One day before the freshers' program and the welcome of newcomers on campus…
Buzz… Buzz…
The phone rang, its sharp sound echoing through the room.
The space was simple—just a single bed and a table. It looked almost empty. Large glass windows covered one side, with black-and-white curtains pulled aside. Sunlight streamed in, making it hard to see outside.
A photo frame sat on the table. Inside, a golden retriever slept peacefully in someone's lap.
The bathroom door opened.
Wearing only a towel, his damp, bare chest was visible. Drops of water fell from his hair. Without rushing, he walked toward his phone.
He picked it up and answered.
Running a hand through his hair, he said, "Why are you calling me? Just call my sister."
His voice carried irritation, but he quickly steadied it. "I'll do it. Don't call me again… it's a request."
He ended the call and stared at the screen.
"Why is Father's secretary calling me? He could inform Father himself." he muttered.
Another call came in. Seeing the name, he groaned.
"You jerk! Didn't you say you'd come pick me up? Then where are you?"
He pulled the phone slightly away. "I forgot to put it on speaker… My ears are ringing…"
"May, why are you so loud? Can't you think about my ears? They're almost gone."
"Kao!" May shouted again.
"Come here, idiot, and pick me up!"
"Okay, I will. Wait for me."
"You better come fast. I'll give you two hours. You know it's a busy day."
Kao ended the call, his hands trembling slightly.
"What is wrong with her? Why is she so scary?"
"Shit, I'm late."
He slid open the wardrobe. It was filled with black and gray clothes. He picked a gray shirt and black pants, then reached for his watch.
As he fastened it on his left wrist, his fingers brushed against his skin, pulling him back to reality. Snap out of it, Kao. He quickly put on his mechanical engineering jacket.
There was no time to dry his hair, so he left it as it was.
After stepping back into the room, he noticed water on the floor. He began wiping it—then fixed the room, then the kitchen—until he had cleaned the entire condo.
"Now it's perfect."
"Shit, I'm late."
"I've got everything. Okay, ready to go… wait…"
He rushed back into his room, then stopped at the door. His eyes fell on the photo frame.
"I'm going. Bye."
A small smile appeared on his face before he stepped out.
Standing in front of the elevator, waiting for it to open, he brushed through his damp hair.
"I hate it when I don't have time to dry my hair."
"Door opening…"
He stepped inside. His room was on the fourth floor.
Someone was already inside, smiling at him.
"Sawasdee khap, Auntie."
"Sawasdee khap. You're late today."
"Yes, I am. Why are you in the lift?"
"I don't feel well, Kao. I think I forgot the floor. So I just waited here."
"She forgot, but…" Kao's expression changed.
"Auntie, didn't the doctor say you can't go anywhere alone?" His eyes fell on the grocery bag.
"Kao, I'm okay now. It's fine, son."
Her breathing was uneven, and her wrinkled skin showed she wasn't well.
Noticing the heavy bags in her hands, Kao quickly took them without hesitation.
"Auntie, let me help you."
"No, I can manage."
"It's okay. I have time—it's not a burden. Didn't I always tell you not to think like that?"
Kao supported her.
He carried the bags to her room on the first floor. Inside, he noticed the empty water container and replaced it with a full one. The place looked untidy.
"I can clean this quickly." he murmured.
He started arranging things while the auntie stood there, holding a glass of water.
The soft clatter of cleaning continued.
Kao, don't do that, son… you'll be late…"
"It's okay, Auntie. I'll be quick. I saw the date of your hospital visit while cleaning the table. You can't forget that."
"Kao… I…"
"I'll come on that date to pick you up." Kao took his phone and marked the date.
She lowered her head, looking sad.
"Are you worried? We'll find a donor this time."
She sat down, looking exhausted.
"Kao, so many years have passed. I think it's better if I give up. I'm already old—what's the use?"
"What are you saying? Didn't I tell you every time—never give up? You can't stop until the end."
"Kao, will she come? My daughter… I called her, but she didn't answer."
"Auntie, your daughter must be busy…"
"Kao… if I die someday, do you think she'll come?"
"Why is our queen sad today?" he said gently. "Don't worry, I'm here. I'll call her and ask her to come."
She stayed silent.
"Kao, nowadays I forget more. Will I forget my daughter? What if I…"
"There you go again… don't worry, you will never forget her. She'll come before your surgery. I'll try too—it's not a burden, just a call."
"Sorry… she never comes. At least you forget that she is not in this world anymore…" Kao hid his emotions as he thought.
She looked slightly relieved.
"Kao, you should go. Don't you have college?"
He checked his watch.
Before he left, he wrote his number on a small whiteboard. The board was filled with Kao's handwriting, notes, numbers, names, and photos. Almost every detail in the flat had been written by him—mostly for her.
"Auntie, I'm leaving. Bye!"
He hurried out.
"Kao! Take some fruits!"
"It's okay, I'm not hungry!" he called back.
"Don't forget to take your medicine."
"He never listens, his parents are lucky to have a son like him." she murmured.
"Why didn't you come? How many years have passed since you said you got a job? Mae is waiting… come quickly, my baby."
Her fingers touched an old photo of her and her daughter as tears fell silently, clutching her chest tightly.
In the parking lot...
Kao rushed to the parking area, got into his car, and started the engine. Just as he was about to leave, another car blocked his way.
He honked.
"Is that you, Kao?" someone called, leaning out of the window.
"Sister Sasi, what's wrong?"
"My car suddenly stopped. I don't know what to do."
"Did you call someone for repair?"
"They said they'll be late."
He stepped out of his car as a security guard approached them. The guard bowed slightly upon seeing Kao.
"Can you try calling the repair service of our block?"
"I already tried, but they're not picking up," the guard said.
"Then how about we push the car? I'll check it." Kao replied.
"Kao, I have a meeting in two hours." Sister Sasi stared at him like a lost puppy.
"It's urgent. I can't ignore it." he sighed.
He stepped closer. "Let me check. Do we have a tool kit? Can you get it?" he asked the guard.
"Khrap." The guard quickly ran to bring it.
"I think the tool kit is in my car," Sister Sasi said while searching.
"No need, Sister Sasi. Actually, the car tool kit probably won't be useful," he replied.
He began checking the car. "This might take some time…" he thought.
One hour later…
"Use this to clean your hands."
"Thank you, Sister Sasi."
"Sorry, you got stuck because of me."
"It's alright. Since the repair team didn't come."
"Really, if only you were my boyfriend. No one has this much patience. Kao… are you by any chance…?"
She looked at him hopefully.
Clearing his throat, he said, "I'm into men. You'll find someone better."
"Oh! What a pity. Now I almost wish I were a man," she joked. "I'll wait for the day you get a boyfriend. I wonder who that lucky man will be."
Hearing this, Kao laughed lightly to avoid further questions.
But his laugh suddenly froze.
"Wait, I feel like I forgot something important…"
She tapped his shoulder. "What's wrong?"
"Shit! May—I forgot May!"
He rushed to his car.
"I have to go! Bye, Sister Sasi!"
"Well, thank you!" she called after him.
"What the hell… Who is May?" she muttered.
"Shit, I still have so many questions to ask… and now I'm late too… her voice faded as she continued talking to herself, frustrated.
Kao jumped into his car.
"How could I forget something so important?"
Just as he fastened his seatbelt and reached for the ignition, he froze.
Someone was already inside.
"Why are you here? Wait—how did you even get in… Max?"
Max leaned back casually. "Hi, it's been a long time, P'Kao."
His skin looked flawless, his hair neatly styled. The top buttons of his shirt were open, revealing part of his chest.
"You're mistaken. This isn't your car," Kao said firmly. "Yours isn't even parked here."
Placing a hand over his chest dramatically, Max replied softly, "You really hurt me, P'Kao. How can you say that? Everything you have will be mine anyway… So what's the difference between yours and mine?"
Kao tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
"Why him? I can't deal with this guy…"
"Max, get out. I'm already late."
"I don't care. You can drop me on the way. Do you know how many days it's been since I saw you?"
"Of course you didn't. I've been avoiding you."
"Did you say something, P'Kao?"
Max drew closer, his hand resting on Kao's arm.
"Do you know how many times I've confessed to you? You reject me every time without even giving me a chance."
"Why is he like this… I'm getting irritated…"
"Max, relax." Kao pushed him back slightly. "I'm not into men…" he said, forcing a smile.
"That's a lie. I'm not stupid enough to throw myself at you. I know your exes—they all visit Paradox Bar regularly. I'm not someone you can play with. I don't want to be anyone's sugar daddy."
Kao ignored Max and stayed silent.
"Max, I'm already in a relationship. So stop this. My girlfriend doesn't like anyone sitting in the front seat—you need to leave."
"Then drop me too. I can even greet your girlfriend," Max said, unconvinced.
"He really won't give up…"
"Our colleges are far apart. If I delay, I'll be late to pick her up. And if you ask who I'll choose… of course, it's my girlfriend."
Kao smirked. "Max, get out."
"I don't want to." Max held his arm again, voice softening. "P'Kao…"
"Don't. I don't like anyone touching me except the person I care about."
Kao opened the door and guided Max out of the car.
Before Max could react, Kao drove off.
"Wait… P'Kao!"
Max stood there, throwing his bag down in frustration.
"How can you keep avoiding me when everyone else wants me? You're the only one I want."
"I'm not giving up. You are mine."
"Girlfriend... once I find her, I'll deal with her."
Inside the car, Kao panicked. He quickly called May, but there was no answer.
"It was already hard escaping Max and now this…"
He drove to May's condo and stopped.
Standing outside, he kept calling again and again.
"She's going to kill me. It's already twelve."
Then a voice message came from Oat:
Kao, May is already here. I picked her up. She's been cursing you non-stop. Don't come near her until she calms down.
From the background, May's voice could be heard shouting and throwing things.
Kao typed quickly:
Oat, please calm her down. I'll go ahead…
Oat replied:
Kao, did you forget you said you'd help me arrange the hall for the fresher's program?
Kao froze.
"Oh! I really forgot."
Kao replied immediately:
I'll do it. Just keep May away from me.
Oat:
Okay. I'm busy, so don't call me.
Kao:
Okay…
Kao stared at the screen for a moment.
"Why do I feel uneasy? Am I going to get killed today?"
He shook his head.
"Forget it, Kao. You can do this."
"Freshers. It's going to be noisy…"
He looked up at the bright sky, lost in thought for a second.
"Everyone's staring. I should pretend I'm thinking… otherwise it'll be awkward."
Pointing at himself, he muttered, "Idiot."
"Kao, let's go."
He said it to himself and headed toward campus.