The Land Rover pulled into a gas station, giving passengers a chance to stretch their legs. Sombat played his role as the perfect third wheel, inviting Asanai and Anupap to wait in the coffee shop and order cold drinks while Atikom filled up the tank.
He didn't want to leave Atikom alone with Asanai, knowing that the moment the car stopped, Anupap would immediately slip away to the coffee shop.
Atikom had been trying to find a way to talk to Anupap privately after the young man had sat in silence throughout the journey. He got his chance when Anupap excused himself to buy something from the mini-mart. Atikom quickly followed, leaving Sombat to chat with Asanai about Paris tourism.
"Khun Nu, you haven't talked to me at all. I'm tired from driving and could use some encouragement," Atikom wheedled.
"Haven't we been talking the whole way?" Anupap was referring to the conversations with Asanai and Sombat.
"I want to talk with you specifically."
"I don't know what else to talk about. I'm not good at conversation."
Is he being sarcastic? Atikom wondered."Or are you upset with me?" He said.
Anupap stopped in front of the soda vending machine, selecting a drink. Atikom leaned against the adjacent machine door.
"Asanai and I knew each other a long, long time ago. We haven't seen each other for almost ten years," Atikom continued.
"He already told me. People know each other, that's fine. It's good when old friends meet again—it makes friendships even stronger."
"See, you really are upset with me."
Anupap walked to pay, ignoring the tall man following behind like a puppy.
"Why would I be upset? We're nothing to each other."
"We are something. Even if you don't think so, I do."
"What exactly…" Anupap frowned.
"We are what you're thinking right now..." Atikom gave him sweet eyes. Truth was, he didn't know what Anupap was thinking about him either, but he had to test the waters. Otherwise, everything would progress impossibly slowly.
"Listen, Captain. I have no reason to get involved with you or Khun Asanai. I'm not upset, not anything. Whatever you do has nothing to do with me."
"Can't it have a little to do with you?" Atikom persisted.
Anupap walked out of the store to find Asanai and Sombat already waiting in front of the coffee shop. Time to continue the journey.
...
The latter part of the trip, approaching Bangkok, wasn't smooth. Traffic increased as city dwellers who had gone to the provinces for the weekend began returning home. All three passengers dozed off, leaving Atikom to drive alone.
He glanced at Anupap, who was leaning against the window. Atikom remembered when Anupap stood waiting for the car with him—the young man had stood straight and still, not moving a muscle. Even sleeping, he maintained perfect posture. His sharp, intense face looked softer in sleep, his full, red lips temptingly touchable.
Atikom looked at the other young man on the passenger seat beside him. Asanai was certainly good-looking, with a fun, cheerful personality and impeccable style. But why didn't he feel anything at all? Atikom didn't understand himself. In his thoughts, only images of Anupap floated prominently.
...
The car entered the outskirts of Bangkok. Traffic began to thicken, and the three sleeping passengers woke up to keep Atikom company again.
"Captain, even after you finish filming the commercial, don't disappear on us. When you're free, come visit us at the company," Sombat pleaded with Atikom, though he knew Atikom would probably be circling around the company area anyway.
"I'll visit regularly even without being asked. And if I'm passing by, I might ask to have lunch together."
Asanai wanted to invite Atikom to visit him too, but it wouldn't be appropriate to say so in front of Sombat and Anupap. The young man was determined to wait for a moment alone with Atikom to rekindle their relationship.
A phone rang. Sombat complained, "Anupap, you still haven't changed your ringtone. Everyone uses MP3 songs as ringtones now."
"I like traditional things," Anupap answered the call.
"Atid, what's up..."
Atikom's ears perked up. Why was Atid calling?
"Almost at Pinklao... won't be long... not much traffic... no, not tired at all... I wasn't driving... slept the whole way... already ate. Have you eaten yet, Atid..."
Though Atikom could only hear one side of the conversation, he could guess what the caller was saying. Anupap talked with Atid for quite a while, chatting and smiling, clearly enjoying the conversation immensely.
While with me, he sat silent the entire trip, Atikom thought, his face tightening, irritation rising suddenly. He could barely stand hearing Anupap's cheerful conversation with the caller.
Glancing in the rearview mirror, he saw Anupap's face lit up with a smile—a smile he wanted the young man to give only to him.
"Don't worry about me. Working just two days isn't tiring. It was actually relaxing, got to rest completely. At the filming location, they kicked me out so I wouldn't interfere or find fault, so I just lounged around comfortably."
He's being sarcastic, Atikom's mood began to boil. He wanted to reach back and grab the phone from Anupap, tell Atid to hang up.
"Hey, you only worry about P'Nu. Don't you worry about P'Bud at all, Atid?" Sombat playfully called out loudly near Anupap's ear and giggled.
"Careful, P'Kom..." Asanai turned to warn the driver, who was now speeding so fast that the front passenger was getting scared. Atikom was swerving back and forth until Asanai felt frightened.
Is Atikom jealous? Who is Atid? Just hearing Anupap talk on the phone with Atid made Atikom angry?
Asanai sat quietly, feeling hurt seeing Atikom's reaction. He was beginning to see that his future plans to rekindle his relationship with Atikom might not be so easy after all. But someone like him wouldn't give up easily.
"Captain, I'm getting dizzy. Could you slow down a bit?" Sombat leaned forward toward Atikom's seat.
"Sorry, I thought I'd hurry to get to Bangkok quickly in case anyone had appointments to keep."
Atikom's voice was level, but he reduced the car's speed.
The Captain is being passive-aggressive, Sombat thought. The jealous wind is rising... Anupap is deliberately teasing... these two are getting complicated.
Sombat leaned back against the seat and smiled with satisfaction, mentally thanking Atid for making Captain Atikom 'show his true feeling.'
...
Anupap didn't know why he deliberately prolonged his playful conversation with Atid, but he felt happy seeing Atikom's agitated behavior. As for the erratic driving, he wasn't scared anymore because he'd already been through the worst experience of his life when Atikom had driven recklessly while chasing criminals.
He knew well that Atikom's driving skills were excellent, and he would never let anything bad happen.
Anupap was surprised. Why do I feel so confident in this man?