At the hospital, I hurried toward Pheet's ward. Strangely, the nurses already seemed to know I was coming, so no one stopped me.
When I entered the room, there he was. Pheet.
Lying comfortably on the hospital bed.
Watching some ridiculous drama on his phone like absolutely nothing had happened.
Behind me, Phol leaned casually against the doorframe like he owned the place.
Is he going to follow me around until I pay him? But he already refused the money. This guy is trouble.
"What the hell, man? What was that?" I snapped.
Pheet finally looked up from his phone, as if he had only just noticed I existed.
"Why didn't you answer the phone?" I demanded. "Do you know how worried I was?"
My voice rose before I could stop it. Heat rushed to my face.
This wasn't the first time Pheet had treated his health like a joke.
I'd known him since our first day of high school, and one thing was certain about him.
He was the worst cook I had ever met.
He didn't even try to follow recipes.
Is he secretly a witch who just landed on Earth and thinks all ingredients are the same?
Pheet glanced at his phone again.
"Oh! It was on silent mode."
I stared at him.
Then he quickly raised his hands. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I was joking. But seriously, my phone was on silent, and I thought you stayed for the festival party."
"Then how did they know I would come here?" I asked.
"Oh, that?" he said casually. "I told the nurses that if anyone comes in screaming my name, they should send him to my room."
I sighed and dropped onto the sofa beside his bed.
"Anyway," Pheet continued brightly, "I'm really glad you did the performance. And wow, you were amazing! You should perform more often."
I blinked. "How did you—"
Before I could finish, Pheet shoved his phone toward me.
The music festival livestream was playing.
Great.
I rubbed my face and leaned back.
"So when are you getting discharged?"
"Right now," he said cheerfully, jumping off the bed.
He was already dressed and ready to leave.
I rolled my eyes.
Then Pheet leaned closer and whispered loudly, "So… who's the handsome guy over there?"
My brain froze.
"Did you find a guy without telling me? You promised you'd ask for my opinion first!"
What is wrong with this guy?
"Relax," I muttered. "His name is Phol. I bumped into him twice today. Hard. I think he's waiting to drag me to the police station."
Pheet looked intrigued.
"He insisted on driving me here," I added.
Throughout all of this, Phol hadn't said a single word.
He just watched us.
Like I had personally offended him.
The silence was… unsettling.
I finally turned toward him.
"Shouldn't you get your chin checked? I'll pay for it."
He chuckled.
"You? The guy who couldn't afford a taxi?" he said. "No thanks. Save your money."
Wow. Who does he think he is?
"Aren't you going home?" he added. "I can drive you."
"No thanks. I'll call my driver."
"Wait, Wut, no!" Pheet suddenly cut in. "It's the middle of the night. Your driver is probably asleep. Let's just accept the ride."
"But—"
"Save it," he said, then waved toward Phol, who was already pretending to leave.
"Hey! Handsome guy! Yeah, you! Is the ride offer still available? We're in!"
Phol looked at me and smirked.
"I thought you were calling your driver. Follow me'' he said, leading the way down the hallway.
I sighed.
Pheet was right. I couldn't wake someone up just for this.
Still… this guy didn't exactly scream trustworthy.
What if he kidnaps us?
WUT. stop overthinking.
I forced a polite smile and followed him down the hallway.
Then something occurred to me.
"Oh right. Pheet… you paid the hospital bill, right?"
"I think so," he said.
"You think so?"
"They told me I could leave, so probably."
"…Then why didn't you go home?"
"My sister invited her friends over tonight," he explained. "And someone I don't want to see is there. So… can I crash at your place?"
He clasped his hands dramatically.
"Pleeease?"
I sighed.
How could I say no to that face?
Phol was already far ahead of us in the hallway, walking surprisingly fast.
How can someone walk that fast?
"So," Pheet called out, "do you know where Wut lives?"
"No," Phol replied.
"Perfect. Then give me your phone."
Without hesitation, Phol handed it over.
Pheet typed something quickly before returning it.
"What did you do?" I whispered.
"Relax. I just put your address into his map."
"…Right."
Something about this man still felt strange.
When we reached my apartment building, Pheet suddenly asked, "Hey, are you free sometime this week? Could you give me a ride somewhere?"
Phol glanced at me before answering.
"Sure."
"Great! Then give me your number."
THAT WAS IT!.
I had officially had enough for one day.
I climbed the stairs and shouted back, "Pheet, if you don't hurry, I'm locking the door!"
We rushed inside just as Phol's car pulled away.
I showered and collapsed into bed.
But sleep didn't come easily.
My mind replayed the entire day.
The festival.
The hospital.
That weird guy.
Seriously, Wut, I told myself. Stop thinking about him and go to sleep.
Then another thought hit me.
What if he shows up tomorrow asking for money?
A shiver ran down my spine.
I pulled the blanket over my head.
What a day.