The Chiang Mai Escapade | MIR

1. P' Tan's Permission

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[Tee]

I was sitting on the chair in front of the dining table and was waiting for pii Tan. It was morning and we were about to have our breakfast, but I wondered what took him so long. Usually he was the one who would prepare our meal and when I woke up, I would just eat whatever he put on the table. I checked my watch and saw that it was already seven o'clock. Good thing it was already our summer break, because if not, I would really be late for school. I watched the steam from the plate of rice wavered on the thin air. I reached for my phone and was about to dial his number when he emerged on the door.

"Good morning baby bro." He greeted me and disheveled my hair then he slumped on the vacant chair next to mine. He rubbed his eye as he sipped on his mug of coffee. His hair was in a disarray too and he was wearing his favorite sleeping outfit, a boxer shorts and a loose white tee.

"What time did you sleep last night pii?" I asked as I reached for my mug of coffee and brought it to my lips. He turned to me and I saw a sheepish smile on his face.

"Oh. Two a.m?" I don't know. I..." Then he scratched his ear. "I don't know. Hey look, I am so sorry I was not able to prepare our breakfast..."

I put a finger on my lips as a sign of shushing him.

"It was just fine pii. I mean, since it is summer break, maybe it is time for me to do something you've been doing for me, like preparing breakfast. I was so glad you had a great time last night." I explained and reached for the plate of rice and gave it to him. His awkward smile returned on his face again and I wiggled my eyebrows at him.

Seriously, I was just so glad that he was starting to move on from his spurned love on Fuse's sister, Fing. The best thing was, he was going out again and meeting people. Because when he had his heart broken, he just stayed home. No matter how many times I invited him to go out with me, he just shook his head, and "NO" was the answer I always got. He was always with his guitar, playing brokenhearted songs. He sounded so depressed and I was also starting to feel like him.

"You know..." He said as he gave me the plate of rice. "Something is different with you today. I can sense you have some favor to ask me." He looked at me intently, knitting his eyebrows.

I squirmed at his gaze. My big bro really knew me well. So it was my turn to gave an awkward smile. I scratched the back of my head.

"So what is it, huh?" He asked me while reaching for the bowl of soup.

"Err... Um..." I scratched the side of my head because I did not know how to say it to him and convince him to give me his permission.

Dad and mom were on the other part of the country and it was only me and pii in the house. They told me that whatever I was planning to do, I should get permission from pii Tan. Whatever pii's decision would also be their decision.

So how would I say it? I swallowed the nervousness I felt.

"Yes?"

"Err..." I wrung my fingers together on my lap. "Umm... Me and my friends were planning to go to Chiang Mai..."

"Chiang Mai? It is far from here Tee. It is six hundred ninety three kilometers from here and a good eight hours and fifty nine minute- drive. I mean, I am worried." He held me on the shoulder, looking a bit concerned.

"I understand pii. But please... think about it. Please? And we'll be on train." I let out a small smile and saw him nodded his head. We started to eat in silence.