Why would Mee Noi be holding hands with P’Wisit if they aren’t a couple? Is he afraid to tell me?
I want an explanation.
I’m out of breath by the time I reach Noi’s door on the fourth floor of the apartment building. Without hesitation, I pound on it with my fist, then almost fall inside when the door immediately opens.
Bua, still in her pajamas, frowns up at me. She’s holding a cup of coffee like she was making her way from the kitchen to her bedroom with it when I knocked.
“What’s wrong with you?” she asks, frowning.
“Where’s Noi?”
“I don’t know. In bed?”
I head for his tiny room. Why he refused to stay with me instead of moving in here, I have no idea. Coupled with him being secretive about P’Wisit, I have to say I’m hurt.
I give a perfunctory knock to announce my presence before entering. The bed is made, and the room is empty.
“He’s not here,” I announce the obvious when Bua pokes her head in the door.
“Wait. Let me check my messages,” she says.
I follow her to her bedroom, where she sets down the coffee cup and sits on the bed to look at her cell phone.
“Oh. He messaged me late last night. He said he stayed over at P’Wisit’s.” She makes a knowing face. “Wonder whatthatmeans?“ When she turns to look at me, her eyes grow wide.
Anger overtaking me, I ask, “Is Noi dating P’Wisit?”
“Um, he says he’s not. I’m sure there’s a good explanation for him staying there. They went to the movies, and maybe they had some drinks afterward.” She blinks, then hurries on, hands held out in a placating manner. “No, not drinks. Mee Noi doesn’t drink. Of course he doesn’t. What a dumb thing to say.”
I don’t know what my face is doing right now, but by Bua’s expression, it must be alarming. Rage builds fast within me at the thought of what might have happened last night. If P’Wisit took advantage of Noi, he’s going to be nothing but a stain on the carpet when I get through with him.
Turning, I stride out of the apartment without saying goodbye to Bua. To be truthful, I don’t think I could form a sentence if I had to.
P’Wisit lives in a condo some distance from the university, so I have to walk back to my place to get my car before driving there. On the way, I tell myself to calm down, that Noi is okay, and there’s no reason for me to be so upset.
But I keep thinking about the two of them. Together. P’Wisit holding Noi’s hand. P’Wisit leading Noi to his bed.
I can’t seem to get past that part. My mind won’t let me imagine them kissing. Touching. P’Wisit’s hands on Noi’s bare skin. Noi’s hands on—
Skidding to a stop, I park my car haphazardly in front of P’Wisit’s building and nearly choke myself on the seat belt trying to get out. Counting to ten, I try again more calmly. Successfully out, I jog over to some guys who are coming out the door of the building and ask them if they know which apartment P’Wisit lives in. They do, and it’s no time before I’m standing in front of his door, hands shaking because I know that in that apartment right now, Noi is with him, and he has been all night.
Fury building again, I pound on the door with my fists. Several minutes pass. I pound again. What’s going on in there? It’s nine a.m., for fuck’s sake. The possibilities that flash through my mind enrage me even more until I’m ready to kick the damn door down. Then I hear movement within, and the lock disengages. The door swings open, and P’Wisit stands in front of me wearing just a T-shirt and his underwear. Pushing past him, I charge into the apartment like I’m the police and this is a raid.
“Noi!” I call, scanning the room. “Mee Noi!”
A door opens and Noi walks out, wearing an oversized pair of pajamas that have got to belong to P’Wisit. My blood comes to a rolling boil in my veins, blinding my eyes in a sea of red.
“Sud? What are you doing here?” Noi asks, eyes wide.
Spotting his clothes folded on a chair, I snatch them up. “Come with me,” I snap.
“What’s going on? Did something happen?” Mee Noi starts to take off the pajama top, but I stop him.
“Don’t do that. Come on,” I say, taking him by the hand. Noi turns to say something to P’Wisit, but I tug him forward. “Come on, Noi!”
“What’s your problem?” P’Wisit says angrily. “Can’t you see how much you’re upsetting him?”
I look at Noi. His whole body is trembling, and his eyes are full of tears.