After we finished our meal at the yakiniku restaurant within the time limit, everyone parted ways. However, Glai had to wait for P'Fah at the parking lot behind the mall because P'Fah told him to wait there for his birthday gift. P'Fah had rushed off to the restaurant and forgotten to bring the gift.
The reason for the rush? No need to guess.
P'Fah was worried that the Saggy Cheek one might be left waiting, so he hurried to show up first.
This couple really cares for each other's feelings.
How adorable. :)
"Are the twenty shrimp in your stomach making you smile like that, Glai?"
Gun teased with a grin as he stood waiting for P'Fah alongside Glai, after May and Pai had left. Alone with his best friend, Glai finally let his smile show freely.
Today, Glai's heart felt its happiest.
He wanted to smile wide enough to make the whole round world jealous. :)
"I can't believe I ate it all..." the small figure said, looking down, smiling shyly while nudging a bit of dust on the ground with his foot. "...But how could I not? Panlee painstakingly peeled all those shrimp for my birthday gift."
"I really admire you."
"And what about my two trays of shrimp, Gun? Did you share them with anyone? It was such a lot!"
"The three of us helped finish it... I feel so queasy now. But we couldn't waste it, or we'd get fined."
Glai burst out laughing as he watched his best friend pat his stomach lightly, then looked up at the crescent moon in the faint sky. Tonight, there wasn't a single star accompanying the moon. Though the sight might seem lonely, it didn't make Glai feel isolated at all.
Because Glai knew that every day...
The moon had him.
He had the moon.
They had each other, even from afar.
"Where did P'Fah go? Why did he make us wait in the parking lot?"
The question broke Glai's gaze from the crescent moon as he turned to answer his friend. "He said he was dropping off his sweetheart at P'Dom's car and would come back quickly with my gift."
"Oh, I see."
"Look, there he is now!"
Glai pointed to the tall figure walking toward them. P'Fah nodded as if to acknowledge Glai's waiting before heading to a nearby car. Not long after, he returned carrying a large white paper bag.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Dom's parking lot is on the other side."
"It's okay, P'Fah." Glai raised his hands in a polite wai and accepted the bag. "Are you heading home now?"
P'Fah nodded. "How are you getting home, Glai? Didn't you bring your car?"
"No, I plan to take a taxi, but I'll drop Gun at the bus stop first."
"Want me to give you and your friend a ride?"
"No need, P'Fah. Gun and I can manage. Drive safely, okay?"
"Alright. Take care."
After another wai, Glai signalled Gun to head out of the parking lot. The two friends chatted as they walked to the bus stop near the mall.
"Gun... Why's the bus so late today? When do you think you'll get home?"
"This bus line usually speeds like crazy. Why is it so slow today?" Gun glanced at him before continuing, "You can head off first, Glai. I can wait alone."
Glai looked up at the cloudy sky, expecting rain soon, then shook his head. "No, I'll wait with you. If you don't catch the bus before the rain starts, I'll be worried."
"Glai, don't be too nice."
Glai laughed, then widened his eyes and pointed at the orange bus speeding toward them. "Look, Gun! Your bus is here!"
"I thought Dominic Toretto was driving—so fast!" Gun joked while laughing, then patted Glai's shoulder urgently. Glai nodded, acknowledging his friend's rush as the bus stopped slightly past the stop. It wouldn't wait long.
"I'm off, Glai. Message me the license plate on Line once you're on, okay?"
"Okay~ Safe travels, Gun."
"Same to you!"
Glai waved goodbye to his friend before heading back to the mall, as more taxis usually passed by there. Yet today, nearly every taxi was occupied. Glai sighed as he watched them drive by, wondering if he'd find a ride before the rain began. He scanned the surroundings for shelter and smiled softly when he spotted a bubble tea shop not too far away. If it rained, he'd hide there—but he'd buy some bubble tea as thanks.
Reassured by his backup plan, Glai returned to waiting for a taxi, holding the gift bags in both hands. Time passed, but the small figure remained at the same spot.
"Why are there so few cars today..." he sighed heavily, glancing at the crescent moon above and thinking, The moon must've reached home safely by now.
Plop!
Glai blinked rapidly as a droplet fell from the darkening sky onto his eye. The first sign of rain made him brace for his inevitable soggy return to his condo. But he still hoped a vacant taxi would pass soon, so he waited just a bit longer. If the rain poured heavier, he'd retreat to the bubble tea shop.
A white Porsche with a red convertible roof passed by slowly, catching his eye briefly. It reminded him of his dad's car, though this one was a newer model with heavily tinted windows. Glai looked away to focus on the taxis again.
But in the corner of his eye, he noticed the Porsche slowing to a stop nearby. He turned to confirm if it had really parked, and to his surprise, it began reversing until it stopped directly in front of him. Through the reflective black windows, Glai saw his puzzled expression staring back before the window rolled down, erasing it entirely.
He stepped back slightly, trying to get a clearer view of the driver. The dim lighting made it difficult to see inside. Just as he was about to step back further, a light illuminated the car's interior, making his heart race. The light revealed the moon's smile.
Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
His heart raced even faster as he realized...
"Glai... It's me."
The radiant smile of Khun Sasin outshone everything.
"Panlee..."
Glai stood frozen, swallowing hard as the owner of the white Porsche nodded and smiled. With one hand on the steering wheel, Panlee beckoned him with the other.
"Hop in quickly... It's raining."
Glai looked up at the falling raindrops, then down at his gift bags. "Um..."
"Glai..." The sound of his name stopped all his thoughts, drawing his eyes back to Panlee. The cheerful smile faded, replaced by an intense gaze. "Stop thinking. I'll drive you home."
"Uh..." Both delicate hands gripped the handles of the gift bag tighter as Panlee moved his hand closer to his head. His long, narrow eyes stared intently at the chocolate-brown hair, never looking away. Panlee gently dabbed a tissue on the water droplets dripping down the front strands of hair near his forehead and spokein a calm tone.
"Stubborn."
For some reason, the word "stubborn" didn't feel like a reprimand. Instead, it made Glai feel an inexplicable warmth in his heart. When he looked up at the person in front of him again, he realized it was probably because of the earnest look in his eyes and his actions.
These two things gave the word "stubborn" a new meaning.
A "stubborn" that meant "I care about you."
Glai lowered his gaze as his heart began to race and softly said, "Panlee... Usually, my hair dries really quickly. I think..."
"Stop being stubborn." Panlee interrupted before Glai could finish. He continued using the tissue to wipe away the remaining water droplets at the ends of Glai's hair.
"...You need to get all the water out of your hair, you know that?"
"Ah, okay." Just the phrase "you know that?" made Glai turn into Panlee's obedient child.
The small figure sat still, complying with Panlee as he used tissues to dab away the raindrops from his hair. For now, the best place to rest his eyes seemed to be the car gear shift, as he didn't dare to look at Panlee's face.
If he looked at Panlee this closely...
Glai would definitely be in trouble.
"All done."
Glai nodded before raising his hand to touch his damp hair. "Thank you."
"Thank you, too."
"..."
The small figure furrowed his brows slightly as he looked at Panlee's calm expression. The other man stared at him before breaking into a faint smile. Glai didn't understand what Panlee was thanking him for, and it seemed Panlee had guessed his confusion.
"Thank you for not being stubborn with me."
Glai wouldn't be stubborn with Panlee. But his little heart...
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
It was the most stubborn thing when he was near Panlee. Their conversation ended because Glai didn't know how to respond. He could only lower his head, staring at the gift bag on his lap, while listening to Panlee's light chuckle beside him.
"Passenger?"
"Yes?"
Glai instinctively responded before turning to look at the man beside him, who was laughing. Not only had he become Panlee's obedient child, but now he was also his passenger.
"Buckle up."
Glai nodded, pulling the seatbelt over his body before saying, "I've buckled up."
"Okay," Panlee said, staring at him briefly before asking, "Where should I drop you off?"
"My condo... Drive past two traffic lights, then turn left. Go straight for about 500 meters and then turn right..." Glai trailed off as he found himself distracted by Panlee, who was attentively listening and nodding.
Panlee...
You're unbelievably cute.
"The way to your condo feels familiar..." Panlee commented, frowning slightly as if in thought. "Do you live at SP Condo?"
"Yes! How do you know about it?"
"I know it. A friend of mine lives there, and I've been over to watch soccer matches."
"Oh, I see."
Panlee nodded and smiled before turning his attention back to the road. As the parked car began moving slowly, Glai secretly observed the relaxed way Panlee drove. Panlee increased the speed slightly as the road ahead cleared.
Glai often rode in his father's two-seater sports car. He had never felt cramped or uncomfortable in it, but today he felt short of breath. The interiors of his father's car and Panlee's weren't too different, yet sitting next to Panlee felt completely different.
He felt so tense.
The small figure glanced down at the gift bag on his lap, wrapping both arms around it tightly. That was when he noticed the car slowing down, even though the road ahead was clear. He turned to look at Panlee.
"Am I driving too fast?" Panlee asked, his eyes still on the road.
"No, not at all. You're driving normally. Don't worry about me."
"Normally, I drive fast. If you're scared... just let me know."
"..." Though he drove fast, Panlee's driving was remarkably smooth.
"And normally, I don't let just anyone ride in my car... I guess I got used to driving a bit fast earlier."
"..."
Panlee briefly glanced at him before softly saying, "Forgive me, will you?"
Vrrt~
Glai, who had been nodding in agreement, froze. His hand brushed over his pocket as he heard the faint vibration of a phone notification. However, the sound wasn't coming from his phone.
Panlee, carefully driving, took one hand off the wheel and pulled a black phone from his pocket. His brows furrowed slightly as he alternated glances between the screen and the road ahead.
"I know taking a call while driving isn't a good idea..." Panlee said, eyes focused ahead and the vibrating phone still in hand. "But this is an important call. May I take it?"
Was Panlee seeking his permission?
"..."
"Would you let me answer the phone while driving?"
Yes... Panlee was asking for his permission.
"Sure. Go ahead."
Panlee smiled before briefly meeting Glai's eyes. His voice was soft, as if the words were meant only for Glai, "Thank you, kind-hearted one."
Glai looked away from Panlee, who had just complimented him, and rested his eyes on the gift bag in his arms. He tried to suppress a smile as he thought...
Today, he was a "good kid," a "passenger," and a "kind-hearted person."
For Sasin, Glai could be everything.
But for Glai's heart...
He wished that the moon could become his world instead.
His entire world.
"Hello?"
"..."
"Yes, Sasin speaking."
"..."
"Is it finished now?"
"..."
"Okay, I'll pick up the car at the service centre tomorrow."
"..."
"Thank you very much."
As Glai listened to Panlee's conversation, likely with someone from the car service centre, he wasn't surprised to learn Panlee hadn't driven his favourite car. He assumed it must have had some issues. Glai, who had been staring at Panlee without realizing it, quickly averted his gaze when the car slowed down.
The traffic light ahead turned from yellow to red, bringing all cars to a halt. Glai knew this intersection would be jammed for a long time, so he tried to think of a good topic to start a conversation. But he wasn't sure what Panlee liked or was particularly interested in, making it difficult to begin.
Right now, Glai envied Pie a lot. His friend could easily get along with anyone, unlike himself...
When Glai glanced at Panlee, who was typing on his phone, he realized a conversation wasn't going to happen. Panlee was probably scrolling through social media to pass the time during the traffic jam, leaving Glai to watch the countdown on the traffic light decrease.
But... opportunities don't come often.
Come on, Glai, try a little harder.
The small-framed man nodded to encourage himself. Summoning his courage, he turned to the person beside him, intending to start a conversation. However, he swallowed nervously when he saw that Panlee was already looking at him.
"Traffic jams like this... can you believe it?"
"Uh..." Say something, Glai. Don't just 'uh.'
Panlee smiled before continuing, "You can get bored of traffic jams... but you're not allowed to get bored of the person sitting next to you."
"..."
"Is that okay?"
Glai was fine.
But his heart... not so much.
He nodded quickly, then turned back to look at the gift bag in his lap, unable to hold Panlee's playful gaze. "I... I'm not bored of you, Panlee."
He liked Panlee far too much for that.
How could he get bored?
"Not bored... but you're not even smiling at me."
Upon hearing this, Glai immediately turned to give Panlee a wide grin to prove he wasn't bored at all. Seeing this, Panlee laughed softly. Glai watched him laugh in amusement before looking back down at the gift bag. Glai... he wanted to look at Panlee for a long time. But every time he saw Panlee's smile, Glai's heart couldn't handle it. He needed time to build up his immunity.
"I smiled at you, Panlee... I'm really not bored of you," Glai said, focusing on the gift bag in his lap.
"That smile is all I get?" Panlee said in a calm voice, then let out a small laugh. "But even that smile... it brightens the world so much."
Glai lowered his head even more upon hearing Panlee's words. He didn't want Panlee to notice he was suppressing a smile. Right now, his cheeks were sore because Panlee's words, "so much," made him want to grin even wider.
If Glai's smile could brighten the world so much...
...then could it possibly brighten the moon just as much?
"Glai..."
Glai turned at the sound of his name. He saw Panlee pulling a small brown paper bag from the car's console. Panlee opened the bag and reached inside, adjusting something as if ensuring it was in order. A moment later, the small brown bag was handed to him, accompanied by Panlee's smile.
"Is this for me?"
"Yes."
"..."
"I thought giving twenty prawns as a birthday gift wasn't very impressive..." Panlee said, holding the bag open to check its contents again. "So I decided to buy you another gift."
"..."
"At first, I planned to ask P'Dom to give it to Glai because I didn't think we'd meet so soon," Khun Prachan removed his gaze from the paper bag and looked at him before a playful smile appeared. "But it's great that we coincidentally met... so I could give you the gift myself."
Glai offered a faint smile and accepted the gift bag. "Honestly, just getting twenty prawns as a birthday gift... I would've been really happy already."
"..."
"This is such a special gift..." Glai paused, as the next words forming in his mind made his face flush. He wasn't sure whether it was because Panlee had a piercing gaze or if he himself was just inexperienced. Glai had to avert his eyes from him and instead focus on the gift bag in his hands. "I really appreciate your gift, Panlee."
"..."
"I'm relieved to hear that," Panlee said with a smile.
The smaller man took a deep breath, then looked up to meet Khun Prachan's amused gaze. "Thank you for both gifts."
"You're welcome," he replied while pointing at the gift bag. "Open it up... I think you might like it."
Glai nodded and opened the small brown bag, unintentionally breaking into a wide smile upon seeing a tiny cactus inside. He carefully took the miniature cactus, planted in a white pot, out of the bag. The terracotta pot featured adorable patterns that Glai thought showed a certain level of artistic skill. The designs had a unique charm.
What made his smile widen further was the small rocket design soaring toward a crescent moon surrounded by stars. Turning the pot around, Glai found the English letters "HBD" written on the other side.
"I have one cactus at my condo already... having this one to keep it company is perfect," Glai said with a delighted expression and tone before turning to the person beside him, who was smiling warmly. "Thank you, Panlee. I really love this gift."
"I'm glad you like it."
"..."
"After leaving the restaurant, I wandered around the mall... specifically looking for a gift for you. But I couldn't find anything that felt right."
"..."
"It wasn't that nothing appealed to me. It's just... nothing seemed to feel meaningful enough to leave an impression on you."
"..."
"So, I decided to head home. By the exit near the parking lot, there was a small plant shop. As soon as I saw it, I knew... I'd found your gift."
Glai nodded as he listened to Panlee recount the story behind the special gift, clearly attentive.
"The shop had so many miniature plants, I didn't know which one to choose for you,"
Panlee said, pausing to pull out his black phone to show him. "So, I started googling the meanings of each plant right there."
If Panlee wasn't someone exceptionally considerate, then he must be incredibly meticulous.
"You looked up the meanings of plants in front of the shop?"
"Yeah, I told the shopkeeper, 'Please wait a moment. I need to find out the meanings of these plants. I'm buying one as a birthday gift, so I can't pick just anything.'"eOnce again, Glai wanted to say...
Khun Sasin is unbelievably sweet. :)
"But I ended up choosing the cactus because one website said it symbolizes... protection."
"..."
"Each website has a different interpretation of the cactus's meaning. Honestly, I think the meaning depends on the occasion we give it for."
"..."
"But for your birthday, I want this cactus to mean..." Panlee revealed a bright smile, pointing at the tiny cactus in Glai's hands before moving his finger from its small spines to gently tap the tip of Glai's nose. "...that this cactus will protect you from all sadness."
Glai wasn't surprised to feel a tingling sensation on his nose because Panlee's words had soothed and comforted his scarred heart. At that moment, Glai lowered his gaze, staring at the charming potted plant to let the unexpected tears welling up in his eyes slowly fade. He knew well that Khun Prachan was tenderly touching his heart, and a lump of emotion lodged in his throat refused to disappear.
Crying in front of someone he liked...
Especially during their first close interaction...
How embarrassing.
Don't cry, Glai... Don't cry at all.
"Glai...?"
Glai instinctively looked up to meet Panlee's eyes, tears still glistening. He was about to look away again when Khun Prachan's eyes widened slightly as he asked in a worried tone, "Glai... are you okay?"
"It's just that... I like this gift a little too much. When something really moves me, I tend to cry."
Yes... someone who doesn't like lying like him could only come up with such a flimsy excuse.
Please believe me, Khun Prachan.
Panlee let out a soft laugh before saying, "That's so endearing."
Glai bit his lip and averted his eyes again. He exhaled slowly when he heard the word "endearing." Glai admitted that he wasn't ready to handle the mix of emotions Panlee's words caused.
A moment ago, he felt so comforted he wanted to cry. Now, he was suddenly flustered.
He needed to quickly build some emotional resilience.
"I'm sorry for worrying you, Panlee."
"No need to apologize... it's just a small thing."
"..."
"Maybe you should like the gift a little less?"
Glai immediately looked at Khun Prachan and shook his head. "No way... I want to love this gift just as much as I do now."
"If liking it so much makes you cry, it's okay to like it a little less. I won't be upset."
Panlee...
He's someone who truly deserves all the love in the world. Glai met his gaze before softly replying, "...I'll keep liking this gift just as much, but I won't cry again."
"Good. Tears don't suit you," Panlee said with a shake of his head and a smile. "Even though I say tears don't suit you, I can't deny that when I see you about to cry..."
"..."
"...it makes me want to tease you until you cry even more." Khun Prachan bit his lip slightly before continuing, "I'm not a mean person who likes teasing others, but... how do I put this... it's probably similar to the feeling you get when you see kids crying and want to tease them so they whine even more."
"..."
"Because it's adorable... and I want to be the one to comfort them afterward."
Khun Prachan is the most tender-hearted tease I've ever met.
"..."
"Glai," Panlee said, his tone suddenly serious. "Don't cry in front of anyone else."
"..."
"So no one can tease you."
For the second time...
Khun Prachan expressed his care.
And for the hundredth time...
Glai fell for Khun Prachan.
Normally, Glai didn't cry in front of others, so he nodded, thinking he could easily follow Panlee's advice. Glai wasn't sure if Panlee meant it seriously or casually, but no matter what Panlee thought...
What Glai said,
What he tried to convey,
Was never said casually.
Glai avoided looking at Khun Prachan by focusing on the cactus pot in his hands because Panlee hadn't taken his eyes off him. Even without looking, Glai could feel those eyes on him. He figured his reddening ears gave him away.
He wasn't sure if his ears were as red as tomatoes yet...
But they must've been red enough to be noticeable. To distract Panlee from his red ears, Glai commented, "The designs on this pot are so beautifully drawn."
"Does Glai think it is beautiful?"
The person being questioned raised his face to meet Panlee's gaze and nodded eagerly. "Yes, very beautiful."
Panlee smiled and nodded slightly before averting his gaze to the potted cactus. At that moment, Glai began to think he might have misunderstood something.
"Panlee... Did I understand correctly that the shop painted cute designs on the cactus pots?"
Khun Prachan, who had been smiling, raised his face to look at him and shook his head. "No, you misunderstood. I painted it myself."
At this moment...
Glai's ears must have turned as red as a tomato. He lowered his gaze to the potted cactus again. He didn't want to keep looking at the tiny plant, but Panlee's gaze was dangerously playful, making him think it was safer to avoid it. His heart was starting to flutter uncontrollably. If he continued resisting, he might lose control over his wildly beating heart.
Right now, a small war was breaking out in Glai's mind. Thoughts clashed chaotically as if his brain was divided into two factions. The left side urged him to keep talking to Panlee, while the right side insisted on staying silent to avoid being disarmed by his sweet words again.
Glai chose not to listen to either side. Instead, he remained silent to regain his composure and prepare to deal with Panlee. Every time Khun Prachan smiled and spoke sweetly, it felt like he was being hit with a heavy punch, leaving his mind blank.
And some of Khun Prachan's words...
"Lee saw you are wearing a crescent moon necklace," Panlee said, pointing to the crescent moon pendant. He continued, "So I painted a crescent moon on the pot."
"..."
It made Glai's heart...
"Because I thought you might like the moon."
...fall in love all over again.
Glai thought that it was because he was deeply in love that he blurted out the words,
"Yes... I love the moon very much."
'Yes... I love the moon very much.'
This sentence was Glai's confession of love. However, the true meaning of his words echoed only in his heart. His deeply hidden feelings could never reach the same moon he admired, and they never would. Watching from afar like this was enough. Glai didn't feel disappointed by the lack of a response, as Khun Prachan likely didn't understand the hidden confession in his words. He thought it was for the best that
Panlee didn't know. Glai feared it would make Khun Prachan uncomfortable to know someone was silently watching him.
If one day that same moon disappeared...
Glai's world would crumble.
Their conversation had been interrupted by silence at some unknown point. They exchanged glances briefly after Glai's words before Panlee looked away to the road ahead as the traffic light turned from red to green. The small-framed man put the potted cactus back into its bag as the car began moving. He placed Panlee's gift bag among the others to keep it close to him.
However, the car soon slowed down and stopped again. Glai glanced at the large hand moving the gear shift before looking up at the traffic light, which had turned red once more.
"Can the police do that?... If they're going to let us go, they should just let us go already," Panlee muttered in frustration, biting his lower lip and frowning slightly.
Glai guessed he was getting irritated by the prolonged traffic. Not knowing what else to do, he stayed silent. Sitting quietly wouldn't help, but at least it wouldn't make Khun Prachan more irritated.
"Glai..."
"Yes?" Glai turned to his side at the call. Panlee had his lower lip between his teeth and a slight frown on his face. Assuming he was quite annoyed, Glai smiled broadly at him. It was the widest smile he had ever given anyone in his life.
He wanted to thank himself for smiling that widely at Khun Prachan because it made the other man laugh. As his smile gradually faded, he observed Panlee resting his head against the seat, looking at him with an expression... expression that Glai didn't know the meaning of..
He only knew that Panlee's gaze at that moment...
...was overly gentle.
"How did you know, Glai? That I wanted you to smile at me?"
Glai shook his head before answering, "I didn't know... but I thought smiling might make things feel a bit better during a traffic jam like this."
"It didn't just make things a bit better... I can't believe you made me forget my annoyance with the police."
Glai smiled and said, "I guess the police will have to thank me, then."
"Thank you."
"..."
"This isn't from the police; it's from me... for making me smile."
Glai nodded with a faint smile. "My pleasure."
"Do you speak this politely to everyone?"
Glai nodded again. "Yes, I talk like this to everyone."
"Even to close friends?"
"With close friends, I just drop 'krub' at the end, but otherwise, I talk the same way as with you."
"I see..." Panlee smiled and said, "Then let me stay as just an acquaintance. I don't want us to get too close."
"..."
"I'm afraid if we get closer, the word 'krub' will disappear... I like hearing you speak politely."
"..."
"Not everyone can speak politely and make it sound this pleasant."
We can be close, Panlee... but fine, let's stay as acquaintances. I promise I'll always speak politely to you.
"But if I ever slip and speak impolitely to you, I'm sorry in advance. I'm not usually someone who talks politely."
"It's okay, Panlee. You can speak normally with me, I'm fine with it."
Panlee smiled. "You're always so kind, Glai."
Thump thump.
Suddenly, his heart pounded. It wasn't just Panlee's words that made his heart race, it was also his gaze, voice, and relaxed manner.
Panlee's natural charm...
...made Glai's heart tremble.
"Are you usually someone who doesn't smile easily?"
Glai hesitated before answering, "Not really, but if I'm not close to someone, it takes some time."
"So, you don't smile much at people you're not close to?"
"Not true... I do smile, just not as much as I do with people I'm close to," he said, rubbing his ear, feeling it heat up. "I'm shy, so I don't smile or talk much with others."
"I see... I understand now."
"But it's not that I don't like talking to people. I want to be friends with everyone, but I'm not good at approaching others," Glai explained further, fearing Panlee might think he wasn't making enough effort to connect with others.
"I'm trying to change. I'm learning to talk more so I can get along with people easily."
"You don't need to try so hard... Just be yourself."
"..."
"...People who want to know you will find their own ways to get to know you."
"..."
"...Like I'm trying to find a way to see that smile from earlier again," Panlee said, holding up his black phone. "Sometimes, those who aren't close have to try a little harder."
It felt like Glai was dreaming. He never thought Panlee would want to see his smile because every day he watched Khun Prachan, wishing to see his smile just as much.
That alone...
...was enough.
For someone secretly in love.
Suddenly, the melody of a song that Glai had heard years ago started playing from Khun Prachan's phone. Khun Prachan was still resting his head on the seat, looking as relaxed as ever. Glai glanced at the other person who was smiling slightly while looking at the phone screen. When the voice of the singer began, Khun Prachan shifted his gaze from the screen and locked eyes with him.
'I'm being watched by you, always keeping an eye on what I do, like I'm a flirt.'
"Have you ever listened to this song?"
Glai nodded in response. "I have."
"This should work," Khun Prachan said.
'I accidentally glanced at a woman. Not all men mean to, but the heart slips. I try to talk to her to make her understand why men like to look at women.'
Glai didn't know what Panlee was going to do, but he knew that he had to keep listening to the song, because Khun Prachan's eyes told him to.
'It's normal to glance at a beautiful person like you. I just couldn't control myself, I just wanted to know.'
"..."
'I know how much I love you, but you've never trusted me, never agreed. I feel uncomfortable and want to tell you.'
At this point, Khun Prachan started singing along with the singer. Since Glai had heard this song before, he could tell that the next part of the song would be a rap, fast-paced. A smile appeared on Panlee's face at this moment.
Don't tell me Panlee is...
"Hey one two three, I'm not the bad boy, just trying to tell you I'm not a flirt. If you understand, it's okay. If you don't, I'll be confused. If you call me out, I'll feel the D AR K mood."
Yes... Khun Prachan was rapping live for him.
'I want you to remember, looking at pretty girls, every time I do it, it's fate, it's karma that all men slip. If I don't feel guilty about it, I wouldn't tell you. I'm honest, not lying. I've just never told you.'
Panlee didn't do the gestures like rappers on TV shows, but he just smiled and locked eyes with Glai while rapping. Glai shook his head lightly because he didn't think Panlee would dare do this. But everything Panlee did was to make him smile even wider.
Khun Prachan succeeded...
Because of his cuteness, Glai smiled even wider. The tall guy laughed softly before pressing stop on the song. Now Panlee was smiling and looking at him. Glai thought that Panlee might be feeling embarrassed because he rubbed the back of his neck before pointing at him.
"Smile now..." At this moment, a bright smile spread across his handsome face.
"After going this far... if you don't smile, I'll be really sad."
Glai laughed before saying, "It means you must rap often... because you did a great job rapping just now, no mistakes."
"Lee raps when the traffic is stuck... to kill time."
"..."
"But I've never rapped in front of anyone like this."
Of course... there were probably many people Panlee had sung for, but if he said this...
It's clear that... Glai was the first person Panlee rapped for. Glai nodded while smiling wide. He just couldn't stop smiling this time. Even though Panlee seemed embarrassed by what he did, he still held eye contact with Glai.
"Lee knows I'll be embarrassed... but I still want to make you smile."
"..."
"Once I see you smile, I feel like... it's totally worth it."
Glai smiled even wider at Khun Prachan to thank him for his effort. "Thank you for making me smile."
"We'll exchange it... you made me smile too."
Khun Prachan's smile now...
Made Glai realize that... the moon really has a light that the sun cannot match. Glai wasn't referencing any theory he had learned, but just observing the reality in front of him.
This moon shines brighter than the sun...
...
"Park in front, Panlee. I'll walk in myself."
"You're carrying a lot of things, Glai. Let me drive you closer."
Khun Prachan turned the car into his condo. Glai pointed to the parking area to indicate where to park. When the car stopped behind another car, Glai unbuckled his seatbelt and picked up the gift bag on his lap, ready to get out. Afraid of leaving something in the car, he glanced around the seat again. When Panlee saw him looking for something, he reached over and turned on the car's interior light.
"What are you looking for, Glai?"
"Nothing... I'm just checking if I left anything behind."
"Oh..."
Knock knock.
The sound of knocking on the glass made both of them stop what they were doing and look toward the source of the noise. Glai frowned as he saw a tall man he had seen around the condo. The person outside knocked on the driver's side window again, as if asking to have the window rolled down. Panlee sighed lightly before saying,
"Damn... you remember this car?"
Glai guessed this man was Panlee's friend. Khun Prachan moved his hand to lower the window. The person outside smiled at him before putting both hands on the door frame and peering inside the car.
"Panlee's friend — we weren't meeting up for the game today... why are you at my condo?"
Panlee turned to look at Glai for a moment before turning back to answer his friend.
"I'm dropping off Khun Glai."
'Khun Glai'
Only a few people called him this, and it always warmed his heart whenever he heard it. His mother was the first one to call him "Khun Glai," and after she passed, it felt like the name had gone with her. Although his brother and uncle still called him that, it didn't feel as warm as when his mother said it.
But Panlee made the name "Khun Glai" come alive again. He made him feel warm inside when he heard it. Glai placed his hand on his chest while watching the other person talk to his friend.
His heart didn't race.
It was calm...
And smiling with happiness.
"I feel like I've seen you before."
"Khun Glai lives in the same condo as you... you must have seen him before, right?"
"True..." Panlee's friend said, giving him a smile. "I'm 'Ne.' Next time we meet, feel free to say hi."
"Damn, you're really chatty..." Panlee said in an annoyed tone, waving his hand lightly, signalling his friend to go away. "Go wherever you want... stop hanging on my car."
"You really get annoyed by your friends, huh?"
"You know you annoy me and still don't improve, huh?"
The person named Ne laughed, then extended his hand to Panlee. "Give me five hundred... if I get it, I'll leave you alone."
"What the hell? Live in a condo worth millions, and still ask your friend for money?"
"After my wife punished me by taking my wallet... she left me with only a hundred. I'm going to 7-11, I think a hundred isn't enough."
"And what if you don't see me?"
"It should be enough."
"You idiot!"
"Come on... consider it helping to extend a friend's life."
"This is what being a wife's slave feels like." Panlee said as he pulled out his wallet. He shook his head slightly while taking out a purple bill. "You should try being a brave househusband sometimes, damn."
"Sure... when you get a wife, you'll know."
"Know what?" Panlee, who was handing the purple bill to his friend, quickly pulled his hand back to listen to the response.
"Know that... you have to follow your wife's rules strictly, or you'll end up like me."
Panlee laughed happily before handing the purple bill to his friend. "Nice answer... at first, I was going to make you pay it back, but now you don't have to because I like your answer."
"You've got potential."
"Potential for what?"
"Potential to be scared of your wife." (AN: LMAOOOO)
"No way."
"We'll see."
"Go, damn... go eat something."
"Bye."
Glai smiled as he watched Khun Prachan quietly sigh. He quickly pressed the window button as soon as his friend walked away. Panlee turned to look at him and smiled.
"Sorry, Glai. Lee's friend likes to cause trouble like this."
"It's okay, I understand."
"But don't worry, Glai. Normally, he doesn't take anyone's money. His family has money, but this time, it seems like his girlfriend really punished him hard."
Glai smiled at the other person and nodded. "I'm not scared. If I meet Panlee's friend again, I'll say hi to him too."
"You don't have to say hi to him, Glai... He's a delusional person. Talking to him doesn't make sense."
Glai laughed when he saw Panlee frown while speaking. Right now, Panlee seemed like a spoiled child. But Glai thought he understood why Panlee didn't want him talking to his friend. Panlee must be afraid that his friend would say something bad to him.
But from what Glai could see... Ne was a pretty friendly person.
It probably wasn't what Panlee thought...
At this moment, Glai gathered his courage and looked at Panlee. They locked eyes for several minutes before his heart, which had started to beat faster, signalled him to pull back. Glai sent a smile to Khun Prachan to thank him for making his smile wider than ever today.
"Thanks for dropping me off."
"You're welcome."
The small person opened the door and the gift bag fell from Khun Prachan's sports car. He stood and smiled at the person in the car, but because the windows were completely tinted, Glai couldn't see Khun Prachan.
Though he didn't know if Panlee would turn to look at him, Glai would stay right here, Always smiling at Khun Prachan...
But then the black tinted glass slowly began to lower, and the interior lights that had been turned off lit up again. Glai saw Khun Prachan smiling back at him. The person took one hand off the steering wheel, since both of Glai's hands were full of gift bags, so all he could do was nod back at him.
"Glai..."
"..."
"If Glai sees Lee at the university... Glai can greet Lee, okay?"
"..."
"But if Lee sees Glai first... I'll go and greet Glai myself."
Once again, Glai smiled widely. He nodded in response, happy, before saying,
"Okay... I'll greet Panlee later."
"Yes, sir."
"..."
Our conversation ended, but the car window hadn't been rolled up yet. Glai was able to capture the smile of Khun Prachan a little longer. Glai looked at Khun Prachan until the very last second, before the person's smile was obscured by the dark tinted window. He stood there waving until Panlee's car began to move away from the condo.
The small person, carrying bags, looked up at the crescent moon in the dark sky. Although the original moon had already moved on, it still left its smile with him. Glai would remember that...
On this birthday,
The moon had orbited around him for many hours.
:)