Chapter 43
As he waits for the Helmans to meet him, Sun surveys the living room where he sits, and for him, nothing much has changed. Remote controls lay on top of the glass table, and beside them are today’s newspaper, whose puzzle Mr. Robert is fond of answering despite having more wrongs than right. Below it, in a little open compartment are the most current version of different magazines, which Mrs. Jane reads during her pastime. The new addition in the living room, Sun sees, is the small, makeshift altar beside the main door of the house. At its center stands an urn made of marble. Below its neck is engraved – in golden letters – the full name of Exeter. Just behind it is a picture of his Grumpy – full body – which Sun took himself when he once went to Pharm Botanical Research Institute to visit him. He goes to the altar and picks up the framed image, reminiscing the time from when he took it.
“Sawadee Grumpy,” said Sun upon getting his call picked up on the other line. He was carrying a bag with food containers and some take-out from a fast-food.
“Sawadee Snobby. Are you already here?”
“Krap P’. I’m at the lobby.”
“
Okay. You’re just in time. I’ll just disinfect and then go down there.”
“Hurry up Grumpy. I don’t want our food to get cold.”
“Okay. See you.”
Sun ended the call. After a few minutes, he saw Exeter disembark from one of the elevators directly ahead of where he was seated. His scientist-slash-boyfriend was wearing his laboratory uniform – a white coat extending to just below his knees. It has the insignia of the institute on the right chest. Exeter’s dark, long-sleeved polo shirt with necktie blends well with it.
“Did you wait long Sun?”
“No Grumpy. Shall we go now for lunch?”
“Not yet.”
“Why? Are you not yet hungry? It’s already lunch time.”
Exeter taps one cheek and puffs it out. Sun does know what this means.
“Exeter! Not here.”
“I won’t eat lunch until you give me it.”
“We are at the lobby, Grumpy. Others will see us.”
“Why? Are you afraid or embarrassed?”
“Not really. It’s just that I don’t want others to see.”
“I won’t eat until you give me a kiss,” answered Exeter, pouting and tapping his puffed-out cheek again.
“OKAY! OKAY!” said Sun. He frowned but not because he is angry, but because he really wants to kiss Exeter though not from where they are.
“You’re so cute when you’re looking like that,” said Exeter who puffs one cheek again and moves it close to Sun.
Sun gives Exeter a smack. However, they hear someone from behind Grumpy. “Ahem, Doctor Helman. Having a romantic time in the lobby, are we?” said the cold voice.
“Oh. Sawadee Doc P. Sun, this is my colleague – Doctor Patrick Neenga. We sometimes call him Doc P. Doc, this is my boyfriend, Dauwan Pitchitara, or Sun. He is currently studying to be a surgeon.”
“Sawadee Doctor Neenga.”
“Sawadee nong. You take care of Exeter. He will have a great contribution to humanity in the future.”
“Oh stop Doc P,” said Exeter, swiping his hand at his colleague.
“Anyway. I’ll get going for lunch. You two can join us if you like: I’m going with Seb.”
“No, thank you. Sun bought some food for our lunch.”
“I see. Well, see you later, Exeter, and I’ll see you around, N’Sun,” bid Dr. Neenga to the two.
“So, my boyfriend is cooking something for humanity. What is it, Grumpy?” asked Sun, as they walk out the lobby to go to the garden, which has tables and chairs. There is where most of the scientists at Pharm Institute go to take a break and relax.
“Well, it is still in the experimental stage, Snobby. All I can tell you now is that it will address world hunger.”
“When will you tell me what it is?”
“I will be going to Morocco for a conference about that. If it is successful, I’ll tell you more about it when I get back.”
“Deal?”
“Deal,” replied Exeter, taking the bag Sun was carrying. “Don’t you have a class today?” he asked.
“Just an exam, which I’ve been excused from because I already reached the ceiling grade for that subject.”
“And what is that grade?”
“95 percent.”
“I see. So, today is a free day for you?”
“Yes.”
“It’s good that you came here, because I really wanted to see you.”
“Why Grumpy? Is there a problem?”
“Yeah.”
“What is it?”
“I miss my Snobby so much,” said Exeter. He taps Sun’s nose with his forefinger.
Sun did not reply, but Exeter saw that his boyfriend blushed a bit with what he said. They continued until they reach a vacant table. Exeter, one-by-one, unbagged the items carefully, looking at each before placing it on the table.
“Wow! Thank you for the Champorado,” said Exeter, giving Sun a kiss on the cheek. Sun, arranging the disposable plates and utensils, suddenly stops.
“Grumpy! Someone might see us,” said Sun, his annoyance is visible.
“I don’t care if they see me kissing you,” replied Exeter. As an apology, he gives his Snobby another pat in the head that nearly ruined Sun’s hairdo.
“You know, you look good in that coat of yours. Let me take a picture of you before we start lunch.”
“Sure.”
“Okay. Stand there by that tree,” Sun said, pointing to a young tree just a few paces away from them.
The first pose was with Exeter’s hands inside the pocket of his coat. The second one was with his boyfriend’s hand on his back.
Right now, on the frame that Sun holds is the second picture that he took that day. “I hope you are happy wherever you are, Grumpy. Guide me, please. Be with me in my task,” said Sun, in an imploring tone because today – as if by fate – marks the first day of his mission to find out how and why Exeter died. He puts back the picture, and someone from behind shouts his name.