Busaya sighed for the umpteenth time that day, not having a moment of rest after years of sleepless studying was karmic punishment enough. But having to share a tent with Pinya? The universe was really collecting debts from the past. It didn't see her as a friend, nor did it see her as an enemy. In fact, the term "personal karma" seemed more appropriate.
Bua stood there, looking at the sign in front of the green tent made of a material resistant to the sun and rain, which served as a dormitory for the employees involved in the operation. The tent was about two hundred meters away from the accident site, in a separate area, where there were seven other tents arranged in a line. On the tent where Bua was, there was a white sign with black letters that said "Dr. Busaya Methin". However, what really bothered her was the sign just below, which displayed the name "Dr. Pinya Thananon".
Judging by the title "Doctor" in front of Pinya's name, Bua could tell that she had finally graduated. After their last fight, Pinya had disappeared without a trace, and no one knew what had happened.
Like Bua, she was a physical anthropology major. However, her professors often sent her out into the field, especially to archaeological sites and studies of ancient civilizations, which gave her additional experience in historical human civilizations.
Bua let out a resigned sigh, accepting what seemed to be her fate, when she heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. Pinya, who was carrying a large backpack, walked past her, deliberately bumping Bua's shoulder. For a brief moment, Bua felt a strong urge to reach out her foot to trip Pinya, but she restrained herself with great effort.
"You studied so hard and still managed not to evolve into a vertebrate animal? You disappeared and came back worse than before, without any manners."
Although she had managed to get her foot out, her mouth was faster than her thoughts. The words made Pinya turn quickly, her eyes shining with anger as she reached out to grab Bua's collar, but Bua quickly slapped her hand away in time.
"It seems that the specialization has made your mouth especially sharper, Dr. Bua."
Pinya said, with a mischievous smile appearing at the corner of her mouth, keeping her eyes fixed on Bua's lips.
"Be careful with that pretty little mouth, Dr. Bua. Who knows, one day some superior member of an inferior creature might hit you when you least expect it."
And with that, Pinya turned around.
"I'll sleep in the bed near the entrance. You take the bed inside."
It sounded more like an order than a suggestion, given Pinya's tone that made Bua irritated at the time, but she didn't answer, she didn't want any more trouble.
Bua crouched down at the entrance of the tent and picked up a handful of loose soil, holding it firmly in her hand. She closed her eyes and said a short prayer, asking for everything to go well. Slowly, she released the soil she was holding in her hands, as a gesture of respect and asking permission from the spirits of the place so that she could work and rest there. This was a ritual she always performed when visiting a new place. However, this time, it seemed that luck was not on her side from the beginning. Pinya appeared again, passing by her.
"I'm going to eat something, Bualoy."
Pinya said, in a sarcastic tone, using the nickname she had given Bua during her college days, without even looking back, and then left the place.
Bua decided not to fight back, it would only waste time and get in a bad mood. She knew Pinya's temperament well: erratic and volatile, as if he suffered from a nervous disorder or had an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, which affected his ability to process logical reasoning. Pinya rarely listened to what others said, she was stubborn, obstinate and had a habit of constantly complaining.
