MIDNIGHT DAYDREAM

Chapter 30

Ps: as I promised, a stream of uploads until my notes run dry. The playlist of the book is below.
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The bus stop turns out to be not far from where he is now. Chay walks slowly while pacing his breath. He will look oddly suspicious if he runs, beside the bus is not here yet.

He waits in agony and when the bus finally arrives he sighs a relief. The bus is already taking off when he spots cars that he recognizes easily now. The family's. His brother is probably in there.

He has to switch buses twice before he gets to where he wants: Inter-city bus station. He scans his options and goes to the ticket counter. "One ticket to Hua Hinn, please."

"ID?" the girl sounds bored. She doesn't even look up.

"Erm, sorry, but I just got mugged. I lost my phone and wallet." Chay tries to sound as pitiful as he can be. The girl sighs but proceeds to ask, "What's your name?" It seems getting mugged is a common occurrence here.

He is about to say his name but then pauses. 'What's his name?' He must have common names.

"Jaran," he says. " Jaran Narravit."

In 5 minutes, he already sits inside the moving bus, on a journey to be out of Bangkok. There is a commotion at the station when the bus is just about to embark. The second driver enters the already-moving bus with a huff. "What's all that about?" the driver asks his friend.

"They said Khun Boss is looking for somebody, a boy."

"For what?"

The second driver shrugs. "I don't know but it must be serious if he lets all his men comb the city." The driver whistles.

Chay closes his eyes in relief that he gets away with it. He loves Macau to death, but for him to be able to coax his 'not-my-boyfriend' to do this, their relationship is more serious than what Macau lets out to be.

3 and a half hours later, he is eating a noodle cup in some random 24-hour mini-market in Hua Hinn. Chay takes his time and explores the surroundings with his eyes. He can hear the sea from where he sits, so there must be a beach somewhere close enough.

He wants to search this place on Google but then remembers he doesn't have a phone now. Sucks. But first thing first.

He approaches the guy behind the counter. "Sawatdee khrab," he says as he gives a polite wai. "Can I ask where to find a cheap inn here?"

The guy looks at him up and down. "Are you stranded here?"

He smiles, unaware that gives a sad one. "You can say that."

The guy looks like he understands. "Just wait until my shift is over, ok? In another hour or so. With a face like that, someone can fool and rob you blind."

Chay nods. His face does have that inclination.

After an hour passes, another guy comes and takes over the counter. The guy behind the counter introduces himself as Phan and his friend as Kiet. Chay introduces himself as Jaran.

"There's an empty slot beside mine. It's a good small apartment complex. One room only. Very small. You sleep, cook, eat, and watch TV in the same room, but there's a separate bathroom. It is also clean, has running water and electricity, is secure, and almost without problem. It's relatively cheap."

"How much?"

"It's about ฿3000 a month. Just a bit higher than the slump. I hear the owner doesn't really need money. But... There's a catch." 

Chay frowns. "What?"

"The previous owner died of suicide."

Chay's eyes go big and he coughs. "In the room?" he shrieks. Phan nods. Kiet visibly shudders. "Oh, shit," Chay gulps. But this is a very good deal and the dead can't come back.