Proofreader: SMV2454

I drove out of Bangkok and when we reached Nakhon Pathom, Kluen took over the driving. Along the way, we chatted about various things. He teased me and made some cheesy comments, prompting me to curse back at him playfully. He would laugh in a good mood, clearly a bit of a psycho.

"Peem, are you hungry? Should we stop at a gas station?"

"Yeah, that sounds good. I'm starting to get tired."

"Take it easy. Just sit still and don't complain. I'm the one who's going to be tired."

"Don't scold me, or I'll be exhausted." I closed my eyes and made a faint voice sound like someone who has no energy to annoy Kluen. He shook his head, unable to handle it. Haha.

As soon as the car stopped, he ran to the bathroom and ordered me to buy snacks for him without giving me any money. I picked out some snacks, Pepsi, Brand, M-150, Cheese Bites, and various other drinks and snacks. I didn't forget to grab someone's favorite honey-flavored Bear Brand milk. Heh heh.
While waiting for Kluen, I stood in the 7-Eleven reading a gaming magazine. I didn't want to wait outside because it was scorching hot. After a while, I heard a knock on the window. Kluen was standing there, smiling handsomely, with a cigarette in his hand. He didn't smoke it in the bathroom.

"Want one?"

"Go ahead, I'm too lazy to spit out my gum." I declined the cigarette he offered. Kluen looked at the 7-Eleven bag in my hand.

"Why did you buy so much? I thought you weren't hungry."

"The dog ordered it, so I got a lot."

"Heh heh, thank you very much," he said, pushing my head playfully. He threw away the half-smoked cigarette and got into the driver's seat.

"Hey Kluen, let me drive. Let's switch."

"Just sit there and look handsome. I'm too lazy to give directions."

Hey, I'm not that dumb, you know.

"It's great traveling with you, so comfortable," I said, raising my eyebrows at Kluen as I buckled my seatbelt.

"Dating with me is even more comfortable. I'll take good care of you."

"Then I'd rather be uncomfortable. Damn, you keep flirting. If I could get pregnant, I'd probably have a dozen kids by now."

"Heh heh, if the kids looked like me, would Phum take care of them? Haha."

I laughed along with him, "He'd probably kill both me and the kids." I said, shuddering at the thought.

[T/n: They all seem very interested in the omega Peem version.]
...
..
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When we arrived at the accommodation, I understood a lot of things. I thought we were going to camp somewhere, but it turned out to be a business owned by the Yodsawatin family. They probably booked the whole hotel and temporarily stopped accepting other guests. Are we here for a camp or a trip, P'Jet?

This afternoon's program is to take the kids to draw at the Mueang Sing Historical Park. When we arrived, P'Jet gave an opening speech for the camp. The purpose of the camp is to let art-loving high-school students participate in activities together and see what it's like to study fine arts and architecture, which is different from pharmacy or medical camps that are more academic.

Our camp is more relaxed and chill (and a bit nonsensical), but what the kids will gain are friends, friendships, and impressions. They'll also find out if they truly love the smell of paint, glue, pencils, and canvases, and if they really want to study art.

The kids who came today are quite similar to us. Each one seems to have their own world, hehe. We seniors and juniors quickly became close because we're all very artistic (to the point of being eccentric), so it's easy to talk. I should add a ps. that each kid is extremely mischievous.

Now, the kids are spreading out to find their favorite spots to draw. There will be a mentor to accompany each one, and my mentee's lifespan probably won't end naturally.

"Hey, Phi, why is your name start with พ, not ภ*?" Ai Water, the junior, stopped paying attention to the paper in front of him and turned to ask me, who was drawing nearby. His face is so Chinese, yet his name is Water. Your name isn't much better than mine.

[*both letters make the sound /p/.
พีม -> ภีม (dreadful, fearful, horrible) 😂 I'm pretty sure Nong Water is an art person.]

"Oh, it matches my real name, Peem, Peeranat. Also, my mom said this name is auspicious, which works like a dog repellent spell. But I guess it's not." I said, teasing him. He messed with the wrong person.

"Wow, you're being too harsh. Handsome people are so annoying."

"Hey, if you weren't really shameless, you wouldn't dare to show off your tail like that. You're the best, Water."

"P'Peem, you have a foul mouth."

"Disrespectful! Just draw." Water stopped teasing me and went back to focusing on drawing the stone castle.

As for the bothers Code, they weren't far apart. Just now, Toey channeled the spirit of Aum Patcharapa (Thai actress) and called Chan, chatting sweetly. Q kicked a paint can that almost hit Green's head. Green screamed so loud that the stone castle almost collapsed. She cursed Q's nine generations of ancestors, making everyone laugh. And after a while, when Q's girlfriend called, Toey made dog and cat noises nearby.

The ringtone of the song "This Person" blared along with the picture prominently displayed on my phone screen. It was a picture of me being forced to kiss Phum's cheek. Phum set it as his wallpaper and desktop background, but I'm not that bold, so I set it as the picture for when he calls.

"Hey, your boyfriend's calling!"

"Just keep drawing, Nong Annoying!" I walked away to talk on the phone, away from my mantee who was trying to tease me.

"Hello, Phum."

(Why did you take so long to answer? What were you doing?)

"Nothing, just letting you listen to the ringtone."

(Beep beep, that's your ringtone?)

"Yeah, why not? It's classic. Don't you like it, Phum?"

(Haha, don't mess with me. Seriously, where are you? What are you doing? With whom?) He really emphasized the "with whom."

"I'm at the Muang Sing Historical Park, drawing with the kids. Wanna join us, Nong Phum?"

(Go, go away, go to where you want to go, my love.)

"You asshole, are you cursing me?" I kicked the dirt and grass. For some reason, I can't stay still when talking to Phum on the phone.

(Heh heh, no, Ai monkey. So, what have you been doing? Are you tired?)

"Not tired. Just drawing with the kids."

(Sounds fun.)

"It's super fun. No need to be out in the hot sun measuring roads and bridges like you guys. Haha."

When I visited Phum at his faculty, I saw him and his friends measuring roads with their equipment. I felt tired just looking at them, but civil engineers are important for the country, building the nation (build roads). Haha.

(Oh, you like comfort. Can't stand the sun, so you want to be with an architect, huh?)

"Something like that. Being with an engineer is tough, you know, Phum."

(Honey, are you tired having me as your boyfriend?)

[smv2454: I felt myself melting when I heard honey despite knowing the tone behind it😮‍💨]

"Haha, Phum, you idiot. If I were drinking water, I'd choke. Haha. Do you know Mike Phiromphorn?"

(Of course, why wouldn't I? His songs are famous. I hear Pan singing them often.)

I laughed so hard that tears came out, and Nong Water turned to look at me, so I had to walk further away to talk. If Pan sang, it wouldn't be a big deal. We all know how he is. But imagining Phum singing this song is hilarious.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Honey, are you tired (เหนื่อยมั้ยคนดี) by Mike Phiromphorn

[Let's follow Peem's instruction, listen to this song while drinking water, trying to imagine Phum (/Pond) singing this song... How many people choke?]

(Haha, stop laughing, Ai monkey. I have something important to tell you.)

"What? Are you going to ask me to marry you? Haha, a hundred million dowry."

(You're delusional, Shorty. You're getting crazier every day.)

"Just adding some color to life. Otherwise, you'd get bored of me."

(Color (sĕe-săn) or Srithanya* (sĕe-tan-yá-yaa) ... I forgot what I was going to say. Damn. That's it for now.)
[* a mental hospital]

"What? We just started talking."

(I'm going to watch Pokémon.)

"You always do this. You always choose cartoons over me. Go f*ck Pikachu."

(Haha, f*ck Pikachu? What if it electrocutes me with electricity?)

"You buffalo. You can think of that? Alright, that's it. Call me tonight. Bye."

(Haha, bye, my crazy love.)

[T/N: Both of you, please stop. I have a male friend whose nickname is Pikachu 😭]

...
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Tonight, there's a music party in the garden, courtesy of the youngest son of the Yodsawatin family. Q was also secretly complaining about P'Jet telling everyone who he is. He wants to be a hero behind the scenes who does good deeds without seeking recognition.

The music event will start at 8 PM. It's just past 6 PM now, so it's time to relax. Q and I were lying with our arms and legs spread out on the bed, while the other two people who would share the room with us are Toey and Kluen. Kluen was taking care of the stage with the seniors as part of his duties. As for the little shit Toey, he was probably running around or visiting his friends in the next room. Who said he would take care of me? I'll tell Phum to take back the money.

But nothing is as worrying as my friend lying next to me, sighing. We haven't talked much today because we've both been busy.

"What's wrong? You're sighing like you're carrying the weight of the world."

"Yeah, I'm about to go crazy."

"Crazy about what? Did Toey lose his virginity to Chan?"

Slap

"Damn it, Q, that hurt."

[T/N: I won't pity you, Peem 😂 You deserve it.]

"Your mouth is really filthy, you know that, little dwarf? Damn, Mr. Popular among the good-looking guys. Don't think I wouldn't dare tell Phum na."

"Tell him what? I didn't do anything."

"Just because you didn't do anything doesn't mean Kluen isn't thinking about it. Phum is not like everyone else. If he gets jealous, he might kill your whole family."

"Yeah, he knows. They fought yesterday."

"In this battle, Kluen is sure to lose. Phum will have you all to himself, KaPeem." Similar to the tale of Nang Kaki, damn it.

[*Kaki Klon Suphap (Thai: กากีกลอนสุภาพ) is Thai narrative poem, telling the tale of Nang Kaki (Lady Kaki), a stunningly beautiful palace consort who through coincidences and misfortune, ends up having to consort with various different male characters. In modern Thai slang, the term kaki (กากี) carries negative connotations, and is used as a derogatory term to describe a promiscuous woman who has relations with many men.]

"And you too, my friend. Go and reclaim Toey. Announce to everyone that you are the best man." Q and I laughed like crazy and then lay quietly, staring at the chandelier on the ceiling.

"My love is so amazing, don't you think, Peem? From the days with Nompan until now, I've fallen in love with the same person twice."

"So you're saying, no matter how many times you fall in love, it's still him?"

"Something like that."

"Damn, that's so cheesy!"

"Yeah, super cheesy. By the time I realized it, he had already become my best friend's boyfriend."

"Hasn't Toey told you yet that......."

"Hiaaaaa, let's play cards." Toey jumped in between me and Qand got smacked on the head twice by his Phi Q.

"Ouch, you hit Toey again. It hurts na, you know."

"What's your problem? Learn to knock before you come in."

Toey sat down with his legs spread, pouting and rubbing his forehead. "Why knock? It's just you and Hia Peem in this room. And Hia Kluen isn't here. Or are you and Hia Peem..."

Slap, slap. Q and I hit him at the same time.

"What the hell are you thinking? I'd rather f*ck a monitor lizard (Ai Hia) than Peem."

You son of a bitch, Q. Go to hell!!! How can you prefer a lizard over me?

"What if it was Toey?"

Wow, is Fang possessing you, Toey? Q was speechless.

"Didn't you say you liked Toey?"

"So what? You like me, I like you, but you're my friend's boyfriend, and I already have a girlfriend."

"Ignore your girlfriend. Toey's been hurt for years. Let her hurt for once. She won't die."

You're amazing, kid. I've never seen anything like this in my life.

"You... haven't changed at all, Nompan." Q was more stunned than amused. Sometimes Toey's answers are too straightforward, I think. Haha.

"Yeah, it's good to speak frankly like this, but can we talk about this later? How are we going to sleep tonight?"

"You're being dumb again, my friend. How do we sleep? We sleep on the bed, Khun Peem."

"I mean, who is going to sleep with whom? Four people and two beds." Q and Toey looked at each other. Well, I know you guys want it.

"Toey promised Hia Phum that I would take care of Hia Peem, so Toey will sleep with Hia Kluen."

"No way." I don't think I need to tell you whose voice that was.

"Hmm."

"Uh."

"You're possessive of Toey, aren't you?"

"You're more cunning than I thought, Toey." I pushed Toey back onto the bed, and Q quickly covered his face with a pillow until Toey struggled.

"Hey, Q, enough, or he'll die." This guy is so rough.

"I'm annoyed. If I lose my temper, I'll attack* you."
"Nah, attack me then, I'm not scared. Toey will tell Hia Fang and Hia Chan." Toey, with messy hair, got up, hugged the pillow, and stuck his tongue out at Q.

[*ปล้ำ 1. Wrestle 2. (slang) Rape]

In the end, those two got to sleep together on a bed and pillows. Should I go find some rose petals to arrange in a heart shape on their bed for them?

[T/N: Yeah, I can help you with that.]
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The music event in the garden tonight was fun and impressive. The performances by the younger ones, the quirky games by the older ones, and the outstanding host, Green, who has already established herself as the daughter-in-law of the Yodsawatin family. However, she occasionally sneaks her affection towards Kluen.

[T/n: 😂 Grass on both sides are Green's.]

"Peem, want to go for a walk?" Kluen nudged me. Today, he was the event's photographer. A'Green even publicly declared that she wanted to do a nude photoshoot with Kluen. Haha.

"Yeah, sure." I was going to tell Toey that I was going for a walk, but he was busy looking for food around the event, and Q was getting ready to sing with the younger ones.

Kluen led me quite far from the event, but it wasn't dark because there were torches lit at intervals. The cool breeze carried the sweet fragrance of frangipani flowers all around.

"Are you taking me out here to kill me?"

"To rape you, actually."

"That's nice, in the middle of nature."

"Hehe, let's sit over there."

Kluen and I sat quietly, soaking in the good atmosphere. The sky was full of twinkling stars tonight.

"The weather is nice."

"Yeah, it's like at my home."

"Chiang Mai, right?"

"Yes, the weather there is nice, and the scenery is beautiful. At night, I like to look at the stars like this. Talking about it makes me miss my parents."

"Then why don't you go home? It's the holidays now."

"Well, I'm at the camp. I plan to go to Chiang Mai after the camp."

"Have you told your boyfriend yet?"

"Oh, right. I haven't told him yet. I'm going to get scolded for sure."

"Hehe, you two are really cute."

I turned to look at Kluen, but he was focused on the pictures in his camera.

"..."

"..."

"Kluen, why do you... like me?"

"...I don't know either." Kluen stopped paying attention to the camera and turned to look at me instead. "It's like you have happiness all around you. When I'm near you, I feel good too. Maybe you radiate happiness." He smiled at me before looking up at the stars. I didn't know what to say, so I stayed silent.

"Peem, have you ever wondered why, even though we have two eyes, two arms, two ears, two kidneys, two livers, and two lungs, we only have one heart?"

I slowly thought about what Kluen said. Yeah, it's true.

"Yeah, why is that?" Kluen smiled at me, his eyes sparkling but looking a bit sad.

"Because we have to find another heart to pair with ours. But for me, I might only get the chance to meet it, not to have it."

[T/N: 😥 Oh Kluen, I'm sure there are many ladies here who would love to pair with you.]

"Well, it's better than not finding it at all." I patted Kluen's shoulder to encourage him.

"Peem, I really like you. It might make you uncomfortable, it might cause problems with your partner. I'm really sorry. When I found out you were taken, it's not that I didn't try to move on. I tried. I told myself to think of you as just a friend, to stop liking you. But it hurts so much. The more I see you, the harder it gets. I'm not asking you to like me back. I don't want you to break up with Phum to be with me. I just want to love you... Can I?"

"Of course, Kluen. You can love me. But if one day it hurts too much to bear, you have to love me as a friend."

Kluen smiled widely, even though his sad eyes were filled with tears.

"Thank you, Peem. Because you're like this, how can I not love you? Sigh, the first time I loved a man, and I got rejected. Won't you reconsider, Khun Peem? Handsome, rich, smart, and outstanding in activities like me are rare, you know."

"Phum is handsome too."

"Yeah, it's always Phum. I'm jealous."

"Hehe, you're dreaming. Let's go back to the event."

In the past, I hadn't experienced love. I didn't understand why so many people smile, laugh, cry, feel happy, and feel sad because of just one word: love. Now I know that if you haven't experienced it yourself, you can't understand it.

Love and feelings can't be controlled. If we could control our minds to decide who to love or not to love, love would be like anger, hunger, or sleepiness—just another emotion that we could easily suppress. If that were the case, love wouldn't be any different from other feelings. It wouldn't be more special than anything else, and it wouldn't have the significance that makes everyone in the world want to know it, even though it's the hardest thing to understand.

TBC >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>