He called at noon. It was one short ring, a signal that he was out of money and wanted me to call him back. I did.
- Where are you? asked Chalerm.
- At home. Where are you?
- BMA.
- You are in Bangkok?
- No. I am in Petchabun.
- Really? When are you coming back?
- Not say.
- Ok. See you later. Bye!
- Bye!
He was not in Petchabun. The phone line from Petchabun sounded like short wave radio. This call was quiet and clear. BMA meant Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, an acronym Thais sometimes used for the capital.
I was just about to go out. I had things to do. I had to pay for water, electricity and the phone in the apartment, plus give films to the lab for development, plus eat. I realised that Chalerm had called because he wanted me to be home when he returned. But I could only play along with this opposite-speak for so far. He could arrive in five minutes or in five hours. Was I supposed to sit and wait for him regardless?
I called him back.
- I am going out now, I said. – I have things to do.
- Up to you, said Chalerm in a short way. – Finished? He asked.
- Yes, that was all, I said.
Obviously I was expected to wait for him regardless.
When I came home two hours later he was sitting behind the computer, hiding with his head low behind the monitor and not saying anything. He was hoping I didn’t see me so he could startle me again.
- Hello tee rak, I said.
- Hellooooooo, screamed Chalerm.
He got up from ran towards me. He jumped up and put his arms around my neck and locked his legs around my waist. This was quite a power-hug.
I carried him like this towards the bedroom. I put him down on his back. Kiss kiss. Snuggle.