All Too Well

8

When Tin woke up, he felt like he had been beaten up. When he looked at his body, there were bruises and scratches. Maybe he tripped on his way home.

He looked at himself through his body mirror. He almost didn't recognize himself. His hair was a mess. Even his lips had a wound, as though someone bit it. 

His head throbbed. 

"What happened yesterday?" 

Tin was not able to think more when his phone started ringing. 

It was Pete. 

When he answered, all he heard was Pete's sobs. 

"Wait for me. I'll come to you."

Tin ignored the pain he was feeling and hurried to the bathroom to take a shower. 

It did not take him that long before he arrived at Pete's apartment. 

"What's wrong?" Tin asked as soon as he entered the room and saw Pete crying on his sofa. He was alone. 

"Where's that Thai Program?" he continued as he took a seat beside Pete.

"Ae's at home," Pete answered. His voice was hoarse as if he was crying for too long. 

Tin grabbed Pete and hugged him. 

He had a hunch of the problem but he doesn't want to jump to conclusions. 

"Dad wants me to go to Germany," Pete said while still crying. 

Tin let go of Pete and asked, "What about your relationship with that Thai Program?"

Pete looked at him like he wanted to remind Tin of Ae's name but stayed silent. 

"I don't know. I can't just let Dad ruin Ae and his family's lives. You know what Dad can do." Pete looked like a lost puppy. 

Tin might have not liked Ae, but that does not mean he does not want Pete to be happy. Pete was his best friend. It was only rational for him to go to great lengths to ensure the happiness of his best friend.

"Do you want me to do anything?" Tin asked.

"I do."

"Then what-"

"But Ae. He doesn't want you to get involved in this."

Tin was furious. For once, couldn't that Thai program guy lower his pride? 

Even during these trying times, all that Thai program thought about was his damn pride. 

He doesn't know what to do anymore. If that damn Thai program doesn't want his help, then don't. It's not like he was dying to help them. 

"I'll just follow my Dad's request. I'll stay with him until I graduate. It'll just be three years after all. It's not that long, I guess." 

Tin nodded. If Pete already made up his mind, then he couldn't do anything about it. 

-

When Tin got home from Pete's apartment, he found that his own apartment looked like it was wiped out by a tornado. He did not notice all the trash earlier as he was in a hurry to go to Pete.

His head ached. He still couldn't remember what happened yesterday. 

He started cleaning. Collected all the empty bottles lying on the floor then washed the dishes in the sink. He even found some shattered pieces of bottle. 

Did he throw these?

He couldn't recall anything.

He went to his room after feeling that the living room had been swept, only to discover more garbage.

He began cleaning his room as well. Until he came across a torn shirt on the floor. It wasn't his, he was certain.

"What is this trash doing here?" Tin asked to himself. 

Bits of memories of what happened yesterday came crashing into his brain. But it was all a blur. He remembered getting drunk in the bar. 

Maybe he brought home some cheap prostitute. 

But he never brought home any cheap whore. If he wanted to get laid off, he would check them in a hotel. 

Maybe he was too drunk to check in a hotel. 

And it made sense that he felt the aftereffect of sex. 

Tin shook his head making a mental note to not get too drunk to bring some cheap whore in his apartment again. 

Who knows what they steal from him? 

-

Tin was sitting in his living room. The TV was open but he was not really paying attention to it. His thoughts were wandering back to the shards of yesterday's memories. He had the feeling that there was something he needed to remember. He just couldn't get a grasp of it. 

"Whatever," he said shrugging off all the unusual feelings he was feeling. 

Then his thought drifted to Pete. 

And an idea popped out of his head. He reached for his phone and dialed Pete's number. After a few rings, Pete answered. 

"Hello, Tin."

"When is your flight?" Tin asked not bothering to say hi. 

"Uhm, next week. Why?" 

"I'll go with you."

There was silence. 

"Are you sure, Tin?" 

"Yeah. I'll just settle everything down and tell my parents."

Tin could feel that Pete was hesitant but there was finality in his decision. He wanted to start something new. 

He wanted to move on from all the pain. From the memories that should not be remembered. 

"Okay, Tin." 

Tin ended the call. 

The next day, Tin decided to go home and tell his parents about his plans. Even though he doesn't care about what they say. 

He was just going to tell them for formality's sake. 

His Dad was shocked when he told him that he would go to Germany with Pete but said nothing nonetheless while his mother said something about ruining the family's reputation again. Tin did not really pay attention to what she was saying. He doesn't care anyway. 

After a few days, Tin found himself in Germany with Pete. 

He was starting again.