Pamorn jumped with joy when he heard the good news, while Baramee sat listening in silence, his mind working to unravel the reasons behind Teeradon's actions as Wittawin had described them.
"But we can't trust someone like that. He's plotting something nasty, no doubt about it. This is revenge for us pulling the tiger's whiskers twice." Wittawin's warning came sharp.
"Then why did he give us the membership card?" Pamorn remained oblivious, still riding his wave of joy.
"He's baiting us—wants us to walk right into his trap so he can get his payback easily. That's why we need a razor-sharp plan to fight this corrupt power." Wittawin's determination blazed. "This Teeradon character will definitely use friendship or loyalty as his weapon against us by stirring up trouble with you."
"I will pretend to be fragile, put on a terrified face. And you will rides in on your white horse to save the day. Then Teeradon will force you to surrender by using me as a bargaining chip. But I, Pamorn, will shake free, stand tall and proud, showing that pretty-boy rich daddy that we're superior." Pamorn's additional plotting sent him into fits of laughter.
"Don't mess with him, Win." Baramee's face turned serious. "Is this really so entertaining? Playing these kinds of games?"
"Just want to humble someone who's too full of himself." Wittawin shrugged.
"You're playing with fire."
"I'll put out that fire until there's nothing left but ashes. Just wait and see." Wittawin's voice hardened, his eyes refusing defeat.
"You're right that he's plotting something bad." Baramee's voice came out sluggish. "And you're also right that you can't trust him. He's scheming something. I can see it."
"I can see it too." Pamorn interjected. "Teeradon's thinking about shagging Win here."
"There goes your mouth again." Wittawin reached out to slap his friend's lips, but Pamorn jumped away to hide behind Baramee, crying out, "Baramee, help me!"
"Back off. Don't touch me." Baramee swatted away Pamorn's hands when he made moves to embrace his waist.
"Come on, protect me a little, Baramee. Use that strong, manly body of yours to shield me from this demon who's about to hurt me. If you can protect me, I'll belong only to you... completely." Pamorn laughed with pure delight.
"You crazy fool."
"Or maybe you don't want me, but you secretly want someone else." Pamorn put on an exaggerated pout.
"That mouth of yours is going to get punched." Baramee turned with a raised fist, genuinely ready to strike.
"Retard." Wittawin shook his head, sighed, and walked to his motorcycle with Baramee hurrying close behind, while Pamorn continued his relentless laughter.
"Where are you going, Win?" Baramee asked.
"Why do you need to know where I'm going?" Wittawin's brow furrowed.
"Just asking nicely." Baramee looked hurt at being suddenly snapped at.
"Going to see Pirayu. Going to finish some work." Wittawin softened his tone.
"Pirayu, the one who runs the school?"
"That's right. At least talking to Pirayu has some substance. Talking to you two gives me a headache." Wittawin grabbed his helmet and straddled his motorcycle.
"Talk to me instead. You don't have to talk to Pamorn. Where exactly do I give you a headache?" Baramee smiled, something distinct beginning to spark in his eyes.
Wittawin looked down at the motorcycle's fuel tank in silence for a moment, as if contemplating something. Then he lifted his head and spoke to Baramee in a flat tone.
"Don't think crazy thoughts, Baramee."
"Why not?" Baramee asked back, equally flat.
"You know exactly what's what." Wittawin answered, started the engine, shifted into gear, and sped away without another word, leaving Baramee standing there watching until he disappeared from sight.
I'm not thinking crazy thoughts. How could what I'm thinking be called crazy? But if you want to call it crazy, I've been crazy too long to cure now. You don't know, Win...
***
"If I could get married, today I'd tell you that I'm about to get engaged." Pirayu smiled broadly and sat down beside Wittawin, who was testing systems on the computer screen. "I've decided, Win. I'm ready to leap into the abyss of love. Even knowing it's terrifying and the rushing waters might sweep me away to crash against the rocks of suffering, I'm not afraid."
"Mm-hmm." Wittawin nodded.
"But those rushing waters are also refreshingly cool. Some stretches flow gently. I'll float peacefully or backstroke while gazing at the brilliant blue sky, then close my eyes and soak up that happiness." Pirayu smiled dreamily. "I'll trade it for whatever pain might come."
"If it were me, I'd build a warm current instead." Wittawin shrugged.
"Love requires some risk. I've never been hurt, never suffered. My life has been nothing but happiness and smooth sailing. Consider this my first life adventure." Pirayu ignored his friend's crude comment.
"Want adventure? Be careful not to get lost in the forest." Wittawin warned.
"Getting lost doesn't matter. Think of it this way—the forest has plenty of oxygen. All that abundance will keep me refreshed. Good and bad things are mixed together. I'm ready. Otherwise, I wouldn't have agreed to sleep with him."
"Why so bold, Pirayu? You're ruining your image completely."
"Don't think I'm naive." Pirayu laughed loudly. "I've lived within boundaries my whole life. Let me do something wild for once."
"I give up." Wittawin smiled. "Since I've known you, I've really misjudged you."
"I live in the world of reality, Win." Pirayu shrugged.
"The world of love." Wittawin added. "But what about your person? Is he living in the same world? He's not just going to let you get swept away by those rushing waters alone, is he? Because when it comes time to float peacefully and admire the sky by yourself, that probably won't be very pleasant."
"Oh my, you can speak in metaphors too!"
"I don't just know computer language." Wittawin acted proud.
"They say when people are in love, they often become poets." Pirayu spoke with a smile.
"But heartbreak can make you a versifier too." Wittawin added, then asked his friend, "So who is this person? What's his name? When are you going to tell me?"
"Wait, just wait. When I'm ready to go public, I'll introduce you properly. You'll be the first to know." Pirayu smiled mysteriously, his eyes dreamy.
"I don't want you to be disappointed. I worry about you. I've only ever seen you smile. I want to preserve that face of yours to keep the world bright for a long time. I feel sorry for all those little ones too." Wittawin turned to watch the small children running past the computer room.
"I won't abandon the children. But suppose I do get heartbroken—I might be sad. That's natural. But I probably won't have a breakdown or lose the will to live and close the school. Besides, I have the strong Wittawin who loves his friends to keep my spirits up. I'll be able to stand firm again. Stop worrying about a hundred and eight thousand things." Pirayu patted Wittawin's shoulder. "Speaking of which, will the computer system be ready in time for the Christmas event? I've invited a lot of important people. I'm afraid of losing face."
"This guy tells me not to worry, but then starts frowning himself. Come on, smile quickly before the world loses its brightness." Wittawin teased his friend, and the two young men burst into harmonious laughter that echoed throughout the room.
***