Chapter 5

[5. C.U]

The next day, Kobsook went along with Dae for his high school graduation ceremony. He had asked Aroon also to come along with them but Aroon somehow managed to escape saying he had to go to a friend's party. Aroon can't even imagine a situation in which he has to see Teachers, students and everyone appreciating Dae. That is worse than death for him.

All were surprised at Dae's result since he was always just an above average student. No one expected this high grades from Dae. Dae was always not able to score high because of Aroon. He will beat him if he score high. Also Aroon won’t let him study at home. He would make him write his assignments all the time or make him do some other works or if he is in a good mood, he would just ask him to watch a movie or drama on his tab or in their home theatre.

Aroon had once made him watch a horror movie alone at night, in the dark theatre room at high volume and locked him from outside. He don’t know what happened that day. He only remember screaming and passing out after first five minutes. Next day morning he woke on his bed.

Anyway this time, Dae decided to give his best in the exam no matter what. He wanted to score good, at least the last time before he leaves his high school. He concentrated well in class and studied everything from class itself and brought out this result. Actually he could have become the first if he got some time to study at home.

After the ceremony, Kobsook and Dae drove back home. On the way back, they stopped to eat lunch at a nice restaurant. Kobsook ordered all the special dishes in the restaurant since it was Dae's day. He also bought chocolate Ice-cream which was Dae’s favourite thing in the whole world. And they talked a lot. Dae was not always able to speak to Kobsook, because Aroon don't like it. But today he was totally relieved since he was free from Aroon's threatening eyes and it of course was one of the best days for Dae.

"Dae baby, so tell me. What are you going to study next ? which university do you want to go to? “Kobsook asked once they hopped back into the car after lunch, heading back home.

"Oh..ahm..I don't know...I haven’t though about it yet." Dae said.

“ Don’t you know where your interest lies. Which subject do you like more ?”

“ I like Physics and Maths. I think I would major in any of the two.”

“ So what about business studies or engineering ? Business is a whole lot of maths. And engineering is mostly physics and maths. I prefer you take business. We already have an engineer.”

“ No Dad..I don’t want to learn business. I actually don’t like business matters. And engineering.. I don’t think I am good for that. I won’t flourish in that field. And it’s hard to learn. I am not intelligent like pêe chaai. And I am not good at drawing and all like him.”

Kobsook laughed. “ You are intelligent , okay ? Maybe more intelligent than Aroon. So don’t say that. And you don’t need to have the skill of drawing to become an engineer. Okay anyway so you just want to major in physics or maths ? What are you gonna do after that?”

“Dad, I think I like teaching. I don’t like office jobs that much. I wanna become a physics teacher I guess.” Dae said a bit nervous, not sure about Kobsook’s response.

“ Oh..I didn’t expect that. So you are not interested in looking after our business. Hmm..so, Aroon will have to deal everything alone. You know, I was actually thinking to hand over our business and company to both of you and rest somewhere.”, Kobsook said and left a sigh. “Anyway, it’s okay. You should study what you like. It’s your choice.”

“ Thanks Dad.”, Dae smiled.

“ Okay then let’s apply for physics in C.U. I am sure you will get admission in merit."

" Dad...you mean pêe chaai's college ?" Dae asked in panic.

"Yeah of course. CU is the best university in Bangkok. And it's the nearest college from our home. And you both can go and come back together. Uhmm..why you look shocked. What's wrong Dae ?" Kobsook asked looking at the scared boy in front of him.

" Oh..ahmm..I..nothing. okay, let's apply in some other colleges too. What if I don't get admission in CU.

" You will surely get admission in merit boy." Kobsook laughed. " If not, I am here, right ? I will do everything for the admission tomorrow itself. Don't worry about that. Hey, why you don't look happy ?"

"Oh...yes...I am happy." Dae lied. He was thinking how Aroon was going to react on hearing this decision of Dad's. Of course Aroon won't be happy but he will be mad, really mad.

"Dae..what are you thinking? You don't look so happy like you said. Don't you like to go to CU ?"

"Dad..actually I though to go to some college away from home. So that I can stay at dorm and make a lot of friends. I wanted to experience hostel life."

" What's the need of going to some other university when we have the best university near our home ? Everybody wants to go to the college near their home. Ahh..You are so unique. And Dae, hostel life is not something so great like you think. You know, seniors will try to rag juniors, make them do their works and all. And even make their life a hell if they don't do what they say. It's dangerous. So It's better to be a day scholar." Kobsook said the emphasizing the last part, so as to persuade Dae to apply for CU itself.

Dae thought about what his Dad just told. That's exactly what is happening at home. He is sure, hostel life will be at least a little bit better. He bit his lip and looked down thinking ways to convince his Dad to apply in some other university.

" What are you thinking ? Oh..Dae, is there something wrong between you and Aroon ? Is there some problem ? Is that why you don't want to go to CU ?"

"No Dad, there's no problem, nothing like that." Dae said and gave a perfect fake smile.

" So we shall apply for CU, right ?"

" Oh..uhmm..yeah.", Dae nodded smiling while he was actually dying inside thinking about the things going to happen next in his life.

******

Aroon was not at home when Kobsook and Dae reached back. Kobsook went to his office after dropping Dae at home. Dae went to his room and simply lied on his bed since he had nothing else to do. After sometime he heard the sound of TV from downstairs. He realized Aroon has reached back home but he didn't dare to go downstairs and get into some trouble. Dae always tries to keep himself away from his step brother's sight since he know Aroon don't like to see his face.

Aroon kept on watching TV. After sometime he got bored and decided to go to his room. As he walked upstairs, he wondered why his Dad and stepbrother was taking this much time to come back. When he reached near Dae's room, he felt someone's presence inside and he peeped inside since the door was not closed.

"Oh..so you were here? Why didn't you come downstairs to annoy me? How was the day with My Dad?" Aroon asked emphasizing ' My Dad' a little too much, leaning on the door frame.

"It was good" Dae said sitting up on his bed.

"So..what is your next plan?" Aroon asked looking directly at the youngers eyes. Dae felt nervous. Aroon will kill him if he says that Dad has decided to send him to CU.

"Plans..? I- I actually haven't decided yet." He said looking everywhere else but at Aroon's face.

"Oh..so you have not decided? Make it fast. Don't you want to take my Dad away from me ? Make him hate me?"

"P'Aroon...what!? I don't have any such plans. I was talking about my studies."  Dae replied with now teary eyes.

"Oh..is that so? You make plans. I am here to ruin it, whatever it is." Aroon scoffed. "Okay..what are you gonna major in university? "

" Uhmm...physics."

" Physics ?" Aroon asked confused, scrunching his eyebrows together. " I know you are lying. Aren't you planning to major in business?"

" No. I don't like business a bit. Why would I choose it. And why would I lie to you ?" Dae asked.

" Physics huh ? No..you choose history."

" I don't like it."

" You do what I say. You are gonna major in history."

" I don't like it pee chaai. And what's your problem in me choosing physics? I want to become a physics teacher. I will go away from here as soon as I get a job. I won't come and poke my nose in your business or anything. Just at least let me study what I like, please.." Dae pleaded. The last sentences came out weak.

The younger’s expression was one of sorrow and hurt. He looked so weak. For some reason, Aroon honestly felt sad on seeing the younger's teary eyes. So he turned his heels and walked away without saying a word. Dae felt relieved. Today Aroon was not that bad to him. At least he didn't call him bad names. But soon he started feeling scared thinking about what is going to happen when Aroon knows he is going to study in CU.