We are...คือเรารักกัน (We are... we are in love)

Chapter 28: Our Past

Proofreader:SMV2454

We moved our base from the shop to the living room in the house. We did this because we wanted to have a conversation like this, and it wouldn't be appropriate to do it in the shop. Toey was still quiet, surrounded by all of us. Everyone was sitting on the sofa, except for Pan, who was sitting on the floor, looking up at Toey. What's wrong with you, Pan? Why do you want to know so much?

"Pan, would you like some popcorn and Pepsi?" Fang said sarcastically, and  Pan nodded.

"It's okay, Toey. You don't have to tell us. We know enough." said Tan, patting Toey's shoulder. Then he glanced at everyone and forced a smile.

"It doesn't matter, Hia. Anyway, you already know. Let's reveal everything. Toey is tired of having to conceal it for so long.'

We all smiled at him. Toey took a deep breath before finally letting go and joining Pan and Mick. What a bunch of characters!

"When Toey was in Mathayom 4 (US 10th grade)... Hey, don't be stressed. Relax." He smiled at us, and we just realized that we had accidentally made a stressed face.

"Damn, you're intentionally building this kind of  an atmosphere among us." I shouted.

"When did I build? You guys are overthinking."

[*บิ้ว/ bîw/ build (Tinglish), = create the atmosphere/mood.]

"Don't start selling drugs*, Toey," Mick said. Mick, you think this is some kind of drug-selling movie**, huh? But in reality, Mick actually improved the atmosphere compared to before because Toey seemed more relaxed.

[*= beat around the bush
** In case you forgot: A seller holds a free outdoor movies night and sells medicine, or other products]

I saw Matt nod his head to encourage Toey. Matt probably knew various things all along and was likely  Toey's sole counselor.

"Back in Mathayom 4 (US 10th grade), after school, Toey had to wait for my girlfriend at a coffee shop. Oh, at that time, I was dating a girl from Saint Francis."

I heard Phum and Chan laughing. I turn to look. You guys must have had the same experience, right?

Story from Nong Toey POV

When I was in M.4, after school, I used to wait for my girlfriend at a coffee shop near Siam Square every day. The reason we chose that shop was because it was close to our extra classes. She liked cake, while I liked milkshakes. We took the classes together and then took a little stroll before I sent her home.

The shop was a combination of a gallery and a café, since the owner was an artist. I often observed people through the clear glass of the shop. Every day, I would see a boy walking past the shop where I sat. He carried a drawing board, a bag of tools, and a perpetually smiling face. There was warmth and happiness around him, perhaps because he was doing something he loved.

I saw him every day, yet I never knew where he was headed. Maybe he went back home, or perhaps he found a spot to sit and draw. One day, as my girlfriend and I walked by, we saw him sitting there, sketching away.

Despite being around the same age, he seemed so free, simple and happy. While I struggled to find something I truly enjoyed, just living a pointless life everyday. I couldn't help but smile when he used a tree branch to shoo away two fighting dogs, creating a makeshift barrier with his drawing.

That evening, when I returned home, I lay down and began questioning myself: What did I want to do in the future? I started yearning for dreams, perhaps inspired by that boy who had become my muse.