Just before they went into the library building, Pun announced to his cronies:
"I have something to show you."
Toey and Fai exchanged curious glances.
"It's in the boot of my car."
Pun opened the boot and brought out the large framed picture. Toey and Fai could only see the back of the frame.
"Whose picture is that?" Fai asked.
Pun smiled and turned the frame over.
Both Fai and Toey's jaws dropped with shock.
Toey pointed to the picture.
"Is that not the picture that Mick posted on his Instagram?"
Pun gave a quick nod.
"Did you print it out and had it framed?" Fai wanted know.
"No, but Mick did and he gave it to me on Saturday."
Fai snapped her fingers.
"So that was the reason why he called me asking for your home address."
Looking at Fai, Toey asked.
"Do you think Mick likes Pun?"
"I think he does," Fai offered without hesitation.
"I do not think he likes me," Pun said impatiently as he put the picture back into the boot and locked it.
"And you are in denial," Toey said as they made their way into the library building.
Once seated, they started working on the proposal for the creative writing program.
Once the proposal is done, they would submit it to the Chancellor.
It was during this employment when Toey received a text message on his phone.
The message simply read: "Come to the office."
"I am going to the restroom," Toey said almost apologetically.
Toey left the library.
At the Chancellor's office, Toey gave his name to secretary before she went into the office.
"The Chancellor will see you now," the secretary informed Toey when she came out.
Toey entered and closed the door but did not go further.
"Come here," Chancellor Metha commanded.
"I should not be here," Toey mumbled nervously.
"Come here," the Chancellor repeated his command again.
As Toey moved towards the great desk the Chancellor rose to meet him.
"You promised....." Toey's voice trailed off.
"I broke my promise because I had to see you. Besides, a promise is better broken than kept," Chancellor Metha teased with a naughty twinkle in his eye.
"I am leaving," Toey turned away.
"Toey, Please," Chancellor Metha held his arm preventing his escape.
Toey entreated with pleading eyes.
"We agreed not see each other here at the University."
The Chancellor held Toey passionately in his arms.
"I know, my darling. But nothing else lives in me but you. I do not do anything but think of you. And all I want is to be near you."
"Should we be found out, I will be ruined."
Chancellor Metha sat down and pulled Toey onto his lap.
"I will not allow that."
"We cannot be seen together," Toey looked nervously at the door.
"I know that but we are safe here in my office," Chancellor Metha assured Toey.
"I cannot imagine what your wife will do if she finds out about us."
"I do not care if she finds out. Can't you tell by the way I kiss you that you are what I love."
Toey tried to stand up.
"I must go. My friends will wonder where I am."
"Nothing will keep me away from you," Chancellor Metha mumbled in between kisses.
Toey ended the kiss and stood up.
"I shall see you again, won't I?"
"Maybe, I don't know," Toey signed with uncertainty.
"I have to see you," Chancellor Metha said as pulled Toey onto his lap again.
As Pun and Fai made their way to the Chancellor's office, the former said.
"I wonder where Toey is?"
"I do not know. Did you not find him in the restroom?"
"No, I did not," Pun answered.
"And he is not answering his phone either," Fai added while looking at her own phone.
"This is very strange."
"Toey needs to be here when we make our presentation to the Chancellor."
"I will call him this time."
They paused as Pun called Toey.
"Is it ringing?" Fai asked.
"Yes, and he is not answering."
"I guess we will have to do the presentation without him."
Pun and Fai could not hide their surprise when the secretary ushered them into the Chancellor's office and found Toey was already there.
"Why didn't you tell us you were coming here," Fai whispered softly to Toey when they stood beside him.
"It's a long story," Toey whispered back.
"Do you have the grant proposal ready?" Chancellor Metha asked.
"Yes, Sir. We do."
Pun came forward and placed the document in front of Chancellor Metha.
The Chancellor looked through the proposal.
"So it's for a creative writing program?"
"Yes, Sir," Fai spoke up.
"It's a two week program where students can immerse themselves in the art and craft of creative writing."
While Toey explained further.
"We have developed the program in such a way that a student can choose a single core course which could be poetry, fiction or play writing."
"We have also curated a list of accomplished writers who can share their experiences with students who are passionate about writing," Pun added as he looked at his friends and the Chancellor.
The Chancellor now informed them.
"A grant approval letter would be sent to the finance department. And then the necessary funds would allocated to the writer's club."
Pun, Fai and Toey smiled.
"On behalf of the writers club we thank you so much."
Nari leaned over the coffee table and reached for a cube of chocolate.
She placed the chocolate confectionery into her mouth with a delicious moan.
"This one is very sweet and creamy on the inside," she made this observation to Champ.
Champ was on a Zoom meeting.
"Is the chocolate that nice?"
Nari nodded emphatically. "You should try some."
She reached for another chocolate cube.
"I will after I am done with my meeting," Champ said after making his camera was off and audio was muted.
"A good friend of mine gave me beehive last month," Nari licked strays of sweet chocolate off her finger.
"A beehive?" Champ said. "What an odd gift to give."
"I was horrified at first because because I didn't know if I wanted to become a beekeeper. But I looked up beekeeping online.and decided to give it a try."
"I would never have imagined my landlady as an aparist."
"Me too, but now love talking to the bees when I am alone in the house."
Upstairs, Pun got ready for a cinema date with Beer.
He selected a long sleeve crewneck sweater with white cotton shorts and leather loafers.
Pun looked at himself in the mirror before strapping on a black leather watch and running a brush through his hair.
When he comes downstairs his Uncle asked.
"Are you going out?"
"I am meeting up with a friend at the cinema."
"Just be home by ten and stay safe."
"Drive safely," Nari said with a soft smile.
"I will," Pun bowed his head to his Uncle and Nari before running out the door.
In the heart of the Siam neighborhood, Beer waited patiently at the Scala cinema for Pun.
Arriving at venue, Pun found Beer with his hands in his pockets of his jeans while looking down at the floor.
"Beer."
Beer looks up and smiles when he saw Pun.
"Did you wait long?"
Pun asked after Beer gave him a hug.
"I can wait an eternity for you if I have to," Beer said as he took out his wallet.
Pun became dizzy with sparks of perfect happiness.
"I am going to buy us popcorn and soda. I have already purchased the tickets."
Pun nodded, as his head swam sweet thoughts and and emotions.
Inside of the cinema transported one back into time with it's charming retro feel. As it was built back in 1967.
They sat down on the red velvet seats just as the movie was about to start.
In between eating popcorn and soda sips while watching the movie, their hands brushed against each other.
"Sorry about that," Beer apologized shyly.
"Don't be. It's fine." Pun felt his cheeks coloring.
Beer reached out and took Pun's hand.
He gave it a gentle squeeze.
"You have warm hands."
Pun smiled.
Caressing Pun's hand, Beer requested.
"May I hold your hand a little longer?"
"You can hold my hand."
From this point on Pun felt his cheeks heat up as everything felt like a consuming fire.
A bolt of excitement rocked through his veins while ecstasy pooled in the pit of his stomach.
The movie was over.
Beer and Pun came out of the cinema with the former still hold the latter's hand.
"Did you enjoy the movie?" Beer asked.
"Very much. It has an interesting plot."
They now exchanged a long lingering gaze.
"I really enjoyed your company tonight."
Pun smiled and said.
"Then let's do it again."
They smiled at each as they walked to their cars.
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