Present Day - Jomtien

Khun Adi’s private bus was air-conditioned and comfortable. Everyone spent the two-hour drive singing and playing games and clapped as the bus passed the big Pattaya sign. 

Inside the hotel lobby, Khun Adi checked in and handed out room keys. “Here you go. Run, Mek, you two share a room.”

“Do I get a room of my own, Dad?” asked Tin.

“No, you'll be sharing a room with your mother and me,” said Khun Adi. Tin frowned slightly but said nothing. 

“Ohm, Win, you're sharing a room,” said Khun Adi as he handed Win a key.

“Thank you, Khun,” said Win.

“Oooh, yes, thank you so much!” said Ohm.

"Fah, you will be sharing with Kasem." Khun Adi handed the key to Kasem. Fah nodded in agreement and gave a slight smile. 

Kasem was Manao's older brother, the middle child of the Thakur family. He, Fah, and Sakda (the oldest brother) spent years hanging out together when Fah was dating Manao. 

Kasem hadn't come out to his friends or family back then and Fah didn't know why, but he sensed it changed the dynamic in their friendship somehow. 

Kasem also felt strange rooming with Fah. It was no secret Fah missed Lom terribly and would have given everything to be sharing a room with him. Kasem felt like the consolation prize roommate. 

“Manao and Khun Korn, you two have private rooms,” said Khun Adi. “I, however, am the luckiest man, as I share a room with the most beautiful woman in the town.” 

“Who’s that?” laughed Mint.

“You, my love!” 

Everyone headed to their rooms. Thirty minutes later they met in the lobby and went to a nearby restaurant for lunch. 

At the restaurant they discussed their afternoon plans: some were going to Jomtien beach, some wanted to shop, others wanted to explore the town. They agreed on a time to meet for dinner at Khun Korn’s chosen restaurant. 

At dinner, they shared their adventures and recommended places to each other. Mek suggested going to a dance club that evening, somewhere gay-friendly. Run suggested a place he’d heard about. Ohm, Win, Khun Korn, Kasem, and Manao agreed to join Mek and Run. Mint noticed Fah stayed silent and signaled Run.

“I know my brother won’t bail on me and stay in his room! You will celebrate with us tonight, won’t you?” Every face turned toward Fah. Several people encouraged him to go.

“I’ll come with you but, I can’t promise I’ll stay long,” Fah said.

“Can I come with you?” asked Tin.

“No, Tin, the clubs are for adults only. I found a place for you and I and your Dad to go to on the beach. Afterward, we'll have a special treat!” Tin's eyes lit up.

“Cool!” he said.

“Okay, everyone coming out to celebrate with us, go shower and be dressed and ready to go at 9 p.m. We’ll meet in the lobby. See you soon!” Mek couldn't stop smiling. Khun Korn paid the bill and everyone returned to their rooms.

“Does this outfit look good?” asked Run. He held up an outfit that made Mek blanche. 

“When the hell did you buy that? And where?” laughed Mek.

“I’ve always had it. I was waiting for the right opportunity to wear it,” Run said, winking.

“Showing me this outfit now, before we go out, was a mistake. All I want to do is see you in it and then take you out of it. Also, you are not allowed to show those body parts to anyone else! Do you know how hot you are?” Mek grabbed Run’s wrist and pulled him close. He started kissing Run’s neck.

“No, stop! Mek, I want to have the energy to dance. Plus, we have to keep Fah entertained. Somehow I don’t think it will be easy.”

“I’ll give him credit for trying. I know he’s your brother but can’t he pretend for one week? Even one night?  I think we should slip him something to make him relax,” said Mek.

“I can ask Manao if she has anything,” said Run. He called Manao. He nodded his head, said okay, and hung up.

“Manao has her Xanax with her. She reminded me it’s illegal to give it to anyone else since it is her prescription and she doesn’t want to give Fah anything unless it’s necessary, and only if he isn't drinking alcohol. I guess we have to find a drink that he likes and hope he doesn’t sit and stare at it,” said Run.

“Okay, make sure she brings one pill with her just in case,” said Mek.  “Now, how about you put that outfit on and show me how you…fill it out,” laughed Mek. “Are those ass-less shorts with a fishnet crotch?” 

Suddenly, a loud, rhythmic banging came from the wall on the left side of their hotel room. They stared at each other. “Who’s in the room next to us?” whispered Mek.

“Oh God, I hate to say it, but that’s my parent's room. They must be taking full advantage of Tin helping Fah find something to wear. Can we leave now? I don’t think I’ll be able to look my parents in the face again,” said Run with a pained expression.

“Why? I think it’s great that they still get romantic and wild in the sheets,” said Mek. “When we’re their age I want us to be the ones embarrassing everyone with our sex noises.” Run threw a pillow at him which he easily dodged. 

“I’m taking a shower and getting ready, care to join me?” Run hadn’t even finished speaking when Mek grabbed his wrist as he passed by and dragged him to the bathroom.

The pulsating music was loud and the dance floor was full as they entered. Khun Korn found a large table with a clear path to the dance floor but still far enough away from the speakers that they could hold conversations. 

Everyone sat down except for Ohm who screamed that the DJ was playing his jam and took off for the dance floor. 

Manao flagged down a server and everyone put in their drink orders. Win ordered for Ohm who was still visible bobbing up and down above the crowd. Fah ordered a beer but Mek grabbed the server and changed his order. 

The drinks arrived. A large coconut filled with a red liquid and a paper umbrella appeared in front of Fah. He insisted he’d ordered a beer. The hot, shirtless server explained the change. 

Fah exhaled, pursed his lips, and stared down the length of the table at Run and Mek. They raised their glasses and insisted everyone toast to their happiness. Fah lifted his coconut and joined in. He took a sip and had to admit the drink was quite tasty. It didn’t even taste like alcohol. 

Everyone at the table took turns toasting the new fiancés and each time Fah sipped his red concoction. Finally, it was his turn. He stood, laughed, and said, “To your love life and sex life, may they go on forever.” He sat back down still chuckling, and finished his drink. Kasem signaled the server for refills. Mek and Run relaxed, happy that Fah was having fun as well. 

Fah looked around the table and realized this was the first time he felt relaxed and happy in over two years. His new coconut cup arrived and, he immediately started sipping. Manao was laughing and telling him something about Ohm on the dance floor but Fah wasn’t listening. 

There were strategically placed dancers on platforms around the bar, all of them beautiful, shirtless, and wearing the shortest shorts Fah had ever seen. He found himself unable to take his eyes off one of the dancers and slowly realized the dancer was staring at him as well. At the next break, the dancer jumped down, grabbed a bottle of water, and came over to Fah.

“Hi, I noticed you liked my dancing,” he whispered in Fah’s ear. Fah turned beet red but his drink gave him the courage he needed.

“And I noticed you liked me watching,” said Fah. The dancer laughed.

“Touché! I did. My name is Thanwa, what’s yours?” 

“Fah.”

“Are these your friends? Are you on vacation or do you live here?”

“We’re celebrating my friends’ engagement,” said Fah as he gestured at Run and Mek. Thanwa toasted the happy couple as they rose to head to the dance floor. Khun Korn grabbed Manao and Kasem so Fah could have some privacy. Thanwa sat down in the chair next to Fah. 

“Are you free tonight? I’ve finished my shift. If you’d like, we can go somewhere quieter to talk,” said Thanwa. Fah thought about it.

“I’m not sure what to do,” he said finally. Thanwa looked at him curiously.

“Why don’t you do what you want to do?” he asked.

“My lover was murdered two years ago today, that’s why they’ve decided to hold the party tonight. Other than my time as a monk, this is the first time I've left my room. This is also the most I’ve spoken to anyone since that day.” Thanwa stared at Fah. “Oh God, that was too much, right? I’m so sorry.” 

“No, no, not at all. God, that must have been hard. I’m honored you chose to speak to me. It’s just that,” Thanwa didn’t finish the sentence.

“Just that you wanted something fun and uncomplicated and I fucked that up,” said Fah. “It’s okay, I understand. You can find someone else to have fun with tonight,” said Fah.

“No, why? I want to be with you. I was just going to say that it kind of puts a lot of pressure on me to keep you entertained, but I’m willing to try.” Thanwa leaned forward and kissed Fah on the lips before Fah had a chance to react. 

Fah froze for a second and then relaxed into the kiss. It had been so long he’d forgotten what a kiss felt like. Maybe this wasn’t love but possibly a night of hot sex could help him forget. 

Putting his hand behind Thanwa’s neck, he pulled him in closer and Frenched him deeply. He was happy to realize that his years of celibacy hadn’t affected his ability to get his rocket ready for launch. 

“Let’s go somewhere quieter,” he whispered into Thanwa’s ear. Thanwa smiled, stood up, and held his hand out for Fah.