Macau Story | ENG TRANS |

ROOFTOP

I cast my gaze forward to a blurred view of the lofty atmosphere, so high that I couldn’t find a focal point. I could only feel the dim sky, the wind brushing against my face, feeling inexplicably clear. My mind and thoughts were blank as if I would no longer perceive anything.

I couldn’t figure out what to acknowledge, reminisce, or review first, or simply put, I couldn’t organize the sequence of events flooding into my mind at all.

Being born as “Theerapanyakul” was indeed like a curse as everyone says, because the more I searched for answers, the deeper and more dangerous it became, to the point where I could barely handle it.

Under the shadow and protection of my beloved brother... Why is the outside world so uncontrolled, so cruel? And where will all these fights end? Because I can’t imagine how to escape from this tight bondage that binds me, especially when I thought things were starting to go well, with our family complete. The four of us, my brother, Phii Pete, Venice, and I, might have escaped from this vicious cycle just a bit, but now everything has gone completely dark as if someone turned off the switch, pulled the plug. There’s no light, and no exit found except the path ahead that I’m forced to walk automatically with blind eyes, like a pawn in a game that’s been programmed and directed. Each person should walk in which direction, everyone isn’t solving the problem, but rather flowing with the game without realizing it, and if anyone takes just one wrong step, that spot might be a cliff.

“Macau...” I didn’t even turn towards the familiar voice. Even though I knew well why he was running after me.

“...” The rain clouds began to form, the blue sky suddenly turning to a deep blue, the wind growing stronger.

“...” The sigh from that person was loud, burdened with something. Of course, I had come to know something I shouldn’t have... I realized today that perhaps people might know the face but not the heart, because the human heart is truly hard to fathom. My brother might be strong and seen as the villain, Phii Pete might see the world too beautifully, and I am blended by those two, without considering the danger that’s this close.

“Why is that...?” I spoke in a flat tone, still turning my back to my conversation partner.

“Because I am someone who wants...”

“Revenge... right?”

I interrupted before he could finish his sentence. Even though I didn’t like the Main family’s faces, and hated them to the core, at least there was some familial bond, or whatever thread there was. Even if it was attachment or hatred, I didn’t mean to want anyone to suffer...

“Everything was your plan. From the matter with Phii Porsche, to my mother, my aunt, or my brother... right?” I bowed my head, biting my lips to hold back the sob that was about to escape. If just the infighting within the family was terrifying enough, this had gone way too far.

“Listen to me first...” I could feel the tall, slender figure approaching from behind, his words soft, and his arms gently wrapping around me from behind, “Don’t you love me anymore?” His words made me let my tears flow, the Polaroid camera in my hand dropping to the ground powerlessly.

“I can’t take it anymore, Phii... Who are you really?” I sobbed until my body shook, until the tall figure pulled away from my back, then turned me by the shoulders to face him.

“I’m still your Phii... I’m still like always, I mean well, trust me.”

“I can’t bear it anymore. I can’t handle things at home anymore.” I said, tears streaming down endlessly. I couldn’t handle any of this. Not at all, really.

“When this is over, I’ll take you far away, I promise, I’ll erase all the past, let everything be my responsibility, okay?” His firm words didn’t make me feel any better. I froze for a moment before looking up to meet his eyes with a resolute gaze.

“And if I don’t comply...” The hand on my shoulder froze, the eyes of the person in front of me, hard to read, seemed confused for several minutes. We stared at each other relentlessly, and then that hand slowly released me, those eyes gradually revealing an answer that hurt me deeply across every fiber of my being before uttering the final sentence as a farewell, “You will eliminate me... Phii Top... no... Master.”

“Macau...”

~~~~~

2 MONTHS EARLIER

’As promised, love sealed, in the voice

Embed the legend, through palaces, inscribe the tale, like eternity’

-Romeo, &, Juliet-

(William, Shakespeare)

“The story of two conflicting families with a love so classic and a tragic ending... I think it’s good, but it’s cliché, man. How many hundreds of our seniors do you think have analyzed this story and submitted reports to the professor?” While I was scribbling down information on my iPad, my friend from the faculty, James, shared his opinion, making Lucas and First nod in agreement, but I didn’t pay much attention to their thoughts.

“Analyzing this literature until I feel like I can repeat it anymore, because in the end, they all die like all the same.” Those words didn’t register in my mind at all. I continued to carefully note down favorite quotes and sketch a rough diagram to keep as bullet points for further research.

“True, the eternal love of two innocent children amidst family feuds, but they do everything to be together, even planning to fake their deaths. The girl pretends to die, the boy misunderstands and dies for real, the girl wakes up, can’t bear it, and dies too. A legendary love tragedy, but the real world isn’t like that, definitely not, and it surely won’t happen, right...” Lucas, the Thai-French mixed-race, read out a brief summary to everyone at the table with his clear Thai pronunciation.

“I think we should change the topic, Macau. No matter how we analyze it, our seniors have already done it all. Even if you sit and analyze, lie down and analyze, or do a backflip while analyzing, they’ve done it all...” said my classmate, causing me to look up from my iPad screen and glance at the two sitting across from me with a blank expression.

“...” When they saw me looking at them with an expressionless face, all three of them paused and sat still, straightening up immediately.

“I... just... suggesting... how about we go back tonight, gather some information, and then discuss it again tomorrow, see what topic we’d like to do, in case there’s something that catches our interest.” James quickly said, breaking the awkward atmosphere, but I didn’t really care. I glanced at the time on my iPad before quietly packing it into my bag.

“Leaving already?” First asked.

“Hmm.” I replied with a grunt from my throat.

“Hmm.”

“So, let’s do this, go find some information tonight...” James hadn’t even finished his hasty conclusion when I interrupted.

“Actually, the professor said a group shouldn’t be more than four people. I can do this report alone.” I said, standing up indifferently, slinging my backpack over my shoulder, and walking away from the bench under the faculty building.

“Damn! He doesn’t accept different opinions.” a whisper trailed behind me, which I heard clearly.

“Okay, okay, Romeo and Juliet it is then.” James called after me, not even turning back to look at them.

“James...”

“What can you do, man? He’s the smartest in the class, watch, he’ll pull up our scores again.” I sighed as those gossiping words still reached my ears. Those three? I didn’t care about them. They were just classmates who asked to join me for the group project. Normally, I’m a loner, not part of any group or needing to fit in with anyone. Since finishing high school, my life has hit heavy storms, everything changed. The dream of becoming a doctor vanished, and instead, I chose to enter a faculty where I thought I’d be most comfortable, because I didn’t want any more complications. The hopes in my life are now few, and of course, they form a high wall that prevents me from opening up to anyone again...

Macau, the guy who used to be the most mischievous, even had a big gang in high school and was known as the gang leader, respected by juniors, had many friends, hung out in the evening, ate, walked around Siam, and at night, secretly went to bars with friends. Now, all that is gone.

My friends, brothers, and sisters have faded and disappeared over time. I’m not as lively anymore. I don’t have goals like before. Pai, Meng, Pao, my closest friends, have all gone their separate ways, some chasing dreams abroad, some in different provinces, leaving only...

My very best friend, just one person left...

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I answered the call casually, my voice relaxed, while my other hand reached for a cigarette box, walking habitually towards the corner of the building designated for smoking.

“What’s up, Chay?”

“Ugh, are you still in class?” Porchay groaned into the phone like he was struggling with something. We had only recently become close friends, but I always felt comfortable around him. He quickly became someone important to me.

“Finished class. Waiting for my brother to pick me up.”

“Aww, do you have plans already? I was going to invite you to go out.” Chay sounded disappointed.

“Hey! Didn’t you say Phii Kim was going to pick you up to watch a movie tonight?” This close friend of mine is dating my cousin.

“He canceled, and said there was an urgent meeting. So, I was thinking of asking you to hang out.”

“Should I come then? I can postpone it with my brother.” I told my friend while blowing smoke from my mouth, taking another drag of my cigarette.

“No need, we can do it tomorrow. I’ll just head home then.”

“Tonight, my brother and Phii Pete said they’d take me out for dinner. Want to join?”

“Nah, I don’t want to argue with your brother. Go on, and I’ll finish in the afternoon tomorrow; I’ll wait for you at the faculty’s ground floor.”

“Okay.”

“See you.”

And then Porchay hung up just as his cigarette finished. My story with Porchay isn’t that complicated. We got close during the transition period before university entrance exams. We went to the same school, but I was in the special class, and Porchay was in a regular class, so we hardly ever met. But when my brother was hospitalized, I learned he was dating my cousin Phii Kim, and his brother was dating another cousin of mine, Phii Kinn. Although I didn’t get along well with that side of the family, Porchay was a good guy and cared for me during what I can call the worst time of my life. He tried to take me places to help me forget the storm of issues I was facing, until eventually, we became close enough to talk about anything. He studies at the Faculty of Music, majoring in guitar. As for me, I’m in the Faculty of Arts, majoring in Literature. We were both thrilled, even though we’re not in the same faculty, we’re in the same university. At least when I’m not with my brother or Phii Pete, I have Porchay, another person who can go almost anywhere with me anytime.

As I stood there, lost in thoughts about my own story and Porchay, a familiar van turned the corner towards my faculty. I quickly stubbed out my cigarette in the bin and grabbed the perfume from my backpack to spray all over myself. Although my brother and Phii Pete seemed to know something, I didn’t want to make it too obvious, and I also didn’t want Phii Pete to feel uncomfortable. Even though he smokes heavily himself.

I walked straight towards the front of the building, my eyes sparkling, in contrast to a Macau who was sitting on the bench with friends from the faculty just moments ago. Because I knew that in that van were people who were my safe zone, people around whom I could act however I wanted. All the thoughts and the stifling feeling from being at the faculty all day vanished when the car door opened, and a smile like the sun appeared along with a cheerful voice.

“Macau, did you have fun today?” Phii Pete, my brother’s boyfriend, quickly got out of the car and opened his arms to greet me with joy.

“Phii Pete...” I rushed to bury my head in Phii Pete’s shoulder, acting spoiled. Phii Pete is truly the best safe zone in my life, and he made me open up quickly too. Do you know why? Because of his smile that’s like a light, eyes full of hope, and most importantly, his sincerity and honesty...

These feelings, I never experienced from my main family, or the secondary family, but because it’s Phii Pete, certain emotions flooded in, easily unlocking my heart. On the day my aunt died, when my brother was in the ICU, chaos entered my life like a big storm, and I had no idea how to get through those days. Until I met Phii Pete, it was like the sky after the rain, once the storm passes. We get to see the beautiful sun and rainbow.

I’m really lucky to have both Phii Pete and my brother by my side.

“Ah...” The little kid’s voice made me glance over and greet him with a mischievous smile, including this Venice here too. I’m sick of his face, really. Venice is my half-brother, different mothers. I don’t really want to talk about his mother, but since Phii Pete adopted him I have to. When he first opened his eyes to the world, his mother vanished mysteriously. No matter how much my brother objected or how much I resisted in keeping Venice with us, in the end, both my brother and I bowed down to someone like Phii Pete without question. And because Phii Pete has raised this brat since he was a baby, he loves him a lot. And of course, I, not wanting to lose Phii Pete or disappoint him, have to keep my annoyance with Venice to myself and look at him with affection whether I like it or not.

My brother and I just want Phii Pete to be happy, you know. Before Phii Pete became part of our family, he was the former deputy head bodyguard of the Main family. He was the head bodyguard for the eldest son of that house. He was also known for being the favorite, loved and cherished by the big brother, Tankhun, always close, called for almost all the time. With his former prestige, a son from a Second family like me wants to take good care of Phii Pete, not letting even a mosquito touch him, not wanting to lose to those people. I deeply understand why Phii Pete is so beloved and cherished, and I don’t want him to go back to the main family house either. Because I’m possessive, just like my brother. If there’s no Phii Pete, how would we two brothers live? I really can’t imagine. So, anything that makes Phii Pete happy, my brother and I are ready to do it, like right now.

“We’re here!!!”

“Hmm? Is this the place?” I turned to ask Phii Pete, who seemed especially excited.

“Bored of eating in the mall.” Phii Pete turned to tell me.

“Too many people, huh...” I scanned outside the car and mumbled softly, knowing my brother would...

“Really... nah, Pete, too many people, I can’t.” Hia immediately made a face looking around.

“Park up front, Nopp.” Phii Pete ignored him, telling Nopp, our close bodyguard, to park in the lot.

“Pete, no... Nopp, let’s go to the food court next door.” Hia quickly objected.

“What, you said you’d take me out to eat outside.” Phii Pete started to look annoyed.

“Food courts, restaurants, or even in malls, isn’t that outside the house already? It’s so crowded here.” Phii Pete said stiffly.

“I want to eat street food!” Phii Pete’s voice was firm.

“I’m not really into places like this.” Hia tried to soften his voice.

“What? It’s just a flea market, and it’s a vintage one too, with lots of cute stuff and plenty of food. When you were in university, you must have walked around with friends sometimes, right?”

“Well, that was during uni, and I didn’t really walk around much.”

“I never went to university, and I freaking love vintage flea markets like this.” I said, turning left, then right. Being in the back seat while the couple argued in front, I felt like the nosy neighbor listening in, turning my head from side to side, letting them finish their argument.

“Can we go another day... I’m tired today. Plus, Venice made me look after him all day. And Venice caused some trouble...” Hia paused and then pretended to look out the window, making Phii Pete squint and frown at him.

“Venice caused trouble? You said my kid was really cute... What did Venice do?”

“Alright, alright, we’re here now, let’s get out.” I and Phii Pete leaned forward towards the older brother at the same time, until he pushed our heads away and ushered us out of the car very suspiciously. Today, Hia and Venice must have done something noteworthy because today Phii Pete was called by big brother Tankhun, so he had to leave Venice with the older brother for work. It probably didn’t go smoothly, huh.

~~~~~

VINTAGE FLEA MARKET.

Then Phii Pete led the four of us to sit and eat at a mat-laid pork barbecue place. In front was a Japanese-style table with a half-circle convex grill, with smoke wafting everywhere. Although it was crowded and almost every table was full, we were lucky not to have to wait in line. Phii Pete looked extremely excited, in contrast to me, the older brother, and Venice, who sat staring at the grill with utmost despair.

“One mixed set, one pork set, a large Coke, one bucket of ice, two bottles of water.” Phii Pete ordered like a pro, eagerly distributing plates, bowls, and chopsticks in front of us. “Can you guys at least try to look happy? I brought you here to eat, not to kill you!”

“Um... not really used to it.” Hia replied in a low voice, then poked at the grill with his chopsticks.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never eaten like this before.” Phii Pete looked back and forth between me and Hia.

“I have, with friends back in high school, at the railway market, we went often.” I quickly said. If it were before, I wouldn’t be this hesitant, but now, I’ve suddenly developed a dislike for crowded places, seems like I’m in the same boat as Hia; he doesn’t like noisy and crowded places either.

“What about you, Vegas? Never had this?”

“I have...” Hia answered shortly.

“With who?” When this question came up, I turned to play with Venice, who was sitting on Nopp’s lap. Heh, it felt like the start of a sentence that could spark World War III or something. Better not get involved.

“Just friends. During university.” Hia quickly grabbed some ice and put it in his glass as soon as the waiter served the drinks.

“Why? And why do you look bored? Don’t like it or usually eat in malls?” What’s up with Hia and Phii Pete today? Hia seems suspicious, and Phii Pete is oddly accusatory.

“I can eat, but I don’t like crowds.”

“And during university, didn’t you ever take anyone to the market?” Venice, let’s play together, I feel like crying. These two really love each other, love each other well, fight to the death! Truly. And now, Hia has started working full time, studied at university through equivalency exams, collected credits only on weekends, accelerated because he has a wife and kids.

“Just friends, but not often, it’s hot.”

“Ah... a little heat, man. Back when I was tailing you, you still took your junior to walk around the market.” Phii Pete picked up some pork and slammed it onto the grill with a touch of sarcasm.

“Hey! Pete, why dig up old stories? You brought us here to eat, didn’t you?”

“You didn’t seem willing, and you’ve been acting suspicious since I visited you at the company.” At this, Hia glanced nervously at Venice and swallowed hard. Ah... what did Venice do now?

“No! Just eat, here, take this.” Hia quickly put some pork on Phii Pete’s plate.

“It’s not cooked yet, you idiot!!” And indeed, Hia, not paying attention, got himself into trouble. “Trying to make me lose my thought? That’s a high-level plan, you beast!!”

“It’s not cooked yet, you buffalo!!” And then Hia, without looking at the situation, sought trouble and got yelled at. “Are you trying to make me deaf, you bastard!! That’s a great plan!” When two people argue, they use harsh words. They would speak softly, and then Phii Pete ordered Nopp to cover Venice’s ears.

“No, I’ll grill it again, come on.”

“So, what are you hiding from me today!” I, pretending not to know anything, tried to glance at Venice, who was continuously sucking on his orange juice, until I noticed red scratches on his arm. I reached out, touched it, and alternated my gaze between Hia and Venice’s wound with a curious look.

“And this piece of pork of mine, I’m watching it, don’t you dare sneak a bite.” Phii Pete grumbled, carefully grilling the pork with the tenderness as if he was nurturing Venice. Sitting on the same side as Phii Pete, with Hia across from us, I leaned behind Phii Pete and made a throat-slitting gesture indicating certain death, pointing at Venice’s red-marked arm. Hia, seeing that I had caught on, gritted his teeth, shook his head, signaling me to stop, with a pleading look. You’re dead, Hia. You’ve hurt Phii Pete’s favorite. If I had to guess, Hia must have let Venice crawl away and get hurt somehow.

“Are you up for the fight or not?” I mouthed teasingly at Hia without sound, “Can you handle it? Tell me!!!”

“Macau, what are you doing? Eat.” Phii Pete turned to look at me. I immediately stopped all actions and acted normal.

“Eating, eating.” I teased.

“Yeah, it’s delicious!!” Hia, who showed me the middle finger, also tried to act normal.

“Damn!!! Vegas! You!!! You!!!!” Both Hia and I were startled when Phii Pete suddenly shouted angrily. Are we screwed? Did Hia get caught because of my teasing just now? Just playing around!

“What, Pete, what??” Hia was so shocked his eyes widened.

“Did you eat the pork that was here!!! Huh!!!” Phii Pete angrily pointed chopsticks at Hia’s face.

“Damn! I’m sorry, I’ll grill some more for you.” Hia quickly took some pork to grill for Phii Pete, who was opening his mouth in shock, unable to believe it.

“Damn you, Vegas! How could you do this to me!! You know! Anything in this world. You can do anything, but you must not take what I want to eat!!! You bastard! So despicable!” I could barely hold back my laughter. Phii Pete is very serious about food. I’ve lived with him for years, and food might be the biggest thing in his life!

“I’ll grill a new one, a big piece, okay, oh-oh.” Hia tried hard to focus. Meanwhile, Phii Pete mourned the pork with all his life, the tense atmosphere from a moment ago vanished in the blink of an eye, replaced by cuteness and the fierceness of Phii Pete. Phii Pete is always Phii Pete, from morning till night, haha.

“I’ll take the kids and run away from you for sure! Just watch. Macau, will you come with me?” Phii Pete turned to me with desperate eyes.

“Haha, I’ll go, I’ll go. Wherever Phii Pete goes, I’ll follow.” I quickly clung to Phii Pete’s arm in a pleading manner until Hia glared at me.

“Enough, here, blow on it too.” Hia quickly tried to appease Phii Pete, calming him down with a new piece of pork.

“Damn, this liver, you can’t eat, it’s mine!” Phii Pete set another landmark.

“Hey! Macau, I’ll cook something for you to eat.” I smiled back and watched Phii Pete pull out a pack of Wai Wai instant noodles, original flavor, from the vegetable basket, breaking it into several pieces, spreading them across the pan, leaving both me and Hia puzzled, and Hia couldn’t help but complain.

“Another useless thing. How many times have I told you not to eat this because you’ll die early. You!! You don’t like good things, why do you love this Wai Wai so much?” I laughed out loud, finding both of them adorable. Hia once ordered me to keep an eye on Phii Pete, forbidding him from eating instant noodles for a while. I don’t know what Hia has against this, but every time he sees Phii Pete eating, he complains, every time!

“Be quiet, eating it once in a while won’t hurt.” Then Phii Pete sprinkled the seasoning powder all over the stove and cracked an egg with care.

“You eat it once in a while at home, huh? The other day, late at night, you still had me go down to cook it for you.” See! No matter how much he complains, in the end, he still makes it for Phii Pete to eat. Hia is all talk but soft-hearted.

“That day, Venice wouldn’t sleep and was hungry too. Can’t you do just this for me?” As they argued, the water in the pot started to boil.

“And don’t put it on my side, Wai Wai. You!” Hia tried to pick it out.

“Try it! Trust me!!!” And then Phii Pete snatched the bowl from Hia to scoop some Wai Wai noodles into it, not forgetting to share this act of kindness with me, “Try eating it, both of you brothers.” Phii Pete insisted eagerly. I nodded in acceptance without objection, picked up some noodles, blew on them, and put them in my mouth. The aroma was truly delightful.

“Delicious!!” My eyes lit up at how incredibly tasty it was.

“Right?!” Phii Pete’s eyes sparkled instantly, as if he had found an ally.

“Very rich!” I said, then sipped some of the soup.

“How could it not be rich? Pete put in two packets of seasoning.” Hia said with a wide-eyed look but continued eating non-stop.

“Well... but you’re eating it with full enthusiasm.” Phii Pete retorted, almost making Hia choke.

“I’m hungry!” Hia declared.

“If it’s delicious, just say it’s delicious.”

“It’s all MSG. How could it not be delicious?”

“Of course... Any food that doesn’t have MSG isn’t considered good food, you know. My grandma makes southern curry and she almost uses up an entire bag.” Phii Pete said proudly, though it wasn’t really something to boast about, both Hia and his sister-in-law were a bit off.

“No wonder I’ve been losing hair since coming back from the island. I’m almost bald now.” Hia said, touching his hair and then teasing Phii Pete, “Oh... because you’ve been eating MSG since you were a kid. That’s why your hair is so thin. Look, the sides are almost halfway up your head.” Hia said with a mocking smile, making everyone at the table laugh. Phii Pete was often teased by Hia about his thinning hair. Phii Pete really does have thinning hair, but he’s still handsome.

“Vegas! You bastard!!!” It seemed this was a sore spot for Phii Pete because he couldn’t stop touching his hair.

“Nong, don’t blow the fan too much towards our table, please. My boyfriend has thin hair; I’m afraid his hair will all blow away, haha.” Hia pretended to talk to the server mischievously. This inevitably led to chaos at the table when Phii Pete almost flipped the barbecue grill over Hia’s head.

“You’re taking me to get a hair transplant, right, damn it!” Phii Pete said with resentment. Meanwhile, Nopp and I laughed so hard that the instant noodles almost got stuck in our throats.

“Macau too! You’re not on my team anymore, are you? Go, go be with that bastard Vegas.” Phii Pete emphasized the word ‘bastard’ so much that I had to quickly stifle my laughter.

“Team Phii Pete, I am on Team Phii Pete.” Then I leaned my head against Phii Pete’s shoulder, making Hia pull a disgusted face. What the hell, Hia? Don’t expect me to stay on a losing team; Team Phii Pete might seem like they’re losing at first, but in the end, they beat you every time, haha!

“Very good, my dear, smart kid, eats lots of vegetables.” And then Phii Pete piled vegetables into my bowl.

“Phii Pete, do you like coming here?” I asked while eating and looking around, noticing how people kept glancing at our table, unsure if it was because we were handsome or just odd. A husband and wife, not keeping the peace and being loud without caring for others.

“Hmm... yeah, I like it, but I don’t come often. Back when I lived at the Main family house, whenever I had a free day, I’d come walk around here. Lots of good food.”

“So, the pork satay here is your favorite, right?”

“Yes, whenever I’m here, I eat at this place. Hey, don’t bring your chopsticks into my area.” Phii Pete pushed Hia’s chopsticks away from his beloved liver.

“I was just going to turn it... And who did you come with before?” Hia asked this time.

“Alone... but finding a free day was hard, I almost had to throw myself on my knees and beg the young lady, you know! Sometimes, damn it! I’d be nicely grilling pork, and they’d call me back home right then, the pork still in my mouth. And I couldn’t not go; it would cause an uproar at home.” Phii Pete badmouthed Big Brother, feeling quite satisfied thinking about it. What a selfish person, utterly unbearable. How Phii Top puts up with him, I have no idea.

“Oh! That’s why you’re traumatized by the pork I ate.”

“Yeah! Because I never got to eat my fill, you know. My crispy squid, you were looking at it!”

“Yes, sir!!! Eat to your heart’s content, my dear wife, I’ll treat you to this meal.”

“Oh! Of course!!! You’ll have to treat me for life, won’t you?” Phii Pete said carelessly.

“Ha! Are you confessing your love to me?” And then the two flirted with each other as usual, which has been going on for a year now, still not over it. There hasn’t been a single day they stopped flirting, but I’m really happy about it.

“That’s a lot! Wearing a Luang Pu Mun amulet? I’m still annoyed about the pork, you know, grilled Wai Wai.”

“Yes, yes.”

And the atmosphere at the table became lively again as the two couples ate and bantered, to the point where I was eating and choking. Hia always found reasons for Phii Pete to scold him. Phii Pete was so serious about eating that I couldn’t believe a body with such well-defined muscles, looking so healthy, had time to work out.

“Next, dessert, the cold crepes from this place are delicious.” Phii Pete led us all to queue for cold crepes, and Hia was very indulgent. I looked around the bustling environment. Even though good-looking guys like us often caught people’s eyes, making us feel uncomfortable at times, but whatever. I don’t know if they were looking because of me, Hia, or because Phii Pete was handsome, or because Phii Pete was taking care of Venice, and Hia was also being very attentive.

“Where are you going, Khun Macau?” As I glanced around, I saw a vintage second-hand camera shop, stepping away from the happy family where it seemed like only Vegas and Pete existed together. Even Venice, asleep on Phii Pete’s shoulder, seemed insignificant because the two of them were just feeding each other non-stop. And I was too lazy to feel any more sweetness, because soon enough, Pete would definitely come to feed me a crepe with heaps of whipped cream. So, in the meantime, I thought I’d walk over to the camera shop.

“God, Nopp.”

Nopp followed me. I pointed out a brown, vintage-style Polaroid camera to Nopp.

“Does this still work?” Nopp asked softly.

“Should do... Phii, how do you use this camera?” Due to its unfamiliar shape, I called over the seller to demonstrate how to use it.

“You just put in regular film, and it’ll work, little brother. The system isn’t that old; it’s just the design that looks vintage.” The seller opened the film compartment at the back to show me.

“Super cool! It uses batteries, right? How much, bro?” I asked with gleaming eyes, feeling an instant connection as if it was calling my name.

“Twelve thousand five hundred, the edges are made of real leather, the details are meticulously done, it’s quite rare, little brother.”

“Buying a camera? Pete just ordered two more online, the house is full of photos, and you’re still not satisfied?” Hia followed behind, grumbling.

“Macau, open, open.” Then Phii Pete stuffed a big spoonful of cold crepe and whipped cream into my mouth. Now, Venice had been handed over to Hia to hold. Usually, he wouldn’t let Hia near him, but because he was asleep, he didn’t know anything.

“But at home, we only have digital cameras, mirrorless ones. I think I prefer Polaroid pictures more.” I spoke truthfully.

“Why’s that?” Phii Pete asked, then took a big bite of the crepe himself.

“When you take a photo, you get to anticipate the picture, plus you can’t delete or edit it. It captures us at that exact moment, it feels real. No faking anything, and it’s ultra-classic too.” I explained with passion. I’m an artsy kid, you know, I love aesthetics, whether it’s photography, poetry, literature, or paintings. I’m crazy about all of it.

“Does your faculty study cameras too?”

“It’s a personal interest! Do you get it... you dummy.” And then Phii Pete scolded Hia for me.

“How much?”

“Twelve thousand five hundred.” I answered Hia.

“Hmm? Pete said it’s nine hundred online.” Hia whispered to me softly.

“It’s not the same, Hia, this one’s edges are made from leather, see here.” I tried to present it to Hia, “He said this one is super rare.” Even though our family is very wealthy, or even if we were rich beyond measure from the past, if Hia doesn’t give the green light to indulge fully, it gets tough. Because Hia, damn it! He’s started to become stingy ever since he began earning to support the family. Normally, he would take me shopping for brand names almost every day, now it’s just once a month, how annoying...

“Buy it for your brother.” Phii Pete helped push the case further.

“Today isn’t even the shopping day of the month, and soon my shopping budget will be gone by hundreds of thousands.” Hia complained and looked at the camera with a puzzled expression. I immediately made a sad face.

“Here, take this.”

“Alright, I’ll cut half of your snack money, okay?” That offer made my eyes light up.

“Why cut from him? Just a camera.”

“What do you mean ‘just a camera’, Pete? You told me to save money, and we agreed on that. Besides, if you spoil both your son and Macau like this, you’ll spoil them rotten, definitely Tankhun two times over.” Hia seemed so different from before, becoming so reasonable since when?

“Hey Phii, do you sell tapes too?” I noticed some tapes lined up, really classic, “Do you have Romeo and Juliet?”

“Yes, we do.”

“I’m doing a report on Romeo and Juliet, heh. How lucky.”

“How much?”

“Rare old year, 800.” My eyes sparkled at the price; Hia would definitely buy this for me.

“Alright, alright, I’ll take one.”

“Wait a minute! Even if you buy the tape, do you have a player?” Hia quickly objected.

“There’s a player for sale too, that can connect directly to the screen. This model is super rare, 8,300 baht.” And damn, the seller just doesn’t stop selling.

“Your shop only has rare items, huh?” Phii Pete said, smiling awkwardly.

“Choose between the camera or the player with the tape.” Hia, knowing I wanted everything, gave me an ultimatum to pick just one. I frowned immediately, feeling frustrated.

Camera or tape? Camera or tape? Ohhhhhhh!!! Can’t choose… what should I do!!!

Wahhhhh!!! It’s like calling out all nine names!!! Wahhhhh!!! What should I do, Macau!!!

“Khun Macau, take the camera, there should be plenty of Romeo and Juliet on the internet.” Nopp offered his opinion.

“But it’s not the same... it’s not classic, it has to be watched on tape to get the feeling, huh, what should I do?

“Hurry up, I’m tired!” My mind is a mess, and the three or four people behind me are pressuring me too. I look back and forth at everything with utmost difficulty, ohhhhhh!!!!!! Why does Hia have to be so indecisive now of all times!!!

“Deduct half from the snack budget.” I bite my lip in confusion and look at the items in my hand, regretting the things I didn’t buy. In the end, I chose the camera, leaving the tape and player alone in the store, pitifully.

“Here they come...” Phii Pete went to buy more snacks. Now we’re sitting on a bench by the river next to the market. As soon as Phii Pete places another pile of snacks, Hia quickly hands Venice over to Phii Pete to hold.

“I’ll go pee, and then find Nopp, so we can go home.” Hia says that before heading to the bathroom.

“Want some? The snacks from this shop are delicious.” Phii Pete, one hand holding Venice, uses the other to unwrap and eat a snack with delight. I’m amazed at Phii Pete’s eating ability.

“No more, Phii Pete, I’m too full.” I keep staring at the camera in my hands.

“Why did you choose to do a report on ‘Romeo and Juliet’?” Phii Pete asks.

“It’s... a charming piece, classic, the conflict between two families, it has many emotions, lies, conflicts, fights, but everything starts simply with love at first sight, Phii Pete...”

“But it ends in tragedy.”

“That’s why I chose it... because even in a world of imagination, in a fairy tale world, it’s still not fair to us.” I say, looking at Phii Pete and sighing softly.

“Hmm... I get it now, do it well then, and don’t tell your Hia.” Phii Pete handed me the tape along with the player, with a wide smile on both our faces.

“Phii Pete!!!!!!!!” I call out his name in disbelief, causing Venice to startle in fear.

“Shh! Don’t be loud, or your Hia will catch us.” Phii Pete said with a smile, then coaxed Venice to go back to sleep.

“Thank you so much.” I rushed to hug Phii Pete and thanked him incessantly.

“I never had the chance to go to university. Seeing Macau so dedicated to it, just do it for me too.”

“Then let’s watch it together sometime.”

“Okay... these days Vegas comes home late, let’s sit and watch until dawn. Oh! Quickly, go hide it in the car, if that guy sees it, he’ll make a fuss.” Phii Pete hurried me off the table. I smiled until my eyes squinted, walking briskly to the parking lot with joy in my heart.

Macau was very pleased! Phii Pete, the kind soul... Finally, I got what I wanted, like all my luck was piled up in front of me. But it wasn’t because of these things; it was Hia and Phii Pete who made me feel truly good about continuing to live and being their little brother...

The real reason I insisted on doing the report on “Romeo and Juliet” was because of Vegas and Pete, right? The simplicity of something called love. I believe one of them must have been love at first sight for the other, and they got together amidst the conflict of two families. Even if the story isn’t all glamorous or classically romantic, for sure, their foundation was love, and they did everything to be together...

I have to make this report really good, believe me. :)