After visiting the mall, Bass showed Godt the closest hospital, police station, and the Thai Embassy. He gave him tips on what Jeepney routes to take and other public transport systems he could use to travel to places he wanted to visit. The long walk around the city ended up in a public park.
"It's very hot!" Godt exclaimed, flapping the shirt from his chest to give air to his sweating body.
"Isn't it the same in Thailand?" Bass asked.
"Almost, except that it's not as sweltering hot as it is here in your country,"
Both guys sat on the bench under the shade of an Acacia tree. Not far from their spot was an old vendor selling Buko juice right under the next tree. Bass stood up and ran towards the vendor.
"Magkano manong?" (How much?) he asked, to which the vendor replied, "Bente pesos lang hijo" (Just 20 Pesos only, child)
"Dalawa manong" (Two cups, please)
Bass returned to their spot and gave Godt the other cup of Buko juice. "What's this?" Godt asked.
"It's called Buko juice," Bass answered. "It's made of young coconut meat and water mixed with milk and sugar," replied Bass.
Godt took one sip and liked it. He finished the whole cup in 3 gulps. "This tastes good!"
Bass just smiled and sipped his own drink. Thankfully after the jeepney ride, everything seemed to be in control already.
"I'm gonna take a pee," Godt said. Bass nodded and drank the last part of his juice.
* * * *
"Where's that guy already?" Bass remarked, craning his neck all over the park. It's been almost an hour since Godt left for the toilet.
Bass called his number, but it wasn't picking up. Beads of cold sweat started to form all over his forehead. "Oh God, something's not right," he said to himself. "Classes haven't even started yet. But I already feel like I'm going to be expelled because of this!" He started searching as it was nearing sunset. He went to the bathroom, but Godt wasn't there anymore. He walked past the flower gardens and still hasn't found him there either. The koi pond showed no shadow of him also. Finally, he trudged all the way to the open field and caught sight of Godt at last. He was taking photos with a group of school girls.
"Hoy!" (Hey!) Bass called out. "San ka ba galing?!" (Where have you been?) marching his way to him like an angry mother. When he made it right where Godt and the flock of girls are gathered, he eyed all the girls with a piercing look of a dog owner.
"Hoy kayo!" (Hey, you guys!) he exclaimed. "Magsi-uwian na nga kayo!" (Go home already!) "What are these kids doing, flirting at such a young age?" Bass thought into himself, appalled with their behavior.
"Nagpapa-picture lang naman kami dito kay Kuyang gwapo" (We're just asking for a picture with Mr. Handsome here) explained the girl holding the smartphone. "Kapatid mo?" (Is he your brother?) she added, pointing towards the confused Godt.
Bass's tongue got stuck behind his throat. "NO?!" he replied.
"Bakla ata bes. Tara na, jowa ata niya yan!" (Sis, he might be gay. Let's go, I think that's his boyfriend) quipped the other girl behind her and pulled their friend away from Bass and Godt.
"What the fuck! Sinong tinatawag nyong bakla?!" (What the fuck! Who do you think you're calling gay?) Bass retorted, pointing a finger towards them, cheeks flustering red in embarrassment.
"Oo na bes, sayo na sya!" (Right, we got it, girl. He's yours!) screamed the smallest one in the group. She had thick eyeglasses on her eyes and a few pimples right under them.
"What the f—!" Bass yelped and tried to run after them. The girls ran faster, giggling and laughing after successfully teasing Bass. "Tanginang mga bata to!" (Damn these kids!)
Bass went back to Godt, stomping as he goes. This time he gave him the angry dog owner stare.
"What's wrong with you? I almost waited an hour at the bench!"
"Oh—I got caught up here. There was a gathering of Samoyed dogs and I couldn't help but watch," Godt explained. "Then these small groups of girls here and there suddenly came up at me and would ask for a few photos or so, that's why I got more delayed than I expected to be"
"You should know I'm responsible for whatever happens to you," Bass whined. "What's the use of your phone if you can't answer a call?"
Godt grabbed his iPhone but noticed that the screen did not light up anymore. The power had died already.
"My phone just died," he remarked and showed him the useless device.
"Then bring a goddamn power bank!" Bass retorted angrily and stormed off. "We're done here! Let's go home,"
"Goddammit! I feel like taking care of a toddler!" grumbled Bass to himself as he went on walking. Godt followed behind him, and for the rest of their travel, they were not on speaking terms with each other. He remained a few steps behind the pouting shorty.
While the taxi was stuck in traffic, Godt attempted to engage in small talk.
"Khoon Bass," Godt mumbled. "Are you angry?"
"No, this is my happy face!" he replied sarcastically.
"Look, I'm sorry. This won't happen again, I promise," Godt swore with one palm raised in midair as if taking an oath.
"You're damn right this won't happen again!" Bass thought to himself. His eyes still gazed outside the window, arms crossed with each other over his fuming chest.
When the ride reached the New Siam gates, Godt hurried towards a convenience store across the street while Bass paid for the taxi fare. When he got off the car, Godt immediately gave him a can of soft drink. Bass stared back at him, unmoved.
"It's a peace offering," Godt said and smiled meekly.
"Go home and drink that," Bass replied and whacked Godt's arm out of the way. Bass's brash response got Godt pumped up in equal anger.
"What's your problem?!" Godt hollered. "I'm trying to cooperate here and I said I'm sorry! What do you want me to do? Get down on my knees and pray for your mercy?"
Bass's face flared up in anger upon hearing Godt's retaliation. "You know what?! This has been a total mistake! I should've never agreed to help you! Good luck going around you inconsiderate asshole!"
"Well you're just as ill-mannered as I am! Ai'Ngoh!"
"Wag mo kong ma ngoh-ngoh! Gago!" (Don't you dare call me stupid! Douchebag!)
And just like that, Bass stormed off and disappeared into the crowd of commuters going home.