I thought you were the one for me
That's why I gave you everything
Held you close by the stormy seas..

FORTH'S POV

I look at the stage where Nong Yo was standing. Nong Yo looks cute in his pink shirt and gray suit. It suits his cute personality.

"Sawadee khrap. I'm Wayo Panitchayasawad from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
Before I start my performance, I want to tell you something. I was chosen to be the Moon of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Faculty by one question. The question was "What love means to me ?" "

​I looked at his face that looked nervous but still he kept his eyes straight at the audience. I admire his unyielding confidence.

"I told my friends and seniors that for me love means to love someone without having to expect anything in return. That's all."

Everyone was clapping and cheering him teasingly at his statement. But Wayo didn't stop, he continued "I'm just an ordinary person, I have learned love by myself. That's why I answered it like that. Actually...when compared to my other friends, I make no difference. Therefore, today I will play the song "An ordinary person" and I want to dedicate this song to someone." Wayo turned his gaze toward the audience. I looked at Nong Yo and his eyes were directed to where Pha was. The Campus Moon Phana Kongthanin.

​It feels like someone hit me in my heart. Suddenly I feel sick. I knew from the beginning I could not win against Phana. But I thought if I were patient, maybe I would have an opportunity to make Nong Yo mine.

"Thank you for paying attention to ordinary person like me. I want you to listen to the lyrics carefully and let's have dinner after this". Wayo said.

​Cheers of support were heard from the audience. I can't see how Phana looks, but Wayo looks happy. He started playing the piano. The soft sound of the Wayo's voice and the strains of the piano could be heard throughout the hall. Hearing Wayo sing that song, I knew that I wouldn't have any hope. Not at all. I know that even if Phana hurt him many times, still Wayo will only glance at Phana. Since the beginning itself Phana has won the battle. So I watched Wayo for last time and decided to say bury to my feelings forever. If Wayo can be happy with Phana, then I'm willing to let it go.
​
When I was about to go home, I saw a number of organizers of the committee who were busy unloading and loading some things.

"Ai Forth!" A committee member of the Moon and Star called me.
"Yes," I said. 
"Can you help us?"  They begged.

I smiled and nodded. I decided to help the committee members backstage until the event was over. Wayo won the title of Popular Moon and Ming won the title of Campus Moon. Finally our Engineering Faculty won something. At least this is a little treat to my heart's wound today.

​"Thank you so much Ai'Forth. Thanks to you we can finish this faster na." As I put the last box in the car.
"Um... No need to thank me Plum," I said.

"After this. What will you do?"  Ask Plum. I was silent for a few moments.

"I don't know. Go home and sleep," I answered carelessly.

"How about coming with us. Eating and drinking" She said pointing at the group of organizers behind us. All of them looked at me and smiled.

"Um...I'm sorry but I have an assignment that I haven't finished." I'm not lying about the assignment, but the assignment doesn't have to be done tonight. It's just that I want to be alone tonight while drinking and forgetting about my broken heart.

"Oh come on Ai'Forth," Plum whined. I just smiled and said "Next time. Next time I'll treat you guys. Okay."

They look disappointed how the situation turned out to be but didn't force me to come. So I decided to go to my dorm room. When I was about to walk to my motorcycle, I saw someone standing in the middle of the parking lot.

"Ai'Beam..."

Although it's not very clear since it's dark, I recognize his posture. He stood there quietly staring at Ming's car that disappeared round the corner. He stood there for a very long time. The parking lot was dark but he did not move. His back alone looks lonely. How could a Casanova look so pathetic. I walked towards him.

"Ai'Beam. If you continue to stand here alone, the devil will kidnap you and you will not be able to return to the human world," I joked. Beam looked at me surprised.

"Ai'Forth. Why are you still here?"

I smiled. "I have to finish some tasks regarding the competition." I replied.
"Tsk... Ai'Pha has even gone home with Nong Yo..." Beam's expression changed when he said Wayo's name. Ah...It seems like everyone knows that I like Wayo.

I laughed.

"You don't need to make a face like that." I said as he elbowed me.
"What are you doing here being alone? Not looking for someone? The stars must have gone home." I teased him. He laughed but his eyes said otherwise.
"Damn, do you think my job is just chasing girls," he protested. I laughed again.

"No. Tonight I just want to be alone." He said with a smile.
But I can see it. Although a little, I can see the wound in his eyes. I recognize the wound because I can see it in me.

"Then do you want to drink with me?" I asked suddenly. Beam looked at me suspiciously. I and Beam aren't that close. I know Beam since he is always with Phana during last year's Campus Moon competition along with Kit. But I never went to drink alone with him.

"I want to drink tonight. If I drink alone the girls will flock around me, so I need you as a shield." A strange reason but it seems to have succeeded in making Beam eliminate his suspicious face.

"Puff...hahaha..." Beam laughs. "I thought you would be different from Ai'Pha. But it's the same. It seems like a big headache that always seems to plague at the Moons. I complimented you in front of Ai'Pha and Ai'Kit. I even bought roses for you during last year's competition then."

I looked at him and laughed "Really? I do not remember." I joked. Of course I remember that.  There aren't many boys who gave me the roses.  That's why I remember it. Even Phana didn't stop nagging because Beam didn't give him a single rose but he gave it to me.

"Tch just because so many girls were waiting in line to give you flowers doesn't mean you can forget me Ai'Forth." He acted like a wounded person as he holds his left chest.
"Sorry na. As an apology I will treat you," I said.  He looked back at me suspiciously but not long he smiled again.

"Looks like you really want to drink with me. Alright then...because you forced me to drink, I know a good place," He said.  He took his cellphone and after a few minutes, he said "I already sent you the address of the bar. We shall meet there." I smiled broadly.

"Okay," I said. Beam walked to his car and I walked to my motorcycle. I looked at Beam's car that disappeared in the streets and then I followed him.

°°°°°°°°°°

I entered the bar. Unlike a normal bar that is always filled with long tables with bar stools, this place seems different. It's like a gathering place with sofas and creepers that cover spaces that are isolated. It gives a personal impression to each seat. Even so the impression of the bar is still visible by the long single table in the middle of the room. I was looking for Beam. There aren't that many people at the bar tonight, so I easily found Beam sitting at the bartender's table alone. I patted his back and sat next to his.

"One beer Phi" I said.
"Are you sure it's only one Ai'Forth," Beam sneered.  I smiled faintly "I still have to drive Ai'Beam" I replied.  He nodded.

But one bottle of beer turns into two, three, four, and it doesn't seems to stop. Beam is unexpectedly cool person to talk to.

"Hey Ai'Beam...Why are you alone? Where is Ai'Kit?" I asked curiously. Beam snorted "Your Nong kidnapped him and left me alone," he said.

I looked at him confused. My Nong?
"Nong Ming?" I asked curiously. Beam drinks his beer and nods.
"Ow....I didn't know they were close," I said, drinking the beer in my bottle. After a few bottles, the beer effect began to come over. It feels warm and makes my body lighter.

"Ming has been chasing Kit for some time. He makes me annoyed." Beam looked displeased. I'm a little surprised.
"Ming and Kit? Wow...I didn't know that Ming likes men...I mean he looks like a playboy," I said with a laugh. But the guy next to me doesn't find my joke funny.

"Right! Even you think he's a playboy! If he hurts Ai'Kit I will..." Beam stomped his beer bottle on the table, making a few drops of beer come out of the bottle.

"Hey..hey.. Relax man... I'm sure Ming won't dare to mess with Ai'Kit. Ai'Kit can take care of himself," I said. Among the Crazy Doc gang, I saw Kit as an energetic person and he don't seem to be easily conquered. To be honest, if Ming is serious, I'm more sorry for him. He must be definitely going through hell before getting Kit.

"But Kit..he is not like me and Ai'Pha. He..." Beam looks angry. "is still innocent." Beam said when he finally found the right words to describe his best friend.

I laughed loudly.

"Yes... I believe," I mocked him. Come on who believes that one of the Crazy Doc gang member is an innocent child. Before being with Wayo, Phana was no less a playboy than Beam. Even though I don't know much about Kit, but there's no way he is as innocent as Beam says.

​Beam looks sullen because I doubt his words.
​"Sorry na..." I said feeling guilty.
​"I will help you beat Ming if he hurt Ai'Kit," I said. And my words made Beam smile brightly.
​"Really? Promise," He said, offering his little pinky finger. ​I looked at him sharply. Today who still connects their pinkies as proof of promise. ​And again we are both men.

​Shit.

​Beam pulled my hand and hooked our pinkies.
"I have. You can't take your words back Ai Forth" He looked at me seriously. I laughed.

"A real man will not break his promise Ai'Beam" I assured him. Beam wants to say something but I see his cellphone vibrate and Phana's name appears. I frown. Beam released our pinky finger and took his cellphone. Beam looked at me doubtfully before picking up the phone.

"Hey Ai'Pha, what's up?" He asked, staring at me. I looked away and drank my beer.
"I'm drinking... Um... Alone," said Beam.
I see Beam feeling guilty because he lied in front of me.
"You want me to go to Siam? Alright... Alright... I'll go there..." He said as he cutthe call.

I went back drinking my beer.
"Sorry Ai'Forth... I can't say that I'm drinking with you. Ai'Pha will be furious" Beam looks sorry. I reached out my hand and ruffled his hair.
"Hey.. Don't worry about it," I said. He smiled faintly.
"Thank you for the drink. I have to leave soon. Ai'Pha wants me to get something for Nong..." Beam stopped talking and looked at me.

I smiled faintly because I knew a name he couldn't say.
"Ehm... I'll see you later," said Beam, smiling and getting up from his seat. I nodded and smiled.
"See you later," I said.

Beam nodded and then walked away. I looked away from his retiring figure and went back to drinking beer. Suddenly everything felt lonely. Drinking alone is really annoying. Not long after I saw someone sending a message to me.

Beam : I don't understand why Nong Yo chose Ai'Pha over you. There must be something wrong with his brain because you are clearly far better than that jerk Phana. Therefore, stop having a sad face. It doesn't match your muscles, tattoos and piercings.

I read the message over and over. Somehow the message makes me feel better. I went back to drinking my beer.

Beam Baramee. That little guy seems interesting. 

"Thank you," I replied to him.

°°°°°°°°°°

Ming might have won the Campus Moon competition, but that doesn't mean he can get special treatment during SOTUS. Right now P'Kongpob is punishing all the first-year students because there are some who did not join the SOTUS and others didn't even realize it. P'Kongpob punished them by making them run around the field for 50 rounds.

I approached Ming, when the SOTUS activity was over. He was still lying in the field. I gave him snacks and drinking water.

"Thank you, P'Forth," He said, sitting down.
"You're fine..?" I asked, sitting next to him in the field.
Ming sighed. "It doesn't make any difference whether I win the Campus Moon or not. I still have to go around the field. It sucks" He complained.

I laughed listening to him.

"I understand your feelings. But I think P'Kongpob is too soft, at my time, the punishment was worse than this."

I saw Ming's face turn pale. Makes me want to laugh at him.
"Hang on a bit longer," I said, patting his back.  "Thanks Phi," He replied.

I looked at him for a moment.
"Hey Phi. If you keep looking at me like that I can misunderstand" He said. I smacked his head.

"Hey Ming. I heard you were chasing Ai'Kit"
Ming looked not surprised "Um." He replied casually as he nodded.
"Are you serious about him?"  I asked again. He looked at me suspiciously.
"Someone is worried about Ai'Kit," I explained. Ming smiled.
"P'Beam or P'Pha?" He asked. I did not answer.
"Tell him that I'm very serious about P'Kit," He said, looking at me closely. I looked at him for a moment then nodded.
"It's good that I promised him, I will help him beat you if you hurt Kit," I said.  He looked at me in surprise.
"And I always keep my promises," I threatened.

Ming laughed.

"Believe me Phi, I will be the last person to hurt P'Kit." I looked at Ming. He looks serious.

"Hmm .. Good," I patted his back before leaving and helped the other committee to distribute food to the juniors.

••••••••••••••••••••

Published on 24 January 2020.