Accidentally Married

67. Afraid.

Sailub dropped heavily onto the thin mattress spread across the elevated wooden platform and stared at the ceiling in disbelief. 

"This is absolute hell," he declared dramatically.

The old wooden room was dimly lit by a single yellow bulb hanging from the center beam. The lone fan overhead rotated with painful laziness, barely stirring the humid night air. Outside, the chorus of insects and frogs echoed endlessly through the countryside.

Sailub pointed accusingly at the mattress beneath him. "Look at this thing," he complained. "It's thinner than the duvet I use at home."

He pressed down on it with one hand, looking personally offended. "And the food they gave us today? Even stray dogs wouldn't eat it."

Sailom groaned from where he was sprawled beside the wall. "Don't remind me."

Sailub ignored him and continued ranting. "We worked all day like dogs in the fields under the sun. My back hurts. My legs hurt. I am pretty sure even my soul hurts."

He looked around at the others. "And why is nobody saying anything? Am I the only one realizing how unfair this is?"

Zo lay flat on his back with one arm over his eyes while Saifah sat quietly near the open window, expression unreadable.

Sailom let out a miserable sigh. "Of course it's unfair," he muttered. "My entire body feels like it got run over by a tractor." He stretched slightly and immediately winced in pain. "The worst part," he added tragically, "is that I can't even talk to Aum."

Zo peeked at him from beneath his arm. "Aren't you two already dating? He is not going to run away, just because you were not around for a few days."

Sailom turned his head slowly.

"No, we are not dating. Not yet," he said with deep suffering. "I am still in the trial period for the boyfriend position."

Sailub snorted.

"And I don't even know my current status anymore," Sailom continued miserably. "Aum keeps blowing hot and cold. One moment he acts like he is in love with me, and the next he pushes me away like I am some random stranger."

Zo chuckled softly. "Maybe he is confused too."

Sailom groaned louder.

"Distance is good sometimes," Zo continued. "Distance makes the heart grow fonder."

Sailom immediately scoffed. "Easy for you to say."

Zo blinked.

"You practically got your partner served to you on a silver platter," Sailom accused.

Saifah's lips twitched faintly at the wording.

"I still remember the way you looked at Nai on the wedding day," Sailom continued. "The moment he walked into the hall, you looked like you forgot how to breathe."

Zo looked mildly embarrassed.

"You got lucky," Sailom muttered. "The person you married happened to be exactly your type. And somehow you managed to deepen the relationship so fast that now everything between you two is smooth sailing."

He sighed dramatically. "The rest of us aren't that lucky."

Silence followed for a brief moment. Zo was about to argue back.

Then Saifah finally snapped. "Can everyone shut up?" The irritation in his voice startled the room quiet. "You are all being really loud."

Sailom blinked at him. "What's with you?" He sat up slightly. "Don't tell me you are not miserable here too."