Peace

Chapter 05: Highlight

It has been exactly two months since Win saw Bright for the first time at his faculty. So far, he has made no progress at all in making the man fall for him. Bright is like the man who can't be moved. However, he does not push him away either, like he used to. Win would just accompany the man at his favorite spot by the field without speaking a single word.

On some other days, he would take a peek at what Bright writes in his journal. He seems to be so secretive about everything he writes in it. Win is inquisitive in the words that Bright has written as his way to express himself. He wishes he could read them one day, only if the man allows him.

The young man sprays a light layer of hair spray onto his dry hair while humming to a random song in front of the mirror in his room. His body sways to his right and left, right and left, and he's going all out, really. After he's done with his hair, Win tucks the white button-up shirt he's wearing into his black trousers. "Captain Metawin, you can proceed to Mission Melt!" he snickers at his own imagination.

Win grabs his backpack and swings one of its straps over his shoulder before walking out of the room. He rushes his steps down the stairs and enters the kitchen. He is met with the savory aroma of pancakes that wafts through the air. His stomach clenches with hunger at the thought of sweet chocolate dripping over a stack of pancakes. He giddily smiles and greets his family, who is already at the dining table.

"Good morning!"

There's a chorus of 'good morning' that comes from his parents and siblings afterwards. "Are you ready for your test today, honey?" Mantana asks while spreading some honey on her pancake. All students of Thammasat University will be having some tests on the subjects they are currently learning for the whole week. It's a system there where their progress is measured through tests in the middle of the semester.

Win pulls a chair out next to Mintra, his oldest sister, and sits down. "I guess I am ready," he mumbles, not really focusing on his family. What catches his attention is all the food prepared on the table-pancakes, strawberries, blueberries, chocolate spread, honey and peanut butter. They are all his favorite. Well, everything is his favorite. If it fits, I eats. That's the quote that he created himself and he religiously lives by it.

"You guess? Son, I'm counting on you," Wanchai reminds the young man who's busy stuffing his plate with pancakes and strawberries.

Win hums. "Uh uh, yeah, pa. Sure," he bites his lower lip in concentration while decorating his plate with food. After he's done with it, he swiftly shoves a pancake into his mouth, almost moaning at the chocolate spread that melts perfectly with it. His cheeks are now puffed and stuffed like a chubby bunny.

"Metawin Opas-Iamkajorn!" Mantana gasps, shaking her head at her son.

"Khrab, mama?" Win chokes a little on his food, a little shocked when the woman calls him by his full name. "Am I in trouble?" He jabs on two strawberries with his fork and pops them into his mouth at once. Mesa, Mintra and Mick are already tittering at their sibling in their seats. They know better not to interfere when their mother calls someone in the house with their full name.

Mantana places his cutlery on her plate and sighs. "Slow down on your eating, will you? The food is not going anywhere, darling."

"Ow, I'm enjoying the food, mama. It's delicious," Win frowns.

"I know, Win. Everyone here is enjoying it too," the mother points out. Win sheepishly looks around and watches his siblings, who are slowly eating their food. Wow, they truly are missing on the joy in life.

Win nods at the woman. "Khrab, mama," he replies.

"P'Win, you're going with us today. P'Lee is on his sick leave and we only have P'Max to drive us for the week," Mick informs his brother. Lee and Max are the drivers that their father has hired for them. Usually, P' Lee would send Win to the university every day while Mick and their father would go with P'Max.