Special 1: Songkran with his sweetheart

Special 1: Songkran with his sweetheart

“Happy Songkran, Inspector Thian!”

A young officer greeted with a wide smile, seeing Inspector Thian walk into the station looking unusually striking. He was wearing a bright floral shirt, shorts above the knees, and cartoon-printed sandals that no one thought existed in Inspector Thian’s wardrobe.

Today was April 13th, the long-awaited Songkran festival. The Chiang Mai Muang District Police Station was holding a traditional water pouring ceremony for elders. And this year was more special than other years because police officers from Chiang Rai province, from Mae Sai and Chiang Rai city stations, were also participating.

“The old folks take a seat so the young people can pour water and pay respects!”

Fakfaeng, a lively female officer, was the emcee for the day, announcing in a clear voice that made everyone laugh, especially the police chiefs who were invited to sit on wooden chairs lined up in order of seniority. And then, there were the two young inspectors, Inspector Phuwin and Inspector Thian, sitting side-by-side in a way that made it impossible to avoid anyone’s stare.

“Nong Plub, you can start now.”

The emcee invited Lukplub or the young sergeant from Mae Sai to pour water in order. He smiled shyly, holding a small silver bowl and walked to pour water on his father first, amidst teasing from his colleagues.

And when it was his turn to pour water for Inspector Phuwin…

Sergeant Lukplub was silent for a moment and then looked into the eyes of his husband, who was sitting with his head bowed, trying to be calm, but his ears were noticeably red.

“Just pour it, Nong Plub,” Fakfaeng whispered into the microphone with a languid tone, “Your husband is waiting for you.”

The laughter of colleagues erupted, but Inspector Phuwin didn’t react. The tall man only moved slightly, quietly extending his hand for the other man to pour water.

Lukplub bowed slightly, pouring water from the bowl onto his senior’s thick hand gently, before saying softly, “Happy Songkran. May P’Phu be healthy, may no one flirt with you, and may you love Plub as much as ever.”

Whistles and cheers echoed throughout the police station as the person called his husband raised his head with a shy smile, secretly pinching Sergeant Lukplub’s arm lightly to hide his embarrassment.

“Watch out. You’re going to get payback tonight.” “Understood, sir.”

Lukplub replied with a challenging look, making a playful face that made Phuwin have to roll his eyes with a mix of indulgence.

Whatever his wife does always seems cute and endearing.

After the first sweet couple passed by without any restraint, the cheers hadn’t even faded away when the next person rose and with a large silver bowl, which appeared more complete than others. It was Sergeant Mangkon, who seemed to have gone above and beyond others because he carried a water pouring bowl in his left hand and a tiny container filled with a soft chalky mud paste like he was ready for battle.

“Wow, your bowl is bigger than everyone else’s, Nong.”

Fakfaeng teased immediately, causing him to smile a little, but didn’t respond. He just bowed his head and walked along, pouring water for the police chief respectfully.

Until he stopped in front of Inspector Thian…

Thian sat still like someone at peace, but the look in his eyes was not friendly at all. Because the gaze that looked this time… was extremely obvious.

“Aww, Inspector Thian, Nong Mangkon is all shy now,” said Sergeant Tri, sitting further away, teasing loudly from the other side of the chairs.

But, how could someone like Thian respond with ordinary words? “Looking at my wife. He’s especially lovely today.”

The jeers and whistles, “Kiewwwwwwwww!” erupted again, so loud that it almost drowned out the Songkran music playing in the background of the station. (Note: I’m keeping the onomatopoeia “Kiewwwww” because it’s a specific cultural sound of teasing/excitement.)

“Can you stop simping, P’Thian?” Mangkon asked softly, but a flash of coldness flickered in his eyes that he couldn’t quite hide.

Meanwhile, the cunning Thian smiled slightly and responded in a steady voice that made hearts race.

“If I was insane instead, that would be worse, right, wife?” Here comes the third “Ooh” of the dayyyyyyy!

“Nong Mangkon, hurry up and put powder on Inspector Thian. I really can’t stand this anymore,”

Fakfaeng’s teasing made Mangkon, who was holding the tin of powder, feel like disappearing into the floor. His clear cheeks flushed faintly. He submerged his long fingers into the tin gently, then reached out and touched the tip of his finger to Inspector Thian’s honey-colored cheek lightly.

The warm skin and the other’s midnight-colored eyes looking back made Mangkon swallow unconsciously, feeling unsafe.

The look in those eyes wasn’t just “looking,” it was like devouring him whole.

And before he could pull his hand away, Thian pulled his wife by the waist. That’s just it sitting on the sturdy lap like that amidst the screams and squeals from all directions.

“P’Thian, what are you doing?!” Mangkon’s eyes widened as he cried out, but before he could move away.

The sound of a cheek kiss rang clear in the close proximity, as the cunning inspector kissed the bare, white cheek lightly, as if paying no attention to the world.

It was like time stopped. Only the two of them were the center of the universe. “I’m so jealous!” Lukplub shouted out immediately.

But would Inspector Phuwin allow that good-for-nothin’ friend to display love one-sidedly? He loves his wife, too, you know?

He glanced at his fair-skinned wife, who hadn’t stopped teasing the senior Sergeant, with a slightly cunning look, before standing up and walking straight towards him without saying a word.

“P’Phu, what are you going to do?” The clear voice asked anxiously, the round eyes looking at the person in front of him with maximum suspicion.

But someone like Inspector Phuwin never warns before acting…

There was no answer. The tall man simply stepped closer, and his face was blank, as if he was about to apply powder according to custom.

“Just stand still is enough.”

“Wait the minute P’Phu. Just a mom…”

As soon as Lukplub closed his eyes tightly, thinking he was going to have powder on his cheeks, the ones getting …was Phuwin’s lips, which was full of warmth pressed into them.

A new round of “ooh’s” erupted around the courtyard. The police officers cheered in satisfaction.

Lukplub paused as if the system crashed for three seconds, before widening his eyes and letting out a shout “P’Phuwin !!”

“Can’t I kiss my wife like Thian does?”

Playing for advantage. Lukplub’s face turned red to the ears, unable to speak, he just stood pouting, holding the tin of powder tightly.

“You’re sly.”

“Well, I’m Nong Plub’s husband.”

The atmosphere was filled with the scent of love, laughter, and playful teasing mingling with the aroma of powder and the cool, fragrant scent of Thai perfume.

But amidst the chaos, a pair of hawk-like eyes focused clearly on a target.

Lieutenant Kanin stood leaning against a tree, watching someone who was standing a few steps away, smiling with a composed expression.

Not the sounds of teasing.

Not the couple kissing in the middle of the yard.

But “that person” who always made his heart race whenever he saw him.

Nadol… the young lieutenant who spoke politely and calmly. But the calmer the other man was, the more Kanin wanted to provoke him.

Kanin nonchalantly walked closer, one hand holding a silver bowl, the other clasped behind his back.

“They seem to be in love, don’t you think, Khun Nadol?”

The deep voice spoke near his ear, causing Nadol to startle slightly, almost immediately erasing his smile before turning to face the owner of the voice he least wanted to hear right now.

Nadol didn’t answer, trying to ignore him and turn away silently. But men like Lieutenant Kanin didn’t let targets escape so easily. The hand clasped behind his back slowly and quickly reached out.

The touch of powder landed softly on Nadol’s fair cheek, causing him to freeze. His slender eyes turned back, a hint of incomprehension and displeasure in them.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Kanin smirked, his eyes full of mischief.

“Just applying powder. Following tradition, you know.” “This isn’t…”

Before he could finish speaking, he was snatched into a quick kiss on the cheek, leaving him no time to react.

Nadol froze, stiff as if a spell had been cast on him, his soul leaving his body for a full three seconds.

“You!!”

“The scent of powder and Thai perfume on your skin is very sweet,” The cunning lieutenant said matter-of-factly, as if he hadn’t just done anything shocking a moment ago.

“Are you crazy, Lieutenant!” Nadol’s eyes widened, and he quickly backed away, raising his hand to touch his own burning-hot cheek.

“I told you, I was just teasing you a little,” The speaker shrugged.

The younger lieutenant gritted his teeth and quickly walked away, but he hadn’t gone far before he had to stop at the other man’s soft sentence.

“But If you don’t like it, I won’t do it again.” “Want to going to splash water?”