"May, for the cargo assignment, we just need to compile the files from New, Thot, and Orn, right?"
"Yes, yes. Once the three of them send the files, we'll combine them into a single file and email it to the professor."
"The professor said to submit it by 11 PM today," Pie added.
"I already know"
"May knows... but do they?"
"I told them yesterday in the group chat."
"Oh..."
"Once you've compiled the files, you can send them to me to check before submitting to the professor. I'll help make sure everything is in order."
"Sure... Are you heading straight back to the condo after class, Glai?"
Pie's question made Glai, who had just slung his canvas bag over his shoulder, pause. He bit his lip and shook his head to refuse. Before he could say anything, the twofriends, who were also packing up to head home, started teasing him with their looks again.
"Hmm, hmm ~ Got plans with Panlee, huh?"
"Uh, yeah," Glai replied hesitantly.
"0_0" May widened her eyes, then nudged Pie's arm lightly with her elbow. "...Pie, I didn't expect this at all. I was just asking for fun, but turns out they do have plans."
"You're really stepping up your game these days, Glaijai ~"
"Stop it, stop teasing me."
"...So where are you two going?"
Pie, just keep teasing...Because if she stop, she'll just ask questions like this.
"Um..." Glai hesitated, flustered and not feeling like himself. A smile and the sound of Khun Sasin's voice suddenly popped into his head. "...We're going to watch a movie."
"Whooo~"
"Haha!"
"May... making noises like that is going too far."
May laughed and said, "Sorry, sorry."
"I'm so embarrassed that I could die."
"We believe it, Glai. You're blushing all over again—face and ears."
The smaller one raised a hand to touch his burning cheek before walking out of the classroom. His two teasing friends followed closely behind. However, a Line notification stopped Glai in his tracks. A soft smile appeared on his sweet face. He guessed it was likely a message from Khun Prachan.
But the message on the screen made Glai frown deeply. He turned to look at his two friends behind him. May and Pie were also staring at the same phone, shaking their heads and sighing together.
Newz: I tried looking for additional information for the task, but I couldn't find anything.
Thot: Me too. The data for this airline is so scarce. Just use what we have.
A: I could find more info. I've sent my file to Glai's email already.
"You guys are... seriously pissing me off right now."
"If New and Thot say this, it's like they're leaving the rest for us to figure out."
"It's like they're intentionally dumping the work on us because they know Glai won't let the assignment be incomplete. They always do this when we're in the same group. And guess who ends up finishing everything? Us and Glai."
Glai had promised himself he wouldn't let others take advantage of him again. He thought it over carefully before typing a message in the group chat.
glaijai: How about we all work together to finish this properly? The professor expects a final check by today before the actual presentation next week.
Newz: I've already left the campus.
Thot : I've left too.
A: Do I have to go back? I have plans to have dinner with my mom.
glaijai: For Orn's part, give me five minutes to check.
glaijai: As for New and Thot...
glaijai: I'll give you another chance to decide.
glaijai: Are you really not coming back to finish your parts, even though your sections aren't complete?
The little one nodded at his two friends as if signalling them to find a table to sit down because it seemed like this conversation would take a while. We walked to a long table a bit away from the classroom. May took out her laptop from her canvas bag to check Orn's work.
Glai sat, staring at the message he sent, which had been read but received no reply. He knew New and Thot were probably thinking hard. They likely assumed he would just finish the work for them, as he had in the past. But this time, Glai wasn't going to let New and Thot get away with it. He had asked them to add more data to the report since Sunday.
He had given them three whole days...But Glai believed that even if they had weeks or months, New and Thot would still pull the same stunt. They never changed. The little one finished checking Orn's report and nodded at his friends to signal that Orn's data was good to use. Glai took a deep breath before typing another message into the Line chat.
glaijai: Orn's part is good to go.
A: Okay, then I'm not going back.
glaijai: Okay.
glaijai: What about you two? What's your decision?
glaijai: The latest the work can be submitted is tonight at 11 PM because the professor mentioned that there won't be time to review it after this.
glaijai: Therefore, the work must be completed today.
"New and Thot definitely won't come back," Pie said.
"This time might be different because Glai has never spoken to them like this before."
Glai looked up at his two friends, who seemed worried. He didn't know whether New and Thot would return to help finish the work at the university, but Glai was determined to try his best to protect himself. Even if others might see it as stubbornness and feel that such a small issue should be let go, allowing him to do the work himself for the sake of getting it done quickly.
Glai wanted to do that too, as he didn't want the headache of dealing with these two. Taking on New and Thot's work wasn't difficult; he just needed to add some information. But if he did that again, it would mean he had broken the promise he made to himself.
To... Glaijai,
This is me, stronger than yesterday.
I promise to protect Glaijai as best as I can.
I won't let Glaijai endure unfair treatment from others who take advantage...
...and I won't let it rain in Glaijai's heart anymore.
From... Myself.
Because this promise to himself could not be broken, Glai resolved to stand firm and protect himself this time. Glai thought he shouldn't break a promise to himself because it would diminish his self-confidence.
If we can do it this time...
No matter how much harder things get in the future,
We'll believe in ourselves to overcome them too.
And we will achieve what we believe we can.
The messages from New and Thot gave Glai a sense of relief. Pie and May high-fived each other with a loud clap, as if they had completed an important mission together.
Newz: I'll head back.
Thot: Me too, give me five minutes.
glaijai: Don't go to the library anymore. May brought her laptop. Let's work together on the 8th floor of Building 11.
Newz: I was just about to say I didn't bring my laptop.
glaijai: I didn't expect New or Thot to bring anything.
glaijai: Just showing up is enough.
Thot : Here, I'm on my way already.
Glai locked his phone screen with a sigh of relief and looked at his two friends reading the messages in the group chat. But his relief didn't last long as he glanced at his watch—it was exactly 3 PM.
3 PM...
He had an appointment with Panlee.
Perhaps because he showed a worried expression, prompting his friends to speak up.
"Oh! I forgot Glai has a movie date with Panlee."
"True... Well, Glai, you should go. We'll handle this."
Glai didn't like being taken advantage of by New and Thot, who prioritized their comfort over group responsibilities. He refused to act like them.
"It's okay. I might just ask Panlee to wait for me a little longer."
Yes... Glai would ask Khun Prachan to wait for him. He didn't want to miss the chance to be close to the moon this time. Hopefully... Panlee would understand. The little one swiped his screen to open the Line application again. Glai selected the chat room with his close friend before typing a message.
glaijai: Panlee
Before long... the message was read.
P.Panli: Yes, I've arrived at Building 11. I'm on my way to pick you up on the 8th floor.
And the same kind-hearted person replied. Glai bit his lip tightly. Even though he hadn't cancelled the date, merely asking the other person to wait made him feel incredibly guilty for making Panlee wait so long. The guilt growing inside him caused his fingers to freeze. He couldn't think of a proper way to apologize and likely left Khun Prachan waiting too long for a reply, prompting another message from the other person.
P.Panli: Do you know, Khun Glai, that messages have been read for over 2 minutes without a reply?
P.Panli: Make the person waiting for a response feel at risk
Glai stayed silent, reading Khun Prachan's message.
P.Panli: At risk of being left to watch a movie alone.
Oh no... Glaijai couldn't leave a puppy behind. Because Khun Prachan's messages sounded too sad, Glai quickly typed a reply.
glaijai: I'm not leaving Panlee to watch the movie alone.
glaijai: It's just that there's a slight issue with my group project.
glaijai: Can you give me 20 minutes, Panlee?
And Glai knew... the apology he was about to type next wasn't appropriate for the situation. Yet, for some reason, he decided to send it.
glaijai: Puppy, I'm sorry for making you wait.
Khun Prachan read the message but didn't reply immediately. Glai almost retracted the message he had just sent when the other person finally responded.
P.Panli: I just stepped out of the elevator. Where are you on the 8th floor?
Glaijai: Panlee, please wait at the elevator. I'll come out to get you.
P.Panli: Okay.
Glai's eyes lingered on the last message sent by the other person, but his brain urged his body to rise from the chair. He placed his phone into his pocket before telling both his friends,
"May, Pie, I'll go out to meet Panlee for a moment."
"Okay, okay."
Once his friends nodded in acknowledgment, the little one walked out from the spacious hall filled with long tables for students to work at, heading to meet Khun Prachan at the elevator. From afar, Glai noticed the tall figure looking down, engrossed in a phone. He quickened his pace. The moment Glai approached Khun Prachan, he lifted his gaze from the phone screen and met Glai's eyes.
At first glance... the puppy-like eyes seemed so sad.
But the moment Panlee smiled...
...the eyes resembled a crescent moon turned downward. Is this what they call a 'smile that lights up the whole face'?
"You, Glai..."
"Glai came to get the puppy already."
"But even if you hadn't, I'd have just kept standing here, waiting."
Here we go again... Panlee was being adorable again. Glai didn't know how to respond. He sought help from his brain, but couldn't find the right words to match the sentiment. Instead, he consulted his heart. His small heart advised him to stand slightly on tiptoe, reach out, and gently pat the tall one's head, offering a phrase as a reward for this lovely person.
"Oh... Glai wouldn't leave the puppy behind."
Yes, this phrase no longer echoed only in his heart.
"Thank you for not leaving me behind, Glai."
Because Glai chose to listen to his heart...
And chose to say it out loud.
He withdrew his hand from the soft hair, giving the taller figure a smile before saying:
"Wait for me a bit, Panlee. I'll finish up my work quickly."
"Got it."
When Panlee replied with a smile, Glai nodded, signalling Khun Prachan to follow him to the spacious hall where his friends are waiting. While walking side by side, Panlee lightly tapped Glai's arm with a finger.
"Yes?"
"When we go to the movie, should I drive my own car, or yours?" Panlee asked while gently patting Glai's head before continuing, "If I drive your car, I'll drop you off at your condo after the movie, then take a taxi back to pick up my car from the university. But if I drive mine, I'll drop you at the university so you can drive yourself back to the condo."
"Then, why don't we just drive our own cars separately, puppy?" Glai hadn't forgotten that he didn't drive to the university, but he was just curious about Panlee's reasoning.
The one asked furrowed his brows slightly before responding:
"Well... the puppy wants to go with Glai."
Panlee's reasoning made Glai smile. Sometimes, someone's seemingly complicated and difficult actions can make us wonder... why do we have to make something easy difficult?
But we rarely realize... sometimes the reason for doing something difficult is incredibly simple. A person might be willing to make something easy slightly harder and endure a little more exhaustion...
For one simple reason, That is, 'Because... the puppy wants to go with Glai.'
"I forgot to tell you, Panlee... I didn't drive today."
"Oh? I thought you drove. Then how did you get here, Glai?"
"Actually, I planned to drive, but seeing the long traffic jam in front of the condo this morning, I decided to take a motorbike taxi instead. Otherwise, I'd have been late for class."
"Oh..." Khun Panlee, who had been listening intently, nodded while continuing to pat Glai's head. "When you take a motorbike taxi, make sure to wear a helmet, okay? Take care of yourself since they usually ride fast."
"Mm-hmm."
"And... don't hug the motorbike driver. Just hold onto their waist."
Panlee's remark brought a burst of laughter from Glai. He tilted his head to look at the taller figure who still hadn't stopped patting his head and asked, "Why can't I hug the motorbike driver?"
"Because..." Khun Prachan paused briefly before pulling Glai's head to rest against his chest. His hand moved from Glai's head to his shoulder. "...This close friend doesn't like it when you get too close to anyone."
"..."
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
This close friend... why is he so possessive?
So possessive that... it made Glai's heart race. The tall figure murmured softly as though speaking only to himself,
"Don't get close to anyone else. Don't hug anyone else. Don't smile at anyone else, okay?"
But Glai heard every word clearly—every request from Khun Prachan.
"..."
"I'm just... possessive."
Glai chuckled softly upon hearing the words of the sulking, jealous puppy. A part of him wanted to ask why Panlee was so possessive of a close friend like him, but Glai guessed that Panlee wasn't ready to explain this reasoning just yet. If he were confident enough in this matter... Khun Prachan would have spoken out loud without muttering like this. It's okay to lack confidence now.
Everything takes time—Glai understood.
Let's take it step by step together, Khun Prachan. :)
The two of them arrived at the long table where May and Pie are waiting. His friends' gazes made Glai feel a sudden warmth spread across his ears and cheeks. He knew those gazes were directed at Panlee's arm draped over his shoulder. May and Pie exchanged knowing smiles, nudging each other's arms with their elbows as if sharing a secret about their friend's obvious awkwardness. To divert attention and prevent Panlee from noticing, Glai hurried to say something.
"Panlee may have seen my friends many times already, but I still haven't properly introduced them..." Glai said while glancing at the tall person who was paying attention to him, before starting the introduction. "This is May, and this is Pie."
"Nice to meet you," said Panlee.
"Nice to meet you too, Panlee."
"Nice to meet you too, Khun Pra-... oops! Panlee."
Glai glared at May, who was giggling. He knew she was intentionally teasing him. Today, Glai realized that... the one we trust are often the one who can be the most mischievous. The little one, whose face turned red from embarrassment, slowly looked at Khun Prachan, who was smiling softly.
Glai gave a dry smile before saying, "Panlee, please wait here for a bit. Once the others arrive, I'll hurry and finish the work within the twenty minutes we agreed on."
"No need to rush, we still have some time," Khun Prachan said, releasing his hand from Glai's shoulder. Glai sat down on the chair with Khun Prachan, who then asked,
"Is there a problem with the group project, Glai?"
"Um..." How should he put it? Should he tell it straight that his friends aren't doing their work? Would Panlee think he's being too negative?
Glai took a moment to think carefully and answered as neutrally as possible, "I asked the other three to find more information for the report. One person finished what I asked, but the other two said they tried but couldn't find anything more."
"..."
"So, I decided to stay and help finish it because today is the last day the teacher scheduled to check the report before the real presentation."
"Did you only ask your friends to find more information... and not ask them to revise any part of the report?"
"Yes. I just asked for more information because there really wasn't enough."
" The reason I asked is because I thought... finding more information would be easier than revising. When I heard they couldn't find more information, I felt... never mind, I shouldn't say more, it might interfere with your group's work."
"You're not interfering, Panlee. It's better to exchange opinions," May said.
"Yes. Feel free to speak," Pai added.
Khun Prachan turned to look at Glai before asking, "Do you allow Panlee to express my opinion, Khun Glai?"
Glai nodded because he thought what May said was true. Everyone has different perspectives, and as long as everyone respects each other, sharing opinions isn't interference.
"You don't need to ask for my permission, Panlee. I don't see it as interference. I think the same as May."
"I think they didn't try to take responsibility for their part of the work. I'm not underestimating anyone's effort. Some people may have done their best but still couldn't do it."
"...."
"But in this case, from what I've heard... I don't see something indicating they truly tried their best. There should be something that changed, even a little, to show an effort. The statement 'I tried but couldn't find anything' is hard to believe because I believe... no matter the task, if we truly try, we'll always get some result, even if it's small."
Glai thought Panlee's words were true because anything we do with effort will always result in something. But the work of Thot and New, which had no added information and no changes at all, clearly showed... they didn't try at all.
"..."
"And while the other group members finished their tasks, they had to work on something that wasn't theirs. It just doesn't feel fair. I understand that group work means helping each other. That's a given. But true teamwork is when there's a problem, and everyone is willing to solve it together. If someone can't do their part, they ask for help. This is how group work should be... not like this."
"Plus ten for Panlee's words."
"To be honest, Panlee. those guys take advantage of us," May said.
Panlee shook his head slightly before turning to look at Glai and saying, "Khun Glai... let me help you with the work. You'd be curious to know how hard it is to find information for your friends' part, right? Maybe someone in aviation has to do harder work than someone in graphics like me. Then I'll know if what I think is right or wrong."
"Good idea, Panlee. The work will get done faster," Pie said.
"You..." Glai said, laughing softly. He knew Pie just wanted to finish and go. Glai then nodded at the person beside him. "If it's not too much trouble, this aviation student would like to have this skilled graphic student help with the work."
"..."
Glai smiled to himself while looking at Khun Prachan. His heart started racing as a sentence popped into his head, and his heart raced even faster when Glai decided to say it aloud... "If we finish the work quickly... we can go see a movie together soon, right?"
Glai didn't know... normally, who is more embarrassed, the one who flirts or the one who is flirted with But now Glai knew... he's blushing like crazy.
>////<
Khun Prachan, who was flirted with by him smiled because Glai was very embarrassed, so he decided to look at the two friends sitting across from him. However, his smiles and gazes didn't make Glai feel any less embarrassed. So, he had to lower his eyes to look at the long table instead. Glai thought that the proverb 'tight spaces are bearable, but tight hearts are hard to bear' didn't apply to him. Because if it were to apply to him, the proverb would need to be changed to...
'Tight spaces are bearable, but blushing until your heart is tight... that's almost unbearable.'
"We need to find more information for two parts of the report, right? ...Are we only using May's laptop?"
Glai looked up at Khun Prachan, who was asking his friend, "..."
"Yes... they said they didn't bring their laptops, so I said it would be fine as long as I had just myself."
Glai looked at Panlee, shaking his head and letting out a small sigh before turning to look at him.
"Glai... I think if we only have one laptop to work with, the work will definitely take
longer."
"I usually carry my laptop in the car, but today I didn't drive..." Glai thought the same as Panlee, but he didn't know who to borrow a laptop from right now.
"Let me go get the MacBook from the car. We'll get the work done faster."
"Do you want me to go with you, Panlee?"
"No, it's fine. I'll go by myself. You stay here and rest. It's better than you getting tired."
Glai nodded before saying, "Panlee... thank you."
"It's nothing. No need to thank me," Panlee said as he stood up, his large hand reaching to gently pat Glai's head before pulling away. Glai watched the tall figure walking out of the hall.
"Alright... if anyone says Panlee is no good, this May will follow and smack their face at home."
Pie laughed, then spoke, "Really... so helpful, doing everything for a future boyfriend."
"Pie! What are you talking about?"
Pie's words made Glai blush, and he accidentally scolded his friends loudly. Glai grumbled to himself, complaining about his friends who wouldn't stop teasing him. He admitted that he wanted to upgrade his status to 'future boyfriend', but he still remembered that right now, he could only be 'a close friend'.
But for now, Glai would just enjoy the words 'future boyfriend'. Because those words... are so cute to GlaiJai
"Blushing and still scolding ~"
"Haha."
"You two are getting good at teasing, huh? Wait until it's my turn, I'll tease you until you'll be running to the bathroom several times a day!"
The two friends laughed before immediately stopping when they saw New and Thot walk into the room. They stopped by the table where we were sitting and made a bored expression.
"Let me do it first, Thot. I want to go home soon."
"Wait, didn't you tell me to do it first?"
"Don't argue. My friend is going to get a laptop so we can work together." Glai said, glancing at both of them with an exhausted expression, then continued, "It's not just New and Thot who want to go home early. Everyone else wants to go home soon too, so let's focus and finish the work, okay?"
"I know..." New said, then sat next to May, placing May's laptop in front of her and immediately started working. Pie, who was sitting next to May, shook her head, looking annoyed.
"Do I really have to wait for your friend?"
"Yep, just like how we had to wait for Thot."
The listener opened his mouth as if wanting to respond but chose to sit at the empty chair next to Glai. Not long after, Khun Prachan appeared with a brand-new MacBook.
New took her eyes off the laptop screen and stared at Panlee. Glai couldn't believe how possessive he was becoming. Since falling for Khun Prachan, Glai had to admit he was extremely possessive. He coughed to clear his throat before speaking.
"Let's focus on the work so it gets done faster."
And it seemed his warning worked because New quickly turned her attention back to the work. But less than a minute later, the one who he thought would focus asked,
"Thot, do you want to go first? I totally forgot that today I can delay the meeting. I'm not in a rush anymore. Aren't you in a hurry? Come do the work on May's laptop. May's laptop is faster."
New wants to be near Khun Prachan, huh?
Glai could tell...
It was the first time in years that Glai felt annoyed. He was thinking about how to keep Panlee away from someone who was doing everything to stay close to Khun Prachan. Glai thought New must have missed the news. Well, Glai would update her... right now, Glai is a close friend with Panlee. No one could get between us.
But... hold on, Glai would find a way to remove anyone trying to get in between us first. The little one looked at Khun Prachan who sat down between him and Thot. Glai was thinking hard about what to do to keep Thot from changing his mind to work on May's laptop because looking at Thot's expression that wanted to go home so badly, Glai thought that Thot would definitely move to work on May's laptop. but Panlee, who was opening the MacBook with a neutral face, turned to him and asked,
"What's your name again?"
"Thot."
"Thot?"
"Yeah."
"Then sit and work with me. Don't go to May's computer."
"..."
"I'm not good with words, you won't mind, right?"
"I don't mind."
"Good."
It seemed like Khun Prachan understood him, and chose to distance himself from New without Glai having to do anything. The conversation between Panlee and Thot didn't sound friendly at all. Glai could only pray that Thot would smoothly work with Khun Prachan...
Don't act stubborn with Khun Prachan, Thot. Otherwise... Thot might end up covered in blood. Glai wouldn't stop it... because he probably couldn't.
"So, which part of the work did you say you couldn't do?"
"Bring your MacBook here. I'll do it myself."
"I asked which part you couldn't do. I didn't ask you to give me orders."
Thot looked at Panlee for a moment, then said, "I need to open the email first to check the report."
"Tell me the email name."
Thot told Panlee the email and pointed to the screen of the MacBook. "This topic, I couldn't find more information."
"Yeah, that's all. Why're you acting tough?"
Glai swallowed, looking at Khun Prachan in his stern mode. He'd never seen Panlee so serious and intense before when he turned to look at Glai. Glai unconsciously bit his lip and held his breath, afraid of being scolded like Thot. However, the frown on Panlee's face quickly relaxed, and his previously cold eyes turned warm again.
"Khun Glai... for the content in English, do we need to translate it to Thai first, or can we put the English content directly into the report?"
Glai leaned in to look at the screen. The topic that Thot said he couldn't find more information on, Panlee, as a graphic designer, had already found it easily. There were also questions that Thot had never thought of.
"We need to translate it into Thai first before adding it to the report."
"Okay."
"Let me help translate."
"It's okay. Let Lee read and summarize the key points because some things aren't that important, it will save time not to translate every paragraph."
Panlee works the same way as him...
Focused on speed but without missing the key points. Glai watched the person using the mouse and working swiftly. He turned to look at Thot before speaking in a calm tone, "I'll help with this part... If it's done, you can add it to the report yourself."
"Hmm."
"'Hmm', what does it mean... A thank you from the new generation?"
Panlee asked the other party while still focusing on the MacBook screen, his hand typing the content translated into Thai. Glai barely held in his laughter because the teasing sentence from Panlee wasn't mocking Thot at all, but he had to turn away and hold back a laugh because he didn't expect Khun Prachan to be capable of teasing like that.
"If you're not willing to help me, then don't help me. But don't talk so rudely like that."
"Do you think I'm willing to help you that much? I don't want to help you at all. None of my business, you idiot."
"..."
"But the reason I'm sitting here translating your work... is because I want to go watch a movie with Khun Glai soon."
"..."
"If you don't help finish the work faster, just keep your mouth shut. Don't make me even more annoyed."
From what was heard, Panlee told Thot to stay quiet by himself, but everyone could sense the tension in Khun Prachan's voice. Right now, no one dared to say anything. The friend sitting opposite him just bowed his head and focused on his work.
"..."
"I'll tell you, if this was a group project, your name wouldn't even be on the cover page. You'd have been pushed aside long ago... You're lucky to even be with Khun Glai."
"Should I bow to Khun Glai then?"
"Khun Glai isn't a monk, what do you need to bow for?" Panlee said, shaking his head.
Now, Glai was starting to wonder if Panlee had truly met Thot for the first time, because the two seemed like rivals who had been at odds for a long time, throwing insults at each other like it was natural for people who had fought through words.
Panlee slid his MacBook over to Thot before saying, "Put the content I translated into the report."
"Is it done?"
"Yeah!"
The little one flinched slightly when Khun Prachan raised his voice at the other party. Glai quickly smiled when Panlee looked his way. He laughed before reaching out to lightly rub his head, something he liked to do.
"..."
"Are you smiling to cheer Panlee on?"
Glai scrunched his nose and smiled even wider, "Yeah... and did my encouragement reach Panlee?"
I told you... GlaiJai has gotten much better. He's been able to tease Panlee many times today.
"The one sending encouragement is GlaiJai himself, of course it reached, right?"
That's right...
It's GlaiJai.
Why wouldn't it make Khun Prachan fall in love?
:)
"New, where are you at with your work?"
"I'm organizing the layout."
"Do you want me to help organizing?"
Glai offered to help because New wasn't getting her work done. Even though May and Pie were helping, New was working slowly as if trying to make them wait longer. Thot had already finished his part, but still had to wait for his best friend because New insisted on leaving together. Glai looked at his wristwatch anxiously since the movie had already started more than ten minutes ago.
He turned to look at the person beside him who was playing a game on his phone. Panlee showed no expression but was silent, which made it clear that he wasn't happy.
"No need. I can do it myself."
"It's just organizing the layout, why is it taking you so long, New?"
"I'm not working carelessly like you, Thot."
Glai sighed deeply. He couldn't just take the laptop from New to do it himself, otherwise he'd seem impolite, and earlier, May had been so upset that she snatched the notebook from New, which led to a small argument that made her leave to calm down.
"Khun Glai, is something wrong?"
The person asked and Glai looked up at Khun Prachan before speaking in a sad voice,
"Panlee... the movie has already started."
"Really... is it that bad?" Panlee said with a laugh. "The movie's already started, we can watch another one."
The reason Glai was upset was because he was afraid they wouldn't get to watch the movie together today. He smiled widely when he realized there was still a chance they could go together.
"Let me pay for the tickets this round."
"You don't have to worry about that, Khun Glai. As long as you still want to watch the movie with me, I'll buy a new ticket if needed, no matter how many rounds."
The sincerity in Khun Prachan's eyes as he spoke made Glai want to say something equally heartfelt. He hesitated for a minute before deciding to speak.
"Even if Panlee doesn't buy me tickets, I still want to go watch a movie with Panlee."
Khun Prachan smiled brightly before reaching out to gently pinch his nose, as if teasing him.
"Okay, okay. It's done."
"Ugh! Finally, how long were you going to delay?" May, who had just returned from walking, said.
"All the work is done. Then let's go, Khun Glai,"
Glai nodded and stood up, following Khun Prachan. He picked up his yellow fabric bag and slung it over his shoulder before waving goodbye to his friends.
"I've seen you walking with that Mek from Civil Engineering. You're friends with him, aren't you?"
Panlee's question immediately caught Glai's attention. He shifted his gaze from his friends and turned to look at Khun Prachan, who was staring at Thot, seated nearby.
"Yeah, so what?"
"Tell him... take it easy if he can. His shitty attitude. There are a lot of people waiting to kick him."
"..."
Thot's initially puzzled expression was replaced by a look of worry. He didn't respond, merely avoiding Panlee's gaze.
"Let's go, Khun Glai," Khun Prachan said while picking up his MacBook and holding it close to his side. With his other hand, he reached out Glai's hand and hold it.
"Ah, uh..."
Glai followed the taller person, who was now holding his hand as they walked to the elevator. He remained quiet, watching Khun Prachan's side as he looked up at the arrow above the elevator door, still holding his hand tightly. By now, Glai had a pretty good idea why Panlee was acting so cold toward Thot. He must have seen him hanging out with Mek before and probably knew they were friends. Glai was fully aware of Mek's personality, so it wasn't surprising that Panlee would say something like that. Mek must have unintentionally made a lot of people upset.
Since getting to know Panlee, Glai realized he had quite a few friends. He guessed that Mek might have angered several of Khun Prachan's friends to the point of being on their hit list. However, when it came to Khun Prachan himself, Mek likely hadn't wronged him directly.
Glai didn't want to believe that Panlee's dislike for Mek was because from that particular day. But when he recalled the conversation between the two that night, it confirmed that it was the first time Panli and Mek had met. And it was the first time that they had no impression of each other. Even though Glai didn't want to admit that Panlee's resentment toward Mek was because he had stepped in to help him that day, he had to accept that it might be true.
When Khun Prachan mentioned Mek to Thot, Glai felt a twitch in his heart. It's not because he thought Khun Prachan might knew that the person he had helped that day was him. Glai was confident he didn't. He had kept that story a secret well enough, even from P'Dom. And only his close friends knew. He had also asked them to keep it a secret. So there was no way Khun Prachan would find out.
But the reason for that twitch in his heart was that the memories of that day came rushing back, vividly replaying in his mind.
Ding!
The elevator's chime pulled Glai out of his thoughts. He followed the taller person, who was still holding his hand, into the elevator. Glai stared down at his leather shoes, pondering a question he had long wanted an answer to.
'Does Panlee still remember that day?'
The reason Glai left his 'thank you' unspoken, despite having many opportunities, was that he wasn't sure if Panlee still remembered the events of that day. If he brought it up and he didn't recall, he'd have to explain everything Telling the story of that day did not make him feel bad, but he was afraid that Panlee, who had already forgotten, would feel uncomfortable.
Uncomfortable that no matter how hard he tried, he still couldn't recall...and Glai feared that. And for someone like him, who remembered it vividly, what was he supposed to do? So, he chose to keep everything to himself, unsure when he would ever get to send that 'thank you' to the moon.
But at this moment, Glai carefully reconsidered and finally raised his head to look at the person holding his hand tightly.
"Panlee... did you know Mek before?"
The taller person shifted his gaze from the elevator numbers above the door to him and said, "Lee had a little issue with Mek, that's all."
Panlee's answer wasn't clear enough to confirm anything for Glai. He bit his lip and looked into Khun Prachan's eyes before gathering his courage to ask him again.
"Can I ask what kind of issue Panlee had with Mek?"
Khun Prachan was silent for a moment before replying, "I once saw him yelling in front of a bathroom, calling out to someone inside to come out."
"..."
"But I figured the person in there probably wanted to avoid him, so I stepped in and made him leave the area."
"..."
"That's how Lee came to know Mek, from that incident."
"Ah, I see..." Glai nodded to show he understood his explanation. Then, he glanced down at the larger hand gripping his even tighter than before. A thought that popped into his mind stung his nose.
'Panlee still remembers.'
'Khun Prachan still remembers that day.'
"Is something wrong, Khun Glai?"
The little one quickly inhaled deeply and shook his head before flashing a wide smile at Khun Prachan, who looked at him with concern.
"I'm fine. You don't need to worry, puppy."
And the warm, reassuring smile from the kind-hearted puppy in response...
...made Glai want to finally say, "Thank you."
The bright smile gradually faded. Panlee furrowed his brows slightly as if puzzled by what he had said. Glai didn't know what would happen next, but he wanted to convey the feeling of gratitude to Khun Prachan.
"..."
"The person Mek forced out of the bathroom that day..."
"..."
"It was me."
"..."
After speaking, Glai felt an inexplicable relief. However, the overwhelming emotions building up inside him made it hard to continue. He swallowed and said, "Right now... I don't know where to start."
At first, Panlee seemed quite shocked by his words, but in the next moment, he abandoned all his feelings upon seeing how nervous he was. His large hand moved to hold Glai's tightly. Glai looked down at their joined hands, his eyeballs were burning, and a stinging sensation rising in his nose. He swallowed a lump in his throat before looking up to meet Khun Prachan's gaze again. Glai smiled at the other person, who was watching him.
"Take your time... This little puppy can wait."
Glai offered a soft smile in response to those warm words before organizing his thoughts to share his story.
"Back then, Thot and I were still in the same friend group. Mek was a friend from another faculty that Thot introduced, so Mek ended up meeting me. Mek liked me and had been pursuing me for some time, but I didn't like him, so I rejected him. I always tried to avoid Mek."
"..."
"But that day, when I went out with my friends to relax after the exams, I didn't know that New and Thot had invited Mek... so I ended up having to see him."
"..."
"When we met, it was the same as always—Mek kept pestering me, and I kept avoiding him. I was about to head back to my condo but stopped by the bathroom first. I was talking on the phone with a friend in one of the stalls. Mek, who came in later, probably heard my voice and recognized me... so he forced me to come out and talk to him. But I was scared, so I didn't come out..."
"..."
Tears welled up as Glai thought of that moment. "Until... Panlee came to help me."
"..."
"I knew it was Panlee because Mek called out your name. And when Panlee was leaving the bathroom, I peeked out from the stall and saw yours. That's how I knew it was really Panlee."
Glai glanced down, looking at his hand being held by him. He bit his trembling lip to hold back his feelings. Glai knew the tears he couldn't contain weren't entirely from fear of remembering that day but largely from gratitude. Gratitude for Khun Prachan, who became the light in his life...
"I'm sorry for never telling you about this, Panlee," Glai said, his face still flushed. "I was afraid you wouldn't remember that day... and I never thought we'd become such close friends."
"..."
"But when I got your answer in the elevator, I became confident that you remembered that day. That's why I wanted to thank you."
"..."
"I've always wanted to thank you, Panlee." Glai looked up at Khun Prachan, whose face blurred behind a wall of tears. He tried to control his trembling voice. Just letting the tears flow in front of him already felt bad enough.
"Now, I can finally thank you, but it's so late. I don't know how you'll feel, knowing I chose not to tell you about this even though we've known each other for a while..."
"..."
"Panlee... Can you forgive me?"
The scene before him remained blurry due to the wall of tears, but Khun Prachan's words were crystal clear.
"I can always forgive you, Khun Glai. And I understand why you chose to keep this to yourself."
"..."
"Everything you decide, Khun Glai, always considers others' feelings first. So this time, I believe you thought carefully about when to speak. It's not too late. You just waited for the right moment, and now is the right moment."
"..."
The wall of tears crumbled as his large hand gently touched Glai's cheek. The first clear image he saw was Khun Prachan's smile. Glai tightly pressed his lips together, raising a hand to wipe away the tears streaming from the corners of his eyes. ButPanlee gently shook his head in a gesture to stop him, using his thumb to wipe them away instead.
"I'm sorry... for leaving you alone in the bathroom that day," he said softly. Glai smiled through his tears and replied, "You don't need to apologize, Panlee. You didn't know..."
Khun Prachan offered a faint smile, his gaze filled with mixed emotions that Glai couldn't fully decipher. He lightly brushed his cheek with his thumb before speaking.
"Back then, when I wasn't by your side like I am now... What did you have to go through, Khun Glai?"
The question brought forth a fresh flow of tears, though Glai didn't sob uncontrollably. He simply let his feelings spill out in the form of tears. He tried to smile broadly before answering,
"I've been through so much. But all of it made me a stronger Glai Jai."
At that moment, the same moon that had always orbited distantly now felt truly within his reach. Panlee drew one arm to pull his body closer to his, before both of his thick arms hugged Glai. And in the next second, he tightened his embrace. Glai pressed his lips together tightly, resting his face against his broad shoulder. He closed his eyes and let the clear liquid flow freely before deciding to return the embrace.
"This hug isn't a comfort hug from a close friend... but a hug to make up for Khun Glai during the past time."
"..."
"I came so late... but I'm here now, Khun Glai."
"..."
"From now on... we'll stand by each other and face the bad days together, Khun Glai."
The little one nodded while still in Khun Prachan's embrace. Glai quickly wiped away the tears when they pulled apart. The charming face that often carried a playful smile now has only sincerity in its gaze and a warm, faint smile.
Panlee's smile at that moment...
...was like the soft yellow light of the moon.
It was warmth born from the moon, not the sun. And at that moment, Glai realized he should use up all his courage at once. He looked deeply into Khun Prachan's eyes before deciding to step out of the 'close friend' status. Even though he feared repeating past mistakes, he wanted to fight for love once again.
"Panlee... If we're going to face the bad days together, being just close friends isn't enough."
"..."
"Can Panlee be 'special someone' to me?"
"..."
"Someone more important than just a close friend. Someone who's ready to face everything together. Someone who'll always stand by my side through every moment."
It wasn't just courage that made Glai speak those words. but also something he saw in Khun Prachan's eyes. Though that something was hard to describe, Glai felt it was a 'special' feeling. That was why he decided to say it. He was confident Khun Prachan understood the meaning of the word 'special.'
If Khun Prachan agreed, it would mean their relationship would move to the next level—something deeper than just 'close friends.' Still, Glai had prepared himself for the possibility that Panlee might only want to remain close friends.
Glai locked eyes with Panlee's slender gaze. The other stayed silent, revealing no expression, while Glai's heart raced as he awaited the answer. When a bright smile appeared, his heart pounded even harder.
"If Khun Glai is willing to be Lee's 'special someone,' too..."
"..."
"Then Lee will also be Khun Glai's 'special someone'"
"..."
Glai's face lit up with a wide smile of joy. He nodded eagerly before saying, "I agree."
Who would have thought... Even Glai himself could hardly believe it...that one day, he would get this close to the moon.
But then Glai forgot... he is GlaiJai, after all.
...How could he not make it to the moon?
:)