks for playing with me," I said with a smile, but I didn't look at them directly because I was embarrassed.

 

"What are you talking about?"

 

"I don't know. Thank you for coming to pick me up that day, Ter. Otherwise, I don't know how I would have had friends like you. Thank you for always being there for me. I hated myself, I hated what I did, I hated myself so much I wanted to disappear. But you came along and told me you liked me for who I was. When I cried, you were there to hold my hand. When I was lost, you looked for me. On bad days, you made them better. Maybe I'm not that lucky, because I wasted all my luck finding friends like you."

 

"Phoon, Ter's crying," North said. I didn't look back because my eyes were full of tears. "I'm not crying!" Ter sobbed.

 

“Ter has always been sensitive,” North said.

 

"Without you, I wouldn't be the person I am today. What's wrong with me? Why do I feel so sentimental at the zoo?" I said, slowly wiping away my tears. "Come on, I don't want to talk anymore, or I won't be able to stop crying."

 

"Yeah, stop talking, you idiot!" Ter patted me on the back, making me jump. "You know I'm sensitive. Why did you make me cry?"

 

"I didn't mean to make you cry. I just wanted to tell you. Can't I be sentimental sometimes?"

 

"You don't have to say it. We already know! I'm very grateful."

 

"No, I'm more grateful."

 

"No, me."

 

"Phone, don't argue."

 

"Why are you arguing with me, Ter?"

 

“Hey guys,” North tried to calm us down, but we didn’t know what to do.

 

"Why are you arguing? What's wrong with you?"

 

"You're insensitive, North."

 

"What? Am I numb now?" North sighed. "I just wanted to say it's natural for friends to do so. We'll be together for a long time. And besides, if I cry, who's going to comfort you?"

 

"Wow, that's really profound, even if you're a bit of an idiot."

 

"Ter, what is that?"

 

"I was just kidding," Ter smiled shyly. "Thank you."

 

"For that?"

 

"For always being there to protect us. Whether it was when I was in trouble or when Phoon was hurt, you are our hero."

 

Ter remembers getting into trouble during his freshman year of high school, when he started befriending Phi Hill. A senior was making fun of him, and North was there. Instead of getting angry, Ter had to stop North from hitting her. After that, Phi Hill fixed the situation, and no one bothered Ter again.

 

Ter once said that North was angrier when Ter was picked on than when North himself was.

 

"YES."

 

"Eh, North is embarrassed."

 

"I'm not ashamed!"

 

"You're embarrassed. You're always rude to your friends," Ter teased. North frowned, his face slightly red.

 

“I don’t like sentimental things. Don’t do it,” North replied, turning away.

 

"Come on, you're embarrassed. You're our hero. You're always a positive energy for everyone. We should be together for a long time. Come on, tell us you love us."

 

I smiled broadly at that adorable moment. North may seem tough, but deep down, he's a softie.

 

"I won't tell!"

 

It's always like this with friends when they feel embarrassed.