Chapter 12: Chapter 10

"Are you okay, Phuwin?" Beer asked me as soon as our professor left the lecture hall.

"Yeah. I'm good. Why?"

"You looked lost, haggard and sick. Did you have another fever last night?"

"None. Just don't get enough sleep."

"Do you want to go back to the dorm early?"

"Nah. I'm good."

"Are you sure? You might have a fever again."

"Maybe not. I mean, I'm just tired not stressed."

"You know you have the privilege to rest anytime. The school gave it to you after what happened last month."

I smiled at Beer. "I'm good, Beer. You don't have to worry too much. I can still go on and finish our last subject today. Besides, if I can't do it anymore, I will not force myself. I am fully aware of the body's capacity and limitations."

"Okay. Let me know if you are not feeling well in advance okay."

"I will, Beer. Thanks."

"Let's go. Let's grab something at the cafeteria."

I nodded my head and immediately picked up my bag. Beer and I walked out of the room together.

We walk in silence until we arrive at the cafeteria. I choose to grab a meal so that I won't have to eat later when I get home. I also feel sleepy because I didn't sleep well last night. I want to sleep immediately after our class, that's why I will eat my dinner as early as this time.

While we were looking for a table, I checked my phone again. I heaved a sigh when I didn't even see any notification. No message or a post on social media from him or from my brother. I am not sure if they are busy or what. My brother mentioned nothing about school activities or events during our last video call.

"Waiting for someone's update?"

I looked at Beer. I smiled at him and shook my head slightly.

"Kinda."

"Pond?"

"My twin."

"Sure? Why I can see in your eyes that you are waiting for an update from Pond."

"Misinterpreting someone's expression. is not good, Beer."

"I hope I am not misinterpreting you, Phuwin."

I just shook my head. I couldn't answer him anymore because he read me right. I'm looking forward to not only my brother's update, but also Pond's update. I want to know what is happening to him even though I pushed him away when he came to visit me here in the US. I want to know if he is okay at least in his posts on social media or in my partner's post. But, unfortunately, even my twin didn't update his social media. Our last conversation was last month. The ones I always talk to are my parents and Fot. But, I can't ask Fot.

I quietly finished my meal and Beer did the same. After we finished our food, we went back to our room for our next subject.

"Phuwin" I looked at Beer as he called my name.

"Why?"

"Here." He handed his cell phone to me. I tilted my head and looked at him confusedly.

"What do I do with your cell phone?"

"I asked something to my brother. Remember, P'Win is Pond's friend."

"Beer."

"I have never read someone wrong Phuwin. You can lie to anyone but not to me."

"Beer."

"Just read P'Win's message. He also has an update to your brother."

I heaved a deep sigh, trying to hide my excitement nang kunin ko ang cellphone ni Beer.

Beer is a Thai like me, but he is not an exchange student. After his brother P'Win graduated from high school, they migrated to the US. I already met P'Win the day I was discharged from the hospital,

P'Win was Pond's high school friend. They knew each other since they were from the same club. They became close when Pond became the sports club vice president and P'Win was the president.

Pond: "I'm good phi.  Busy with studies and school activities. I'm also busy with my new organization."

Win: organization? why? you know u can't handle conflicting schedules. why did you join an org wen u r bc w/ ur studies?

Pond: I need a diversion. I need to divert my attention to something.

Win: heart problem? that was ur issue since u were in hs. Was it still the same guy?

Pond: yes Phi.

Win: you still stick with your promise. I salute you for that.

Pond: I never break my promise, phi.

Win: nice. but can you really w8? 2 yrs is too long Pond. What if he found someone?

Pond: I don't know. I hope he won't. But even if he found someone, I would still keep my promise to his parents.

Win: Okay. good luck. Anyway, what are you doing? I mean the org?

Pond: we are organizing a lot of charity events for the animal shelter we choose to help. We have to performed everyday, everywhere, to collect enough founds so that we can buy food and other needs of the animals in the shelter.

Win: Ooohhh! That's good. But performing every day, everywhere is too much. Are you sure you're okay?

Pond: Yeah. I can manage. It's my only way.

Win: Want me to pull some strings? You know, I can help you.

Pond: Hahahaha. As much as I want, it's a no. I'm still good. I can still manage. Besides, I can still see him every day.

Win: man, you're so down bad. I will wait for some good news after two years.

Pond: Thanks phi.

After I read the entire conversation, I gave back to his phone.

I don't understand what is happening. Based on Pond and Win's messages, it seems like Pond and Gemini are not in a relationship yet. He is still waiting for my brother to finish his studies. And my parents are aware of his feelings towards my twin. But why is that? I mean, Pond and Gemini are okay. As far as I know, they are okay. But based on Pond's message, something happened. And he needs to distract himself. What happened? Did they fight Was Fotfot involved in it? Was Fourth already aware of what is going on between my twin and Pond?

But it's impossible. Fotfot will not do anything bad. I think I need to call my twin later.

"You're okay now?" Beer asked, cutting the trail of my thoughts.

"Kinda." I shrugged my shoulder.

"Can you smile now?"

"Why?"

"I want to see your smile. I want to see you smiling all the time."

"And why is that?" I smile at him.

"You look good when you smile."

"I know that. Hahahaha."

Beer also laughed while shaking his head.

"But, seriously Phuwin. You looked good when you were smiling. I hope you will smile every day."

"Let see. It's hard to smile when you're stressed at school."

"Then, can I make you smile every day?"

"How?"

"Hmm? Let me plan for that. Will you allow me to make you smile every day?"

"You don't have to plan it Beer. You don't need any permission from me also. You always make me smile. Knowing that we are friends already made me smile."

After finishing our class, I went straight to the dorm to rest. I'm so sleepy and anytime my eyes will shut down on their own. When I arrived at the dorm, I just cleaned my body and changed my clothes. I dived into my bed immediately, grabbed my phone, and checked all my social media accounts but in the end, I regret doing it. I shouldn't check any social platforms. I should have gone straight to sleep just like how my body wants it.

Gemini posted photo of him and Pond. Pond's chin was resting on Gemini's shoulder. They are both smiling. Looks like everything is okay between them. Perhaps I was just overthinking things I shouldn't have.