"Phi Bua, I'm just looking for you!"
Aon called hurriedly.
"What's wrong?"
The Doctor replied as she walked down the hallway, distractedly reading the documents about the chimpanzee bones she was waiting to receive.
"Can you welcome the new researcher in place of the professor for a moment? The Professor on her way, but she's already arrived before."
"Oh, really? I didn't even know she was going to arrive today."
Bua replied in surprise.
The professor just called me, it isn't something official.
Aon explained quickly.
"Hmm, no problem then. Just hold this for me, please."
Bua handed the documents to Aon, while adjusting her hair, fixing her glasses and straightening the collar of her shirt, preparing to receive the visitor.
Bua had known beforehand that a new researcher would arrive this week, but she hadn’t expected to be the one to welcome her, since the professor hadn’t given any clear instructions about it. It wasn’t something official, but leaving the visitor waiting alone in a room definitely didn’t seem like a good idea.
"How do I look?"
Bua asked as she run her hands through her hair, trying to tidy it up.
"Phi Bua is beautiful as always! Today you even seems more cheerful than usual."
Aon replied with a smile.
"Which room?"
"The small one, the meeting room upstairs."
"Okay, I’ll go. Aon, please prepare some water and come later, okay?"
"Yes, Phi Bua. Thank you!"
"You’re welcome."
Busaya headed to the door of the meeting room, which had been prepared to welcome the important visitor. The research institute didn’t receive distinguished visitors often, and even less so to collaborate on the work. The institute had been in operation for less than two years, and there were days when even the local cemetery seemed busier.
The research team consisted of less than ten graduate students under the supervision of professors, and, counting the rest of the staff, the total number of people was no more than thirty. Bua raised her right hand and knocked on the door a few times before entering.
"Excuse me."
She caught sight of the visitor, with her back to her, wearing a black suit. Something about her figure seem strangely familiar. She's looking through the window at the small canal that run behind the eleven-story building of the institute. At that moment, the visitor turned to her.
"You..."
Bua could barely finish the sentence, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Hello, Doctor Busaya."
The visitor said with a slight smile and tilting her head, as if making a joke.
"We meet again, don't we?"
And then she walked over to Bua and hugged her. Phinya leaned against the edge of the table, leaning over and leaving a kiss on Bua's cheek, a familiar touch from the night before, while Bua remained with an expression of astonishment.
"How did you end up here?"
Bua asked, still being hugged, with Phinya resting her forehead on her shoulder and tightening her embrace around her.
