Like The Water That Sustains Me

Another Rental?

"Par, we have a bet going on. Can you help us?" Khun C says to the owner of the food stall.

Khun Tan is full of charisma, and tenacity that he uses during business meetings and negotiations. But when talking to older people, he unconsciously uses just the charm, and a gentle smile that Jay only gets to see when they are alone.

Jay smiles at how the older woman swoons at his older boss with just a few words from him.

'Same, Khun Par. Same' Jay thinks.

"What will you be getting today, Luuk?" the older woman asks, taking out plates from a container.

"Your most spicy dishes, Par. Two of them," Khun Tan answers as they both take a seat.

"Ahh, I see. Make yourselves comfortable and I'll bring them to you, Luuk," Khun Tan thanks the older woman.

"These dishes might stain your clothes, are you okay with that, Luuk? You're wearing matching shirts, and I don't wanna get any of you boys dirty," the older woman asks.

Jay looks down at his shirt and at the man sitting across from him in the foldable chairs and table.

'Oh wow, she's right. We happen to be wearing the exact same white shirt. Hmm'

"Here it is. Gaeng Kua Kling and Som Tum. My spiciest dish is Gaeng Tai Pla but I didn't make it today. Now that is very spicy. Luckily, I don't have it. I'm not ready to make you boys go through that," and she sets two very spicy-looking dishes on the table that just seeing it is making Jay drool.

"Thank you so much, Khun Par," Jay says and flashes a bright smile.

"Aww! Narak! Not a problem, Luuk. Don't go forcing yourself on this, okay?"

"I'll be fine Khun Par! I can eat spicily," he assures her, then smiles again.

"Let's move to that table, Jay. There's shade there," Khun Tan stands up and lifts the plates off the table. Jay follows suit and then settles himself again on the chair.

He looks up to see big coconut trees effectively covering the sun from his spot. It's a good thing that even if it is sunny, it's also quite windy. He can see the leaves of the palm trees swaying.

"Take your hat off. You're sweating bullets," Khun Tan says while taking the hat off Jay's head.

Jay runs his hands through his hair, his hair getting all weird and matted to his head from sweat.

"Here's rice and some extra plates. The utensils are here, and then here's cold and room temperature water. Do you want something else, Luuk?" Par sets the items down.

Jay shakes his head, but Khun Tan nods.

"Do you have milk or coconut milk?"

"We don't, but I can have my niece buy some for you,"

"That would be perfect. Thank you, Khun Par,"

"Khun C, this is a competition. You're not taking this seriously,"

"Oh no, don't get me wrong. I am taking this seriously," Khun Tan starts.

"They're for you. You might hurt yourself too much, so it's best to be prepared." Khun Tan adds with barely disguised levity.

Jay's expression goes sour, not bothering to hide his glower even just a little bit, but he stops when he sees a hand put a box of milk in front of them.

"There you go. Don't force yourselves, okay boys?"

"Yes, Khun Par. Thank you," they say in unison.