D&B5

Songkran Day

"Today is Songkran, the villagers are so happy..." The Songkran Ramwong song drifted out of Brick's mouth.  He was browsing the supermarket with Day, who was pushing the shopping cart. Hearing Brick's singing, Day instantly turned to look at his lover. Brick met Day's gaze and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"What?" Brick asked.

"I didn't think you'd sing that song," Day said. Brick paused for a moment, then chuckled.

"It's stuck in my head, you know.  Everywhere I go, I hear that song. And the one that goes, 'New skies have come, my dear, for Songkran we sing in the tone of...'  Honestly, I've heard it so much, I can even sing along now," Brick said lightheartedly.  He didn't realize he'd actually been singing the Songkran Ramwong out loud. Day chuckled softly, knowing Brick was telling the truth. It was almost Songkran, and every store was playing festive music.

"And during New Year's Eve, it's always, 'Happy New Year, Thai people, may you be safe from all harm...'  " Brick sang again, swaying his head. Day just grinned at his lover, unable to resist his charm.

"Really. By the way, are we going anywhere for Songkran this year?" Brick asked. It was April 9th, and Songkran was just around the corner.

"We'll have to ask dad when he's available to go pay respects to Grandma first. But I'm thinking we'll go back to Kanchanaburi. Last year, we were in Chonburi, remember?" Day replied

"Let's bring Salmon with us!  He's here now, after all," Brick said, remembering. Salmon wasn't with them today because Frank's relatives were in Thailand for Songkran, so Frank had taken Salmon to visit them.  And, right now, Phim was pregnant with their child.

"Does P'Frank want Salmon to stay with his family?" Day asked. Brick hesitated for a second.

"I'm not sure. We'll have to ask him when we go back." Brick responded before they continued shopping.

"Hello Brick.  Hello Khun Day," a voice greeted them, causing Brick and Day to turn around. Day’s face immediately tightened, while Brick offered a strained smile at the other man, glancing at Day in the process.

"Hello, Dr. Jom. Doing some grocery shopping?" Brick asked.

"Yes, I just finished my shift, so I thought I'd stop by and grab some things for dinner." Dr. Jom responded with a soft smile. 

"Isn't your nephew coming today?" Dr. Jom asked about Salmon.

"He's out running errands with his dad, so he couldn't come along," Brick replied casually, as Dr. Jom had never acted or spoken poorly to Brick or Day.

"Oh, then I won’t disturb you any longer. Please take your time," Dr. Jom responded before walking away.

"Why do you have that face? Don't you like Dr. Jom that much?" Brick asked Day once Dr. Jom had walked away.

"I don’t like anyone who gets close to you," Day said. He could see that Dr. Jom was interested in Brick, but the other party seemed to be well aware that there was no hope, so he tried to remain in the status of just a neighbouring friend. Day didn’t show much of a reaction other than keeping a straight face towards the other person. Although Brick felt a bit shy upon hearing this, he was also a little disheartened by his lover.

"He's just a neighbour. Come on, let’s go buy more stuff," Brick said, linking arms with Day to continue shopping. Day didn’t say anything because he knew that Brick didn’t think much of it either.

.........

"Ah, my mother wants Salmon to go play Songkran with my brother's son." Frank said when Day and Brick invited Salmon to go celebrate Songkran in Kanchanaburi.