I Found You

chapter 4

Tine looks around the bookshelves in the room, grazing his fingers against the dusty edges of the books. he has known these books for a long time. he remembers the title of the books, knows the authors and the year they were published and probably even what the books are about. yet, he hasn't read even one. it is a different kind of pleasure to know something by heart without actually putting one's heart into it. nonetheless, he loves how they smell so earthly and ancient. the tip of his finger halts on a book when he hears a voice behind him.

"You start dying slowly if you avoid to feel passion and their turbulent emotions ; those which make your eyes glisten and heart beat fast..."

Tine turns around to see his father leaning against the door, smiling his annoyingly bright and old and joyous and teeth flashing smile.

"Pablo Neruda" his father says, gesturing at the book Tine is holding, "wrote some fine poems. do you want to read it?"

Tine sighs, putting the book back before hugging his father.

"i missed you love" his father says, squeezing Tine and smacking on his butt.

"dad!" Tine half yelped half laughed, "what was that for?"

"you have been avoiding your mom's calls."

Tine chews the insides of his lips before stammering, "t- that's not really true. i have been busy."

"Tine."

"dad can we please not talk about it right now? i just want a peaceful weekend."

Mr. Teepakorn stares at his son for a moment befor taking a deep breath, "alright. beer?"

Tine smiles, nodding, "sure. I'll set the table."

"you can take the book if you want" his dad says.

"i don't have time-"

"you don't get another life to enjoy my boy"

"here we go again.." Tine mutters under his breathe while walking towards the kitchen.

"i know what you're thinking. that this old nagging man doesn't understand your busy life but that's not true" his father shouts as he lies on the couch, "i do understand which is why it bothers me Tine. you'll rust out before you'll know."

"so what exactly this old nagging man suggests?" Tine says, handing his dad a can of chilled beer before flopping on the couch. his father stares at him. close. steady. intimidating and then immediately breaks into a comical toothy grin.

"what i always suggest" he shrugs.

Tine grunts, rolling his eyes and leaning back against the cushion.

"Tell me" his father probes, "what do I always suggest?"

"to stay awake. or I'll miss the explosion" Tine says flatly.

"exactly!" his father exclaims and bumps his can slightly against Tine's, "cheers to staying awake."

"cheers to staying awake" Tine repeats, unenthusiastic.

"aye don't roll your eyes on your old man. I tell you, read books, go travel, fall in love. may be then you wouldn't have to spend your weekends with your old nagging father."

Tine snorts, "books and traveling need time and money, both of which I'm running out of. and the last time i fell in love, it cost me two diamond rings, one public demonstration of break up and four and a half boring therapies so no.. i think I'm fine getting drunk with my old nagging father."

"but you haven't been visiting lately" says Mr. Teepakorn, "say what brought you here?"

Tine clears his throat, "remember how you used to boast that you knew all the local clothing shops established in Bangkok before the year 2000 because every one of them had worked under Korn Textiles at one or the other point of time?"