December 25 （visa expires in 20 days）
When I had first arrived in Thailand, I was surprised to find preparations for the festivities well underway a full two months before Christmas.
Giant Christmas trees, decorations in the restaurants, advertisements and holiday sales were everywhere.
Santa would be proud. Not that kind of proud… you know what I mean.
Keren and Daniel, who I discovered had been talking behind my back, decided on a Christmas double-date picnic in one of the parks.
I wasn’t enthusiastic because I couldn’t be bothered to organize all the picnic paraphernalia.
They countered this excuse with the promise that they’d handle everything.
On the one hand, it was a relief not to be the go-between.
Daniel seemed not at all embarrassed by Keren’s unrestrained adoration (I mean he was hot for sure, but still…).
On the other hand, I felt a little left out.
I told Daniel this on Christmas Eve in the taxi on our way to the park. He was quick to set me straight.
“I don’t see Keren as a fan. She’s a good friend.”
“You’ve just met!”
“Sometimes there’s just instant chemistry. Remember when we first met?”
“I wasn’t aware of any chemistry.”
“Well, you may not have noticed, but you fell for me the minute you saw me. Literally.”
I rolled my eyes and looked out of the taxi window. I could feel his eyes on me.
“Anyhow, if you need fans, you can count me in.”
“Now you’re just sucking up.”
“I’m not. I’m captivated every time I’m near you.” He put his hand over mine on the seat between us. I didn’t believe him, but I didn’t move my hand.
At the park, Keren and her strikingly red-headed date were waiting for us on a picnic blanket.
“This is Sean. He’s one of the only Israelis at my school. Sean, this is my brother Amit and his boyfriend, the Instagram celebrity Daniel.”
Sean didn’t react to the “boyfriend” word, so I assumed he already knew.
“Oh! You’re the one she…”
“Sean!”
“Sorry,” Sean blushed, which was very noticeable given that he had the fair skin that usually goes with flaming red hair. He was a full head taller than Keren, wearing a typical Thai button-down floral shirt.
“It’s ok. We all know that Keren’s obsessed with…”
“Amit! One more word and you’re not getting any donuts.”
“You brought donuts?”
Daniel and Keren had laid out quite the spread – fried chicken, pad thai, sliced pineapple, shakes, eggrolls, a salad that looked like Naama had made it, and donuts.
The sunset was the perfect backdrop to our feast. The sunsets in Phuket blow me away every single time.
“So, where to next?”
Daniel seemed to be enjoying the attention from Keren and Sean.
“Um, I haven’t really thought about it. I’m having such a good time here that I’m just focused on living in the moment.” He looked at me.
It was a concerned look, not a flattering one, in case the subject freaked me out.
“I wish I could live like you, moving around without a worry in the world,” Keren mused.
“You could. Anyone can. But there are plenty of worries. It’s not all chilling on the beach.”
“Oh, gee, you mean Instagram isn’t real life?” I was sarcastic. Not in the mood. Lately, every time I thought about Daniel soon becoming nothing but a fleeting memory, I lost my cool.
“You can be as sarcastic as you like, Amit, but you’d kill to go to half the places he’s been.” Here we go, I thought, another argument with Keren about Daniel’s life.
“No thanks, I’d rather stay here in Phuket and not wonder if people I’ve never met liked my photo.” I didn’t dare look at Daniel. I hadn’t meant to offend him; I didn’t actually think he was shallow anymore. But he was uncharacteristically silent.
Tears threatened and I stood up.
“Where are you going?”
“To take a walk. I’ll be back in a few.”
I felt their gaze on the back of my neck as I walked off – too fast, the tears already spilling over.
“Babe!” I stopped when I heard his voice and wiped my eyes. He ran over and took me in his arms. I couldn’t hold back the tears, and I sobbed on his shoulder as he held me tight.
“It’s not fair,” I said eventually.
“I know.”
I wiped my face on my sleeve and pulled away from him.
“It’s so hard. Why are we doing this to ourselves?”
“We’re different in many ways, babe, but we have one thing in common: we fight for what we want, no matter the circumstances. At the point where most people would just give up, we keep going. Nobody said it would be easy, but this is who we are.”
“Sorry I said those things before.”
“It’s ok. I see your point and admire you for it and the way you live your life.”
I didn’t know what to say.
“I have a gift for you.”
“Ah! I forgot to get you something!”
“Don’t stress. I’m just taking the opportunity to give you something you need.”
He held out a bag. Inside was a silver-colored box with a picture of wireless earbuds on the front.
“I noticed you’ve been living in the last century with headphones you have to plug in. Time to get with the times, babe!”
I chuckled and hugged him to thank him.
The box had no Thai labels or markings on it.
“Did you order this from the U.S.?”
“Truth is. I always carry several spare pairs. I’m totally paranoid about being stuck without while I’m traveling. One traumatic experience made me take precautions.”
“Yeah? Tell me about that.”
“So now you’re my shrink?”
“C’mon. I’m waiting.”
“Ok. I was 16 and my family took a 10-hour train ride to visit my brothers in upstate New York. I never sleep on trains, so I was planning to listen to music and watch movies. But as the train pulled out of the station, I discovered that my earphones weren’t working.”
“Oh, the horror!” I teased.
“The whole family promptly fell asleep and there I was. I didn’t know what to do with myself.”
“And what did you do?”
“I looked at the scenery and I played Candy Crush – got really good at it, but it was no consolation.”
“Wow. What a trauma. I don’t how you survived to tell the tale!” My mood was improving.
Daniel kicked me.
“Dunno why people pay you for your sarcasm.”
“Oh, I repress it while I’m working – save it all for you.”
“I see. So I contribute to your work. I should be compensated.”
“And how would I do that? I can’t afford to buy mochi at the 7/11.”
“I’m sure we can figure something out.”
He took my hands and came closer. I was about to pay up when…
“Amit! Daniel!” Keren’s voice carried for miles.
“We’d better get back. It’s almost dark,” I said reluctantly, but this part of the park really was poorly lit.
“There you are!” Keren said when we got back. “We’re going home because it’s getting dark. You guys can stay if you want.”
“No. We’ll come too.” I was tired and wanted to be at home.
“Daniel. Give me your address and I’ll call a taxi.” I suspected that Keren was trying to find out where he was staying.
“No need. I’m going to Amit’s.” I turned my head toward him so suddenly that my neck clicked. Keren and Sean laughed.
“What did you say?” I wasn’t sure I’d heard right.
“I’m coming to your place. You said you want some meaningful interaction, so I’m ready.” Keren’s mouth dropped open.
“I think this evening has been meaningful enough, thank you very much.”
“I don’t think so, Amit.” Keren was serious and I prayed that Sean would take her as far away from me as possible.
“Neither do I,” said Sean.
I didn’t like that guy anymore. I’d have a talk with Naama about him.
“Fine. Do what you want. But I’m tired so don’t expect to be entertaining.”
Daniel looked pleased and I think he high-fived Keren and Sean behind my back.