Chapter 2 Pravat
CHAPTER TWO: Pravat
“How did the auditions go?” Kiet asks from where he’s studying on the couch in my new apartment. He’s my best friend and has a key. At moments like this one, when I’m exhausted and would like some time alone, I regret giving it to him.
Today Kiet’s dark hair is streaked with blue and pulled from his face by an elastic band. Tomorrow it will probably be pink or orange. Beneath the navy tank he wears, his muscles bulge and ripple as he closes one textbook and lifts another from the floor.
I slip off my shoes and walk to the bed, collapsing face down.
“They went well,” I mumble into the comforter. Closing my eyes, I let the stress of the day slide off me. I was so nervous about starting with a new company, but all in all, things went well.
“I brought you some rice noodles and pork. It’s on the counter.”
‘Mmm—love you,” I say, but don’t get up because I’m too comfortable.
“Of course you love me. I’m awesome. It must have been a terrible blow when you found out I’m straight.”
I snort at the much-repeated joke. For the next few moments, the soft purr of the air unit and the rustle of Kiet turning pages is the only noise in the room.
“Did they choose someone to play opposite you?” Kiet asks, jolting me out of a light doze.
“Not as far as I know.”
“Anyone you liked for the part?”
Definitely, and I’d been sure to tell Tida that when she asked. A couple of the guys who auditioned that day were fair, but only one of them threw me into the scene the moment he opened his mouth.
“Yeah. He’s new, though. I don’t know if they’ll give him the part.”
Kiet grunts. “Everything will work out, don’t worry. I have a good feeling.”
“You and your feelings,” I say, drifting off to sleep again.
I wake to the chime of my cell phone. Fumbling for it on the bed, I glance around and realize Kiet has left.
“Hello?” I mutter, then roll over and give a proper greeting when I realize I’m speaking to P’Tida, the producer.
“We’ve made our choice for Atid. His name is Rama Sathianthi.
He’s the same actor you mentioned to us.
We agree that he completely outshone the others and believe you have great chemistry with him.
I have arranged for the two of you to meet for lunch tomorrow during your break from classes to get to know each other a little before the first workshop on Saturday.
My assistant will text you the location. ”
“I’ll be there. P’Tida, I want to thank you again for taking a chance on me.”
“No need. Bright Productions will soon regret not standing up for you, believe me. After seeing you and Rama together today, I am very optimistic. Get some rest. Rama’s new to this and will need your guidance.”
She disconnects, and with a sigh, I fall back onto the bed.
Rama Sathianthi. I had my doubts when I first saw him, so quiet and serious sitting at the table studying the script.
But when I pulled him in front of me to have our picture taken and he relaxed into me, and I later saw the photographs posted on the site, I had to admit we looked good together.
I’ve never experienced that kind of chemistry reading with another actor, either.
For the first time since all the bullshit with my ex-co-star and Bright Productions, I’m excited about a new project.
My heart skips a beat when Rama walks into the cafe.
All night I worried that I’d imagined the connection I’d felt with him, but when he greets me with the wai and a soft-spoken “Sawasdee-kraap,” the feeling flares again.
He gracefully folds his slender body into the chair and nods to me politely. In a short-sleeved T-shirt and dark jeans, he looks even more handsome than he did the day before.
Suddenly, I’m at a loss for words. Something about him—something more than his obvious good looks—mesmerizes me. Gathering myself, I greet him properly and say, “Congratulations on getting the part.”
The warm smile that breaks the reserve on his face steals my breath. “Thank you. I was surprised, to be honest.”
“You shouldn’t be. You were amazing.”
The arrival of the waitress, an older, stern-looking woman, snuffs the animation from Rama’s face, and he picks up his menu.
While he’s perusing the choices, I say, “Rice and fried pork, please,” and hand the waitress my menu.
Turning my attention to Rama, I study him as I didn’t have the time to do the day before.
His lighter complexion is set off beautifully by the silky darkness of his hair, a lock of which has fallen onto his high, aristocratic forehead.
His lips are lush and look soft, and when I remember I’ll get to kiss them, my heart skitters.
But when he looks at me after ordering, it’s his eyes, slightly rounded and a deep, bottomless brown, that really grab me.
When the waitress leaves, Rama looks relieved. Perhaps he’s uncomfortable in social situations. I know that some actors choose the profession because it enables them to escape their shyness and become someone else, and I wonder if this is the case for him.
“P’Tida wants us to become acquainted before the first workshop. Since this is your first time doing a bl drama, do you have any questions for me?” I ask.
Rama’s thick, straight brows lower and he puckers his mouth in thought.
“I confess what I know about them comes solely comes from my sister, who is a huge fan,” he admits with a deprecating smile that I inexplicably find charming.
Clearing my throat, I say truthfully, “It’s rigorous work.
Sometimes it takes all day to film one scene.
A love scene that will only air for minutes when edited takes a complicated and strategic set of moves.
Often half the day’s footage is deleted from it in the end.
But it can be fun, too. I enjoy it, although juggling the job with university is a challenge. ”
Rama nods. “I imagine that’s difficult. I doubt I could have done it.”
“So, you’ve graduated?” I couldn’t remember how old Rama’s bio said he was.
“Yes, over a year ago.”
“Is acting your passion?”
Rama flashes his stunning smile. “Yeah, it is. I haven’t been able to do as much as I’d like, though. A couple of commercials when I was young and, more recently, some theater in America.”
Reserve completely gone, he tells me about his family there, but I’m having trouble keeping my mind on his words. The way he wrinkles his nose when he laughs shouldn’t be so engaging. Although, individually, his features aren’t perfect, when put together they create a whole that’s drugging.
When our food arrives, the waitress compliments Rama on the silver chain on his wrist. Once again, his expression closes off as he politely thanks her.
We take a moment to spoon food onto our plates from the serving dishes, then Rama asks, “How long have you been acting?”
“Since I was ten.”
“And how many bl dramas have you done?”
“This will be my fifth,” I say. “But only the second in a lead role. I’ve learned a lot over the years. Feel free to ask me anything.”
Rama is quiet a moment while he chews his food, then ventures, “I guess what I’d like to know most is what’s going to be expected of me. I’ve researched a little about the business, but I’m still mostly clueless.”
“The most important thing for us as lead bl actors is our relationship both on and off camera. Usually, the cast has months of workshops to prepare for filming, but this production has had a few setbacks in its initial stages, so it will begin filming in just a few weeks.”
“And by workshops, you mean rehearsals?” Rama asks.
I nod. “But they’re also time meant to help the entire cast become closer, especially those who play couples on-screen. At the beginning, there will be games to build trust. We’ll be encouraged to work on skinship.”
“Skinship?” Rama asks, frowning.
“Getting used to touching and giving affection so we’ll be more believable in our roles,” I explain.
“Oh. I guess I just thought that if you’re a good actor, you won’t have any trouble acting like you’re in love with someone.”
“Maybe so, but there’s more to it than that.
The best bl dramas have a Y-couple that resonates with fans.
That kind of thing is difficult to fake.
That’s why it’s so important to have chemistry between the actors because the dramas with the best Y-couples are most popular.
A few of these couples have developed a special, unique bond that’s made them famous in the industry. ”
Rama smiles. “My sister has told me a little about that. She’s determined that I do well in this.”
“That was your sister with you at the audition yesterday?”
Nodding, Rama spoons more rice and shrimp onto his plate. “She attends the same university as you do, or so she tells me. She’s a couple of years younger than you are.”
“I thought she might be your girlfriend,” I say.
“I don’t have one of those at the moment.”
“Probably for the best. It can be hard for them when we have to spend so much time together and work so closely.”
“You sound like you’re speaking from experience,” Rama says.
No point in trying to cover up my sexuality now that it’s been exposed to the media. “I’m gay, but yeah. When I got my first part, I had a boyfriend. He had trouble watching me with my co-star and broke up with me because of it.”
“But he must have realized what you were doing wasn’t real. Couldn’t he see how impersonal it all was with the cameras and all the people involved?”
“It was more about the publicity shots, the workshops, the fan meetings and events. You’ll understand as we get more into it. For a while, we’re going to be a huge part of each other’s lives.”
For a few seconds, Rama appears uncertain, but his face clears and he visibly relaxes as I relate as much about filming a series as I can. By the time we finish eating and prepare to leave an hour later, he’s smiling openly, which I can only compare to having the full force of the sun turned on me.
We’re standing in front of the cafe exchanging LINE ID’s when a pretty, young woman stalks up to us and unceremoniously shoves a cloth sack into Rama’s arms.
Looking stunned, Rama says, “Kaeo.”
“Here are your clothes, you bastard. I’ve carried them around in my car for months in case I see you. I was getting ready to throw them over the fence of your house.” Turning on three-inch heels, she stalks away.
“Speaking of girlfriends,” Rama says with a resigned sigh before peering into the sack. “Why the hell didn’t she just bring these to my house or mail them to me? Why carry them around for so long? We broke up months ago.”
“She probably wanted the satisfaction of shoving them at you in public,” I say, amused at Rama’s discomfited look.
When he throws his head back and laughs, I’m immediately in love with the sound. I want to make him do it again and again.