I miss Bangkok.
When my Uber pulls up, I settle into the backseat and check my phone. I’ve missed a couple of casual text messages from Pravat, as well as one from Chinda telling me our father’s driving her crazy. I suggest she spend more time out of the house.
My thumb hovers over the screen. My messages to Pravat have become few and far between, yet he doggedly keeps in touch with me. If I’m honest with myself, it scares me how much I miss him.
Something about this trip has left me ill at ease. Maybe it’s because I’m on my own so much of the time—I don’t know. But long-repressed memories have been stirring in my subconscious, giving me nightmares, and lack of sleep is beginning to take its toll on me.
Tucking my phone into my pocket, I stare out the car window at the bright lights of the city until they’re nothing but a blur. By the time the Uber reaches Pete’s building, I’m dozing, head resting on the cool glass window, and the driver has to rouse me.
My limbs feel like they’re made of sand as I make my way to the elevator and then to Pete and Alex’s apartment.
Pete looks up from the book he’s reading when I stumble in. “Rama. I haven’t seen you in days. Do you always come in this late?”
“Usually,” I say.
“I made lamb stew for dinner, but you’ve probably already eaten.”
I shake my head. “No. I’ll warm some up.” I head for the kitchen and spoon out some of the meat and vegetables into a bowl, then microwave it for a few minutes. Pete joins me at the table while I eat.
“Is Alex home?” I ask.
“Yeah, he’s already asleep. You look tired.”
“I am,” I say.
“You were gone when I got up at six this morning. It’s after nine now, and you skipped dinner. You need to take better care of yourself.”
“I want to do a good job at this internship,” I say.
Pete’s dark eyes search mine. “And when you get back? Are you going to work for your father?”
I shrug. I can see the years unwinding before me at my father’s company, endless and dull. “I don’t want to.”
“Maybe you can get another acting gig. You appear to be very popular among the bl fans. I’ve been following you on Tiktok. There’s a buzz about a season two for your series.”
“Probably just speculation,” I say.
“Hopefully, you can get some rest this weekend.”
When I finish my meal, I wash the dishes and tell Pete I’ll see him in the morning. I hear him puttering around the apartment as I get ready for bed, but as soon as my head hits the sheets, I know nothing else until the early hours of the morning.
I awaken to sun pouring over my bed. Stretching, I look out at the sparkling water of the pool several floors below, thinking a morning swim would be nice before breakfast. I slip out of my pajama pants and pull on my swimming trunks. When I check my phone, I see I have avoice message. I dial the number and listen to the mind-numbingly slow automated voice before the message begins.
“Rama, this is Tida. I hope you are doing well and enjoying your time in New York. When you have the chance, give me a ring. I want to talk to you about something.”
Sitting down on the bed, I call her back.
“Thank you for getting back to me so quickly,” she says.
“It’s good to talk to you again, P’Tida. I hope you’re doing well.”
“I am, thank you. How’s New York?”
We chat a few moments before she gets down to her reason for calling.
“We want to do a second season of the show. I’ve already spoken to Pravat, and he’s on board, as are the majority of the cast. Now it comes down to you.”
I swallow. So, they are planning a season two.