[END] Wandee Wittaya (ENG)

18 (Long Distance)

[Yoryak's POV]

On December 31st, Dee and I didn't do much. He wanted to go for a walk, and I was just there to follow him. Since we woke up late, we had to deal with a lot of people when we went to Chao Praya River.

Only Dee and I went. Oye and Cherry decided to stay at home and sleep. They know that during festivals the places are always crowded so it is difficult to walk around. But even though it was crowded, noisy, and messy, Dee was still smiling. He seemed to enjoy the sightseeing and the food, and he fit in easily with my family. After walking around all day, Dee still had the energy to help my mother in the kitchen.

"That's not how you cut potatoes. Here, let me show you..."

"Come on! Sorry. I'm sorry..."

"When making chicken curry, just cut wedges... Like this. That's it. It's not hard at all. 555... The smaller you cut the potato... Son, oh, you can do it. "

"Yes madam... Cut wedges. Is it like this?" He asked as I sat watching them in the dining area.

Of course, he helped in a chaotic way, but my mother was happy and taught him some things. And since it was New Year's Eve, we took longer to eat dinner than usual.

After dinner, my father called everyone to gather in the open space. Father and Mother blessed Oye and Cherry first, and then Dee and I. As a formal acceptance of our relationship. While Oye was talking, I looked at Dee, who was a thoughtful person, winked at me and asked,

"Are you getting married next?" It was a joke that I didn't like.

"..."

"Why don't you want to marry me?"

"Shhh... You didn't propose. Then the marriage need a dowry."

"Even if my wealth runs out, let's just get married..."

"Yeah... Loverboy..."

I've been with him for a while and I understand his jokes. Our new year's countdown night passed peacefully. We sat together and counted, and I gave him a present.

"Did you fold stars and put them in a jar for me?"

"Yes, it suits you."

"In what way?" He twirled the jar with the paper stars in his hand, then stared at me waiting for an explanation.

"That was a popular gift when you were a teenager, right? So I thought if I gave you this gift, you could go back to the past."

The highlight of New Year in my house is on the first day of the year. My father is a well-known person in the village. Every New Year's Day, our house holds a big merit event, including a boxing competition.

The Tantui's house must send a representative to compete in boxing. I was the representative because I was the type who didn't hesitate. My father sent me to fight, so I went. I won the championship for many years. This year, I think I won't miss it either. The boxing will start at 3 pm. My father ordered people to dig and add water to the mud pond, lay a log on the shore. I dragged myself to sit with my feet hooked on the log from the start of the game, waiting for someone to challenge me. And I can't remember how many people I've knocked down in the mud today.

One thing is for sure, I won't be the one falling. The mud water underneath will kill them...

I'm not sure what time it is now, the competition took a long time. Honestly, I admit I'm starting to feel tired, but I think the competition is almost over. So my hope is that there will be no opponent. But when it stopped, my father shouted asking for someone to challenge me as my last opponent that day.