At that moment, Noi and P’Wisit emerge from the path in the woods, pulling me out of my internal argument. My heartbeat accelerates, and without consciously making the decision, I’m on my feet and striding toward him. I want to grab him and kiss him but manage to tone it down to a shoulder squeeze.
“Nice walk?” I ask, falling into step beside them.
“It was great!” Noi begins enthusiastically telling me about some mushrooms he saw called bridal veil stinkhorns. “They smell really bad.”
Opening the photos on his phone, he shows me the pictures he took of them. I have to admit they’re unusual looking, as well as aptly named. I don’t realize P’Wisit is no longer with us until we get to our tent. Looking around, I spot him talking to Cora and P’Tee.
“Do you think we need to worry about P’Wisit telling anyone about us?”
Noi shakes his head. “No. I just had this discussion with him. He knows it needs to be a secret for the time being.”
I’m entertaining the idea of ducking inside the tent with Noi and stealing a kiss when Pah joins us. We wind up helping tocook the afternoon meal that we’ll have when the group out filming returns.
***
After breakfast the next morning, Noi and I have a scene to film, and then Khun Intapong announces we need to pack up. I’m not too surprised when I find out that Pah has charmed her into giving Noi and me a few days off so that we can return home with him for a visit.
After saying goodbye to everyone, one of the cameramen drives us back to park headquarters where Pah left his SUV and we switch vehicles. Noi sits in the front with Pah, and I sit in the back alone. It’s a relief to see Noi’s face clear of the stress that’s been etched into it more often than not these last few months. I hope he was being truthful when he told me he enjoys acting because knowing I’m responsible for the moments of exhaustion and the headaches and anxiety he’s suffered makes my heart ache.
Home is a short drive away, and Pah must have messaged Mae before we left the park, because when we pull up the drive to the house, she and Ten are out in the yard waiting for us. I’m barely out of the car before my brother takes a running leap at me. I catch him and give him a tight hug before dropping him on his feet and ruffling his straight dark hair.
Ten takes after Mae, who is petite. At twelve, he isn’t nearly as big as I was at that age. Still, it won’t be long before he’ll be too big for me to lift like that.
When Mae finally releases Noi from a hug, she wraps her arms around me while Ten tackles Noi with affection. She smells like jasmine and whatever she’s been cooking.
“It’s so good to see the two of you. I have made enough food to feed all of Thailand.” Wrapping her arm around my waist, she walks me inside. Noi, Pah, and Ten follow, Ten telling Noi all about something he and a friend did to the inside of the treehouse.
Our home is a two-story villa situated at the back of a subdivision surrounded by woods on three sides. Noi and I grew up swimming in the pool and playing in the woods. They were idyllic days, and sometimes it’s hard to believe that they’re over.
Stepping up onto the covered terrace, I look around at the familiar setting, glad that Noi’s with me this time. Pah disappears into the kitchen with Mae, while Ten starts telling me what he just told Noi.
“Oat and I painted the walls white, and Oat brought beanbags from his house. Pah helped us make a table to replace the broken one with some wood that was in the shed. We meet there on weekends and work on our model car. Come see it!”
“That can wait until after dinner! Come in here and help me, Ten,” Mae calls from the kitchen,
Ten grumbles but obeys, and I turn to Noi.
“Brings back memories,” he says with a smile.
Watching him here where we grew up, with our new feelings between us, I have a sudden, strong urge to pull him close and kiss him; however, imagining the faces of our parents and brother if they walked in on us is enough to quell that urge.
As though Noi reads my mind, he smiles mischievously and a little flirtatiously. I’m not used to this side of him and feel myself blushing. Mae and Ten bring in the dishes of food and place them on the long bench table that faces the north woods.
“Why are your cheeks so pink, Nong?” Mae asks me. “Is it that hot out here? Ten, turn on the fans.”
Noi covers a laugh, and I shake my head at him but can’t help smiling myself.
As the sun slowly sinks and shadows stretch over the lawn, we sit eating khao soi, talking, and laughing just as we have many, many times in the past.
Pah must have filled Mae in on his talk with Noi at the park because she brings up the incident from the past.
“I don’t remember any of that, Mae,” Noi says. “I wish you all wouldn’t worry about me so much. I’m fine. Really.”
“We can’t help but worry because we love you, Nong. We worry about Sud, too. Is he studying or spending all his time playing video games? Or is he chasing girls? How many girls has he dated since you two got to Bangkok?” Her eyes shine teasingly as she looks at me.
“I bet he has five girlfriends right now,” Ten says with confidence, making everyone laugh.
Will he still look at you the same when he finds out that you’re dating Noi?