Jaran was not wrong about the Eco Thailand Pitch. It attracted all of Thailand's brightest architectural minds. Over two-hundred companies, vying for the golden contract of the year—worth over sixty-two-million Baht—to design what will become Thailand's newest eco village. It wasn't just about the money, it was also about the glory, the future opportunities that would follow after completing such an outstanding project.
Such opportunities scarcely came by for small architectural firms. The architectural industry was too nepotistic. You couldn't get a chance like that unless you had worked and clawed your way to the inner circle of the who is who in the industry, and even then, the chances were slim.
Everyone wanted in, but only fifty teams got invited to pitch in front of the panel from Japan. It was set to be a rigorous process. Out of the fifty, only ten companies would advance to the next level.
***
Nat, Varawut and I arrived right on time at the venue, our merry little band of three. We stood at the entrance, superman style, big smiles on our faces, excited by the greatness that awaited us. We could see the ray of sunshine, the light at the end of the tunnel, an end to the haggling we had endured from our landlords, the rain of contracts that would follow after we won, the end of the poverty that had befallen us—we were so sick of being broke.
That moment of euphoria didn't last long once other architectural firms began strolling past us. They had five to ten people on their teams, some with complete mock-ups, mood boards and much more. They looked like money, they looked prepared, dressed in expensive suits, high heels and sparkling smiles. It knocked us right out of our daydream and our confidence diminished.
"Hey, listen, we have a good pitch, a good plan, we've worked hard on it, let's do our best, the judges will see that too," I encouraged, trying to liven the mood. I didn't believe a single word. "Even if we don't get picked, we should take pride in the fact we tried." Their faces remained gloomy. "I'll buy chicken later." Those were the magic words because they lit up almost instantly.
We marched over to security, got our ID cards and booth number and made our way into the hall. It looked like a TEDx event. On the stage, seats were laid out for the panel and a big ECO THAILAND sign placed behind them. The rest of the hall was filled with mini booths for the companies pitching, and a slew of press by the corners. It was all so big, new and exciting.
We scrambled through the buzzing crowd in search of our booth numbered twenty-five. Finding it made us giggle with joy as we placed down our bags and took our seats. They had cute rotating chairs that made us feel important, like we were dreamers, achievers.
"Enjoy it while it lasts, Ai Kit!" I heard Jaran's irritating voice and we all turned.
Him and his evil twin Mongkut approached, accompanied by two members of their staff: a well-dressed young woman; who to be frank, looked like another evil spawn. Nothing on her face moved throughout the event. And a man who could pass as a cartoon character. He was too cute to look at.
"Go away Satan, not today!" I replied with an exhale.
"Why would we do that?" He smirked, turning the ID card hanging around his neck to reveal his booth number: twenty-four. I rolled my eyes. Of course it had to be twenty-four. If that was not the height of bad luck.
"Does your hair ever move? I mean... if a gust of wind blew past you, I swear it would just sit on your head," I mocked. They always dressed like it was a runway show or something; in designer suits and pristine hairstyles.
"It's called styling, Grinch. You should try it sometime. Each time I see you, you look like you jumped out of bed and ran out the door," he retorted as they took their seats.
"At least I show some personality. You look printed."
"Ai Kit—"
"Khun Kittisat!" I snapped back.
"Ai Kit! Ai Kit! Ai Kit!" he teased, sticking out his tongue.
"What are you? Twelve? Grow up!"
He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Varawut's loud hiss. "Can you both just suck it up for five seconds?"
"Wut! How are you doing?" Mongkut asked, poking his head back from behind Jaran.
"I'm good. You missed the game last Friday."
"I had to, something with the family."
Varawut was Switzerland between us, maintaining a cordial relationship with Jaran and a close friendship with Mongkut. They were part of a basketball team that played every Friday evening at the public court. Even though Mongkut was a Buddhist, he sometimes attended church services with Varawut, who also sometimes visited the temple with Mongkut.
It irritated Nat and I, the friendship they shared, but we chose to respect it. Wut made it very clear he would not be dragged into the "unholy dispute" as he called it. For the next few minutes, we sat quietly, listening to their annoying exchange of pleasantries. Nat wasn't in the mood for banter, he was too nervous. Each time Nat got too quiet or began cleaning you'd just know something isn't right. His eyes wouldn't leave the stage, so I held his hand for a moment.
The pitching began less than an hour later, company after company ascended the stage to share brilliant, innovative ideas. Some, I could already tell; would not make it to the next round. Their ideas weren't unique, nor did they solve any real problems. But most dazzled the contestants and judges alike, making me wonder how they would ever be able to make a decision.
Then it was Jaran's turn. Him and his team climbed the stage and everyone clapped, just as they did for every contesting company. He spoke with confidence and great brilliance. His idea was stellar, well structured. Even though it irked me to admit it, it was really good, far better than mine. I felt the little confidence I had worked up drop into my stomach. Nat got up halfway through the pitch to go to the bathroom, he just couldn't take it. Nat worked harder than ever on that pitch, without a doubt, I knew he must have cried in there for a moment. It felt as though we were back in university again, losing to Jaran.
We took the stage right after Jaran and his team, and regardless of how low our confidence sank, we pitched fiercely. We did work hard on it, and we believed in our vision, our design. It was a good one too, maybe not as good as Jaran's, but good regardless. They didn't need the money or opportunities as much as we did. Their company wasn't dying. They were fine. We couldn't let it rifle us.
After us, the event took a break, allowing us to take a breather. I didn't want to go back in, sit next to Jaran and his annoying smug face while feeling defeated. However, it was not an option to leave. It was mandatory for all contesting companies to remain present till the end, that was the only way you'd know if you got in.
After the pitching came to a close, there was another short break before the announcements, and I decided on a bathroom visit.
I stepped out of the bathroom stall and began washing my hands when the second stall opened and Jaran stepped out too.
"You've got to be shitting me," I grumbled. "You are everywhere, like the plague. I should start calling you Covid."
He smirked, moved to the sink and turned on the tap.
"I could say the same about you, Grinch."
I turned away, drying my hands on my shirt and heading for the door.
"Hey," he called and I stopped, slouching my body as I turned. "Your pitch was really good, amazing even."
"What are you aiming for here?" I asked, doubting his spontaneous compliment.
"Nothing. I loved your clean air circulation thingy. It's very promising. The design is unique. To be honest... I was a bit intimidated."
"Don't be a douchebag, Jaran! No need to rub it in!"
"What?" He cocked his head to the side.
"We both know your pitch was the better one. I don't have time for this shit!" I opened the door. "By the way you have glitter on your neck... Khun Perfect." I stormed out.
There were moments when it felt as if he was breaking character to get something out of me. Those moments annoyed me the most. He'd play nice, saying some dumb shit and it pissed me off.
I walked back to our booth and took my seat. Soon after, from the corner of my eye, I could see him walk in and take his seat, still wiping the shiny stuff off his neck. I exhaled at his arrival, shaking my head in exasperation.
The announcers ascended the stage and even though I was so sure we wouldn't make the cut, I was still a nervous wreck. In that moment, I began to doubt I could deliver on such a big project. What if I got it and my final performance turned into a big disappointment? I'd become a laughingstock to every architect in Bangkok!
I was spiraling but maintained a calm exterior.
Two companies were called before Jaran's company. We clapped as him and his team went on to receive the certificate and I turned to Nat whose expression was stone cold. Nat shook his head and began packing, he didn't want to stay for the final nail in the coffin. Varawut shrugged at me when I turned to him with questioning eyes. We were both worried for Nat, he was one to internalize things, though he always put up a strong façade. Simple things got to Nat easily—not that losing the competition was simple. Varawut chimed in, taking over cleaning up and gathering our things. I took one last look at the stage before we turned towards the exit.
"Clear Sky Limited," I heard the MC call. We all stopped in our tracks. Applause swept through the hall in the same manner it had for every company that made the cut. "Uh... Clear Sky Limited?" the MC called again when the clapping died down and no one had approached.
"We're here!" Varawut said at the top of his lungs. Nat and I were too stunned to speak.
Varawut took our bags, shaking us out of our trance of disbelief and shoving us towards the stage. We were almost at the exit when we heard the name of our company. We resorted to a light jog to reach the stage.
Uncontainable happiness beamed through us. The moment I held the certificate in my hands and looked Nat in the eye, under those heavy lights, surrounded by cheerful claps, there was no doubt in my being that we were going to create something phenomenal.
***
"Wonderful presentation, Khun?" Khun Wongsuwan, a well-respected architect asked.
"Trachang, Kittisat Trachang. And this is my business partner, Natthakan Soikham." I managed a smile.
The organization hosting the competition invited all selected companies to a dinner party at the home of the chairwoman the next day. It was announced to be a quick get-to-know-the-partners' dinner. But at our arrival, we were greeted with a rather elaborate, lavish party, straight out of The Great Gatsby. Everyone dressed finely in dinner gowns, pearls and suits I knew were expensive enough to pay my rent and double our salaries.
Nat and I could have passed as the help if it weren't for the ID cards that hung around our necks. We were in awe of the magnificent home. It was nothing short of a modern day castle: chandeliers, high walls and stairs, rustic marbles and elegant art. The dining table spread across the ballroom, big enough to seat all twenty to twenty-five guests. There weren't a lot of people, but it didn't stop me from feeling suffocated by all the wealth strutting around.
Nat and I let Varawut lead with these types of things, we had no social skills—well, I didn't, it just was not Nat's usual scene. Nat blended in better at clubs and house parties.
Varawut was our bridge with the corporate world, and he dazzled at it. The second we stepped in; he began introducing us to the people worth meeting. He knew them like the palm of his hand, and it came as no surprise to us that they knew him too.
"Congratulations to you both. The clean air circulation system is quite genius. Piqued a lot of interest, looking forward to the elaborate designs." We grinned at Khun Wongsuwan's words of approval.
To be acknowledged by such a respectable figure was a triumph in itself. He gave us his card, offering help if needed before moving along.
Most of the party progressed in the same manner, with different people coming forth to congratulate and encourage us. Soon, Varawut abandoned us, chatting away with other guests, leaving Nat and I to our wallflower ways. We enjoyed the view of elegance from a distance, giggling to ourselves and judging everyone's outfit, ranking them, as if we could even afford their shoes.
The first time I saw Jaran that night was when it was time to sit and eat. As if conjured from the pits of hell, he appeared in front of me, taking the seat directly opposite mine. Seated by his right, his twin spawn, Mongkut. Nat and I sighed at their arrival.
For twenty minutes, I sat and watched him flirt and giggle with the charming man that sat by his left. He looked like the right match for Jaran: a fine suit, gold cufflinks, perfectly styled hair. They moved and talked in sync. An investor perhaps? I thought. He was too sleek to be just another staff member.
In my mind, I cursed at Jaran. Was he flirting his way in? Or just trying to piss me off, I wondered. A toast was yet to be made to commence eating. We were all waiting for the arrival of the chairwoman who was announced to be minutes away, quiet chatter was all that was left on the table.
Tired of Jaran's rather upsetting frolicking with the man next to him, I excused myself to find a bathroom which I had no need for, abandoning Nat to bear it all alone.
I wandered the grand hallways for a few minutes, following the poor direction of one of the servers before walking past what seemed to be a coat room and turning right back.
Curious, I poked my head in. The coats of every guest were hung and well arranged. Fur, leather, expensive fabrics from the looks of it. I scoffed at the sight. It was the perfect place to procrastinate, the perfect place to hide. I glanced around, making sure there was no one in sight, then stepped in.
Just by a simple touch, you could tell how expensive the coats were. The ones with fur were super soft, I ran my fingers over them one by one. It felt thrilling. I'll admit it was a bit pervy, but in that moment, it eased my frustration.
From touching, I moved to trying them on, putting on a mini fashion show for myself. I thought about calling Nat over to join me in the sneaky affair, like the old days back in university. It would've been a bad representation of my company if both of us were absent from the table, so I carried on alone.
Each coat gave me a different personality. I was a rich madam, a mobster, a cold king, the lover of a billionaire, an Oscar winner. I played each role for myself to perfection, twirling, shouting, strutting, HUHUHU, I was a menace.
A black short coat hung in the back. It had a diamond pin on it, I gasped at the sight, it was gorgeous. I couldn't believe anyone would just let the coat hang there. I sighed, shaking my head, spiteful against its owner for taking it for granted.
I slipped it on and it swallowed my small body, making me look more tiny than I already was. It almost instantly reminded me of Jaran. His broad shoulders and annoying tall self, his arrogance and entitlement. I hissed, proceeding to act like him. His slow robotic walk, his smug devilish smile, the way he narrowed his eyes when he was trying to make a point. How he moved his frozen hair back in place whenever a single strand moved away. The annoying way he tilted his head whenever he got condescending.
"Oh, look at me, so handsome. I bet you can't stand my gorgeousness, the world stops when I blink!" I mimicked Jaran's facial expressions, my hands in my pockets, posing like him. "My ego is bigger than my flawless brows!" I scoffed, rolling my eyes like him. "Kit! You must want to be me so bad!" I turned around, facing the wall and slammed my right hand on it. "Ai Kit! Do you know how big my dick is?" I continued.
"Do you?" I jerked at the sound of Jaran's voice, turning around and stumbling over, but catching myself in time.
Jaran stood by the door, hands in his pocket, raising a brow at me as I straightened back up.