Yaya was confident in her decision. She walked into the restaurant ready to close both the chapters. Mario saw her and waved at her. She waved at him and then had a jaw dropping experience when she saw Nadech next to him, smiling at her.
How could she break up now? The decision was made solely due to Nadech’s recent appearance, so how could she break up now and make him think that he still has some kind of influence and importance in her life? She wanted to clearly show him that she has moved on and there no importance to him whatsoever in her life. So for now she decided to listen to the advice given by her friends and to leave the situation as it is.
Mario went up to her, walked her to the table and pulled a chair out for her. Nadech immediately stood up and greeted her with an enthusiastic smile. It’s like he had been waiting for ages to get another glimpse of her.
Nadech: (ears turning red, smiling) Hello Yaya.
Yaya could clearly see how desperate he was for her attention. Anjali’s words kept ringing in her mind “You should have observed the way he kept looking at her. Not once did he take his eyes off of her. He looked desperate for her attention”.
He clearly couldn't take his eyes off of her. She was psychology student after all; she was obviously studying everything he was doing. Yaya gave his one sharp look and greeted him back.
Yaya: (smiling with mild sarcasm) Hello Khun ….. I’m sorry I dint get your name. You know with everything that happened in the afternoon, I just can’t remember. I am so sorry.
Nadech: (smiling) NADECH. And it’s alright Yaya. NO worries.
Yaya: (smiling awkwardly) Hello Khun Nadech.
Nadech was not even this close to getting hurt. In fact he had feared that she wouldn’t even talk to him. He had always seen the bubbly and sweet side of her, so she being feisty was only peaking his interest in her.
Everyone sat down at their table.
Mario: Ya, I’m so sorry. I dint want to leave Nadech alone since he just arrived today and dad wasn't at home either. Also I dint want to cancel with you, so I asked him to join us without asking you first. I hope you don’t mind.
Yaya: (smiling) Come on P’ he is your brother so he is definitely OUR guest for today. I seriously don’t mind.
Nadech: (smiling) Thank you Yaya. It’s my pleasure.
Mario: (raising his brows at her and teasing) So Ya, how come you initiated the dinner this time. This is so new of you. I guess Mario’s magic is definitely working on you.
Yaya: (Tapping his hand lightly) Well… Before I can even think of it you always invite me, so this time I beat you to it that’s all. (Giving him a flirty smile) And about the ‘magic’, I guess we should talk about it in PRIVATE.
Mario: (smiling) Alright babe.
Yaya: Tonight’s dinner is on me guys and no buts or I’ll leave.
Even before the boys could interrupt, Yaya continued.
Yaya: (leaning a bit ahead, resting her elbow on the table and cupping her chin) So Khun Nadech, our guest of honor, what would you like to have?
Nadech: (giving her a flirty smile) Oh me… I will have a papaya salad, strawberry milkshake and salmon cream cheese with exxxtra cheese.
Yaya’s hand dropped and she was taken aback.
Mario: (annoyed) Come on Na, have some ‘man’ food for a change. Let’s have some spicy pork like the good old days.
Nadech: Today I’m in the mood for my favorite’s Oh.
Mario: Not again. (Turning to Yaya) Yaya, you know what, from the time Na has come back from Norway he has changed so much. These are his comfort food esp. when he is sad. He has them at least 2 times a week.
(Turning to Nadech) Anyways good for you bro, Yaya will give you company because these are her favorites too. You two are soul mates on this one.
Nadech and Yaya looked at each other with tension growing in the room. Yaya quickly diverted the tension.
Yaya: (touching his shoulder) Come on P’, I will give you company today. Let’s have some pork because (glancing at Nadech) I’m bored of my regular choices. (Looking back at Mario) This is going to be a nice change.
The food was ordered.
Nadech: So Yaya, Mario told me that you are currently pursuing your Masters in Psychology.
Yaya: (Looking straight at him with a sarcastic smile) That’s right, At first I dint want to hurry up with my Masters
after graduating my degree in Psychology because I thought I was good at studying people. But it turns out, I need more experience in figuring out the mind set of people and their actions. So I decided to do my masters in the same field.
Nadech understood that she was referring to him and only him. He could see that she was hurt more than he had imagined her to be. He knew that it was not going to be easy to receive her forgiveness.
Mario: Look our food has arrived. Can’t wait to dig in.
Yaya took the first bite. It was delicious. Apparently with all that was going on, Yaya dint really hear the word “spicy” in spicy pork. It took a minute or two for the chilly to really kick in. It was getting hotter and hotter. She dint want to get any attention and just wanted to be done with this dinner so she continued stuffing her mouth to mask the heat. Her water intake increased. When she started to sweat a bit too much, Nadech took notice and inquired immediately.
Nadech: (worried) Yaya is something wrong? Is this too spicy?
Mario: Yaya are you alright?
She just couldn't take it anymore.
Yaya: (turning to Mario) Please get me something sweet. Hurry.
Mario quickly headed to the waiter and followed him to the kitchen. The minute Mario was out of sight, Nadech went and sat right next to her and offered her strawberry milkshake.
Nadech: (worried, offering her) Here, Yaya. Please have this and you will feel better.
Yaya: (angry) Go away. I don’t want anything from you.
Nadech: Yaya, you can be angry with me later but please have this now.
Nadech got the glass closer to her but she pushed his hand away.
Yaya: (angrier, coughing) I said, I don’t need anything from you.
Nadech couldn't see her suffer. He cupped her chin with one hand, held the glass in the other and forced it down her throat, like feeding a 5 year old kid who was being stubborn. Before she could even react, he took a spoon, scooped a bit of the ice cream floating in his milkshake and fed her. To soothe her burning lips he applied some ice-cream on using his finger. He blew some cool air onto her lips and finally she felt relieved. He then took a napkin and cleaned the melting ice cream off of her lips, ever so gently, and all she could do was look deep into his eyes trying to figure out his actions.
She was definitely taken aback by his sweet gesture. Confusion took over her. Why was he doing all of this? What could his intentions be? She kept looking into his eyes trying to find her answers. He on the other hand, couldn’t take his eyes off of her either. It had been way too long since he was this close to her. He took in the full image of her face till his heart’s content. He had missed her so much.
Mario’s voice broke their moment. Nadech put the milkshake in front of her and shifted back to his seat. Mario had come with a cup of sugar. He then noticed that Nadech had given his milkshake to her by then.
Mario: Oh man! Why didn't I think of that? Thank you brother. That bloody waiter took forever to give a cup of sugar. (Turning to Yaya and holding her hands) How are you feeling now sweetheart? I’m so sorry Ya. I ordered the extra spicy version. I should have asked you first. I am such an idiot.
Mario was such a sweetheart himself. Yaya had no problems with him whatsoever. Any other girl in her place would have definitely fallen for him, hard. She knew she was not on the same page as him but the least she could do was to be sweet and respectful to him.
Yaya: (sweet and smiling) Aweee don’t worry P’ I’m aright. I’m sorry na, I should have said something to you. I’m not really a fan of spicy food. I can tolerate the heat to some level but not to this extent.
(Turning to Nadech, smiling and trying to be polite) Thank you Khun Nadech.
Nadech: That’s alright Yaya. And please don’t be so formal with me.
Mario: That’s right Ya. He is my brother so you don’t have to be so formal since we all are going to be in the same college anyway.
Nadech: We are friends from henceforth Yaya so you just call me Nadech.
Yaya threw a sharp look at him.
Yaya: Alright. But I will address you as P’Nadech since you are as old as P’Oh.
Mario: (laughing) A ha! I knew it. Nice try brother. I have been trying to get her to call me ‘Mario’ from past 2 months so it was obvious that she wouldn't call you like that.
