I Found You

chapter 5

"that guy in rainbow tee.. that's Sarawat" the young girl at the counter whispers, leaning towards Tine.

"people around here say that he killed his own cat."

"what? that's terrible!" Tine whispers back, casting an incredulous gaze at the tall guy dusting the books upstairs.

"i know!" Nam exclaims, "nobody talks to him. i tried to, you know... pitied him and thought we could be friends but he.. i can't even say what he did to me but when i opposed, he did this."

saying, she flashes her white bony wrist at Tine, her faint greenish skin peeking out of her sleeve.

"did you report to police?" Tine asks seriously.

Nam wipes her dry cheeks, "how could I? he threatened me not to."

"why do you still work under him then?"

"money makes you do things" Nam says.

"I'll cut the same money off if you don't get your ass up and do some work."

Nam visibly panics and starts shuffling the files in and out of a drawer as the guy comes near. Tine turns his face to Sarawat, his chin unconsciously lifting an inch up in defiance. Sarawat doesn't say a word and only shrugs.

"I'm Kim's son. had to return these books."

Sarawat looks at Tine from head to toe while Tine, for some reason, feels some heat creeping up from under his neck.

"Is uncle Kim alright?"

"yeah no he's absolutely fine. just a bit tired and i had come for the weekend so.."

Sarawat nods. Then, Tine nods. Then they become silent. Tine realises he is still nodding and clears his throat, looking around. Tine thinks it is getting awkward especially with the way Sarawat is still nodding too. 

"uhm also this is a list of the books he told me to get issued." saying that, Tine takes out the paper, "here take it."

That seems to shift something in Sarawat's otherwise nonchalant facial expressions. his brows furrowed, jaws tightened.

"do you know how to read?" he asks calmly.

"uhm yeah?"

"can you identify books?"

Tine decides he doesn't like this guy. too intimidating.

"y-yeah?" he says.

"then you can do this job as well" Sarawat says, smiling sardonically as he scoots aside, giving Tine space to walk towards the aisle. Tine fights the urge to roll his eyes and leaves. it is not a big library but is clean and well organised. he likes the woody smell of the hallways and pastel colours of the walls. the posters don't seem familiar but he likes what's written on them. but the thing that comforts him is the absolute silence stretched over the air of the library. the only sound he hears is of his watch ticking and the faint rustle of the paper in his hands. Tine has always been a sucker for little things. little things.. the light aroma of recently washed floor, tiny smile of a girl reading Mrs. Dalloway right on the other side of the aisle, notification of an email from a stranger ....

"shit" Tine hisses as he collides in a man the moment he turns, causing all the books in his hands, fall down.

"I'm sorry" he says to Sarawat as the other picks up the books.

"no I - I am sorry" Sarawat says in small and hesitant voice.

"no it was my fault I should have -"

"I am sorry" Sarawat says firmly and Tine stops freaking out, "sorry for being an asshole earlier."

"oh" Tine manages to utter, making an o from his mouth.

Sarawat sighs, handing the books back to Tine, "I was in a bad mood. well, I'm always in a bad mood. but of course that doesn't justify me projecting my frustration on you. so.. sorry."

Tine's eyes soften. he had forgotten how it feels to be apologized to. he can understand how it feels what the other person so easily confessed.

"it's alright." he says, smiling and feels disappointed that Sarawat doesn't return the smile. he starts walking again and this time, Sarawat is following him too.

"I'll help you" says he, taking the books from Tine's hand.

"so..." Tine begins as they walk against the tall shelves, "are you and dad close?"

Sarawat snorts, "close? we are buddies."

"so what like do you guys drink beers together?"

"oh he told you"

Tine stops abruptly and whips around, "what?"

Sarawat shrugs, confused.

"you two drink together on weekends?"

"sometimes, yeah? we hang out at his place on weekends when you're not around."

Tine doesn't reply to that and starts walking again. If Sarawat noticed the sudden drop in his mood, he didn't point out. although he does wonder if Tine did not like him hanging out with his father.

whatever.. who cares, Sarawat thinks.  the air thickens around them followed by an imperceptible silence. Sarawat watches Tine from the corner of his eyes.

eyes.... Sarawat likes the way the other man's eyes are lost somewhere and the way his eyelashes fall on his bright flush cheeks. Sarawat immediately looks away. he cannot remember when was the last time he actually looked into someone's eyes. there's something so scary about being seen. at least that is how Sarawat feels. 

"uhm so you work in Korn Textiles?" Sarawat asks, scratching his nape.

"dad hasn't told you anything about me?"

Sarawat thinks for a while before answering, "if he did, i don't remember. I'm not very fond of knowing people."

Tine lets out a dry chuckle, "then why are you asking me?"

"I don't know" Sarawat hears himself surprised, "probably just being polite."

"you don't have to" Tine says curtly. he is shocked to hear his voice devoid of any humbleness and yet can't help the feeling.

"that's not the right publication" Sarawat says as Tine fetches a book from a shelf, "Uncle Kim prefers this one."

"yeah yeah i get it" Tine blurts, his voice sharp and high, "you know my dad so well. you know about books so well. you're also free to company him on weekends. actually you are the perfect son for him. why don't you go and give these books to him too?"

Saying so, Tine thrusts the books on the nearest windowsill before walking out of the library, his eyes hot and prickling as he mentally curses himself for being so unreasonably angry. he leaves and Sarawat is left standing behind in the hallway, slowly reaching out for the books and casting a last glance at the door. it wouldn't be the first time he has offended a customer. but for the first time, Sarawat kinda wishes he had not. and he fucking don't know why.

🖤🤍

a/n: why do you think Tine lost his temper?