*English chapter title by SMV2454
Proofreader: SMV2454

After hanging up on Kluen, I went back to sleep. When I woke up again, it was almost 1:00 PM. After showering and getting dressed, I quickly told my mom that a friend was coming over. My mom was thrilled to have her son's friend visit. When Q and the others came to visit, Madam was overjoyed and loved them because she likes handsome guys. Plus, when my friends come over, she gets to pry into my secrets -_-

"When will your friend arrive? I'll have Ging prepare some delicious food to welcome him."

"Around 7 or 8 PM, I think. I'm not sure."

"It's good to have friends over. I've noticed you've been down for a few days."

"Peem is not down, just bored with nothing to do." Lying to make my mom feel better isn't a sin, right?

"Is Nong Kluen a friend from your faculty? You never mentioned him before. You always talk about Nong Phum."

I almost choked on my Nam Phrik Ong paste, "Kluen is from a different faculty, but we do activities together, so we know each other. And when did I talk about Phum? You're making things up, Mae."

"I'm not making things up. Every time I call, you say you're with Phum, and he takes you here and there. I'd like to meet your close friend too. You should invite Phum over sometime. I heard that he's handsome, right? Haha."

[T/n: Where did you hear that Phum is handsome, Mae?]

"He's just so-so." Handsome or not, I don't know. Just know... Don't talk about him right now, ok? Peem can't eat, Mae. Ugh, close friend, huh? Hehe. More like close in body and soul.

"Nong Peem, I think I heard your phone ringing upstairs."

Saved by the bell. I got up from the dining table as soon as P'Ging called, leaving my mom to eat alone.
The caller was Kluen. Why did I feel a bit disappointed? Maybe because I hoped it was Phum calling.

Phum, are you really not going to contact me?

Kluen called to ask for directions to my house because his driver wasn't familiar with the route and wanted to make sure they wouldn't get lost.

After eating, my mom invited me to go to the mall to enjoy the air conditioning because she was worried I'd be bored (actually, she wanted me to carry her stuff). Spending time with my mom was nice. It kept me from thinking too much about someone and feeling too lonely.

*Nam Phrik Ong (น้ำพริกอ่อง) is a popular Thai food in Northern Thailand. It is made from ground pork, sugar, tomato, shrimp paste, and chili paste.
...
..
.

"Mae, hello." My mom and I had just returned from shopping when Kluen arrived. He brought his handsome face to greet my mom and even turned to give me a big smile.

[*It's very common for Thai people to call their friends' parents Khun Mae (mom) and Khun Por (dad) (and no Khun if very close friends). It is a way to show respect and sometimes affection. But Kluen, I'm really doubt his intention when he calls Peem's parents Por and Mae 🤔]

"Hello, son. Oh my, you look just like a movie star!"
My mom is currently obsessed with a certain actor. Whenever she sees a tall, handsome guy, she says they look like him. Every guy she sees, she says they look like him.

Kluean smiled shyly. Jeez, I don't see the handsomeness. If that's considered handsome, then I must be Dome Pakorn.

Dome Pakorn (Thai actor and singer)

[T/n: Last time, he said he wanted to look like Nadech 😒]

"Where are Nong Q and Nong Tan? Didn't they come with you?"

"No, I had some business to do with my dad in Mae Hong Son, so I stopped by to see Peem. Sorry for the trouble, Khun Mae."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all, son. Don't be shy. The more, the merrier. But Peem told me you had a driver with you."

"Yes, but he had to drive back to do some errands for my dad."

"Oh, I see."

They were getting along well. Kluean then handed my mom a bunch of gifts. Were those gifts or were you clearing out your stock? There were so many.

"Thank you so much, son. But next time, you don't have to go to so much trouble. You boys chat for a bit. I'll go tell Ging to set the table. Make yourselves at home."

"Thank you."

My mom walked gracefully into the kitchen, leaving just me and Kluean. Why did I feel so awkward?

"Why so quiet? Aren't you happy to see me? I went out of my way to visit you."

As soon as my mom was out of sight, the good-natured young man also vanished with her, leaving the mischievous devil I knew.

"Do I need to organize a lion dance parade to welcome you?" Despite my words, I smiled at him. Who told him to smile first? "Let's put your stuff away."

[*Lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume to bring good luck and fortune. The lion dance is usually performed at important occasions, or may be used to honor special guests by the Chinese communities.]

I led Kluen upstairs, and he couldn't stop complimenting my house, saying how beautiful and cozy it was. He said he loved teakwood houses like mine.

Today, my dad came home for dinner because he knew his son's friend was visiting. Kluen is great at getting along with adults, even though my dad is hard to approach. Anyone else would be nervous, but Kluen chatted away with my dad.

After dinner, we had mango sticky rice made by my mom. It made me almost become a python. I was so full I could barely move. I sat in the living room watching TV for a while before my mom told me to go to bed since Kluen was tired from the trip and needed to rest.

Mango sticky rice (ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง), which is made from sticky rice, mango, and coconut milk

We took turns showering, but instead of going to bed right after, Kluen invited me to sit at the wooden table in front of the house. The blooming Kasalong flowers gave off a light fragrance, sometimes mixed with the lonely scent of Frangipani flowers. Every plant in our yard was planted by my dad. Cool, right?

"You don't seem very cheerful. Is something wrong?" Kluen asked as soon as we sat down. Was I that easy to read?

"Just a bit."

"Heh, why? Did your boyfriend not call you?"

"You're so nosy. What made you come to see me?" I had to change the subject before he dug any deeper.

I leaned my chin on my hand and asked the guy sitting across from me. We hadn't seen each other for almost three months, and he looked even more handsome. What kind of face wash does he use? Did he use a goat or sheep placenta facial foam? His skin is so clear.

"I thought I missed you, so I came."

Ouch... He gave me a cool smile and leaned back, draping his arm over the bench. Does he ever think before he speaks?

"Uh-huh."

Even though I didn't have any feelings for him and we were both sincere with each other, I couldn't deny that deep down, I was worried. Worried about how Phum would feel if he knew Kluen came to see me in Chiang Mai. How Phum felt wasn't as concerning as what my condition (corpse) would be if he found out. That's the real worry. Haha.
But whatever, he's been gone for a week. He probably doesn't care about me anymore.

"Why did you come alone? I thought you'd bring a girl with you." I teased him, hoping to see him blush, but I was disappointed. Not only did he not blush, but he also continued to tease me.

"Why bring one? I'll find one here."

"Haha, you idiot. Girls aren't like gas stations where you can just find one on the spot. How was your break?"

"It was good. I helped out at home. How about you?"

I just found out that Khun Chai Kluen's family is in real estate. They're super rich.

"I stayed home, eating and sleeping. It was so relaxing."

"Yeah, I thought you were the kid sitting cross-legged with a bottle of soy sauce when I first saw you."

Ouch, was he calling me fat? Was he saying I was chubby?

"Get out of my house, you jerk."

Imagine, I'm not very tall, and if I were fat, how would that look? I don't even want to think about it. Y_Y

[T/n: You're still a cutie patootie. Phum will kill anyone against it.]

"Haha, just kidding. You're still the same size. Did you get a haircut? It looks cute."

Why was he staring so much? And why was he smiling so sweetly? I've mentioned before that Kluen smiles a lot. His smile is always bright and genuine because he smiles with his eyes too. If you said Kluen was a warm person, you wouldn't be wrong.

"Yeah, I wanted to try something different. Long hair was too hot."

"Okay, so what's bothering you? You can tell me."

I looked at Kluen. Every time we're together, I feel comfortable, but I never thought of using his kindness to make him my confidant. I knew it would hurt him, but right now, I needed someone to listen to my feelings.

"..."

"Go ahead, I'm here to listen to everything, Peem."

"...Phum hasn't called me for days."

"...Why don't you call him?"

"I did, but I couldn't reach him."

"Does he have friends there? Try calling his friends."

"His friends are my friends too."

"I see. Maybe he's busy or his phone is broken. Don't overthink it. Overthinking will stunt your growth, Peem. Haha."

"You jerk, Kluen. You're insulting me."

"Haha, did your mom often hit you in the mouth with a cutting board when you were a kid, Peem?"

"Yeah, and after she hit me, I ate it whole. Pfft, it's hilarious." I'm already feeling down, and he's teasing me. You're a terrible advisor, Kluen.

"Or you could try another way. Call him and tell him I'm here. I bet he'd fly back immediately."

"Haha, you're exaggerating."

"Come on, don't overthink it. I'm here to keep you company for three days. Smile a bit." He reached out to pat my head and then gently pushed it.

"Haha, are you molesting me?^___^"

Kluen laughed, and I smiled again. Having a friend or someone by your side when you're feeling lonely doesn't make the loneliness go away, but it helps you forget it for a while. Thanks a lot, Kluen.

"In Chiang Mai, the stars are beautiful, aren't they? They're so big. I remember you like looking at stars."

He tilted his head back to look at the stars. The sky was clear tonight with no clouds to block the starlight. The stars were really beautiful tonight.

"Yeah, no matter where you look at the stars, they're never as beautiful as at home."

Then suddenly, Kluen sat next to me. He took my hand and stretched it out into the air, pretending to catch a star.

"It's strange, isn't it? The stars are so far away, yet I can still reach them for you. But your heart is so close, and I can't reach it."

I could only squeeze Kluean's hand. I'm sorry for being selfish, Kluen. I'm really sorry.

"Heh, don't make that face. I'm fine." Even at times like this, he still smiled. We both sat quietly, with Kluen still holding my hand.

"Peem, do you know that you're like the sky?"

"Hmm?"

Kluen gave me a sweet smile when I frowned at him before looking up at the sky again, "When I'm near you, I feel like I'm looking at the sky. It's free, bright, and clear. When I look at you, I feel so at ease that I want to smile... Peem, can I be your moon?"

Kluen told me that I was the sky, and the one who belongs with the sky is the sun, which must mean Phum. While he is the moon, the moon that stays with the sky all the time, even though no one sees it because the sun's light overshadows it on clear days.
But no matter what, the moon never goes away. It stays in the same place, with the sky, even if it's only valued when the sky is dark.

I couldn't say anything. The warmth from his hand holding mine, I felt it in my heart. And Kluen must know that no matter what happens, the sky will always have the moon.

"Kluen... you'll always be special to me."

Sometimes, couples might break up, and that relationship ends. But a special person, no matter how long it takes, Kluen will always be special to me.
...
..
.

Last night, after talking about many things with Kluen, I have to admit that I felt really good about him. I want to thank such a good person like him for giving me such beautiful love, even though I can't give back as much as I received.

This morning, I decided to be a guide and take Kluen around Chiang Mai. We didn't go far, just wandered around the city since Kluen had been here before.
Today, we focused more on food. We went to every place known for its delicious food, starting with Khao Soi (hand-sliced rice noodles), Hainanese chicken rice, herbal ice cream, and cake shops. We took a break to pay respects at the Inthakhin Pillar Shrine for a bit of good luck on our light and chill trip.

Then we continued to the Chiang Mai National Museum. We spent quite a bit of time there because Kluen seemed particularly interested in the wax figures. But the real highlight was walking along the trendy road, Nimmanhaemin Road, which everyone knows well. But not Kluen, because he stopped to take pictures every three steps.

As you know, this area is famous for its unique architecture, with each shop having its own distinctive style that caught the eye of this architecture student. He even took pictures of the streetlights and signposts.

But it's not just him. I spent hours in the gallery too. Even though I've been here before, I don't come often. So, I took the chance to appreciate Lanna art.
After walking until we were tired, it was time to eat again. We decided to have dinner at the walking street market. We walked all day. How much is Kluen going to pay me for this? Haha.

"How are you? Tired?"

"Not tired, just ran around the province."

Kluen took a moment to ask me while looking at the road. I drove on the way there, but on the way back, I was too tired. It was exhausting but fun. A northern girl even asked for Kluen's number at the walking street market. He gave it to her, but it was his friend's number. What a jerk!

We also painted shirts. Not that I wanted to show off, but I'm an art student, right? Kluen, of course, studies architecture, so he's great at drawing. We had a little competition.

When others were drawing, no one gathered around. But when Kluen and I started drawing, people began to gather. Kluen won because he drew something people could understand, while my drawing was abstract. The audience didn't get it, so I lost to Kluen. What a shame!

[T/n: Well, my teacher always said that a book most people can't understand is a masterpiece. So, I guess your drawing is a masterpiece... just ahead of its time! 😂]

"Haha, are you hungry? There's some snacks in the back of the car."

"I can't eat anymore. Are you hungry? Should I get it for you?"

"Yeah, just some water. My throat is dry."

I grabbed a bottle of water and opened it for him. Since Kluen was driving, I had to feed him. He winked at me flirtatiously. I really wanted to pour the water up his nose. Damn it! I put the bottle away and saw some caramel. I'll have some, hehe.

"Do you want some? I'll open it for you."

"Haha, which dog said he was so full his stomach would burst?"

"That was then, this is now." I raised my eyebrows at him. While talking, the caramel slipped from his hand and fell near the gear shift. I quickly picked it up and ate it. Kluen looked at me with wide eyes. I smiled, showing my teeth. "Germs are asleep, they won't see it."

[T/n: oh my 🤣🤣🤣]

"Ew, Peem, you're so gross."

"Haha, I'm just being myself. Can't handle it?"

"How do I even like you?" He made a disgusted face at me. Haha, you can still change your mind.

While we were talking about where to go tomorrow, suddenly a pickup truck sped out of an alley. It was so fast that we couldn't avoid it. My heart stopped. I remember shouting Kluen's name before...

"Kluen!!!"

Kluen swerved the car. I felt the car spin, hearing the tires screeching on the road. Everything happened so fast. My body tensed up, and I forgot how to breathe. My mind went blank. Was this a near-death experience? Am I dead? Am I alive? I tried to gather my thoughts. I was still in the car. I wasn't hurt, so I must be okay. But what about Kluen?

"Peem, Peem, can you hear me?" He grabbed my shoulders and shouted.

"K... Kluen."

"Peem, are you hurt? Can you hear me?" He pulled me into a tight hug. Even though he was shaking, his hands were still stroking my head and back.

Instinctively, in a car accident, the driver would swerve to protect themselves. It's a human instinct. But... Kluean swerved to protect me. If the car had crashed and he couldn't avoid it, he would have been the one who didn't survive. That means his life, he was willing to trade for mine.

After calming down, we got out to check the car. Both the car and we were fine, but I was still shaking. I was scared. When we got back in the car, Kluen hugged me again.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Peem. If anything happened to you, I..."

"Hey, don't worry about it. It wasn't your fault. We were driving fine, that truck came out of nowhere. Besides, I'm okay." I patted Kluen's back to comfort him.

He must have been scared too. Even in that life-or-death moment, he still thought to protect me. "But Kluen, don't do that again. Your life..."

"For you, more than my life, I would give."

[SMV2454: 🤧😭]

End of Chapter 42>>>>>>>>>>>>>>