OhmFluke A Day II

20 September 2021

A Continuation

It was nearly a month after Nam Nuea moved into his house, and Pha Mueang couldn't help but to be more confused.

Since Nam Nuea is now working closely with PhaSinee, they see each other more often. Whenever he sees PhaSinee from afar, Nam Nuea comes into his view too. And that somehow made the view better. He quickly shakes his head, getting himself together before walking towards the two figures.

"Pha Mueang." PhaSinee smiles at the approaching figure. Pha Mueang returned the smile and looked at the woman, before his eyes lingered at the young male who was sitting on the desk, working.

"You two have been busy." He said, taking a seat on the couch. PhaSinee sat beside him and nodded.

"Yeah, but thankfully I have my assistant here so it's actually okay." She said, smiling to Nam Nuea who smiled back at her and stood up.

"I'll go and get some water for you and P'Pha Mueang." Nam Nuea said to which the two nodded their heads.

The couple seated beside each other began talking about their day, and when Nam Nuea came back with their drinks, Pha Mueang might have just stolen a couple, or more, looked at the smaller male. After putting the drinks on the coffee table, Nam Nuea excuses himself to leave the two of them alone with a smile.

Pha Mueang nodded at him, returning his smile. His eyes never left the retreating male until Nam Nuea's figure was out of his sight.

"...helping me. He's a really great help."

"Huh?"

PhaSinee chuckled. "Are you okay?" She asked. "You don't seem like your head's into it." She lifted her right hand and put her palm on Pha Mueang's forehead, checking his temperature.

Pha Mueang cleared his throat and took PhaSinee's hand, removing it gently from himself. "No, I'm alright." He replied. "I'm sorry Jao. How were you doing?" He smiled at the woman. The thought of Nam Nuea slowly going to the back of his mind, not gone, just lingering.

'Grab a hold of yourself Pha Mueang. Jao PhaSinee is just here.'

— — —

It was his birthday, Pha Mueang didn't actually remember it because of his workload but when PhaSinee and the others suddenly surprise him with a cake and a song that he was reminded of the day.

However, while they were singing him a happy birthday, his eyes instead went around the people surrounding him to look for that familiar figure of Nam Nuea. And when they finally locked eyes with each other, Pha Mueang smiled. Nam Nuea was smiling at him, singing a happy birthday whilst clapping with the others.

"Happy birthday Pha Mueng!!" Everybody exclaimed excitedly after they finished singing. He thanked everybody and then proceeded to blow the candle.

He can feel it, they were expecting him to do something. Especially Sa Tang because he told him wasn't that discreet that time 2 months ago when he went to find an engagement ring for PhaSinee. But after the death of Meang Man and with the arrival of Nam Nuea in Khum ChiangKam, in his life, the plan just... changes.

In fact, the ring that he usually brought wherever he go was now in his drawer, no longer in his pocket like usual.

"Thank you, everyone." He thanked them again. PhaSinee then told everybody that a feast was prepared for Pha Mueang's birthday. The rest of the night was filled with laughter and fun.

When it was time to leave, most of the people had already left the big house and the house worker was already helping with tidying up the stuff. Pha Mueng looked around for Nam Nuea so they could go back together but failed to see him.

"Are you looking for someone?" Pha Mueang jolted up in surprise by the sudden voice which made the intruder chuckle.

"I'm sorry, did I startle you?"

"No Jao. I was just looking for Nam Nuae." He smiled politely.

"Oh, I think he went back to the office a while ago. He said there's something that he still needs to work on." PhaSinee answered pointing towards the direction of the office. Pha Mueang looked at the wall clock and frowned, it was already nearing 11 in the evening and Nam Nuea was still working.

The young lady once again chuckled. "Go and take him home. He's been working too much. He needs some rest. So do you."

Pha Mueang nodded and excuses himself to go and get Nam Nuea, not noticing the way PhaSinee's shoulder went slump.

As he was told, Nam Nuea was diligently working on the computer. He gently knocks on the door whilst leaning his shoulder on the doorframe.

Nam Nuea looked up from his work and smiled at the older male. "P'Pha Mueang." He acknowledges the other.

"You're still working?"

"There's just a little bit more." He answered. Pha Mueang shakes his head and walks inside before settling beside the younger male on an unoccupied chair. "You can go back home first Phi, I'll come back once I'm done." Nam Nuea goes back to the computer and began typing again.

"You said there's a bit more, so I'll wait." Pha Mueang answered, peering a little to look at the screen only to blink, unfamiliar with the numbers and all. Nam Nuea chuckled at his confusion.

"It's really ok—"

"So, what's this?" Not wanting to leave, he opted to distract the younger instead. Nam Nuea smiled and answered the older male.

At the end, they both left the big house and went back home 30 minutes after 11.

"Thank you for waiting for me P'Pha Mueang." Nam Nuea said once they arrived at Pha Mueang's house.

Pha Mueang put both hands on Nam Nuea's shoulder, stopping them from walking. "I wouldn't like it if you come back home alone, even if the big house is near. It's not safe." Not when there are other creatures roaming around here.

Nam Nuea smiled and nodded. "Happy birthday again, P'Pha Mueang."

"Thank you Nong." He replied with a smile. "Go and sleep, you still have to work tomorrow."

"So do you, good night."

"Good night."

— — —

Since Nam Nuea moved in, his usually empty house was now more colourful. His days which he usually spent in the big house or the farm had now changed. Because Nam Nuea's work hours were flexible, he would make time to return to the house and prepare meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

There are times that they weren't able to have meals together because Pha Mueang still has work, but after a few days, he always makes an effort to come back home so he can eat the meal cooked by Nam Nuea. Don't get him wrong, he was properly fed in the big house by the cooks, but Nam Nuea had made an effort to cook for him, for them, he couldn't really say no.

It was another normal day and Pha Mueang just got back home from a day of work. He walked up the stairs and was a little bit weirded out when he didn't hear Nam Nuea working in the kitchen. Feeling suspicious, he went into the kitchen but went alert when Nam Nuea wasn't there.

"Nam Nuea?" He shouted for the younger male, hoping for an answer. "Nam Nuea!"

"P'Pha Mueang! P'Pha Mueang!" The sudden voice calling for him makes him feel uneasy. He walked towards the front of his house to find Sa Tang who was panting, clearly he came here running.

"Sa Tang? What's wrong?"

"It's Nam Nuea!"

Pha Mueang widened his eyes at the mention of Nam Nuea. "What happened to Nam Nuea?!" He asked, walking down the stairs.

"He's been bitten!"

—TBC—