Chapter 4 : Music is the Window to the Chords

"Nong Tine! Nong Tine!"

Damn! My face was slapped many times to wake me up. But before withdrawing from the state of dizziness, I saw that everyone was so surprised.

If I were asked when and how I fell to the ground? I don't know. When did I open my eyes? I didn't know either. But how do I die? I know... Right now!

"We are just playing. There is no need to be shocked like that."

The senior man who caused the problem stood crossing his arms and looking calmly. He is not worried at all about the bitterness in the hearts of the first-years like me.

"Tine, are you okay?" Fortunately, another senior asked me. She helped to sit in a daze.

"Umm..."

"Looks like Tine is so shocked, huh."

"Uh, um-"

I've spent all my whole life kissing the girls, yes, it's normal! But that person whom I was doing 'that thing' was not a pretty girl, but a Titan! Even though he did not kiss me, his action made me feel so dazed. If that person only kissed me and did not use his tongue to push the candy to my mouth, I can still consider that action.

"Hey, can you hear me?" Obviously, I can hear you. But can't answer you! My mouth is full of mint candy. I want to spit these out at these fucking people.

"Nong Tine, are you alright? Everyone, please stop crowding around! Move him to the corner!"

One of the seniors ordered, so my body was moved to the corner among the laughs of some people. Badass! Dickhead! Damn! Did you guys think that my decision to attend this club was wrong? My entire life would be better if I were in the cooking club! Oh, my heart...

"Can anyone find him an inhaler?" Get a bucket cause I feel nauseous. I don't know if I will faint first or throw up first.

"Now, spit it out."

Oh, the sacred things were kind to me by sending this jerk, Sarawat, to help me get out of the Candy War. Damn! He held a piece of paper in front of me and I quickly threw it from my mouth.

"Bastard! Why are you teasing me?" With my mouth being free, I immediately cursed the person in front of me.

"I'm not teasing you."

"Then why did you put another one in my mouth?"

"The seniors forced me to do that."

"So if they ask you to die, will you do it?"

"I'll think about it first."

"I'm being sarcastic! Do you understand?"

"Sarcastic? I thought you were serious."

"Quit bullshitting me and get away from me. I can't breathe."

He then breathed into my face so I immediately pushed him away. His tall body finally stood up and walked to the corner of the room to join his friends. Not long after, a senior gave me an inhaler. I sat quietly for a moment to relieve my dizziness, ignoring everyone in the room.

"There are a total of fifteen people here who intend to play the guitar. Whether because they want to show off to women, play because they think it's cool or whatever. You all have your own intentions why you choose to play. But for now, I will divide the group. For those who know how to play the guitar or have a foundation about it, raise your hand."

Some people raise their hands. If counted correctly by my eye, there are seven people.

"So there are eight people who don't know how to play the guitar, including Tine." Needless to say, everyone looked at me while I was sitting in the corner of the room, putting the inhaler into my nose.

"Your first activity today is learning the basic chords. In the corner of the room, there are guitars available for everyone. Hurry and get one." Once the senior finished speaking, everyone rushed to pick up the guitar as if there was a discount up to 80%.

"Hurry up!"

"Nong Tine, do you still have the energy?" The same guy who facilitated the game asked me.

"Yes."

"Then hurry up! Is your ass paralyzed?" After saying that, I cursed him silently. I will get one, okay? Why in a hurry? Son of a bitch!

Because of those fucking candies, I look realy bad right now. I walked wobbly to take the guitar and finally got one. It was the last on in the room, the one that people avoided. The heck!

"Since everyone has their own guitars, please separate immediately. Those who know how to play guitar will go with seniors at the back of the room. If you don't know how to play, please sit here." Class divisions begin. I sat with seven other juniors and the majority are women. I am the only handsome guy left because the two other guys are ugly.

Right now is not a good time to get to know each other. I think I have to wait for seniors to start teaching, and gradually find an opportunity to introduce myself. Especially those girls from the Faculty of Medicine who are really cute.

Unfortunately, they only looked at Sarawat and ignored a handsome guy like me.

"First of all, I will introduce myself. My name is Mix, and the one next to me who always wants to look beautiful is Air. We will both be in charge of teaching you how to play the guitar. First we will learn how to hold the guitar." Everyone sitting cross-legged, attentively trying to put the guitar on their laps in the most comfortable way. I have to say that I'm also very focused. At first, I planned to only go to one session once and then leave. Now, I've changed my mind that I want to play the guitar to be able to tempt women.

"Sit comfortably. There's no need to be tense. Nong Nok, upright was a little bit. If you sit like that, you're not going to hold the guitar properly." P'Air is talking.

"Okay!" They are both so nice and kind to us. We are so lucky that the asshole senior is not one of our trainers.

"Next, touch the six strings. Try to follow me." Eyes stared at her as her hands moved. But when I tried...

Shit! It's really hard! I want to ask if this is really a guitar string or a sword. My soft skin isn't too strong.

"Tine, are you okay?"

"Uhm... Yes I'm okay. But P', why are the strings so firm?" Or does the person who just started playing really feel this way? Turning to see the other people around me, why do they look so normal? I do not know whether. I was born with human skin, not with a synthetic buffalo skin.

"Oh yes, the guitar you are holding is very old and not suitable for beginners. Unfortunately, that's all that's left." Why does bad luck always happen to me?

So... If I won't buy a new guitar, it means I have to stick with this guitar. I think that's how it is. Now, my motivation to play the guitar to flirt with girls is lost.

"I will try to find a new one for you. But for today, please use that guitar. It might be a bit difficult for beginners like you so.... try your best, Tine!" Why won't you try asking me if I want to fight with you?

"Is there a brand that you want to recommend? Let me go and buy it myself." I asked P'Air so I won't suffer any longer.

"If you like a little sound, you can use Elixir. If you like bass, use the D'addario brand."

"What was that? Try mentioning it again."

"D'addario."

"Ahh. Okay okay." I think I just forgot what I asked.

"Does Tine like bass or clear sound?"

" Hmm. Bass sounds good."

"Then buy D'addario."

It is enough! If you mention that name again, I'll drop this guitar on the floor. I will not hesitate to do it.

"Alright, I'll start teaching the main chords first. There are a total of five main chords; C, D, E, G, and A. Let's start with C." I kept looking at the chord then tried to press and do it. Damn it! My fingers are big. Just one touch of the chord then I've closed the entire guitar grip.

I hate myself. I was born with a handsome face but my hands are really big. My heart...

Maybe, you are wondering why I always use 'My heart' phrase because I always say it. It is just a word I use every time my life feels like it's in a dead end, or if I feel something strange. Just like this situation.

My heart... My bastard heart...

"Tine, still okay?"

"Yes. I'll try again."

My heart...

"Okay, that was the C chord. Now let's try another chord. Look at P' Mix's fingers." I'm still struggling with C, why are you guys so fast? This is practicing playing the guitar, not a boat rowing event. Please slow down.

But I don't dare to comment. I just patiently pressed the rigid strings hard for a few more chords. Not until someone is being gentle and makes me turn my head.

"Tine, you want to change guitar? Maybe it's better." She is a beautiful girl who wears a medical badge. Her name is Fah, she is clearly an angel.

"No. It's fine. Fah's fingers may hurt. A little pain is okay for me." Just saying that is not enough. I should add a little reach out of my hand to touch her before I pull her near me.

"Then take mine." A moment later, the sound of the buffalo was heard. He is one of the two ugly guys left in our group.

"No need! My fingers don't hurt that much."

Ever since I was little, I was this kind of person. I am always gentle only to beautiful women. But deep in my heart, I wanted the guy to ask me one more time. Just say it again and I won't hesitate to take your guitar but...

"Okay. It's up to you."

Totally far from what I expected. Why doesn't he have such perseverance? You have to be a little more determined because I will agree for sure. I only groped my guitar strings for twenty minutes. All of my ten fingers are now swollen, almost every second is a breaking. But with my cool spirit and my heart was determined not to give up even though all the fingers were injured.

I had to keep playing until the senior told me to rest for ten minutes. Then I went straight to the toilet. When I returned, I saw the other group who could play the guitar. They are all practicing hard because I heard that they will form a band for this year's music festival.

"Okay! That's enough for today. See you at the club tomorrow at six o'clock in the evening."

"Yes!" Finally! When I got back to our practice area after using the restroom, I thought we are done as well but...

"Are you ready? Let's continue practicing."

"Aren't we done yet?"

"Today, we will complete the eight basic chords."

Shiaaaa! My fingers will break first before we finish the session. I want to cry.

"Tine, for A minor, right fingertip on the 4th string and one on the 2nd."

"Yes." It is karma to have short fingers as Sarawat said. Can not reach what is destined for me. "Try playing."

"I will do it."

Trung~

"Wrong."

"Umm."

"Try again, Tine. Try your best." I am trying! Ahh! I hate it. I want to go home. I don't want to play guitar anymore.

"It's wrong when you play it like that. Press on the strings firmly. You are doing it as if you have no strength at all." The low voice that echoes is from Sarawat who was sitting and watching me from afar.

"I can't help it. Strings are too old and I am in pain." Then the guitar in my hand was openly taken by Sarawat and replaced by a new guitar with his name on it.

"What is this?"

"My guitar. Now try playing."

"No need."

"Try it. The strings in my guitar are thinner."

"I don't have strength anymore and my fingers hurt so bad."

"Just try it! You troublemaker!"

"Do you really like that word?"

"Try the first chord. Chord C."

Okay. I know the C chord starts with the hand in the second string, first row. Finger... Which finger again? Ahh! I forgot. So I just sat down, trying to remember what was taught to me earlier. Sarawat must be disappointed because he immediately pulled my middle and ring finger on the guitar strings.

"Try to follow me." He exclaimed and I followed him.

"..."

"Does it hurt?"

"No." Now I know the feeling of playing an expensive guitar.

"Keep playing it." Then, his tall body retreated to sit back in his chair. He made me play the same chord for ten minutes. I heard the seniors ordered the other juniors to prepare and go home. But Sarawat is still teaching and watching me so I still can't leave yet.

"Keep playing." He said with his cold voice.

"My fingers will break anytime soon."

"Keep playing."

"I want to change the chord."

"Keep playing."

"Oyy~" I complained but my hands were still playing and did not stop moving.

"Tine, Sarawat, we will leave first. Please lock the door when you're done." We nodded then focused back on practicing as if I am a professional artist who only knows one chord.

"Change it to E chord."

"Wait a minute."

"E."

"Okay. I have to remember it first. Can't you wait?"

"You really have the brain of a goldfish."

"I am a beginner, bastard!"

"Hurry!" I tried placing my fingers anywhere. Honestly, I cannot remember chord E.

"Is this correct?"

"..."

I heard a deep sigh from him. I know he is really disappointed now so he sat beside me. He then pulled my fingers again to place it on the strings abysmally.

"Chord E is like this."

"Ahh."

"Play it."

"..."

After that, all I heard are the words 'play it' and 'wrong' repeatedly for half an hour. The bones on my fingers are broken, emotionally. I am really in pain and my arms are now tired. Also, my hands are tired. Even my breathing is also tired. Everything about me is tired.

"That's enough."

Finally! That sentence sounded from heaven. Once Sarawat said that sentence, my tears wanted to run down my face.

"Can I leave now? Here's your guitar!"

"Wait!"

"Why?"

"Store your guitar in the corner of the room. Do it nicely. Leave it like that to bend the neck of the instrument so that there is no damage."

"Why should I do it? I'm not the one who messed this up."

"Aren't you going to play again tomorrow? Then clean it up. I'll tidy up the other instruments."

What is this? I saw him just sitting in the same place and just looking at me while I am dragging my body and my tired hands carefully adjusting each guitar. Are these musical instruments or new born babies? Damn! "Done."

"Hey! Take this." Sarawat throws something to me.

"What is this?"

"Plasters."

"Thanks."

"You always mess things up."

"What are you saying?"

"..." He answered nothing. I don't know why other people say that he is a shy boy when he always argues with me and drives me crazy.

"Can we go now?" I don't want to argue with him anymore so I asked him.

"Umm. Go home now."

"Don't you want to go home yet?"

"Not yet. I wanna play a song."

"What song?" I asked while bending down to look at the thin music notebook placed on the table.

"You don't know it, for sure."

"Don't underestimate me. I am a musicaholic! I know every band that exists."

"Desktop error." Erm - yes. Actually, I do not know that. In the end I did not go home yet.

Not only that, I also sat down to talk with him again. Actually, I just want to know what kind of person he is. I want to know the reason why all the girls on the campus are crazy about him.

"I... probably never heard about this band. But..."

"Harmonica Sunrise."

"..."

"DCNXTR."

"..."

"Moving and Cut."

"I know that band! That means moving and cutting, right?"

"Stupid. Learn to listen to other songs that you don't know."

"I will! But I am afraid I'd be insane like you."

We were silent for a moment, only the sound of a small guitar could be heard. It was a soft, soft sound like a cool breeze and could make me fall asleep.

"If you really like music like this, why don't you take up a major from the Faculty of Music?" My curiosity can't be helped. I just wondered why he has never talked about Political Science or what he is studying before. Besides, I always see him bringing a guitar all the time.

"Because I am crazy about music, so I decided not to study it." He looked up his head and stared at me.

"It's an interesting paradox."

"How? I just don't want to hate the things that I like. Besides, choosing to enroll in music is more stressful than just casually playing it. I do not want to sit down and learn about its history because it will bore me. I just want to play anytime. I want to play whenever I want without being forced by anyone. Without the need for exams. You understand that, right?"

"Yes. You are really insane."

"What about you? Why did you study law? Do you like it so much?"

"No. I'm good at everything except law."

"It's the same with me."

"So, what song are you playing?"

"Sleep tight (03:00 AM) from Solitude is Bliss."

"Huh?"

"This is a band that writes philosophical songs and there is no love song on this album. Try listening to this song on YouTube. You might be able to see ghosts at the end of your bed at 3am."

"Damn! You bastard."

"Afraid of ghosts?"

"Well, look at my mouth-"

"Go ahead."

"I-am-not."

"That's it?"

"Yes. That's it. I'm a Prince of Law, not only by my good-looking face but also by my good heart."

"What are you talking about?"

"..."

Is he really that stupid? I just described myself but it seems like this bastard did not understand.

"Sarawat..."

"Umm?"

"I'll cut the chase."

"Umm." But he still didn't raise his head to look me in the eye. He just continued playing the guitar. So I remained silent and didn't say anything more until he looked at me and stopped playing.

"What is wrong?"

"Flirt with me."

"..."

"Just pretend that you are my lover. Please? I don't want to be bothered by Green anymore. You also know that I joined this club because I wanted you to help me."

"No way."

"Sa-la-wad! Please help me, na~?"

"You should reap what you sow."

"I didn't sow anything. Destiny used to get me into it."

"Then tell him that you don't like him."

"I already did but he didn't listen."

"That's your problem."

"Then I will give Green to you. I will tell him to chase you."

"You think that's funny?"

"I'll tell him that you like him."

"You want to get hurt, right?"

"You think I'm afraid of you?" When finished, I stood up and took a step back like a thief. But before I could even walk through the door, my feet were stopped because something fell down from the doorknob.

"Damn! Snacks from your fans again." I cursed as soon as I saw food wrappers scattered on the floor. Each packet has the name Sarawat on it along with the name of the sender. But I saw something that...

♥ TINE ♥

Don't forget to eat your snacks!

Mom? Is that from you?

"Hey! That's mine." I struggled when his thick hands stole the colorful paper bags on my hand with my name printed on it. I still wasn't able to read the name of the sender.

"So what?"

"You have a lot of snacks. Why don't you take it? Why did you take mine instead?"

Sarawat says nothing. He only took out a pen and wrote something on the paper which has my name on. He hands it back to me, but I can't read what he wrote because of his damn handwriting.

"Okay."

"What okay?"

"I'm okay with it. Yes!"

"What the hell are you saying?"

"Okay. I will flirt with you."

"..."

"Deal?"

Wait, what are we talking about again? I don't remember anything. My mind is completely black right now because of the words that he wrote on that piece of paper. It made me stunned for a long time.

♥ TINE ♥

"Don't forget to eat your snacks!" - From: Preem

"I AM NOW FLIRTING WITH YOU!" – SARAWAT