Theory of Love

Special 2 Don't Tell Anyone We Did It

 

Mini special 1

 

What will happen if there's suddenly a nuisance after two people have sex?

 

"Khai, answer the phone."

Rrr...!

 

"Khai, answer the phone, hmmmmmmm."

 

A sleepy voice from under the blanket rushes me to find whatever is making it. Do they know what time it is? Don't they have a single idea what I'm doing right now? 

 

My wifey's body and mine are so exhausted that we can barely get up. No matter how much I tried to cherish Third last night, the second round on the bed and another round in the bathroom made Third doze off on the sink countertop at the end. I shouldn't've taken him to the bathroom. The balcony would've been more entertaining.

 

Rrrr....!

 

"Khai, pick up the phone now. It's annoying!"

 

"Yeah, doing it now."

 

I fumble for the phone I put in the cranny of the bed in annoyance. When I see Bone's name on the screen, I quickly pick up the phone and speak in an irked voice.

 

"What?" If it's nothing serious, I'll shout at him 'til his ears bleed.

 

[What the heck? You sound sleepy. Haven't you woken up?] 

 

This bastard asks cluelessly, so I look up at the clock on the wall at the end of my feet to give myself an answer.

 

"It's just eleven."

 

[You used the word just so mindlessly.]

 

"Why did you call me? Get to the point now!" 

 

I'm gonna cuddle my wifey. We went to bed at almost four in the morning. I want to get absorbed in this lovey-dovey moment now, and everything else can wait.

 

[About the short movie we talked with the senior, the brief is clear now, so Too and I think we should survey the location today.]

 

"Survey the location?"

 

[Hell yeah.]

 

"Can we do it another day?"

 

[Time is limited, plus we don't have much free time. I didn't call you so you can refuse. You have to come. We're meeting at two at Siam Ocean World.]

 

"I don't think I can go today. Third is..." I hadn't finished my sentence when the person beside me shamelessly snatched my phone. 

 

Are you my wifey or Quicksilver? You were so fast that I couldn't even catch a glimpse of the light flashed from your movement.

 

With the fresh power of the newly made wife in his hands, how can I oppose him? All I can do is watch the person under the blanket, talking on the phone, with only his messy black hair visible.

 

"Um, what's up? Where...? I can't be late, right..? Okay. Of course, I'll go. I'll meet you there...Okay, see you."

 

And he hangs up.

What was that? I'm confused. Everything happened so fast. Let's rewind the scene.

 

"Third, where are you going?" I ask in confusion as the person beside me gets up, his feeble body. His face is as pale as paper. I don't waste a second to get up and place my hand on his head to take his temperature. Good thing his temperature is normal. The pain on his face when he moves is the only thing indicating what we've been through last night.

 

"I'm gonna take a shower. We're meeting them at two, but Bone wants to eat at one."

 

"Hey, you won't go. You can't go."

 

"Of course, I can. This is work. It's our responsibility."

 

"But you're not feeling okay. I'll call those two and tell them you can't go." I reach out my hand to snatch my phone back, but Third won't let me have it. You're a human, not an Avenger. The fact that you act tough all the time doesn't mean you can't be weak. You never care about yourself. At the same time, I can't care about him.

 

"I can go. I'm okay."

 

"What are you thinking? Why are you so insistent?"

 

"I don't want anyone to know about what we did last night. Can we not tell anyone we did it?"

 

Don't tell anyone we did it?!

WTFFFFFFFFF?! 

 

Why would we do that, wifey? Our friends are only Too and that nosy Bone. Why would they tell anyone about us? If it somehow slips out of their mouths, it'll only spread among our close Comm Arts friends.

 

I've always thought he'd be okay with it if other people knew our relationship had taken a step further.

 

"Why can't we tell them?" I tilt my head, asking in frustration.

 

"I'm shy. I don't want those two to tease me."

 

"It's not a big deal."

 

"Come on, I'll tell them myself when I'm ready."

 

"Okay, I'll make up some excuse, but you have to rest here. Don't fool around outside."

 

"No way. It's the work I love," he says sharply, sternly holding my gaze, then he continues, "I want to take part in every step, plus I've wanted to do it for so long."

 

Listening to that, I can only accept it and rest my foot on my forehead. This fricking project belongs to seniors from a different faculty. They're Chen's friends. The thing is, those seniors formed an electropop indie band named Warm Clouds, with four members.

 

Here's the point: those seniors finished writing their songs three months ago and planned to release a single and the music video at the same time, so they needed a good production team with a low budget to film the MV and take photos for promoting. And, of course, that bear-like human, who's extremely busy after graduating, recommended the Extreme Gang as the main choice.

 

Third was thrilled to learn about this. He raced to their office to talk about the details, telling them he was ready to work once the brief was complete. What can I say? The fourth-year Film Kids thirst for challenges, dying to show everyone what they've got. We didn't have an exact appointment time until now, since there was no fixed plan. Why the hell does it have to be today?!

 

"Should we put this off? It's just surveying the location, not talking to the singer. We can do it another day." I still don't stop coaxing him to lie back down. I really want to give him a mirror so that he can see how pale his face is.

 

"We won't have time to do other things."

 

"I'm worried about you."

 

"Well, you're going with me. You can take care of me," he says and tries to get off the bed clumsily. He can't even walk straight. I don't want him to do anything anymore.

 

"Third, I'll help you. You can't take a shower alone like that!" I get up and follow him right away. Third, I usually catch the SkyTrain when we need to go to nearby places. But I don't think it's okay for my newlywed wife to squeeze into a crowded train. That's why we're going to use Khai's service, which is free because I'm the driver.

 

We head to the steak restaurant once we've arrived. Who came up with this place? My wifey can't eat now. It'll be bad for his stomach if he has indigestion. The most uncomfortable thing is I have to act as if nothing's happened. It can't slip out of my mouth. I can't speak about it, I can't act strange, I can't do any-fucking-thing.

 

And look at him walking. His legs are wide apart. I hurry to support him and look for our two dear friends waiting for us.

 

"Khai, Third." I turn to where the voice came from and see two Extremes wave at us from the corner of the restaurant. We walk towards them and halt when we see hard wooden chairs.

 

"Sit down. Why the hell are you two still standing?" Too rushes us to sit. The person next to me looks at me and gulps. Serves you right!

 

Look at my wifey's eyes. He's looking at me pleadingly, begging for help. Sensing how bad things could turn out, I suddenly asked him without any script.

 

"What's that smear on your pants? I didn't see it when we were leaving."

 

"A smear?" He looks at me, confused. Without wasting a second, I pull out a long-sleeved shirt from my backpack and tie it around his slim waist. At least it hurts less when he sits on this shirt.

 

What a national husband. Give me a Husband-For-All award.

 

"Sit down. Keep the shirt like that when we go out so that no one can see the smear."

 

"It looks unfashionable." Fuck you, Bone! This is not the time to be foul-mouthed.

 

Third doesn't seem to mind and sits down gently. I keep a close watch on his movements. He twists his face in pain for a split second and immediately holds it in. This is why I don't want him to come. The painkillers he took don't seem to help at all.

 

"Order your food. Both of us already did. It'll come soon." The menu on the table is pushed towards my wifey and me. I don't have any problems eating this, but Third can't eat steak...

 

"I'll order something light." The person with sweat dripping down his face nods. It breaks my heart to see him having such a hard time.

 

A waiter comes to take our order. I order my favourite and help my wifey choose. 

 

"Fish?" I ask for his opinion.

 

"Um."

 

"I'll get you some salad at the salad bar."

 

"I'm not that hungry," he mumbles.

 

"Then, he'll have a fish steak with mashed potato, and two bottles of water, please." I look up after ordering and see the person in front of me purse his lips.

 

"Eating fish is so unlike you. You always shoved chunks of meat down your throat."

 

"What's your problem? I just want to eat fish. It's good for your health. Meat is hard to digest. Is it bad that I want to take care of my health?" The person being questioned blurts out excuses, flustered. They'll know the truth because of your dramatic reaction, wifey.

 

"All right, you really look like someone who cares about his health. When did you get home last night, by the way?" Bone finds something else to talk about.

 

"A bit past midnight. The movie sucked."

 

"I told you." I'm always ready to rub your wound.

 

"Did you do something else after that? I mean, banging with Khai and stuff." You shithead! I almost dart forward to punch him on the mouth.

 

"What the fuck would we do? Are you nuts?" Third is fast to deny it.

 

"Khai said he wanted to do you. I thought you guys would already take a step forward."

 

"Nonsense. We both slept on our own. We woke up because you called us."

 

Stil....

"..."

 

"Is it right, Khai? When did you sleep last night?"

 

"Around one, I guess."

 

Still trying, my wifey. He even asked me a question. It's so fun to help each other lie, ugh!

 

"See? We didn't do anything."

 

"Okay, okay."

 

Do you think these two will believe us? I know we're screwed when I see their knowing eyes. Plus, a hickey I left below his ear stands out even though Third buttoned his shirt up to his neck.

 

How could our friends know? If it were me, I would notice it since he'd walked in with his legs wide apart like that.

 

"Don't change the subject. I was gonna ask about the brief. So?"

 

"Jamie called me at dawn to talk about the brief. As we knew, the name of the song is Wilaiporn." Damn, it reminds me of my teacher from grade 4.

 

"And?"

 

"The female lead is Wilaiporn. She broke up with her boyfriend and found new love with a guy, who is the male lead, in a sea animal lover group chat. The male lead also just broke up with his girlfriend. The concept is a new relationship with the images of their exes overlapping."

 

"But the name of the song is Wilaiporn."

 

"Yeah, it sounds like the name of the aunt next door. I sent the song to our group chat. Listen to it." Too clears our doubts just when his food is served.

 

I open our group chat and put my earphones in, listening to the song with Third as we wait for our food. I ask about how he's feeling at times, but he always says he's okay, so I don't want to annoy him with this question.

 

"I forgot to tell you where we're going. Today, we're going to Siam Ocean World, BTS Skywalk, and the rooftop. I contacted the senior. He rented a three-story house with a rooftop to hang clothes for his wife."

 

"Why are there so many places?" I wonder, but deep down, I'm actually worried about Third. He won't be able to go to every place.

 

"We need lots of footage and to edit them into one. Is anyone not okay about this? Is it you, Third?" Bone pressures us, but Third forces a happy smile.

 

"Of course, I'm okay. I'll give it my all."

 

"And stay with me during the afterglow this evening. I'm gonna take photos of the female lead at the pool."

 

"Where?"

 

"My condo. I've given permission to use the place and set the time." What a fast worker.

 

Since no one opposes him, we scoff our food hurriedly, take our stuff, and head to the aquarium. Third still does his job, taking photos and finding the right angles diligently until he's sweating. He keeps walking even though it's hard for him. I keep a close watch on whatever he does and his reactions.

 

"Rest if it hurts. Wanna sit here?" His lips are pale and chapped like waterless dirt. I keep holding out a bottle of water to him to sip at since I'm afraid he will collapse.

 

"Tell me if you feel uncomfortable."

 

"I know."

 

"Does your head hurt?"

 

"No."

 

"Your body?"

 

"A little." You shouldn't lie. Looking at his painful expression, even though he doesn't say it, I still know. I desperately want to take him back to our room, but he insists on working.

 

"You actually should stay in and rest today."

 

"You're at it again. You're nagging like my dad. This is not even hard work, plus there are lots of pretty fish." He holds up his camera and snaps shots repeatedly, ignoring my nagging.

 

Too and Bone split up and went to different zones to find spots where lights reflect and others that are perfect for the main scenes. We've never met the male and female leads. Too is the only one who has met them since he's also a photographer in charge of promoting photos.

 

We've spent over an hour here, then we move our troops to the crowded BTS station. We're there for a short time and drive to see the rooftop, where we're going to film the MV, without a break. Clothes are blowing. His wife must've ordered him to fill in the clothesline. Carmine panties blowing in the wind make this place so fucking romantic.

 

We were in a room with the AC on, then in the damp aquarium, and now we're under the sunlight on the rooftop. Besides my responsibility to find spots to film the MV, I have to be the national husband following my wifey everywhere in case he faints headfirst up here. Well, I don't want to carry a pig down the stairs. Khunpol is intimidated by its steepness.

 

"What a magic hour."

 

"Yeah."

 

"Wanna take a picture?" Too asks, but the way he's already held up his camera without waiting for the answer means, obviously, that I'm gonna have to be the model.

 

"Which posture?"

 

"Whatever. I'll take photos of you and Third." 

 

My dear friend gets down on one knee, holds his favourite camera up to his eyes, and starts snapping shots.

 

I take this chance to pull Third close to me and loosely wrap my arms around his waist. He flinches with just a slight touch. I don't know if it's his hips straining or what, since he's not saying anything.

 

"Smile. One, two...three..Say yeeeees." Who the hell would say yes to you?

 

Click!

 

"Change your posture."

 

"That's enough. The sun is bright. Let's go downstairs."

 

"Give me ten shots. Keep striking poses." Since the person next to me doesn't object to the idea, I strike all sorts of poses for him to choose from. Too smiles, satisfied, as he checks the photos, then walks towards Third with a worried look.

 

"Third, are you sick? Your face in the photos is as pale as a radish."

 

"Me? I'm fine. Maybe the light hit my face?"

 

"No. I'm serious here." Too raises his hand to touch Third's forehead, but I'm faster. I brush off his hand and put the back of my hand on Third's forehead instead. His temperature is normal, but my wifey's expression is really bad.

 

"I think we should go downstairs now. The sun is too bright up here."

 

"All right." My suggestion is accepted this time. Once we're downstairs, I drive to Too's condo immediately. There's a common swimming pool for tenants on the twentieth floor. But Too reserved it for three hours to shoot photos. He said the model is done with the makeup and costume for the theme they discussed. The sunlight is just perfect. He said he wanted to shoot at sunset and at night, so we had to adjust the lighting for him.

 

"Third, you sit there. Lie down if you're not feeling okay." There are many canvas chairs beside the pool, so I use this chance to tell him to rest.

 

"But I'm feeling okay."

 

"Your face doesn't look okay, nor does your body. Sit now. Don't worry me." He sulks but still does as I told him, then I go to the other side of the pool to help Too and Bone with the shoot.

 

"Too, let me ask you something."

 

"Go ahead."

 

"Who's the female lead of the MV? Have I seen her before?" He usually blurted out every secret with that big mouth of his, but why hasn't he given away anything this time?

 

"You might have seen her." His mouth moves, but he keeps looking down, hands cleaning the camera lens.

 

"Who?"

 

"You'll know when she's here."

 

"She goes to the same uni?"

 

"Our seniors prefer the familiar faces."

 

"Until when are you gonna keep the secret from me?"

 

"I'm not keeping any secret. There she is." This artistic dude purses his lips at the entrance. A female figure appears slowly in front of me. She's about five feet six, with fair skin, a pointed nose, and light brown hair which perfects her look.

 

With one quick look, I can tell she's much more beautiful than before. By before, I mean we have a history together. Right! She's my ex-girlfriend from my first year on campus. She was one of my first girlfriends, but we broke up pretty quickly because I found someone hotter just before our fifth month.

 

Today, the world brought us together again, even though we're from different faculties.

 

"Why didn't you tell me Mo took this job?" I whisper through gritted teeth.

 

"I was afraid you wouldn't approve."

 

"Shouldn't I know about it first? There are a hundred girls out there, why her?"

 

"It's true there are a hundred girls out there, but don't forget that ninety-nine girls are your exes. Should we change the female lead? It might be mine or Bone's exes this time." I have no words for our damn shittiness. I have to admit each of us has our own haunting pasts.

 

"Hi, Khai. Hi, Too," she greets in a sweet voice and walks towards us.

 

"Oh, hi."

 

"Shall we start? I have to go somewhere after this."

 

"Sure, let's get started."

 

"So you're ready with the makeup and costume, right?" Too asks just to make sure.

 

"Yeah. Let me put my things on the chair first." She strides towards the row of canvas chairs, where my wifey's sleeping on one.

 

Holy fuck....

 

I want to grab her, but I'm too slow, so I can only follow her from a distance worriedly. Mo wears a silky white flared skirt that really suits the atmosphere. Her pretty face is tinted with pink makeup, making her look sweeter than usual. Despite how much she's changed, I think Third will definitely remember her. "I'll put my stuff here. Oh, Third!"

 

He's woken uuuuuuup. My wifey has woken up. He opens his eyes drowsily. His face is still pale with no expression. He just gets up, looking sleepy, and finally meets the eyes of the person who just got here.

 

"Third, do you remember me?"

 

"It's Mo."

 

"Mo?" He still looks confused.

 

"Mo, Khai's ex-girlfriend. It's been a while. How are you doing?"

 

Mo, Khai's ex-girlfriend!

Mo, Khai's ex-girlfriend!!

Mo, Khai's ex-girlfriend!!!

 

No need to ask how he's doing. You should ask me how I'm going to die after hearing that sentence.

 

Waaaaaah, Mommy, come and help Khunpol. My ex and new lovers met. What do I do? To all the doomed people out there, make some noise!

 

Mini special 2

 

I feel so dizzy that I'm losing my balance. Since I can't force myself to walk around anymore, I lie down on a canvas chair. We've been working from afternoon to evening. I feel terribly sick from all the past hours that I worked with my not-in-perfect-condition body.

 

Then, a voice wakes me up. I don't know whose voice it is, but when I rub my eyes and look carefully, I see that a girl smiling at me is Khai's ex-girlfriend. Plus, the way she introduces herself now that we meet again makes me uneasy.

 

"Third... was asking me.

 

"Huh? Er, what did you say?" I was lost in thought. Now that I've caught myself, I don't even know what she said.

 

"It's all right. You must be really sleepy. I'll put my stuff here. We need to shoot before the light is gone." I look at the slender figure walking along the edge of the pool while Khai, who refuses to leave, looks at me quietly.

 

"Worried about something?"

 

"No."

 

"Your ex," I say. I don't read too much into it, though.

 

"Just... an ex."

 

"Why didn't you tell me Mo is the model? Did you try to hide it from me?" I narrow my eyes to get the truth out of him. I know there's nothing fishy, but I just want to know; I really do.

 

"I just knew about it as well. Too was afraid I wouldn't help, so he didn't tell me."

 

"I see."

 

"Are you feeling okay now? You don't look well."

 

"I'm fine. I'm strong, you know." I'm actually not feeling okay. As everyone knows, I'm the type of person who always forces himself and acts tough. If it's something I can handle, I'll force myself to do it. 

 

Like today, I did everything I'd always wanted to do, and it wasn't too much to handle. The thing is, my body can't handle it. If only I'd known the brief would be ready this fast, I wouldn't have let Khai do it no matter what.

 

"You go and help Too and Bone."

 

"You're not jealous, right?"

 

"Don't be stupid. We're grown-ups now." I wave him away. Khai nods, turns around, and walks towards those two. It doesn't require much to shoot the MV's teaser photos at night. We only need a wide aperture lens, a clip-on flash, and lighting. It doesn't actually need this many people. We're swarming here to give our support, period.

 

The shoot starts shortly after. The light is beautiful since the sun is about to set. Too's doing his job diligently. He sometimes tells Khai to help fix the model's costume and makeup.

 

"You're frowning. Jealous?" Bone is really good. He can make someone want to kick his ass and roll their eyes.

 

"Not at all. What about you? Not helping them?" 

 

“What's there for me to do? I'm gonna help them with lighting when it gets dark."

 

"Um."

 

"Are you feeling better?" He asks, but it's more of a nosy question since he doesn't look worried about me at all. "I'm fine."

 

"Yeah? You kinda walked strangely today. What's wrong with your legs?" My face is suddenly stern. Did you notice that?

 

"I worked out a lot last night."

 

"Did you work out indoors or in bed?"

 

"You prick, I followed the workout video."

 

"You watched porn?"

 

"Arrigh!"

 

"Are you possessed, Third? Why do you have to be angry? Are you hiding something?"

 

"If you ask one more question, I'll punch your jaw off."

 

"Just admit you had sex with Khai. Why do you have to keep it from your friends?"

 

Thung! My face was stern, but now I'm so flustered. Is it that obvious? I tried to walk as normally as I could, and I covered every kiss mark on my body under my shirt. Or...

 

"It's fricking red below your ear. He must have sucked it hard."

 

WHAT THE FUUUUUUCK?! Khai, you bastard. Waaaaah, I want to report this to the Foundation for Children and Women, but I forgot I'm a guy. I asked him before leaving if there was something that shouldn't be seen, but he didn't tell me anything, so I thought I was in the clear when actually...

 

"Can you not say that?" With this clear evidence, I can only admit it unwillingly.

 

"Why are you embarrassed? It's a natural thing. We would've been more worried if you guys hadn't done it after going out for so long."

 

"I didn't want you guys to tease me; that's why I didn't tell you."

 

"Of course, we're gonna tease you. Aren't you used to it?" Uh, that's true. "How many times did you do it last night?"

 

".." I say nothing, my face suddenly feeling hot.

 

"I guess Khai must've done it at least two times. Three if he'd been suppressed it. Well, did it hurt when it went in?"

 

"Why do I have to answer your dirty question?!" This punk keeps getting on my nerves, so I yell at him so loud that those who are working from a distance turn around.

 

"I'm your friend. Is it bad that I want to know?"

 

"It hurt, of course, or else I wouldn't walk with my legs wide apart like that."

 

"Awwww. Why did you let him do it if it hurt? I understand if you were reluctant for the first round. But round two and round three? I just don't get it"

 

"Sometimes it's not only about pain."

 

"Gotcha! You just admit you guys did it three times."

 

"Cockhead."

 

"Hee hee, mine is pretty big, though."

 

"Go to hell." My head hurts so much it's about to burst. This fucktard interrogated me 'til I feel bare naked. I kinda hold a grudge against him now. If one day, Bone introduces his girlfriend, whom he wishes to have a serious relationship with, to us, I'll tell her about his shittiness in detail until they break up.

 

"Normally, couples who have sex for the first time together always end up staying in bed for days. It's really weird that you got up and walked around like a superhero."

 

"I'm a tough guy." That's a lie. You should walk in my skin, and you'll know what it's like to feel terribly hurt as if your body is about to break.

 

"That's my buddy. Keep being tough, dude."

 

"Of course, I will."

 

"But your face is pale right now, and your body starts to warm up. Did you bring any medicine?" I shake my head. I secretly took the last one at lunch because I didn't know my friends would have to work this late, and it doesn't seem like the shoot will be done anytime soon.

 

"Are you hungry? I have food in my room."

 

"I'm all grown up. I'll eat with Khai at our room after this." Bone reaches out his hand to rub my hair affectionately. Then, his new phone starts ringing. He turns his handsome face to me, lifts his eyebrow playfully, and shows me someone's name on the screen.

 

"Hi, honey." He leaves me as soon as he picks up his phone.

 

'Honey 16'

 

Damn, I almost can't hold up my tears. Bone often told me his secrets. His 'honey' is his lovers. I remember there were only nine girls on his list. How could he score sixteen now? This is nuts. I feel really bad for your future wife.

 

It's gotten quiet again after that gabby dude fled to flirt with his honey. I look straight at the other side of the pool and get up with my legs still trembling a little.

 

I'll really fall sick if I continue lying down, so I have to gain my strength by walking around, though I'm still feeling a bit unwell.

 

"Third, why are you here?" Khai asks as soon as I've reached the shoot.

 

"I'm bored, and you know it's unhealthy to sleep in the evening."

 

"You'll get sick."

 

"Everything's fine. Stop exaggerating. Let's see if there's anything I can help with?"

 

"Not right now. Let me check the photos for a sec." Too suddenly takes a break. He spends his time on the camera's screen, looking through the photos he took. Mo comes and joins him.

 

"The smile just now was really good but not very natural. We'll do this shot again."

 

"Okay, but can I take a look at the last set?"

 

"Sure. I'll be right back. Gotta pee." And the top-notch photographer runs away...

 

Dead silence fills the air. Khai is in the middle, surrounded by me, his boyfriend, and Mo, his ex. I don't know if she knows Khai and I are dating. We've been studying in different faculties. We've been apart and lost contact for a long time. There must be some things she doesn't know.

 

"Khai, look at this photo."

 

"Hm...?" After being called, he looks at me as if asking for permission. I nod in approval. Mo is smiling happily. She's checking the photos from a big DSLR camera in her hands. She vaguely resembles a female lead starring in a cheesy MV.

 

"This photo is similar to the one you once took for me. The light is just the same."

 

".."

 

The old coal is still hot, waiting to be lit up again”

 

Give Techaphon some water. I need two basins to splash on the burning flame.

 

"Too did a better job." Huh, you didn't even try to avoid your past.

 

"Hey, this one's also good. Khai, how I look now and before, which one is better?"

 

"Now, I guess."

 

"Why?"

 

"You're much prettier than before." Argh, excuse me, am I a third wheel or something? I think I really am, so I speak immediately.

 

"I’ll go and get Too. He's gone for quite some time now."

 

"Don't go anywhere. Well, Mo, do you know I'm dating Third?"

 

"...!!!" Is this how you're gonna doooooo?!

 

"I heard about it, but I thought it was just a rumour."

 

"No, it's true."

 

"Uh, I think I'll go and get Too." I quickly change the subject, trying to flee from the crisis, but I'm held back by a big hand.

 

"No need to. Look! There he is." The tall figure points at the target. Seeing my shabby-looking best friend scratch his dick, heading towards us, I heave a sigh of relief. At least it won't be awkward anymore.

 

No one mentions the relationship between Khai and me. Mo also doesn't bring up the topic and continues doing her job as a model. The shoot continues until the sun has set. It's time for Bone and Khai to do their main job-arranging lights and changing the lens and flash. I help with trivial tasks, like fixing the model's hair or pulling her skirt above the camera's line of sight so it flutters. Now, I'm distributing water.

 

I look down at my watch several times. Since Too told us to get this done in one go so we could split and leave, nobody has been able to eat anything until now. I'm not hungry, but I'm worried about my friends. All I want after getting back home is to bury myself under the blanket and get a good sleep.

 

I don't know why, but I'm feeling hot and cold. I feel so dizzy despite not sweating. Maybe I've really gotten sick.

 

"Hey, Mo's face is getting oily. Pat powder on her face." Too's voice reaches my ears.

 

"The powder is on the canvas chair. Wait a second."

 

"It's all right, I'll get it."

 

"Third, you don't have to." Khai's deep voice stops me, but I shake my head, saying I'm fine. He has to take care of the lighting. I don't want him to waste his time doing trivial stuff.

 

I jog to the canvas chair, open a leather bag, and grab the powder. I turn around and walk back towards everyone, but I can't jog this time because I can feel myself unable to walk in a straight line. The ringing in both of my ears makes me halt and shake my head to steady myself.

 

Maybe I turned around too fast. My vision starts getting blurry as if my eyes are covered with thick fog, and then...

 

SPLASH!!!

I barely grasp the idea of what happened. Before I knew it, my body crashed on cold water in the pool all of a sudden.

 

"Huahh!" I struggle to swim as best I can to survive.

 

Everything happens so fast. I drown in the water, my eyes and nose stinging. I try kicking my legs to get myself above the water, but it doesn't work. My legs hurt, and my body goes numb. I couldn't even walk, so how the hell can I swim right now?

 

I suddenly feel suffocated and scared. I can't help myself as my head bobs up and down the surface. look at the people shouting at the edge of the pool. My head is blank. All I know is I need someone to help me before I lose my strength and drown.

 

"Third!" The last voice heard is Khai's. I open my eyes, looking at the surface as I sink to the bottom of the deep pool. But, with my eyes stinging from the water, I can still see that Khai jumps into the water as his life depends on it.

 

"Back off, you fuck. Third! Third!" I call the name of the person lying still on the ground after jumping into the water and carrying this pale figure up. He's soaking wet. His face is so pale that I'm worried. I try patting his face several times, but he's still unconscious.

 

"Unbutton his shirt." I do as my friend said right away. I unbutton his shirt from the first button at his neck down to the ones on his chest, revealing his pale skin full of my kiss marks, but this is not the time to care about that.

 

Too comes in to do chest compressions a few times until Third chokes out the water pitifully.

 

"Waaaah." He cries indecipherably, trembling like a puppy falling into the water. I have to bring him back to his senses for quite a while before I can grasp what he's saying.

 

The moment I saw him fall into the water, my heart froze. It was all white in my head. I didn't even know what to do. My body reacted automatically, and before I knew it, I already jumped into the water to pull Third into my embrace.

 

"Third, are you okay?" Bone asks, looking as terrified as I do.

 

"I’m fine."

 

"You're not fine right now. Guys...we'll leave first."

 

"Wanna use my room? At least get a towel and change his clothes first." Too suggest.

 

"It's all right, I want to take him back to our room as fast as possible. If it gets worse, I'll take him to the hospital nearby. Sorry for not helping 'til the end." 

 

Seeing my friends nod in understanding, I look down, button his shirt roughly, then carry the shaking person to our room right away.

 

I don't remember what speed I drive at. Once we've reached our room, I take off his clothes and carry him to the bed immediately. His frowning eyebrows, chapped lips, and face twisting in pain worry me even more. I quickly wipe his body and change his clothes.

 

"Third, you have to eat." He opens up his eyes, shaking his head.

 

"Not hungry....

 

"You need to eat so that you can take the medicines."

 

"I want to sleep. It's cold." I didn't set the temperature high, but Third doesn't look okay right now because he can't stop shaking, even though he's covered with two blankets I brought.

 

"I'll feed you. Lie down."

 

"I'm fine. I really am. I'm very strong."

 

"How long are you gonna lie to yourself?"

 

"I'm fine. I don't want to be anyone's burden. I don't want to be your burden," he says with tears falling down his cheeks. What do I do now? My wifey's crying, damn it. I can't do anything but pull him into a hug and stroke his back in comfort as if he's a kid.

 

"You fell into the pool. My heart shattered when I saw that. How can you say you're fine?"

 

"You're not my burden, Third. I'm doing this willingly." Plus, I'm the one who caused him to be like this. "Let's eat." 

 

Instant congee with egg is enough to feed a sick person. He starts whining after finishing less than half a bowl, whimpering 'no more' and about to cry again.

 

"Take the medicines. Tell me how you're feeling. I'll take you to the doctor if you're not feeling okay."

 

"I want to sleep."

 

"Do you have a headache?"

 

"A little."

 

"Tell me the truth."

 

"My head's throbbing."

 

"Do your hips hurt? What about that part?" He bobs his head down, nodding shyly. I had a look at it when I rubbed his body, and it's a relief that it wasn't as swollen and bruised as I thought.

 

"Should we go see the doctor?"

 

"No, I'm gonna take these medicines now." 

 

Though he's whimpering, not wanting to see the doctor, he still takes painkillers, penicillin, and aspirin obediently. And I let him rest. I constantly check his temperature on his forehead and neck. I change the water and wipe his body every three to four hours. I won't get to sleep tonight because after taking a shower, I have to be Techaphon's personal servant, taking care of him right by his side.

 

In the middle of the night, he bawls in a shaking voice that it's so cold as if he's in Alaska. I hold him, cuddling him tightly, but can you imagine how much effort a person puts all his effort into it? I am kicked off the bed at dawn with my wifey cussing, complaining that it's hot.

 

You traaaaaaaash, you feel hot and cold so suddenly that I can't guess your mood. But seeing his forehead beaded with sweat, I feel so relieved. His face was pale last night, but now his cheeks are a bit rosier. I don't have to find a new wife anymore since this one is tough and will probably stay with me for a long time.

 

I wake up early, wipe Third's body with a wet cloth, change his clothes again, and then prepare instant congee and the medicines for him to take this morning. It's the same as yesterday but still delicious. You know why? Because all I have to do is pour boiling water. 

 

НАНАНАНАНАНА.

 

"Here's your congee. Right here at your bed, wifey."

 

"Is it edible? Did you make it with your feet?"

 

"You're being a pain in the neck now that you've gotten better. You were shaking as if you were possessed last night."

 

"Fuck off."

 

Rrrrr...!

My phone's ringing. It's Too. I talk to him for a while before he hangs up. When I turn around to the person leaning his back on the pillow, I find that I've been watched all this time.

 

"Too called me. I'm gonna go out for a sec." I tell him the truth.

 

"Out?"

 

"Yeah."

 

"Um..." He doesn't ask where I'm going, but his voice sounds so sad. "Can you stay alone?"

 

"Of course, hack-hack." Huh! He even coughs. He didn't even cough once before.

 

"Are you sure you're okay?"

 

"My head aches a little. But you should hurry up and go. Hack... hack."

 

"Why are you coughing this much? Are you really okay?"

 

"I am. Go if you want."

 

What a mood. The way he tries to get my attention makes me want to kick his ass. Is he pouting because he's gonna cry? Aw...Khai's darling. Actually, he's so damn cute when he's sick.

 

"It won't take long."

 

“I know. I'm just sick; my head hurts, my body's sore, and I don't have an appetite. It's nothing much."

 

"Third."

 

"I'm just not feeling well."

 

"Listen."

 

"It's cold.."

 

"I'm going downstairs, to the minimart."

 

“..."

 

"I'm gonna get your wallet you left at the side of the pool from Too."

 

"Oh, yeah?"

 

"Yeah, I'm not going anywhere far."

 

"You didn't tell me."

 

"You didn't ask. By the way, have you stopped coughing?"

 

"No... not really. Hack, hack."

 

"Is it still cold?"

 

"It's cold.."

 

"Pull up the blanket."

 

I have to bow down to this newly made wife. He can make such a big fuss even when he's sick. No need to ask how he'll be in his normal state. I'm not scared of whatever the hell will be thrown at us anymore. My wifey is as tough as a rock. I guarantee it!

 

By the way, the secret we tried to keep has failed! Our friends knew about it for a long time, but when did it become clear? When my wifey fell into the water, and I unbuttoned his shirt, his skin was so red that we couldn't see his real skin colour.

 

Good thing he was unconscious; otherwise I'd be scolded till my ears melted, amen.

END