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“No, we are not.” I laughed so hard, I almost spilled my drink. It was Kong and Ohm sitting opposite to me. “I told you guys so many times but you can’t just digest the whole thing or what-”
“Can you not lie to us atleast? We are going to work together for a series now, in case you’re forgetting we would be getting our schedules for ‘Magic Lover’” I shook my head. “I am not lying, P’Keng is just respectful and treats me nicely.”
“He treats you like a boyfriend” I looked at Kong, “Ai Muay” I gave him a stare, “He is nice to everyone, he treats everyone nicely” Kong looked at me, “Not like this” I sipped my drink and then spoke “that’s because he’s a gentleman” then turned to look at Ohm, “and care to explain how Magic Lover shoot is related to me and Phi Keng?”
“You know I don’t want to be a third wheel between you two-”
“What is wrong with you two? And we will be shooting Ohm, how can you even become a third wheel between two people who are partners and not dating? Did you two get high on your drinks or what?”
This was becoming a daily question for me to reply to everyone, “Are you and Keng dating?” it’s like I already know what the person is going to ask me and I already give the answer, “no” to everyone, because we are not. We are not dating at all.
‘Phi Keng is just considerate’
‘Phi Keng is like that with everyone’
‘Phi Keng is a gentleman’
“No, but seriously how come you are not dating P’Keng?” I shot a glare to Ohm, I could feel he was getting tipsy, drinking here wasn’t a good idea today. I was about to say something but then I saw Firestone enter the private room, “What took you so long?” He walked slowly holding something in his hand, “P’Tle and everyone is here as well for dinner and I met him on the way to washroom”
“You and P’Tle are something, always sticking like glue” I could see Firstone almost grinning at Ohm’ comment. “But who else is here?” Kong kept his face on his hand and looked at Firstone. “Phi Tle, uncle Keng,” and he started laughing while looking at me, if he could read my eyes they literally said ‘WHAT NOW’ “his bestie Jeff and I think probably P’Net is there as well, and if he is there, probably JJ is there sticking with him, but I don’t know about Thomas” Kong just waved his hand and smiled. “What will you call this Namping?” I turned to look at Ohm, “What?”
“Coincidence or fated or purposefully” he smirked.
“Oh god, I can’t with you. Ohm go home, you’re so drunk.”
“I am starting to hate having plans with you guys, you guys are worse than interviewers or staffs at this point.” I heard Kong laugh. Firstone took a seat beside me, “whatever you say, I will just say one thing, uncle Keng treats you differently.” I shook my head, “Not you, atleast Firstone. You were practically with us during whole Khemjira shoot”
“Exactly why I’m saying.” I took a sip from his drink, “I observed him whenever you were around him, literally your boyfriend.”
“You’re saying as if you had time to see me when your eyes were practically glued to P’Tle” Firstone choked on his drink, “Yeah, now say. You had time to look at me? At us and to differentiate how he treats you and me? I mean of course he treats you differently because you guys have different relation, how he is with me.” I shook my head again.
“I am so done with you guys, can we skip to another topic for tonight?”
“Awwwwww our Namping is sulky” I shot a glare to Ohm. “I swear Kong take this guy home or else I’m gonna kick him out from here today and right now.”
“He’s drunk, you remember how he usually gets tipsy and then drunk so fast?” I nodded, I remembered so many things, how Ohm used to get drunk and there was always someone who would take him home safely, after one call from Ohm, but I tried to forget those memories, I’m sure they are still good friends because they still talk to each other normally and everything feels almost the same, only they could tell the difference, probably.
We all enjoyed the food, and since everyone drank, everyone wanted to get a cab to home. I got a notification from my manager saying I have to do an interview tomorrow with Phi Keng, I was about to text him but then realized he probably got the message as well so there was no need to inform him again. Kong was holding Ohm, first we booked cab for Kong and Ohm. We were about to walk out of the restaurant but then I heard laughs and I instantly recognized it.
I stopped to turn back and saw Phi Keng and P’Jeff laughing about something and there was JJ holding P’Net’s arm. And I turned to look at Firstone, he wasn’t there beside me anymore, he was walking towards P’Tle. I looked at him, everyone who always question me, can’t they see them? They look like they are madly in love and are dating right now. I saw P’Keng and P’Jeff looking at me, I was about to walk towards them but then walked towards me. “How are you? It’s been a long time since I last saw you” I laughed and greeted him.
“Guys our cab came, I need to drop Ohm off, I’ve a schedule tomorrow morning.” I heard Kong and I nodded, “Oh, let’s go out then” I nodded and I gave a small smile to P’Keng and he did the same to me. I was walking beside Ohm. By the time dropped off Ohm and Kong, P’Tle took Firstone already and JJ went away with P’Net.
It was now, me P’Keng and P’Jeff. “You guys also had dinner plans here?” I nodded, “Est was supposed to come but he somehow got busy last minute, I didn’t get to ask him the details but probably something came up. He is already busy because of his filming schedules.”
“Oh, because Keng also called the whole group and we came here because of him but he didn’t drink, even a bit.” I turned to look at P’Keng, it’s rare for him to not drink when he is out with his friends, “I told you I needed to drive.”
“Sure, sure. Whatever you say, I’ll just believe it.” We all talked a bit then we looked at the time, “My friend is almost here, he said he’ll pick me up” I nodded at P’Jeff. I was about to say something but P’Keng spoke “Namping, I’ll drop you off”
I was surprised but not that surprised since I’m used to him dropping me off at my condo “Yeah, better Namping go with him.” I didn’t even get to say anything, “Okay, P’Keng”
After sometime, his friend came and now we were left alone, “let’s go, you need to rest. It’s already late at night” I nodded and we walked towards the parking, he opened the door for me and I got in. After he got in, I wore the seatbelt and after he did as well, he started driving.
I looked outside, and wondered how it’s always P’Keng who takes care of me, and he is so considerate about me. I know I always tease him about that noodles incident but end of the day I’m happy and glad he is my partner, “Ping” I turned to look at him. “We have an interview tomorrow, make sure to get enough rest tomorrow so that you don’t feel sick like last time.” Just like this, you’re always so considerate.
“Yes” I paused for a second, “Did you receive any timing, Phi? because I wasn’t informed about the time.” I was thinking to drop a text and ask our manager but good thing I can always ask P’Keng about it. “I didn’t at that time so I asked about the time, just unlock my phone and check if I got a reply back yet” I took his phone and checked, “Oh, you got a reply. It’s at 11:30 am”
“Okay, I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning, we’ll go together”
“Okay”
I was looking outside then I heard him asking, “you had fun today?” I nodded and turned to look at him, “yes. We randomly decided to hangout today. We are going to be busy because of our schedules so we just thought to go and spend some time.”
“I see. Tle met Firstone when he went to washroom and that’s how I got to know you all are here” I know he was telling me and explaining about today but there was nothing to explain. I can answer the Ohm’s question right now ‘Coincidence or fated or purposefully’ I wanted to call it coincidence but maybe it’s fated. Somehow most of the time it’s P’Keng dropping me home after a gathering with my friends; doesn’t matter if I’m drunk or not, yet he always stays with me, drops me home.
We continued talking about random things and I was looking outside. Soon we reached my apartment, I turned to look at P’Keng, “thank you for today.” He smiled at me, “Ping, it’s okay.” I was just looking at him, he was smiling at me. “Make sure to get enough rest and sleep, okay?” I nodded and smiled at him. “Good boy.”
I don’t know why I still sometimes get flustered whenever he says ‘good boy’ to me, I should’ve been already used to it, but everytime he says that, I get flustered. Probably because it’s something that he calls me in private and it just stays between us; something he is allowed to call when we are alone.
I saw him leaning closer to me, I was still looking at him, it was like I couldn’t take my eyes off for some second and I was stuck there. By the time I could realize what was happen, our faces were inches apart, I could feel his hot breaths on my lips and I felt his hand on my head, “there was something on your hair” and then he pulled himself back. I turned to look at him, “o-oh, thank you”. I unbuckled the seat belt, “I’ll go now. Drive safely on your way back home. And let me know when you reach home.” He nodded and smiled at me, “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at “9:00 am” I nodded at his words.
“Goodnight”
“Goodnight Namping, sleep well”
I saw his car leaving and I was standing there. I almost touched my heart, I don’t know what happened there a few minutes back. I know how nice is he to me and he is always so considerate. I don’t know what was stuck on my hair and he just took it off for me.
Tomorrow he would come and pick me up as well. How do I not say he is always so nice to me. No one is like him.
I shrugged off my thoughts and went to my apartment.
************
Event was over and I was sitting the makeup room. I was thinking about what happened in today’s event; while sitting on the couch, during the event, I was leaning my head on P’Keng’s shoulders and he was all smiling and giggling and everyone started teasing us again. But I was enjoying the event, I love teasing him, infront of cameras.
“Namping?” I turned to look at the owner of the voice. “Are you free?” I nodded, “Do we need to film one more tiktok or video?” he shook his head and I titled my head. He started walking towards me, and sat infront of me, “You received the party invitation?” I titled my head, “What party invitation?”
“Ping, this one.” Our manager entered the room, “Keng, Namping” we turned to look at our manager, “You have a party invitation for a brand launch event.” I turned to look at P’Keng “Yeah this one. It’s next Sunday” our manager came towards us, “Yeah. A lot of people are coming and your schedules are free for that day so I needed to confirm from you two. You need to but your opinion matters.” I heard knock and saw Kong entering, “they are going, because I am going.” I got up from the chair, “Ai muay”
“What? I’m going, isn’t that enough for you?” I shook my head, then turned to look at P’Keng “We can go.” He nodded, “We are going, send the confirmation.”
Thomas entered the room and our manager left, he came to stand between me and Kong, I started laughing. Kong tried to move towards me but then Thomas kept his hand on my shoulder, “Try not to steal him this often” and I just looked at him, “Ai ai, I am not stealing you guy, he is literally my bestfriend, so why should we stick together?” I gave him a look and then I looked at P’Keng and I smiled at him. P’Keng didn’t look he would mind the whole drama here, as if he is just there looking at us. I removed his hand and slightly pushed him towards P’Keng, “go and be clingy with him.” Kong suddenly held my shoulder and leaned his head on my shoulder. “See? Did I do anything?” I smiled at him. I held Kong’s face and patted. “Don’t worry we are going to enjoy the party” I looked at P’Keng and Thomas they had that same expression they have whenever me and Kong are together being clingy to each other. “Anyways, we were informed you guys also have event today.” Kong nodded, “we need to get ready and head out, I forgot to text you yesterday about which event was today for you then got to know it was here and I came here to meet you” The bickering went on for a few minutes. I could only laugh at Thomas who was eyeing me.
“Get used to it, Thomas.” He just shook his head.
“Ai, do you know who else are invited in this lunch party?” I shook my head, “I didn’t even know, P’Keng came and told me then our manager came to tell the details and that’s when you did your grand entry.”
“I need to check with Ohm, and Firstone. You can ask Est if he is coming or not.” I nodded, “And just in case, just ask him if he knows anyone else is coming or not from GMMTV” I nodded and dropped a text to Est. If he is coming we can meet and make it a small hangout, because in these busy schedules these are the places where we can meet up and talk. Thomas came towards Kong, “Kong, we need to get ready, we have to go for our event.” He nodded, “yeah, I didn’t realize the time.”
“Yeah, Namping we need to leave as well.” I nodded, “I’m hungry” Kong looked at me, “Go and eat something nice.” I nodded. After some time, we left and I got into P’Keng’s car instinctively. “Are you feeling okay?” I turned to look at P’Keng and nodded, “Yes” it’s just that I’m a bit hungry and tired. “I wonder who else are coming in this brand launch, this one sounds like a big party”
“Yes, even I feel that.” We were talking about almost everything then P’Keng stopped the car and I was about to get down but then I saw he parked at a restaurant, “Phi”
“You were hungry so I booked Omakase for us” I was surprised, and again why is he always so kind to me. “You will get more tired and it’s better to eat now rather to wait till you reach home and order. Let’s go inside” he’s always like that.
How does he knows everytime I need anything,
Like if I’m hungry he either orders my favourite food or snacks or brings me to a restraurant to eat when I’m tired he doesn’t wake me up and lets me sleep. He picks me in the morning if we have morning schedule, although our manager insists yet he drives and picks me from home, he always knows if I’m feeling sick or tired, he takes care of me, always listens to me. I always wonder how come someone can be this kind and considerate but then he exists.
I got down of the car and he did as well, he gave his car keys to park. “After eating, you’ll feel better.” I nodded, he knew it. He always knows.
We got into the private room and our food arrived, “thank you for the meal”
“What’s there to thank Ping, it’s just me doing what I should. I’m just taking care of you and I’ll always take care of you.” Because you always take care of everyone.
“Anyways, don’t think too much and start eating” I started eating and I received a call. I looked at the caller ID it was Est. I picked up the call, “Mr. Busy, did you finally get time?” I asked him and laughed,
‘Yeah, finally got some time so called you’
“So,”
‘We also received the invitation, for the brand launch and you were right about it, it’s a big party because it’s not just me and William, others were also invited, PondPhuwin, TayNew, PerthSanta, EmmieBonnie, MilkLove and a few more’
“We can actually hangout you know” and I laughed and while laughing I accidentally choked, I started coughing, P’Keng passed me water, “be careful Ping. Be careful when you’re talking and eating” I nodded
‘Ai are you okay?’
I coughed and nodded, as if he can see me “I’m fine, I’m fine. I’m actually eating right now, I’ll give you a call at night”
‘Okay, take care bye’
“Bye”
I kept the phone on the table, “Ping, how many times I told you to be careful while eating, you get excited and choke at times.”
“Phi, it’s fine. I’m okay now, see” and I smiled at him.
Everything was going well till the day of the event.