Chapter 5

Sitting at a table that can accommodate four (five at max) and with his phone lying atop it is Phunmit Thanaskos – Sun’s classmate and long-time friend. Called at home as “Pete” but “Tas” at the university, Phunmit’s parents are both dentists. His Thai father is a Periodontist and his Greek mother is a Pedodontist. Although not a swimmer, yet physically active, Tas has a great body with a carved V-shaped torso and toned muscles all over.

The chair in front of Tas is empty, which is probably reserved for Sun. On his left sits the “mutant” in their gang – Nom – who shares the spot with his boyfriend – Pon. Nom’s name indeed fits on him perfectly, as his skin is as white as milk. Despite preferring to be called “Nom”, the others in their group sometimes call him “Milk”. There was once a funny incident that happened when they were eating lunch near their university.

While dining, the others called him “Milk”, to which he did not give any opposition. This led the male crew serving them to think that Nom is gay. After paying their tab, the male crew gave the receipt to Nom. At the back of which was written “Pon” and a ten-digit number. The others saw this and began to tease him after they left the place. When Nom got home that day, he called Pon’s number. He learned that his admirer is a third-year student from the same university and who is taking up a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Also, the money that he earns as a crew in that restaurant is just for extra income, as he gets constant support from his parents: they own a slaughterhouse in the province. Pon wants to build up a restaurant of his own someday when he finishes his degree. He jokes that he will give Nom and his friends discounts when they eat there. Despite having an age gap of five years, Nom allowed Pon’s approach, and they eventually became a couple. Whenever Nom comes to the building where Pon is to fetch him or invite him for a bite, he is greeted with respect, and Pon’s classmates rarely tease them.

In front of Nom and Pon is Mochi, whose full name is Michael Orochi. He is labelled as “The Husband of the College of Applied Science” in the university. Mochi’s family owns an airline company, and as such, their family is influential and holds a certain power in society – an idea that they keep out of their head. They prefer to “fight it fair” as they say, upholding honor and respect above all.

Mochi once failed in his Anatomy class; he could’ve just bribed his teacher with hundreds and thousands of Baht in exchange of a passing mark; he did not; he accomplished the requirements needed to authorize him to go to the next higher class the following school year. Those requirements included a movie review of “Anatomy”; a practical examination where he dissected a male cadaver and identified all lower extremity muscles, tissues, joints, and bones; and an exam – a unique one because all its questions are essays and require explicit explanations. He committed some flaws in the dissection test, yet he nearly perfected the essay exam with the sole mistake of misspelling the largest bone in the human body – Femur – which he spelled as “Femmur” in one sentence. Mochi may be the apple of the eye of some girls and most boys, but no one dares to confess their intentions to him. He has a stern expression, which serves as a repellant to those who want to execute a romantic approach.

Tas dials Sun’s number again, which he has been doing for a number of times now. He hopes that this time, his call will be picked up.

“Sawadee krap.” Sun finally answers on the other line.

“Sawadee Sun. Thank goodness. Where are you now?”

“I’ve just finished parking, Tas.”

“I’ve been calling you for a while, but you’re not picking up.”

“Sorry about that. I was in a hurry: I don’t want to be late in Doc Doom’s class. Is there something wrong?”

“Did you see his notice? He posted one in the student intranet.”

“Hmmm. I don’t think so, but let me check,” Sun replied. He switches his phone to speaker mode and checks the news he just heard from Tas. After logging in to the Student Portal page using his tablet, which he solely uses for schoolwork, he sees Dr. Doom’s notice at the center of the screen:

Surgery Principles

08:00 – 09:00; Class MEDSURG-0221

CANCELLED

Read Chapter 30 – 37 of your book

Get ready for an exam on our next meeting

John Doom, MD, ChM

“I saw it just now, Tas,” said Sun. He remembers hearing a beep while he is on the road, which must be the notification for that notice from his teacher. Sun has the proclivity of not answering calls, SMS, or chats while driving – even at a stop light – so as not to lose his focus.

“You didn’t check your phone, did you?”

“It must have been sent while I was on the road.”

“Anyway, we are here at the university café – same spot. We’ll be waiting for you here,” said Tas, rolling his eyes as he sees Nom and Pon rub noses with each other.

“Got it.”

“By the way, did you bring my book?”

“Ahhh, your ‘Circe’ novel? Yes, it’s with me. Nice piece you have here,” said Sun, stepping out of his car and is already locking it. “I’m on my way. Wait for me,” he continued.

“Okay,” said Tas, then hangs up the call. He is avoiding looking at his left, so he will not see the display of affection between one senior, who is in the same class as him, and a junior.

Mochi is playing an Endless Round in Plants vs. Zombies. “So, is he gonna return your book today?” he asked while planting multiple Winter Melons on his lawn.

“Yes, after about a century.”

“Damn it!” spat Mochi. Everyone in their group knows that he doesn’t curse so much, but if he does, it means something serious has just happened.

“What is it?” inquired Tas, a bit surprised.

“Those accursed…giant…zombies plowed through my field,” answered Mochi as he stretches while the game flashes "Game Over" on the screen.

“Hahahaha! I told you to build more Cob Cannons: you should have at least five or six of them. How far did you go this time?”

“Round 60. I thought I can hold them off with just the Winter Melons, Cherry Bombs, and Jalapenos,” answered Mochi, then, does some neck rotations. “Doctor Helman will be returning from his conference today, yeah?”

“Yes, he will. Did you guys see the conference? It was shown live last week,” said Nom. Pon gets up to buy snacks for them.

“Yes, but I did not finish it: I can’t relate to what they were talking about,” answered Tas, sipping some hot chocolate after.

“I sat through the entirety of it. Would you believe that?” said Nom lively with a little laugh.

“And did you understand it?” Mochi inquired, to which Nom shakes his head. “I just watched it over the news,” Mochi continued while reading an SMS from his mom telling him to do good in his classes today. “From what I understand, based on the news, their research is about a type of plant.”

“What does it do?” inquired Tas.

“I don’t know. Maybe we can ask Sun more about it when he gets here. I’m sure his husband has shared to him some info.”

Pon is back at the table with snacks and some drinks, which he all lay on the table: two big bags of chips and French fries with ground beef, cheese, and cured jalapenos served in a paper plate. “Help yourselves P’s,” said he. After which, he sits beside Nom and gives his boyfriend a quick smack on the cheek as if they are elsewhere.

Tas was the first one to protest. “This is a school, you two.”

“Last I checked, a simple kiss is not prohibited inside the school except if you are in class or attending a convention or a program,” rebutted Nom, who gives a smack of his own to Pon’s forehead.

“At least, act civil in a place like this.”

“We still have our clothes on,” Nom sarcastically replied. Mochi lets out a light chuckle at the exchange.

“We are at school,” Tas pressed on, not wanting to raise the white flag yet: he is not someone who gives up easily despite losing obviously.

“We are not in class, a convention, or a program.”

At this, Mochi steps in. He knows that Nom will just further annoy Tas. “Guys, that is enough,” said he in a voice with a hint of assertiveness.

The two opposing forces stop their spat into one another. However, Tas is eager to press on.

“You should stop Nom and not me. I was merely telling them to act properly,” said Tas.

“They’re boyfriends.”

“You condone this shit?” asked Tas, pointing at Nom and Pon. Mochi, however, did not answer.

A wave from Nom suddenly makes everyone look to their right: Sun is making his way towards their table.