Tay and New

GOOD BYE. THANK YOU.

"During the finale, when the relationship between the Phra Ek and the Nang Ek was revealed to the world, they were blacklisted by their companies, hounded by the media, and even their fans turned away from them. So, the Phra Ek broke up with the Nang Ek and went abroad because he thought that it would give her another chance to go back to the entertainment industry. Then, du-dun, a fucking time skip happened"

"Again? How long was it this time?" The woman from the neighboring desk whispered back.

"Ten years! It was implied that in those ten years, they got married to other people and had kids, then out of the dozens of preschools in Bangkok their kids somehow ended up becoming classmates and that was how the Phra Ek and Nang Ek saw each other again. That drama ended with them smiling sadly at each other as they once again parted ways. What the hell, right?"

"Damn! They spent twenty-one episodes on the main leads falling in love and fighting against the world only to end it in a time skip and them falling out of love"

"Honestly, that was some lazy writing"

"Two employees gossiping during work hours is the definition of laziness," came a voice behind them. The two women immediately sat upright when they recognized the voice of their boss.

"I'm sorry, sir" they uttered in unison before focusing their attention back to the screens of their computer.

Newwiee closed the door to his office with an exhausted sigh. It was almost five in the afternoon which meant that there were only thirty minutes left before another work day ends. He stretched both arms upwards to ease his tired muscles a little.

His phone started ringing.

"Kid, the company outing this year will be held at Sri Panwa. Off and Gun's reality show comeback brought in the big bucks so we were able to rent a whole resort. You should come" P'Jack announced before New could even say hello.

It's been ten years since he left the entertainment industry and yet his old manager, Jack, would still call him constantly and coax him to either come out of hiatus or at least join the company activities.

While he never thought of this as burdensome since he was still friends with the people from his former company, New still harbored some bittersweet feelings toward his old job.

"Tay promised that he will join. It's been a long time hasn't it?" Even now that he was already an executive at GMMtv, Jack still carries the same amount of fondness for the two men who were once part of television's most popular love team.

"I'm sorry, P'"

It's been ten years since the TayNew ship sank.

"You can't just leave!" Tay shouted, uncaring that it was the middle of the night, and that the walls were thin, and that New could no longer count the number of times that they have fought over the week.

"You loved acting. You used to say that this was the job that you wanted to do for the rest of your life,"

"Plans can change, Tay. I loved this job but one can't hold on to something that's slowly wearing them down into pieces"

Just as it took decades for the entertainment business to provide a bigger platform for queer media, New had come to accept that it would probably take another generation for the world to respect queer artists and to acknowledge their importance in the industry.

"I have to choose myself this time and pick a different path," New tried to sound determined even when all he wanted was an assurance.

"You will still be there for me, wouldn't you?" New tried to catch Tay's eyes but the other kept his head down.