Chapter 8 Sud
Chapter Eight: Sud
I’m drinking at an open beach bar with Bekki, her boyfriend Asher, Koman, and a few others when Noi texts me, asking what I’m doing.
He’s on a field trip to Nakhon Pathom with the horticulture club, or he’d be with me in Hua Hin.
As we text back and forth, I become alarmed when he says he’s at a bar.
Noi hates crowds, and he’s not big on drinking.
But maybe Bua talked him into it, or the whole group suggested going, and he felt like he had to go, too.
When Noi texts that he’s there drinking with some of the university students and something about bikers, I start freaking out.
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Bekki says when I tell them about it during a lapse in texts from Noi. “He’s there with friends.”
But when Noi’s next text comes through, a bolt of fear runs through me. He’s not typing correctly, like he’s either drunk or drugged.
When he says he lost his shirt, I jump up from the table. “I’m renting a car and driving there.”
“Come on, mung, call someone who’s there with him before you do that. Do you have his friend’s number?” Koman asks.
I do, but when I go to pull it up, my phone’s dead.
“Here.” Koman passes his phone to me. I try texting Bua first, but when ten minutes go by without hearing from her, I pull up her number and call her.
When she answers, she sounds like I woke her up.
“Aren’t you with Noi?” I ask.
“I was, but now I’m in bed.”
“Why is he out drinking in a bar?” I demand. “He sounds like he’s either drunk or someone’s slipped him something.”
Bua sounds more awake when she says, “I don’t know anything about this. When I saw Noi, he was going to bed. Listen, I’ll go check and get back to you.”
Leaving the bar, I begin pacing the small strip of beach that will give me a phone signal. I’m just about to call Bua again when Noi’s number appears on the phone’s screen. I’m so relieved, my legs go out from under me, and my ass hits the sand.
I answer before the end of the first ring.
“Noi? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he says, voice small. “I’m sorry, P’. I was just giving you a hard time.”
Hand to my heart, I let out a breath. “So, you aren’t out drinking shirtless with a bunch of strange bikers?”
“No, P’. It was a joke.”
Now that I know he’s all right, annoyance edges out some of the fear. “What the hell, Noi? That wasn’t funny. You scared me.”
“I’m sorry, P’.”
“I was really worried!”
“I’m sorry, P’. Don’t be mad at me.”
I explain to him about the danger of someone slipping something into his drink.
Mee Noi apologizes again, and I can tell he really is sorry. We say goodnight.
Disconnecting, I take a moment to stare out at the ocean while the residual fear slowly leaves me.
I should have told him off for scaring me like that, but the sincere regret in his voice combined with my sheer relief that he was all right kept me from doing it.
Besides, I know I can be unbearably protective of Noi sometimes, so I’m not without fault.
Feeling like I’ve just staggered off an emotional roller coaster, I go back to the bar, return Koman’s phone to him, and tell my friends everything’s okay and that I’m going to the hotel.
When I get there, I sleep twelve hours straight.
***
The next morning, I rise early, and after breakfast, my friends and I go to the beach and spend hours playing in the ocean.
Hin Hua is one of my favorite getaways—it isn’t far from home, and my parents used to take me, Ten, and Noi there all the time.
Once a fishing village, the town lacks the seedier feel of many of the other beach resorts.
The weather’s great, and it feels amazing to let go after mid-term exams. But over and over again, I find myself wishing Noi could be with me.
When lunch time rolls around, I check my phone and realize it’s died again.
I stop on my way back to the hotel and buy a new charger, then leave it charging by the bed in my hotel room while I spend the next several hours browsing markets with the group.
By the time we get back, it’s almost dark.
We already ate while we were out, so I wave to my friends and head to my room where I check my now fully charged phone and find that Noi has left me a long text message.
I’m sorry I played that joke on you last night, P.
I feel really bad for making you worry. My only excuse is that I was feeling low because I’m someplace unfamiliar, and I couldn’t go to sleep without Fuzzy.
And I kind of wished I’d gone with you instead and found another way to get my points.
You were really nice not to tell me off because that’s what I deserved.
He sent the text close to one o’clock that afternoon. Knowing Noi, he’s probably been wondering ever since then if I haven’t texted back because I’m mad at him. I press call on my phone and listen to it ring.
Noi sounds subdued when he answers. “‘Wa’dee, P’Sud.”
“‘Wa’dee. I’m not mad at you, so you can stop with the honorifics. I just saw your text. My phone has been in my hotel room charging all afternoon.”
“I wasn’t worried you were mad,” Noi grouses.
Smiling, I shake my head. “I know how your mind works. What are you doing right now?”
Noi begins talking a mile a minute. “We just came in from working outside all day. I really like it. We’re helping create a medicinal garden, and I was put on the herb and spices team.
Film—a guy I met who goes to school here—is on that team, too.
He’s taking herbology classes and knows everything about them.
We’re all going to eat somewhere in town. ”
“Sounds like you’re having fun,” I say, happy for him. He never does things like this, and I’m glad he’s meeting new people and making friends.
“I really am. Bua isn’t, though. She says she’s never been so dirty in her life.” He laughs. “Are you having a good time? What have you done so far?”
“We went swimming in the ocean this morning and then we went to a street market and ate and walked around. Tomorrow we’re going to see rescued elephants. I wish you could be here, though.”
“I do, too. Oh, it’s my turn to shower, Sud, I have to go. Thanks for calling. I’ll see you when you get back.”
After we end the call, I call my mom.
“Sud! Are you still coming on Tuesday?” Her voice is full of happy surprise at my call.
“Yes, Mae, I’ll leave after lunch.” The drive from Hua Hin to my parents’ house is only about fifteen or twenty minutes.
“It will be so good to see you. I wish Mee Noi was coming with you. How is he doing? I haven’t talked to him in two weeks.”
“He’s doing fine. I just got off the phone with him. He seems to be enjoying the group trip to Nakhon Pathom.”
“Is he making friends?”
“It sounds like it.”
“I just want to know he’s doing well.”
“He really seems to be, Mae. I’m watching out for him.”
“I know you are.”
“Is Pah at home?”
“No, he’s filming a TV special in Lopburi. But he’ll be home by Tuesday night. He’s looking forward to seeing you. Your brother, as well. He’s been talking nonstop about it.”
After I finish my call with my mother, I meet up with Koman for dinner.
He surprises me by bringing two girls along.
One is his girlfriend, Waan, but the other one I don’t know.
Waan didn’t come with us on the trip, nor had he mentioned she was coming, so I can only conclude that she decided to drive there on her own.
Koman introduces the other girl as Waan’s friend, Proud.
She’s small and pretty with a bubbly personality.
She seems nice, but I’m a little annoyed at Koman for not warning me.
It’s a little uncomfortable being coupled off with someone.
When the girls go to the restroom and we have a moment alone, I tell him this.
“Sorry, mung, but Waan called me this afternoon to say she was coming. She didn’t mention Proud. You don’t like her?”
“She’s fine. I’m just not looking for a girlfriend. As long as she knows that, we’re good.”
“I’ll tell Waan. Everything’s cool; don’t worry.”
I nod. The girls come back, and, after we’ve finished our food, Waan suggests we take a walk on the beach.
I have no choice but to walk with Proud, and it’s awkward because the sun is setting, making for a romantic atmosphere, and Koman and Waan are taking advantage of it by stopping every few minutes so that Proud and I have to walk ahead.
“I’ve seen you around campus, P’Sud,” Proud says over the soft lapping of the waves on the shore. “And on the Best Boys page, too,” she adds. When I only smile politely, she says, “I saw a picture with you and another boy…Mee Noi?”
“He’s my best friend.”
“He’s very cute. My friend, Cream, has a big crush on him. Do you think he would be interested in meeting her?”
“Probably not. He’s very serious about his studies,” I say frankly. Then, because I can’t be one hundred percent certain what Noi wants, I add, “I’ll mention it to him, though.”
Waan calls out to us and points to a pod of dolphins not too far from shore.
As we stand near the surf watching them, Proud moves very close to me.
I don’t think it’s an accident when her breast brushes against my arm, especially when it happens a second time.
As casually as I can, I move away from her.
Even if Koman managed to tell Waan what I said, she hasn’t had an opportunity to relay the message to Proud, so I remain silent.
At around eleven I tell everyone goodnight.
Proud looks put out, but I can’t help that.
Honestly, I’m kind of sorry I came on the trip.
Everyone who was involved in the video has coupled off—Save even met someone at the bar the night before—and I’m on my own.
A couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have hesitated to hook up with Proud or someone else, just for the weekend.
I’m just not interested, for some reason.
I’d rather go back to the hotel, shower, and text Noi.
The following day, I bow out of the excursion to see the elephants, check out of the hotel, and drive to my family home.