Choices

Friends and More

CU Campus

P'Pop, P'Sak, P'Siri and P'Tam were seated on the picnic table under the tree. They were trying to finish their homework and other projects for school before it ends. The culminating activity is just a few weeks away.

P'Pop and P'Sak were eating snacks while Siri and Tam were just reading while holding hands.

'I haven't seen Nong Kam, lately; he hasn't been coming to campus lately to visit Dao?' P'Pop asked.

'I am not sure, haven't heard from him either. He must be very busy with all the requirements to graduate. I am sure it will not be long until he joins us here.' Tam said, 'I kinda miss that nuisance.'

'Or he won't be studying here at all.' Siri said.

Tam turned to her so fast; he could have gotten a whiplash. 'What do you mean, Siri?'

'I mean what if he doesn't pass the entrance exam; he does need it to qualify. Average students don't even pass CU Qualifying Exams.' Siri said.

'He is just lazy to study. But if he puts his mind to it he is brilliant.' Tam argued.

'Kam will have no problems passing anything at all. He is pretty smart.' Tam assured them.

'But what if he really doesn't want to study at CU or chooses another school?' P'Pop said. 'If I were him, I know I wouldn't want to study the same place where you are at.'

Tam looked at them, unblinking. 'Why would you say that?'

'Look at it this way, all his life Kam has been around you guys especially Tam, and Dao. If I were him, I wouldn't want to study here and still see you guys. I would pick a school where I can be whatever I want and do whatever I want.'

'I agree with Pop.' P'Sak smirked. 'He might want to independent from all of you and study at Krung Thep University.'

'Of course, he won't,' Tam disagreed. 'We have been talking about it since he was a kid, we would study in the same university.'

'He was young then; you could have influenced him to think that he needs to study in the same school as you. But what if that is not the case, then what?' P'Sak asked. 'Besides let the kid gain freedom to be away from you and Dao.' Sak then laughed out loud when Tam, annoyed threw a wrapper at him.

'Siri, how about you what do you think?' Pop turned to Siri.

'Well, I would be happy if Kam chooses another school.' Tam turned to her, 'What? Why?'

'You have been playing baby-sitter to that little nuisance since forever. It would be good if he was in another school. Maybe your time wouldn't be split. And then maybe, he would learn to be independent and grow up. Maybe he would stop being so needy all the time.' Siri looked carefully for Tam's reaction; he was clearly frowning and obviously not liking what he was hearing from his girlfriend.

'I have known Kam all his life. I don't find him a nuisance at all. I never minded looking after him even before and he is not needy.' Tam answered. 'Do you have a problem with that, Siri? Do you have a problem with Kam?'

Siri looked apprehensively at her boyfriend. Tam was frowning in such a way that she knew if she said that wrong, she would be in trouble. Ever since she has known, Tam has never seen anything wrong with Kam. He had never done anything wrong in Tam's eyes. He will always say good things about him. And her boyfriend never even rejected any of Kam's requests as far as she knows.