Proofreader:SMV2454

This morning, my mother woke us up early to go make merit at the temple. Only five of us managed to wake up: Fang, Q, Beer, Phum, and me. Chan and Matt, being Christians, couldn't join (though they would go for sightseeing or taking photos, just not for Buddhist rituals).

On the way back, I told mom to go back with Fang and Q because I had to take Kluen to the bus station. This morning, Kluen suddenly said that he would return to Bangkok. He refused his father to send someone to pick him up. My dad offered to send someone, but he also declined. Khun Chai said he was bored of flying and wanted to take a bus to enjoy the breeze and the scenery. He even considered taking the train, but my mom and I managed to dissuade him. By the time he reached Bangkok, he'd be sore all over, haha.

I was surprised when he suddenly said he was leaving today. Kluen said that he has to hurry back because there's something to do, even though originally he was going to stay in Chiang Mai for a few more days. As for the reason why he was rushing back, I kind of understood, but I tried to persuade him to stay longer. However, he insisted on leaving, so I couldn't stop him.

Meanwhile, Pan and the others were still passed out at home. Before leaving, I decided to prank him.

"Pan, wake up! There's a flood!" I shouted in his ear while shaking him. The others were laughing behind me.

"Flood? Pack up!" Pan rolled away and covered his face with a pillow but still managed to respond.

"Hey, Pan, there's a fire!"

"Use the floodwater to put out the fire," he replied instinctively. Good reflexes, my friend.

"Pan, there's an earthquake!"

"Yeah, the earth is shaking, but I'm not moving. I'm too sleepy. Leave me alone." he said, kicking around and accidentally hitting Matt next to him.

The highlight was that damn Phi Q. He must have thought I didn't see him. He sneaked a kiss on Nong Toey's cheek before leaving. Oh my! He's sweet too, you know.

I went to drop Kluen off at the Chiang Mai bus station, with someone looking grumpy tagging along. Don't think for a second that Kluen and I would go alone, haha. The atmosphere in the car was tense, very quiet, dead quiet.

"Phum, stop by 7-Eleven. I'm hungry," I leaned forward to tell him because I was in the back seat. Phum was driving, and Kluen was in the front. They weren't talking, making the atmosphere even more tense. I was scaredyyyyyy.

"What are you hungry for this early? You'll get a stomach ache eating at odd hours." Phum grumbled, glancing at me before turning back. Just say you don't want to stop, you lazy bum.

"I'm hungry. Kluen, you're hungry too, right?"

"Whatever." Kluen replied, making Phum grumble but still turning into 7-Eleven as I requested, hehe.

Then a bizarre and confusing situation occurs. When I stepped out of the car, I only got to walk two steps before Kluen came out too. I just realized that when I wasn't  in the car there would be only Kluen and Phum, and there's no way they would want to be alone together. When Phum saw Kluen walking along with me, he also quickly turned off the engine and followed. It's unbelievable that three people have to come to buy only a piece of bread.

It's really entertaining when Kluen and Phum walk together, attracting attention from the staff, even passers-by turned around and looked back at them. The girls were staring at Phum and Kluen, ignoring me. Hey, look at me too!

I just noticed that they're about the same height, but Kluen is a little thicker. As for who is more handsome, the judgment is rather subjective. so I can't answer, he he.

[T/n: Oh common, Peem. Tell us your judgment. We won't tell Phum.]

"Three Smokie Bite Hot Dog, three foot-long cheese, three ham and cheese sandwiches, and..."

"That's enough, Peem. You'll get a stomachache. Listen to me," What the hell? You have to scold me like that.

So I turned and smiled at the staff who were still staring at Phum. I was so annoyed. I ordered garlic chicken rice for Kluen in case he got hungry on the bus. In the morning, Mom asked Phi Ging to make rice porridge for him, but he didn't eat it because it was still early and he wasn't hungry.

I also bought a ton of snacks and a little bear milk for Phum (he's paying, hehe).

"Eat too much, and you'll get fat," Kluen teased as soon as we got back in the car. He had a blue soda can in hand. He didn't eat but drank Pepsi. Is your stomach lined with concrete?

"I'm not afraid. I exercise."

"Heh."

"What's so funny, Phum? Why are you laughing? You don't believe that I'm exercising?" These two laughed slyly like they were mocking me.

[T/n: Readers, I know you're laughing.]

"Nothing. Give me a sandwich." I handed him a sandwich. "Left or right?" He didn't know the way but still wanted to drive. I don't get him.

I saw Kluen glance at me feeding Phum, then turn to look out the window, "Left. Oh, Kluen, I bought this for you in case you get hungry on the bus. Think of it as a souvenir from Chiang Mai, haha."

"I'll remember that 7-Eleven boxed rice can be a souvenir." he replied.

It's the thought that counts, my friend. Haha.

We arrived at the bus station and bought a ticket. Kluen had about twenty minutes to chill with me. The morning air was so fresh..

"Peem, get my phone from the car. I forgot it," Phum suddenly ordered. He was playing with my phone while I talked to Kluen.

"Get it yourself. Why use me... Alright then, let's go together... Fine, I'll go alone. Damn, always using me."

Have you ever heard of talking by yourself? I muttered, walking back to the car. I couldn't help but look back at them. Leaving them alone wouldn't lead to a fight, right? But with a gut feeling, I walked around behind them after getting Phum's phone.

"Thanks for taking care of him for me."

"I'm not doing it for you. I'm doing it because I want to."

[smv2454: OoO]

I didn't know what they talked about before. Although the atmosphere wasn't great, even though they didn't look at each other while talking, what I heard made me smile. The people I love, even if it's in different ways, are both important to me.
I'm happy to love you both.

"Come visit my house again next break, Kluen. See you next term!"

"Yeah, see you. Bye," Kluen turned and smiled at me before getting on the bus.

His seat was by the window where I was standing. When he pulled back the curtain and saw I was still there, he gave me a cheeky smile and shooed me away. I laughed and waited a bit longer until the bus started moving. We waved goodbye.

"Call me when you get home. Safe travels, man."

"Yeah, I'll call."

"Good luck, my friend," I shouted, jumping and waving both hands.

Kluen kept looking at me through the window, giving me a sad smile before it turned into a bright one. He seemed to mouth something that I read as, "Thank you very much ... friend." and pointed to his heart, probably meaning "special friend"*. So cheesy. I watched until the bus was out of sight.

[*เพื่อนใจ: เพื่อน friend; ใจ heart]

No matter today, tomorrow, or any day, Kluen will always be a special friend to me.

"Why are you so sentimental? Get in the car, Shorty."

I forgot I had my personal reaper with me.
From that day until now, Phum has allowed me to talk to Kluen, but with the condition that he has to be there too. Most importantly, he called Kluen (คลื่น) "Kluen-sai" (คลื่นไส้ nausea). Such a grudge, haha.
...
..
.

After dropping Kluen off the other day, we went on a tour around the province. We visited the Chiang Mai Zoo, took Pan to see his relatives (haha), and climbed Doi Suthep mountain, walking up the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, more than 300 steps to the temple. It was exhausting, but the view at the top made it all worth it.

[*locals say that you haven't been to Chiang Mai unless you've visited Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple. The temple is a sacred destination and a jewel of Lanna (northern Thai) architecture.]

The legendary couple, Tan and Fang, prayed together at the temple. Chan joked that they were praying for a child because they took so long, haha. We then visited a hill tribe village, dressed in traditional clothes, and took photos. Matt loved it and said he would bring his dad next time.
...
..
.

Today, it's time for everyone to head back home. I'll be going with them since the new term starts in three days. My mom complained that we should stay longer because the house was lively, like a housewarming party. She enjoyed the bustling atmosphere, haha. Toey has become her new favorite, but not as much as Phum, whom my mom calls "son Phum" every time, haha.

"Toey, do you have a faen? Can I reserve you for my niece?" my mom asked Toey while we were packing the car.

"I have a faen, and I love my faen very much." Toey replied. Q smiled wisely until his mouth was almost torn.

While loading the bags and souvenirs into the car, Phum followed my mom around, helping with everything. Smart move, honey, getting in good with the elders, haha.

"Mom, let me help." Phum said.

"Sure, son Phum is so handsome and well-behaved. If my son has half of what you have, I'll be dead of happiness. Peem always talks about you, you know." my mom said.

Thanks, Mae. I'm annoyed. Mae, when have I ever told you about him? I never really talked about him. It's just that whenever Mae asked where I was, who I was with, and what I was doing, the answer was Phum. haha.

"Are Fang and son Phum siblings?"

"Yes."

"Such a handsome family. If I had a daughter, I'd make her a daughter-in-law in this family," my mom said, making me choke. The others tried to hold back their laughter while Phum smiled like a lunatic. Did you cast a spell on my mom?

"A son would be fine too, Mae. Phum wouldn't mind." Q said, making my mom turn to me. You bitch!

"What do you think, Peem? Interested?"

"Sure, Mae, haha," I played along.
...
..
.

"Have a safe trip, sons. Don't drive too fast, take it slow. You'll get there eventually. If anyone gets tired, switch drivers. And don't forget to visit me often na."

"Yes, Mae. We're leaving now. We'll visit you often. Love you, Mae. Mwah mwah 😘" Pan said, being the first to say goodbye.

After saying their farewells to my mom, everyone got into the van, except Phum. Chan was the first to drive. They took turns driving, resting when tired, making it a relaxed trip.

"I'm leaving now, Mae. Take care of yourself and tell Por too." I hugged my mom tightly. I didn't want to leave. Sigh, I already missed her.

"Alright, Peem. Study hard. I'll come visit in the middle of the month. Your dad will visit your grandma too." my mom said, starting to tear up.

"Okay, see you then. Love you, Mae. But... don't forget the 20,000 baht for staying home for two months. Hand it over, haha. Don't try to get sentimental to distract me." I joked. I know my mom too well. She'll be in Bangkok next week anyway, so there's no need to be so sad. Haha, I'm Mr. Know-It-All.

"Peem, you're impossible. I transferred it to your account yesterday. And don't think I don't know about the other account your grandma and Pui opened for you. You earn fifty thousand baht a month, right?"

"Don't exaggerate. Fifty thousand? I don't want to talk to you, Mae. You're crazy. Bye now. Bye, P'Ging," I said, kissing my mom on the cheek and waving to P'Ging who came to see us off before jumping into the van.

See you next summer, Chiang Mai.

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