Sawasdee-Kha

BANGKOK, THAILAND - 2:30 P.M.

Nick tapped his fingers patiently against the worn leather of the steering wheel, the air-con blasting cool relief against the bright midday sun pouring through the windshield.

Parked under the shaded porte-cochère of the Peninsula Bangkok hotel, red heart balloons and pink streamers bobbed lazily in the warm breeze, the whole entrance decked out for Valentine's Day with cheerful clusters of roses and heart-shaped signs. Couples wandered in and out, some carrying small gift bags, the air alive with light chatter and the distant hum of city traffic. It was just past noon, the peak of the dry-season heat making everything shimmer a little, but the promise of what the day was about to bring kept the mood buoyant.

He had been waiting nearly an hour for his long-time celebrity girlfriend, Karina, to walk out by the entrance, but fortunately patience came easy today. The anticipation only sharpened his senses, making every passing minute feel like a slow build to something electric.

And finally, she appeared.

Walking clumsily through the revolving doors, Nick watched Karina step into the bright daylight like she was made for it. She hurried toward the car, heels clicking on the stone driveway, dark hair gleaming under the sun in a cute, neat bun. 

The pretty K-pop idol was rocking a fitted grey sleeveless designer crop top with a neat row of tiny buttons running down the front and the hem cropped just high enough to reveal a tempting sliver of smooth midriff. Paired with those medium-wash blue jeans that sat comfortably on her hips and tapered down her legs, the look was casual yet deliberately sexy. Every step accentuated her in a way that made the midday brightness feel even hotter.

Nick’s smile spread wide and genuine as he watched her slide into his passenger seat. The door shut with a soft thud, sealing them in a rush of her vanilla-jasmine perfume that bloomed instantly, cutting through the faint scent of warm pavement and distant street-food spices drifting in from the street. 

She fumbled with the seatbelt in that hurried, pretend-guilty rush, acting like she hadn’t kept him waiting—as if being impunctual wasn’t her usual pre-date ritual.

“No wonder you took forever to get ready. You have like fifty buttons on your shirt,” teased Nick, voice low and easy, eyes hidden beneath a dark pair of Oakley shades she got for his last birthday. 

Karina shot his boyfriend a mock glare, lips twitching upward as she adjusted the loose strands of hair on her forehead while meddling with the seat belt, forcing a busy look. 

“Stop picking on me,” she said, clicking the belt into its slot, then added with an exaggerated huff. “It's you I'm dressing up for, after all, so the least you could do is say thank you if you’re not gonna compliment me.”

“Oh, I am complimenting you,” Nick countered, a cheeky smirk drawing upon his face. “See where my eyes go?”

Karina turned, catching her boyfriend staring at her chest with shameless appreciation. A flush crept up her collarbones—half irritation, half something hotter.

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” she said, deadpan. “You ogling my boobs like a child?”

Nick grinned, voice dropping to that husky register you knew she secretly loved. “Well, isn’t that why you choose to wear this outfit for me, specifically?”

“No, I picked it because it’s cute,” she replied softly, yet edged with that familiar spark. “And you’re lucky that you’re my boyfriend, or I would’ve slapped you in the face right now for saying that so confidently.”

Nick chuckled heartily at Karina’s playful threat, the sound warm and rich, filling the car like shared heat. 

“Yeah, my bad,” he said, “Feeling extra playful today since it’s Valentine’s.” 

Nick then reached to the backseat and pulled out a lush bouquet of deep red roses along with a small, elegant box tied with gold thread.

“Truce?” he offered, holding them out with a boyish wink.

Karine held her gaze on Nick for a few seconds, one finger drawn forward to nudge his shades down just so she could peeked into his eyes before her fake annoyance cracked into a reluctant smile. 

She took the roses first, bringing them close to her nose as their heady scent bloomed stronger, mingling with the jasmine notes already clinging to her skin. Her fingers brushed him on purpose as she accepted the box, sending a warm current straight up his arm. 

Only then she leaned in towards him for a kiss, moist lips meeting him in a smooch that started sweet, turned lingering. Her gloss was sticky and tasted faintly of ripe cherries, the humid air making every inch between them feel charged.

Karina then pulled back after giving Nick enough of her flavour, eyes glittering under the sunlight. “Come on. I’m starving.”

Nick responded with a satisfied smile, savoring the lingering taste of her as he shifted into gear and hit the pedal to the floor, truly looking forward to the bright afternoon opening up ahead of them.

Nick pulled a chair for Karina as she filled the seat across from him at a cozy corner table in the upscale Thai restaurant he'd booked the day before. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, bathing the space in warm midday gold while the faint hum of soft Thai acoustic music mixed with the gentle clink of dishes and murmured conversations from other couples. 

The air carried the irresistible aroma of lemongrass, galangal, and sizzling chilies, undercut by the creamy coconut notes drifting from the kitchen. A family-style spread was already being arranged—steaming jasmine rice in a woven basket, a vibrant tom yum goong with plump prawns bobbing in spicy broth, green curry fragrant with Thai basil, and a plate of fresh spring rolls alongside stir-fried morning glory.

The waiter approached with the final dishes, setting them down with quiet efficiency.

Karina pressed her palms together, followed by a subtle bow of the head in a graceful wai, smiling politely at the waiter. "Sawasdee kha."

The waiter returned the gesture, his smile widening at her effort with the feminine polite particle.

Meanwhile, Nick was visibly fighting a grin, lips pursing as he bit back laughter. Karina caught the look on Nick’s face almost immediately as narrowed her eyes towards him.

"What's so funny?" she asked in annoyance, cheeks were slightly red as she sensed him mocking her Thai.

Nick leaned forward, smirking with that confident gleam she knew too well. "You're saying it wrong. There's supposed to be a 'p' sound at the end of it.'"

Karina tilted her head, matter-of-fact. "Um… no, I said it right. Sawasdee kha is for women, and Sawasdee khap is for men."

He raised an eyebrow. "Really?" 

"Mm-hm," she replied, followed by a smug little nod.

"Well, that's funny," he said, pausing dramatically while making an exaggerated thinking face, chin in hand. "I feel like it should be the other way around."

Karina casually reached for the serving spoon as she prompted, "...Why?"

“Why, you ask? It’s because…”

Nick held the pause just long enough, eyes flicking ever so briefly to her chest, then back to her face. Karina, still unsuspecting of her boyfriend’s naughty gaze, continued to fill his plate with a generous scoop of green curry and rice.

"...Never mind," he said finally, waving it off with a grin. "I don't want to explain that joke while we're eating."

Karina's hand froze mid-scoop, spatula hovering over Nick’s plate while she shot him a stare of disbelief. 

Slowly piecing it together with her own brain power—the unfinished tease, the "p" sound, the silly grin on Nick’s face—it didn't take the girl long to have her eyes widened in realization, a flush creeping up her neck as the dots connected.

Karina then instantly grabbed a napkin from the table and tossed it at Nick, just hard enough to make it flutter against his chest as he tried to dodge it playfully.

"Hey—Rina, come on!” he laughed, playing the innocent. “Where’s your table manners?"

"You're the one to talk about table manners, you silly goofball!" she shot back, voice playful but edged with mock outrage. "What are you, a twelve-year-old?"

Nick's laughter deepened, truly satisfied by his girlfriend’s reaction. "Hey, a twelve-year-old me couldn't come up with that joke. I didn't even learn what a D-cup was until I became a freshman,” he said. “College freshman, that is. Not high school."

Karina smirked, shaking her head hopelessly. "Now that one is definitely a lie."

"I promise you it's not,” said Nick with a convincing smile. "I was an innocent kid back then. Pretty good student, too. But of course, you already know that about me."