SUNLIT CONVERSATION

CHAPTER TWO

The late morning sun cast a golden hue over the bustling set as Tee Jaruji scrolled through his phone, his thumb pausing mid-swipe when a new message popped up on the screen. His manager's name flashed at the top, followed by text that sent a jolt of excitement racing through his veins.

"Big news! Ohm Phawat is joining the cast. He'll be your co-star. Brace yourself for an intense ride."

Tee's heart skipped a beat, and he could feel the corners of his lips curling into a smile, his eyes sparkling with intrigue. Ohm was an enigma, his performances always layered with a raw, magnetic energy that captivated audiences. The mere thought of working alongside such talent set Tee's nerves tingling with anticipation. He typed back a quick response, thumbs tapping excitedly on the glass.

"Thanks for the heads-up! Can't wait to meet him. 😊"

Pocketing his phone, Tee made his way across the set, his steps light with the buoyancy of his mood. His mind buzzed with questions about Ohm. What drove him? What did his silence conceal? Would they click on and off the screen?

"Morning, Tee!" a crew member called out, snapping him out of his reverie.

"Good morning!" Tee replied, his signature warm smile lighting up his face as he waved back. He continued his approach to the heart of the set, where the actors' trailers were lined up like soldiers awaiting inspection.

And there he was—Ohm Phawat, in the flesh, standing just outside his trailer. The man was a striking figure; tall and broad-shouldered, his posture exuded a quiet confidence. His intense gaze seemed to pierce through the mundane surroundings, as though he were peering into some unseen distance.

"Hey, you must be Ohm," Tee said, extending a hand as he came to a stop before the brooding newcomer. His voice held the friendly cadence that had won him so many friends in the industry.

Ohm's eyes shifted, locking onto Tee's with a depth that felt almost invasive, yet intriguing. "Yeah, I am," he replied, his voice a low rumble that matched the intensity of his stare. "You're Tee, right?"

"Guilty as charged." Tee chuckled, the sound bright and airy. Their handshake was firm, a silent pact between professionals.

"Looking forward to working with you," Ohm added, his words measured, his charismatic presence impossible to ignore.

"Same here," Tee answered, his own curiosity piqued. "I've seen your work. You bring something...unique to the table."

A flicker of something passed across Ohm's features—a mix of appreciation and surprise, perhaps. Tee sensed layers upon layers behind that stoic facade, and he was determined to peel them back, one by one.

"Hope you'll find this set to be a second home," Tee continued, gesturing around them. "It's a great team."

"Thanks. It's... different from what I'm used to," Ohm admitted, casting a glance around the buzzing activity.

"Change can be good, though, don't you think?" Tee offered with an encouraging nod. Inside, he felt a kinship forming, a connection rooted in the shared understanding of life under the spotlight.

"Maybe," Ohm conceded, the corner of his mouth quirking up ever so slightly.

The promise of discovery hung between them, electric and enticing. As Tee looked into Ohm's eyes, he recognized a kindred spirit—a fellow storyteller seeking truth in art. And within that moment, the seeds of friendship, or perhaps something more, began to sprout.

"Let's make some magic happen," Tee said, his tone imbued with the passion for his craft and a newfound eagerness to unravel the mystery that was Ohm Phawat.