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It's been two months since I've been living in Chiang Mai. Two months of staying with my parents to the point where we won't miss each other anymore. Dad said, "When will your term start, Maew? I'm sick of seeing your face." Haha, he just pretends to be tough. When I go back to Bangkok, Mom says Dad mopes around for days.

During this time, I've been going to events with Dad, driving Mom to the Police Wives Association, and some days just lying around eating fruit at Grandpa's farm.

Every day has been happy, but sometimes I feel lonely because there are no mischievous friends here to tease me.But what bothers me to the point where it affects my daily life is the fact that I haven't heard from Phum for a whole week. Seven full days of waiting for a call.

Sometimes I daydream so much that Mom gets suspicious. I tried calling him, but couldn't get through. I even tried calling Fang, but it was the same. From worrying if something happened to him, I started feeling hurt. Why didn't he call back?

I'm not usually someone who gets easily upset, but I'm just not used to Phum not having time for me.

Some nights, I stay online and stare at my phone until almost morning. Tonight is the same. It's been pouring down since early evening, and it's almost 10 PM with no sign of the rain stopping. But no matter what, I'm still waiting for Phum.

I think back to the last day we talked. He asked if I had named the baby bear yet. I said I named it "Sickly" and he scolded me. Haha, he said I had no sense of living with teddy bears and made me turn on the camera.

(Peem, turn on the camera.)

"Nooo, I want to talk while lying down."

(But I want to see your face.)

"You saw it this morning. Why do you need to see it so often?"

I was negotiating with the person on the other end. I'd been arguing with Phum for about ten minutes. He wanted me to log into MSN and turn on the camera, but I was too lazy. I preferred rolling around on the bed.

(Hurry up, Monkey.)

"Alright, alright, I'll turn on the computer." In the end, I had to give in. "Don't laugh, Phum, you jerk." He was so happy to boss me around.

(Insulting your husband you won't get good luck.)

If that's true, Fang would be doomed for life because insulting Tan is his hobby.

"Idiot. Are you drunk on pizza or something?"

(Stop talking. Hurry and open it quickly. You're not only short but slow.)

"I'm quick, Phum, haha."

He scolded me again. As soon as I logged into MSN, Phum sent a camera request. He didn't even give my MSN a chance to settle. And then we saw each other, even though we were on opposite sides of the world. He greeted me by sticking out his tongue and giving a cheeky smile. But after a while, he started frowning, staring at me like he'd never seen me before.

(Peem, what did you do to your hair?) His voice was calm and cold, making my hair stand on end.

"I got a haircut. Cool, right?"

I tried to act confident. This was the real reason I didn't want to turn on the camera. In the afternoon, after talking to Phum, Mom begged me to get a haircut. She said it was messy and was afraid that if Dad came home late one night, he might mistake me for a burglar and shoot me.

I tried to explain that it was an artist's identity, the soul of an art student, that I was being myself, but Mom didn't listen. She even said, "It's your body, but I'm paying for your education. If you don't cut your hair, I'll cut you out of the inheritance." Oh well, how could I object? So, I had no choice but to get it cut. I was so disappointed. I'd been growing it out since my first year. It was almost long enough to tie up. I was going to be a long-haired guy.

Phum stared at me silently. He was another one who didn't like me altering my appearance. Last time, I secretly got my ears pierced, and he scolded me until my earring holes felt guilty. I didn't want him to know I got a haircut, but it was too late.

"Hey, say something, Phum. Don't just be quiet." I'm losing my confidence here.

(Who told you to cut it?)

"Mom told me to. She complained in the morning and in the evening, everyday. So I cut it in the end. I was going to tell you, but..." But I forgot, haha.

(You're not allowed to leave the house.)

"Is it that bad?" I grabbed a mirror to check. It looked okay to me. Why was Phum so serious about it? "It's not that bad. Don't you like it?" I tried to persuade the handsome guy with a stern face.

He squinted, crossed his arms, and leaned back in his chair.

(I'm telling you not to leave the house because you're cute. I don't want others to like you. I'm possessive.)

Uh... damn you. Saying that makes me blush.

"'Handsome', I'm 'handsome'. Save 'cute' for your Little Tiger." I insulted him to hide my embarrassment.

Phum went to Italy with just a backpack. He said everything he needed was there, so his backpack only had that stinky teddy bear that he hugged every night.

[T/n: I thought every night he hugs... you?]

The tiny baby bear came with me to Chiang Mai, leaving the giant daddy bear to guard the room with its hundred of minions. I didn't really want to bring it, but my bag was empty, so I stuffed it in. On the plane, I was bored, so I played with the baby bear. I didn't really want to bring it, honestly.

"Stop staring at me. I'm shy."

(Haha, since when are you shy, Shorty?)

Damn, he's still staring. Even though it's through the camera, Phum's gaze still has the power to melt my heart.
...
..
.

That day was the day Phum and I talked together for the longest time in several days, and then suddenly he disappeared.

I turned to look at the sliding glass door separating the room from the balcony. The rain had stopped, and a thin layer of mist clung to the clear glass. The reflection showed a man lying on his side, hugging himself, with a sad face and a lonely smile.

I grabbed the baby bear and hugged it. It looked at me with wide eyes.

"Why are you staring at me? Missing your dad, huh? Your dad is lying around in Bangkok."

The baby bear just kept smiling with its wide eyes. I gave it a lonely smile and bit its head out of spite. But even though I hurt it, it still smiled at me the same way.

"The time difference between here and Bangkok isn't much, but between here and the other side of the world, it's huge, don't you think?"

I've lost count of how many times I've been thinking of all possible reasons for Phum's disappearance. Has he been sick, not feeling well, does he want to tease me, or worst of all - does he not want to talk anymore? But whatever it is, nothing seems reasonable at all.

I looked at the ceiling through the dim darkness, then at the phone lying silently beside me. I just stared at it, waiting for it to make a sound. I waited like this, but the number I was waiting for never appeared on the screen.

"Phum... don't you know your boyfriend gets lonely?"

I whispered to myself. Only Sickly knew and heard how I felt. I let out another sigh, the umpteenth one this hour, and my eyes landed on the guitar near the CD shelf.

I took the guitar and sat on the balcony. The gentle breeze carried light raindrops that touched my skin, making me feel cold. I looked up at the sky. Because of the rain, there wasn't a single star visible tonight. I strummed the guitar lightly, playing aimlessly. I wanted to tell the person on the other side of the horizon how I felt right now.

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

Your return (การกลับมา) by Hobbit

Time, the longer it goes, the more it changes people's hearts
Changes the love of people when they are far apart
Still worried if you have changed
My hope fades day by day

* You told me to wait, that one day you would come back
I still believe in the promise that it won't be long
Until we meet again

** I can only hope for your return
Even though you are far away
And it might not be the same
I can only wait for love to return
Every night is so cold
Afraid you will break your promise

Alone, watching the clock
Counting the passing time

*, **, **

Waiting for your return
No matter how long it takes, I will wait

"I'm still waiting for you na Phum."
...
..
.

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Ugh, who the hell is calling so early in the morning? I fumbled around for my phone. Alright, I'm answering, stop ringing already.

"H...Hello!!!"

(Haha, still not awake? It's almost noon.)

"Ugh, it's noon already? Have you had lunch yet?" I asked casually, not even knowing who I was talking to. I'm really something. "By the way, who is this?"

(You don't recognize me again?)

I frowned at the phone, still with my eyes closed and face buried in the pillow. Whose voice is this?

"Chan?"

(I'm someone who loves you. Don't you dare say it's Phum.)

"Dad?"

(Smartass.)

Someone who loves me, but not Phum? I was starting to wake up. A guy confessing his love to me right after I wake up. I lifted my face from the pillow and looked at the screen showing the caller's name.

"Kluen."

(See, you know I love you, haha.)

Now I was wide awake. Kluen called me. His voice was still bright and warm as always. I hadn't talked to him in a while.

"I'm amazing, I know everything, haha."

(Yes, Mr. Amazing, Mr. Good Guy, Mr. Tall.)

You buffalo, don't mock my shortness!

"So why are you calling? Got nothing to do?"

(Ouch, that hurts, Peem. It took a lot of courage for me to call you.)

"Haha, why did you need courage? Afraid my ringtone would eat you alive?"

(Even worse. Where are you?)

"At home, dude. Stupid question, haha."

(Damn, Peem, you're such a smartass. You're in Chiang Mai, right?)

"Yes, sir."

(I want to visit Chiang Mai.)

"Huh, come on over. I'll be your guide, won't charge much. Interested?"

(Really? Can I come?)

"Of course. Just tell me when you're coming. I'll take you to meet some girls. Chiang Mai girls are all gorgeous. Daddy Peem will take care of you."

[T/n: and Chiang Mai boys are even cuter 😂]

(Then I'll see you tomorrow. Haha.) Wow, you sound so cheerful.

"Tomorrow?" Why are you so impatient, sir?

(Yeah, I'm here with my dad for some business in Mae Hong Son. I'll drop by to see you..)

"You buffalo! You planned this all along, didn't you?"

(Haha, you got me. And if I stay for a few nights, is that okay?)

"Damn, you're acting all coy. You can stay for a month if you want. So you're really coming?" I'll have friends now. I won't be lonely anymore.

(Yep.)

"Alright, hurry up. I'll go tell my mom that a friend is coming. She'll probably throw a welcome party for you, Kluen, haha."

(Really? Thank her for me in advance.)

"Sure, will do. So you're really coming tomorrow?" I heard his bright laughter.

(You want me to come that badly? You must be lonely, Tiny.)

"Well..." If I say a lot, very lonely, will he think I'm weak?

(Peem.)

"Hmm?"

(...Miss (you) na!)

End of Chapter 41>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>