Teach Me How To Spell Love: Love 010

Episode 4

Prem’s POV

It was the weekend. Finally, no Mr. Boun around to annoy me.

The pool atmosphere was calm, the soft breeze grazing my skin while the not-so-harsh sunlight reflected off the surface of the water. For once, the house was quiet enough for me to enjoy myself.

I sat near the pool with my guitar resting against my thigh, carefully trying to get the chords right.

Yes, I know you are surprised.

So am I.

But come to think of it, I can’t be the only one in my friend group who doesn’t know how to play any instrument.

I strummed the strings again, listening to the sound before shaking my head.

“Still terrible.”

I sighed and took another sip of my soda, holding the guitar with my free hand.

At least that annoying lecturer wouldn’t call me to his office during the weekend.

I had barely started feeling relaxed when I heard footsteps approaching from behind me.

“I can’t believe it, Prem. Practicing?”

My stepmom’s voice immediately ruined the peaceful atmosphere.

I stopped playing and slowly turned to look at her.

She stood there with a surprised expression, as if seeing me with a guitar was the strangest thing in the world.

I glared at her.

“Oh, please. My dad is not here, so stop pretending with me,” I hissed.

My mood was officially ruined.

She let out a small snicker.

Her eyes dropped to my guitar, and before I could react, she deliberately used her foot to kick the guitar stand.

The stand tipped over and fell straight into the pool.

My eyes followed it.

For a moment, I just stared.

The last of my patience disappeared.

I slowly placed my soda down beside me and looked back at her.

“What do you want?” I asked.

My voice was quieter this time.

No one was around, and this area had no security cameras. No one would believe anything I said if things got worse.

She seemed to notice that too.

Her lips curled into a smug smile.

“Oh, you know.” She stepped closer. “I find it fun to tell the son of a mistress his worth.”

My jaw tightened.

She was right.

My father had an affair with her. We found out we were the other family.

Actually, my parents were legally married.

But he was with this woman first.

I looked away, forcing myself not to react to her words.

“Meh (mom),” Mark called in a scolding manner.

His footsteps approached from the side, and within seconds, he was standing between his mother and me.

She immediately turned toward him with a smile.

That fake smile that felt like poison.

“Stop picking on him. It’s not nice,” he said firmly.

She said nothing.

I didn't wait around to see what would happen next.

I quietly packed my belongings, trying to keep my movements calm even though my hands were tense.

I headed inside. That’s mostly how I spend my days in my own house. I stayed till night before I changed, then left the house.

I headed straight for the cliff.

Prem’s POV

Parking my bicycle, I slowly walked towards the edge.

The familiar path was quiet tonight. The sound of leaves rustling in the breeze followed me as I made my way forward, my hands tucked into my pockets.

Oh, don’t get me wrong. No matter what I face, I am not going to commit suicide.

I love my life.

Actually, whenever I feel bummed, I come here and get it all out. Sometimes I just sit here, stare at the view, complain to myself, and go home once I feel better.

And today is not an exception.

I took a deep breath as I approached the edge, expecting to have the place all to myself.

But the moment I got there, I stopped.

Someone I wasn't ready to meet was already there.

He was lying on a blanket, one arm resting behind his head as he stared up at the night sky. The moonlight cast a soft glow across his face, making him look almost ethereal.

I blinked several times.

Of all people...

“You.”

We both said it at the same time.

He immediately sat up, staring at me in confusion.

“What are you doing here?” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Did you follow me here?”

I rolled my eyes.

I was not in the mood for any of that.

Without answering, I walked over and quietly sat beside him on the blanket, even though he hadn't given me permission.

As you all know, I am a troublesome kid.

He stared at me like I had completely lost my mind.

“Hey, I did not invite you,” he protested.

Yet, despite his words, he shifted slightly and made space for me.

I noticed.

Neither of us said anything for a few seconds.

The silence wasn't exactly uncomfortable. It was just... strange.

Maybe he sensed my mood because his expression softened.

Without saying much, he reached beside him and handed me a can.

“Ah... here.”

He placed it on my lap.

I looked down at it before glancing at him.

“Thanks.”

I opened it and took a sip, letting out a quiet breath.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

He leaned back, resting his hands behind him as he stared into the distance.

For a moment, he didn't answer.

Then he sighed.

Deep and heavy.

The breeze carried the sound, somehow making it feel even more depressing than it already was.

The leaves rattled above us, sending a chill across my skin.

“I come here whenever I feel overwhelmed,” he finally said.

My eyes widened.

“Someone like you?”

The question slipped out before I could stop myself.

He turned to look at me.

Then he chuckled.

I froze for a second.

He sounded... handsome.

No.

No, no.

What the hell was I saying?

I quickly looked away, pretending to be interested in the view.

But honestly speaking, it was the first time I had heard him chuckle like that.

Not when he was trying to manipulate me.

Not when he was forcing me into obedience.

This sounded real.

Almost like I was seeing a completely different side of him.

“What about you?” he asked.

He took another sip from his drink, his gaze returning to the night sky.

I was quiet for a moment.

Then I laughed.

“I am not welcomed at home.”

It wasn't a happy laugh.

I was laughing at how pathetic my life was.

The sound quickly faded, leaving only the breeze between us.

He didn't laugh at me.

He simply nodded, as though he understood that sometimes there were things you couldn't explain with words.

“Then drink up.”

He nudged the can lightly toward me.

“Don't worry. I won't deduct your mark for today if you misbehave.”

I looked at him.

For the first time today, a small smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

“Then don’t complain, because I do weird things when I get drunk,” I said, downing the remaining beer.

He stared at me for a moment before laughing.

“Now I'm curious.”

“You should be scared,” I warned him, pointing at him before dropping my hand back to my side.

He laughed again.

We talked about random things after that. Nothing important. Somehow, the conversation kept flowing.

He mostly stayed sober, listening while I let myself loose and rambled about whatever came to mind.

For once, I wasn't thinking about my family.

Boun’s POV

I checked my phone.

It was past midnight.

I looked at the wasted guy sprawled across the floor, his cheeks rosy as he continued blabbing nonsense.

I sighed.

“How are you getting home?”

He lifted his head slightly, blinking at me as though the question required serious consideration.

“I don't want to go home,” he mumbled.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Then where are you going?”

“Let me crash at your place.” He pointed vaguely in my direction. “I promise, I would be good.”

I shook my head.

There was no point asking for his address when he could barely put a sentence together.

I stared at him for a few seconds before sighing again.

“Fine. Come on.”

Getting him home safely was more important than arguing with him.

So, I took him to my condo.

Once we arrived, I helped him inside and placed him on the couch.

“Stay here. I'll wipe you, then you can sleep well.”

He only hummed in response, already looking half-asleep.

I left the room and returned with the things I needed. After clearing some space, I handed him some clean clothes.

“I'll give you some privacy. Change into these.”

I couldn't change his clothes for him because that could get awkward.

I didn't trust drunk people to that extent.

I turned away and gave him some time.

When he was finally done, I checked on him and helped him to my room.

I carefully got him onto the bed before pulling the blanket over him.

“Get some sleep, Nong Prem.”

I turned to leave.

Then suddenly, he grabbed my hand.

“Mom, please don't go.”

I froze.

His voice was small, completely different from the loud, troublesome student I knew during the day.

“I don't want to live with that woman,” he whimpered in his sleep.

I looked down at him.

I didn't know what to say.

I didn't want to wake him, so I gently tried to pry myself away.

But the more I tried, the stronger his grip became.

I sighed quietly.

“Alright.”

I stopped struggling against his grip.

I pulled the blanket up properly and sat beside the bed, intending to wait until he loosened his hold.

But exhaustion slowly caught up with me.

My eyes grew heavier.

And that was how I fell asleep.

In his arms.

The next morning

“Shia!” I heard.

The next thing I felt was a sharp pain as I landed on the ground.

“Ouch!”

I rubbed my waist, looking up at the person who had just kicked me off the bed.

“What was that for?” I asked, still rubbing my sore waist.

“What are you doing here?” Prem asked, quickly pulling the blanket over his body.

I glared at him, annoyed but also slightly amused by the sheer confusion on his face.

“You don’t remember what happened last night?” I asked.

His eyes widened.

His face immediately flushed, and he lowered his head.

“Well, if I was inexperienced, please don't tell my friends. I always brag to them about it,” he quickly said in a panic.

I stared at him.

What the hell was he talking about?

“About what?” I asked, completely lost.

He hesitated, fiddling with the edge of the blanket.

“Didn't we, um...” He swallowed. “Didn't we hook up last night?”

His face was now bright red.

I blinked.

Aish.

What?

Hell no. Never.

Not with him.

“Hook what? Baa (crazy),” I said, staring at him in disbelief.

He looked even more embarrassed.

I shook my head.

“Definitely not with you.”

“Au, what's wrong with me?” he asked, sounding annoyed.

Of all the things he could ask, he could only ask what was wrong with him.

What a weirdo.

I sighed and got back on my feet, deciding it was better not to deal with his tantrum this early in the morning.

“Forget it. Just get ready.”

I headed toward the kitchen, leaving him sitting there with the blanket wrapped around him.

A few moments later, I was preparing breakfast.

The sound of plates and utensils filled the otherwise quiet kitchen. Behind me, I could hear Prem moving around, but neither of us said much.

Eventually, I placed the food on the table and took my seat.

Prem sat across from me.

We exchanged one awkward glance.

Then another.

Neither of us said anything.

We simply ate breakfast in silence.

Author’s Note

Well… 😭 that escalated quickly.

Prem went from “I hate this annoying lecturer” to accidentally spending the night at his place, and now we have a whole misunderstanding waiting to explode. 😂

But honestly, I loved writing this chapter because we got to see a different side of both Prem and Boun. Prem finally opened up a little, while Boun got a glimpse of what might actually be behind all that troublesome behavior.

And that morning scene? 😭 Prem, please. Your mind went somewhere it absolutely did NOT need to go.

What do you think is going to happen next? 👀

As always, thank you for reading, supporting, and screaming along with me.

Love you all, muah! ❤️

— Zorry Sunblaze