Stuck on stupid
Sunday -last week of being ‘injured’ -
Gun groan, slumping lazily to Tina’s bed,
‘ Can tomorrow come faster? ‘ him and Aom are both at Tina’s house, he’s currently assisting the couple with their individual assignments,
‘ hey! be careful with your arm ‘ the couple shouted at the same time, Gun chuckle.
‘ My arm is already fine since last week ‘ he confessed giving them a sly smile.
‘ then why are you still wearing your sling? I thought you find it uncomfortable ‘Tina asked,
‘ The answer is obvious, our friend here is not yet ready to stop worrying his beloved professor, he love being pampered. *grins* I caught Sir Off feeding this cunning student last week! Ha! Tell me that’s the reason why you keep insisting to be left behind during lunch right? ‘ Aom teased.
Gun nodded smiling burying his head on the pillow ‘ wanna know a secret? ‘
‘ what? ‘ the two chorused grinning.
‘ Sir Off know very well that my other hand can function ok but he still insisted feeding me… and…’
‘ aaand? ‘
Gun smiled at his friends looking at him like curious children.
‘ last weekend, My parents visited me here and he’s with them together with his mom… we watched a movie together ‘
Tina and Aom screamed like kids,
‘ the hell! How did you two progressed this much!!? ‘
‘ Huh funny, both parents are like pushing you together? ‘ Aom stated giving weird faces making Gun shrug.
‘ that’s what I felt too, my parents are fond of Sir Off, usually if we watch a movie in cinema they will let me sit in between them, always in the middle, but during that time they purposely let me and Sir Off sit together *tilts head* I even caught them whispering to each other while glancing at us during the movie’
‘ I won’t even be surprise if you two will just announce being in a relationship ‘ Tina teased poking Gun’s waist.
‘ why are you looking at me like that Aom? ‘
The latter hugged Gun, ‘ nothing, I’m happy for you really after years of making him to notice you, you’ve come so far, I’m just worried because honestly in my point of view, Sir Off can’t give you what you want as long as we are still student ‘
Tina hugged Aom from behind while Aom is hugging Gun, they are all now cramped on the bed, the three sighed.
‘ I think so too, tho what matters to me now is that I’m happy and for now I’m contented with that ‘
--
Monday
Filled with excitement and delight Gun rushed to the university only to frown the moment he saw Off talking with a fifth year student girl from Class 5C, they were laughing in the middle of the hallway outside their classroom, Gun have this unexplainable expression looking at his batch mate shyly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
‘ Oho, what’s up with Sir Off chatting with the most beautiful girl in our batch? ‘ Tina commented receiving death glares both from Gun and Aom.
‘ Most beautiful? Really BABE?’ Aom sarcastically asked gripping Tina’s collar, she awkwardly laugh caressing Aom’s hand.
‘ he he he, forget I even asked that babe, of course you’re the only one beautiful in my eyes, I was just speaking in behalf of the other students . I don’t even understand why they find her beautiful ‘
Aom rolled her eyes and pushed Tina who just fanned herself in relief,
‘ Haven’t the both of you heard? ‘
‘ heard what? ‘
‘ Piing will be the representative in the fifth year for the upcoming search for Silpakorn’s Cinderella Pageant and I heard Sir Off will be the head organizer this year ‘
‘ so that means they will be interacting with each other for a while? ‘ Gun frowned at that question of Tina.
Aom smirked, ‘ not just with Piing but also with the remaining four Cinderella candidate ‘
‘ I feel like my arm is starting to hurt again ‘
Aom laughed pushing Gun to start walking towards their room when they saw Piing bid goodbye to Off, Off on the other hand touched his earlobe when he was ignored by Gun and the latter just entered the room without even saying his usual good morning, and for the rest of the day Gun is rolling his eyes at him or looking away whenever their eyes meet.
‘ what’s up with his attitude today? *chuckle* what is he sulking? psh ‘
--
‘Class dismissed ‘
Off knit one of his eyebrows when he noticed Gun removed his arm sling as if it was nothing before immediately running out of the room.
8 pm, Gun finally felt hungry after locking his dorm’s room, he did some stretches and was shocked to see his professor casually leaning at the front gate of his dormitory.
‘ S-sir? ‘
‘ since when? ‘ Off asked staring at the former injured arm of Gun.
Gun awkwardly chuckle ‘ err, last week? ‘
Off clicked his tongue across his cheek, slowly leaning towards Gun, resulting for Gun to hit his back on the wall near their gate.
‘ last week? When we watched the movie, your arm is already healed? Yet you keep making me feed you in the cinema, assist you during dinner, carry the shopping bags for you? ‘
Gun slightly put distance between them pouting, ‘ that’s because I like the way you are pampering me so I thought to pretend that I’m still injured for one more week ‘
‘ then what change your mind? And why are you sulking by the way? ‘ Off asked tilting his head.
Crossing his arms on his chest he answered ‘ because I got jealous earlier with you interacting with Piing that answers both of your question ‘
Off smiled ruffling his hair. ‘ such a child ‘
Gun sighed ‘ I know I know psh. Can you move now I’m really hungry! ‘
Off didn’t answer him and went to open the passenger seat glancing at the confused student after, ‘ where do you want to eat? ‘
Staffs at the gymnasium hall are chattering with one other, side comments from time to time observing the candidates for the Cinderella pageant, meanwhile some students were passing by during their vacant time including Gun who’s currently in the corner with a pouty face.
Off who plays the floor manager as of the moment felt like someone is making a hole on his back and when he turn around to look for the culprit he saw Gun looking like an abandoned pup in the corner staring at him.
‘ Alright ladies, you can go and take a break for 15 minutes ‘ he said before jogging his way to Gun. The latter with pouty face raised the mineral water,
‘ here, drink I don’t want you to pass out due to dehydration ‘
Off just nod staring intently at his student who stood up from his seat and proceed to wipe off the bead of sweats in his face.
‘ sir why are you staring at me like that? meh don’t tell me you are really falling for me? *giggles* ‘
Gun keep giggling only to freeze when he heard an unexpected reply from the professor.
‘ and if I am? ‘
He blinked a couple of times and saw seriousness in Off’s eyes,
‘ then let’s be—‘
‘ Professor Off ‘ a student council in charge of stage production interrupted, Off ruffle Gun’s hair. ‘ I better go back, and I’m pretty sure you have a class in a minute so better leave too ‘
‘ b-b-but ‘ Off didn’t even wait for Gun to finish his sentence and turn around slightly smacking his mouth for what he said earlier.
--
and if I am?
Like an echo those words kept on repeating inside Gun’s mind even after he’s already back to his dormitory, he just keep thinking about it. Off on the other hand is parked outside Gun’s dormitory.
‘ should I go and clear things up with him? Ah Off why did you have to answer him like that?! ‘
--
Friday
Aom sensed something weird happened between her friend Gun and her professor Off, it was pretty obvious the way they were acting, starting with the way they blushed in synch when they happen to bumped into each other entering the room, the way the two were alternatively stealing glances when the other is not looking, the way Gun is awfully quiet today and Off is trying so hard to keep the class alive. Leaning closer to Gun she asked, ‘ why are you two acting shy today? did you two kissed? Or something?’
‘ WE DID NOT DO SUCH THING!’ Gun yelled defensively making everyone’s attention spun to him, he snickered a cuss at Aom who is smiling in triumph when Off started making his way her friend.
‘ Phunsawat, stand up ‘
Gun closed his eyes before awkwardly staring at the professor ‘ Sir ‘
‘ Outside ‘
Gun followed Off outside the room pouting, ‘ what was that all about? ‘
‘ nothing ‘ he answered playing with his shoes ‘ she just teased me about something ‘
‘ something like? ‘
Gun rolled his eyes at the professor’s naughty tone as if he is having fun scolding him so he stood closer and start to tease the latter.
‘ something like… us kissing ‘
Off step backward as making a fake cough, Gun’s lips quirked up
‘ oho, what’s up with this reaction sir? Stepping backward from me, making a fake cough, opening one button of your top, uncomfortably adjusting your tie, and your adams apple *gestures index finger moving up and down* eh, it feels like you somehow want that idea ’
‘ stop assuming ‘
‘ no way sir, you seriously want the idea of us kissing, if that so.. why not just date me? ‘ Gun confidently asked, Off take a glimpse and saw the rest of the class looking at their direction, he straighten his posture and said in a calm manner.
‘ stop this nonsense, go back to your seat and behave ‘
A hint of happiness is obvious on Gun’s expression and a hint of uneasiness is visible on Off’s, never the less the class continued as if it was nothing.
1 message from Mama:
Son, I left a package of newly picked fruits at the lounge kindly bring it to Baifern. You do remember her right? I’ll forward you their address, we were in a hurry so we can’t drop them off myself. Anw take care son and thank you. Love you.
Gun stare at the address pinned below the message and excitedly went to the Adulkittiporn’s residence,
--
Gun didn’t know Off’s older sister is a chatterbox not until now, when he arrived his excitement went down to 0 when he found out Baifern is the only one home, Off is still at the university managing the pageant, Mr. Adulkittiporn went to an important trip and Mrs. Adulkittiporn is out with her friends, the only thing good about it is, Baifern was nonstop talking about Off being serious and uptight since childhood, about Off only having two relationship in the past ... one was Off’s puppy love and the last one was the person he almost married, that Off takes every matter seriously specially in relationship, that Off is hard to read but you can always believe in his decision making, that the more Off like someone; the more he treasure them, the more he tends to be more careful with his actions.
‘ err, why are you telling me all this? ‘
Baifern shrugged giving him a sweet smile, ‘ wait here for a moment I’ll call Off to send you home, I kept you here long enough that is already dark outside ‘
Gun was about to protest telling her he can go back to his dormitory on his own but the latter already left and went to her room. He sighed and observe the living room, strolling around he let out a smile looking at some frames with Off’s younger pictures in it, in one picture he is even being strangled on the neck by Baifern but he was not giving away any reaction, he decided to sit down on the sofa again when he noticed a sketchpad near the dining room, checking if Baifern is back and saw she’s still not here he went to the sketchpad, he gasped finding himself in every page of it, most importantly looking at the bold letters written in the cover of it indicating the name of the owner.
OFF JUMPOL ADULKITTIPORN
Off hurriedly drive back home when his older sister threaten him to give Gun a tour inside his room if he won’t leave the university the moment they hang up the phone, at the moment Gun is already inside his car and they are on their way to his dormitory, the atmosphere between them is so awkward that he can’t help but stop the car when he saw an empty playground near Gun’s dormitory.
‘ are you planning to make me walk from here? ‘
‘ no, I just feel like.. enjoying the breeze of the night first then I’ll drive you to your dorm. The swings are empty, we can sit on it for some minutes ‘
The professor felt more uneasy when Gun followed him without saying a word, they sat down individually to the swing, and Off needed to hide his smile when he noticed Gun’s feet almost didn’t reach the ground when he sat on it.
‘ Sir ‘ Gun spoke up while his gaze is stuck on his fingers,
‘ hmm? ‘
‘ do… you.. perhaps like me too? Romantically? ‘ the question thrown caught him off guard and he massaged his temple hard when Gun followed up his questions with a confession
‘ I… saw a sketchpad in your house with your name on the cover, inside it was sketches of me… I—don’t want to assume but… even your actions lately are enough to support the thought of you actually liking me the way I like you ‘
‘ Phunsawat ‘
‘ And I know, I know you don’t want to be in a relationship with me, you already told me that for a million times and I sort of accepted it now that being in a relationship for you is a serious matter it was pretty obvious specially when Baifern is always giving me hints with that. All I’m asking from you right now sir is the truth…
do you really have feelings for me as well? Because if you don’t and those meant nothing… you should say it now so I can stop myself getting too excited for nothing ‘
Off went in front of Gun and kneel, resting his elbow at Gun’s knees, while lifting Gun’s head to look at him, ‘ The truth is…
.
.
.
.
.
.
I do…I’ve been liking you for a long time now, stupid’