Phayu

The talk he had with his family and Sky had been the hardest that he ever had with any one in his life. Sky had categorically refused to help him, stating that his friend did not deserve someone who clearly only looked at the superficial appearance of the person. "He crushed on you for almost a year Phi. And you dismissed him, oh so easily," Sky scoffed, turning his head away. As Phayu looked around the room, he realised at the disappointed looks he received from every single person, how much of a place Rain had created in their hearts. How had he not seen it? Or had he? He had noticed Rain at their home, watching Korean drama series with Uncle Khun, chatting about latest jewellery designs with Plerng, discussing how to differentiate between different bike sounds with Fah, cuddling upto his Dad (his Dad, no less!) and his Pa, telling them something with animated gestures and a bright smile as they listened spell-bound, taking time and advising Phan on how to present herself as more confident, beating Uncle Kinn and Uncle Porche in snooker and then cackling evilly around the room, receiving piggy back rides from Pai as Sky looked on indulgently.

He was shocked at how much of a presence Rain had been in his life, in his family's life, until he was not there in it anymore. Some of his devastation must have eked through on his face because his Pa spoke up. "I always told you, that I hoped you would find your heart sooner," he said sadly. "Don't say that Pa. Sky? Is there no chance for me? None at all?" he asked, nearly begging. The great Phayu Venice Theerpanayakul was begging, his eyes filled with tears. "My Sky," Pai said softly, broken-hearted for his brother, but knowing why Sky was angry at Phayu and loving Rain at the same time. "P'Pai, I can't and I will not talk to Rain for him," Sky said stubbornly. "Sky is right. If Phayu really cares for Rain, if his love and intentions are honest, then he should make the effort on his own," Vegas said, his tone final. He loved Rain like his own boy and was quite sad that his own son could not see the goodness and sunshine in him.

"As much as it pains me to say this, Vegas is right," Kinn said, suddenly flinching at the whack on his head from Porche. "Let me finish love," he said pleadingly. Porche nodded. "Vegas is right. And Sky, while I will not ask you to talk to Rain on Phayu's behalf, maybe you could give a few pointers to this idiot nephew of mine in how to win Rain over?" he asked. Sky looked at Kinn and then at Phayu. "Phi, can you explain to me why you didn't think Rain was good enough for you?" Sky asked. From the way his face was set, Phayu knew that it was not going to be easy to convince Sky with just platitudes. He had to open his heart. "Sky, four years ago, I met someone. She was in the same university, but a different faculty. She was in the faculty of Law, and I met her when I was playing basketball against that team. I was literally in love. Her name was Lana and she was beautiful. I was so excited about making her a part of my life. But you know how difficult architecture is. I got busier and busier. I tried to manage my time as well as I could but was hard. I was also in the student council and I had a lot of responsibilities, so I used to hardly get time for her."

"But she never seemed to mind as she was also busy. But then I got to know that she was two-timing me. I was so angry. I went directly to check on her. She was with a boy, a person from her faculty. She told me that they were practicing for a debate, but I didn't want to believe her. Finally she showed me the practice video. I was mollified and I left, promising to have dinner with her later that week. But this time, she cancelled, saying she had moot court coming up. And I couldn't fault that because I was also busy, right? However Pai, Saifah and I ended up going to that restaurant that I had booked to go with her. And I saw her there with that same guy. They were holding hands and kissing and..," Phayu trailed off, leaving Sky to figure out the rest. "That still doesn't my question Phi," Sky said. Pai was impressed and so were the others. Sky was not going to give up.

"It's not that I didn't notice him. I did notice him. He was always a cute boy. But I was so fed up with Som and some of the other juniors who kept following me around that I took Rain to be one of them. I knew I had made a mistake with him, but by that time I was not going to go back and set things right. And that came to bite me in the ass when you and Pai started dating. I was still heart-broken about Lana, add Som's shenanigans to the mix and I think I ignored Rain because of my own stupid frustrations. As far as liking the drag dancer was concerned, it had nothing to do with just being beautiful. It was the fact it was someone outside of my circle, someone not from the Uni. Which, if I had been in my right mind at that point, would have realised that if you were one of the dancers, Rain would not be far. But I think my brain took a holiday, and came back too late," Phayu said sheepishly.

Sky looked at him. "I really don't know if I want to help you Phi. Because of you, Rain is already suffering a lot," he said. "What do you mean?" Pete asked softly. "Because when P'Som said bad things about Rain and we protected him, P'Phayu supported Rain. Now P'Som hates Rain more. He is cooking up stories about Rain that don't even make sense," Sky said, tears sheening his eyes. "What do you mean?" Saifah's voice was taut with anger. "He has spread it across the entire student council and others that Rain works as a stripper in a club. And that he is selling his body through his vlogs." Now Sky couldn't stop the tears from actually spilling over. "Is that why Ple saw me and ran today? To warn Rain?" Phayu asked, aghast at this information. Sky nodded. "We took a call the other day that you should not talk to our entire group when you come to the college from now," Sky said. "Are you that afraid of this Som?" Pai asked. "Huh! As if! I am more scared of Rain Phi. You have seen how he is. But he is not what he seems. He is probably better, faster, and more agile than half your men put together. We don't want him to lose his head and bash Som's face in," Sky scoffed.

"Rain? Our sunshine boy?" Khun asked. "Your sunshine boy is a black belt 3rd Dan in Taekwondo and an expert in Krav Maga," Sky laughed. Everyone, including Phayu looked shocked. "So that day, when he said that if I hurt you, he will break me in half, he actually meant it?" Pai asked cautiously. Sky nodded, still giggling. "You all saw today's vlog?" Sky asked. Everyone except Phayu nodded. "Rain must have been just trying his style, but tomorrow it's going to be a nightmare. And P'Bank has already been leching on him," Sky says, shaking his head in trepidation. "What did he do?" Vegas asked, his voice quiet. But every single person trembled at the underlying threat in it. "He makes these poor attempts at flirting, touches Rain inappropriately and throws a hissy fit when Rain ignores him as if he does not even exist," Sky said. "And no one stops him?" Pete's voice was just as soft as his husband's, a thread of bloody vengeance running through it. "Nope, they are not only friends of the head of the student council and seniors, but also members of the 'P'Phayu fan club'. Anyone who dares like P'Phayu or if P'Phayu helps or supports someone, that person is fair game. They are like a very poor version of the F4," Sky said, snickering. "And Rain is their Gorya?" Khun asked. Sky laughed. "Most likely," he said. "But they are not good hearted souls at the bottom of it, like the original F4 were," he added confidently, as if everyone should have understood what he meant.

"Huh?" Pete said. "We will explain later," Khun said. "Right now, we have other things to worry about. First is this Som fellow. Second, the guy who is looking at our sunshine. Third, the fact that our sunshine could actually break them in half but has exquisite self-control. Fourth, how the hell did my stupid nephew not see the amazing gem in front of him?" Porche said, looking disgruntled. "I can answer the last one. Because he takes after his father. Dumb as fuck even if it smacks him in the eye," Khun said sardonically. "Oii! How did this become about me?" Vegas said. "Guys, can we focus? Before steam comes out of Hia's ears?" Saifah said, smirking. "Okay, when it comes to all the external factors, let us take care of it. Phayu, you have only one mission. Do anything and everything that Sky tells you to and focus on Rain," Pai said. Phayu nodded immediately. "What should I do Sky?" he asked. "Make Rain feel beautiful, desirable, wanted, and needed. Don't let him think that he is a rebound or a sympathy case. From whatever you said, I can understand that you didn't really mean to reject him but telling him so in words will not be enough. You have to show it every single moment through your actions. You have to love him with everything in you, without expecting anything in return. Do you think you will be able to do that?" Sky asked. Phayu nodded eagerly. "Like me, Rain is also not interested in the showy things, like large bouquets of flowers or expensive gifts," Sky said, glaring at a sheepish looking Pai. "In fact, he is simpler than I am, if that is possible. I can be bribed by food, but Rain tends to skip meals, so maybe you can make sure he stays healthy. Encourage him to be himself Phi. Tell him every single waking moment that he is worthy. Because of our past, his self-esteem is on the lower side. Build it up, talk to him, listen to him, and make him feel secure and happy. Phi, we were lonely the longest time of our lives. You have to give him your everything the way P'Pai gave me." This time, Sky's look was soft and filled with love, as he slipped his hands into Pai's.

Phayu nodded. "Anything else? What does he like? Dislike?" "I can't tell you everythingPhi! Somethings, you need to find on your own," Sky said, cocking a brow. Phayu got the message. 'Work for it, or else!' "One important thing. You might want to be here for dinner tomorrow Phayu," Khun said. "No can do. Three important presentations coming up next week," Phayu said. "Rain is coming for dinner, and is likely to stay the night, if I can convince him," Khun said slyly. "I will be here on time. Before time. What time is he coming?" Phayu asked, his desperation clear.Everyone laughed. "I told him 7, but then I asked him to as soon as his classes get over," Khun said. "But he works part-time somewhere no?" Phayu asked, a vague memory resurfacing. "He quit both his jobs Phi, he said he got somewhere great," Sky said. "Do you know where? Don't we need to vet the place?" Phayu over-protective mode came on. "Relax Phi. I trust Rain. He has very good instincts. He will not go to a place that will cause him potential harm," Sky sounded completely nonchalant. Phayu took a deep breath. Tomorrow was his chance. Tomorrow, he would beg Rain to give him a chance to prove himself and show him what and how much he meant to Phayu. And he would stick to it, however long it took. Anticipation filled every fibre of his being!