Work Text:
He turned on his computer and, while it loaded, he reviewed the itinerary on the topics that were going to be discussed through the videoconference.
Suddenly, a message notification appeared on his phone, so he immediately picked it up to check it. It was one of his co-workers giving him instructions to start his work. The message said:
“Nunew is ready and waiting for the call”
Nunew had been his classmate at university, and the thought that he was now about to interview him for an upcoming project for the television network he worked for made him think about how life takes many turns. Nunew was now one of the most representative singers in the country, so setting aside a moment of his time was extremely complicated. Besides, it was well known that, if he was not busy with his work, he was busy with his family, since his young son was a priority.
Upon establishing the call, the first thing he saw was the image of Nunew looking down, answering his cell phone; However, upon realizing that the image had stabilized, Nunew looked at the screen and greeted him respectfully, to which he responded in the same way.
-Years have passed, it's fun that we work together today. -said Nunew very animated.
- Do you remember me? -He asked in amazement, he could swear that after so many years that would be impossible.
Although they had studied together, he did not belong to Nunew's circle of friends. They didn't get along badly either, they were simply classmates who shared what was necessary when it came to homework and classes.
-Of course. -Nunew answered smiling. -Your boss sent me the information of the person with whom I would have the interview and I recognized your name.
It went without saying that Nunew was an extremely polite and tender boy.
-Wow, I didn't expect it. -He answered, amazed. -Now I am working for CH3 and they assigned me as part of the team for the next music program. I was very happy that they asked me to contact you.
- TRUE? What a surprise. -Nunew responded, but before they continued talking, a high-pitched voice was heard in the background, which was getting louder.
The owner of that voice was nothing more and nothing less than that of a child, whom he could hear more clearly after a few seconds, since he entered the room where Nunew was, who had turned his head to the side as soon as he heard it.
-My love, why are you awake? - he heard Nunew say, his voice sweeter, but he couldn't understand the baby's response.
Through the screen he could see that Nunew, having turned his seat to the side, leaned over and picked up the little boy.
And there he had it in front of him for the first time. While his old school friend gave the little boy a big kiss on the cheek, he was able to see the famous “Panich's traits” in that baby.
-I hope you don't mind Lian joining our call, Hia had to go out to the new Super Sun branch, so it's just him and me. -he said, while rubbing his cheek with the little baby's head.
Lian Panich, just one year and four months old, was perhaps the most famous baby in Bangkok at the time, causing a stir ever since Zee and Nunew announced his existence in a live almost two years ago. In that broadcast, the famous couple announced their upcoming parenthood, after Nunew had canceled a couple of events due to constant stomach discomfort. So what they thought was gastritis was now the media's favorite baby.
The night he was born was a night in which the city did not sleep, as Lian surprised everyone by arriving in the world around midnight on a hot spring day, causing the news of his arrival to be the number one trend in social networks. Zee Pruk would have announced the news through a post on his X account: “Our family is finally complete, our baby has finally arrived, welcome to the world Lian Panich” and would later show the photo of the newborn's hand on Nunew's hand in what could be seen was the hospital bed, and with the description: “The two loves of my life”
-Don't worry, he will be our special guest. -He answered with humor. -Also, I am glad that Khun Zee is succeeding in his business.
- Yes! - Nunew said effusively. - The new branch has been a great success, but because the stock runs out too quickly, some problems have arisen, so he had to go there immediately, but it won't be long before he returns.
He found it funny how while Nunew was talking, the little boy hugged him while he pointed at the screen, babbling some words.
-Yes baby, he's a friend, say hello. -Nunew whispered to his son when he noticed his gestures.
As Lian extended his hand towards the screen, he saw those eyes with long eyelashes and prominent Panich eyebrows; As mentioned before, the peculiar Panich genes could be seen in that little baby, which is why it was a constant topic of conversation in which Nunew said that he was happy that his baby was just like his Hia, and Zee Pruk for his side highlighted that the little one had taken Nunew's heart-shaped mouth and that made it perfect.
-So, the program will be starting in two months? -Nunew asked, returning to work, while placing the baby on his legs.
-That's right, that's why we have the preparation schedule above. -He answered, opening his agenda. -However, your appearance will be later because the television station wants you to be a surprise judge.
-Yes, that's what they told me, I'm glad because my schedule is a bit heavy and this way I will have enough time to prepare. -Nunew responded.
After Lian was born, Nunew resumed his activities little by little, it goes without saying that he had a lot of work waiting for him, and not to mention the large number of invitations to talk shows since everyone wanted to have the couple on their program to talk about the baby and their new life as parents.
-Don't worry, we'll make arrangements so as not to take up too much of your time. -He answered, he was empathetic with the artist's delicate agenda. -Also, if you like, you can take your baby to rehearsals, the television station has no problem with it.
-Oh, no problem. -Nunew expressed, lifting the baby who was sliding to the floor while playing. -Hia and I arrange for him to take care of it, or my parents also offer to help us.
At this, a noise caught Nunew's attention, who remained silent as if trying to listen.
-Give me a minute. -He said, and stood up with the baby in his arms and then left the room.
He stared at the back of the room through the camera, no doubt with just a few minutes of talking he could see how busy a father's day with a baby was.
A few seconds later he could hear voices approaching again, Nunew appeared on the screen again, taking a seat, but he was no longer carrying his son. The reason for this appeared behind him, as Zee Pruk arrived, standing behind the chair while carrying the child.
-Sorry for the interruption, Hia arrived and I went to let him know we were here. -Nunew said, adjusting the screen so that Zee could be seen better over the back of his seat. Upon seeing him, he immediately greeted him with a bow, and the elder responded with a single hand.
-Good morning Khun Zee. -He told him with a touch of nervousness, the man was not only surprisingly handsome and it seemed that age only defined that, but he was also imposing, even behind the screen.
-Good morning, Nu says that they are doing the interview for the CH3 program. -The older man answered, leaning forward slightly as he held the baby in his arms.
-That's Khun Zee, we are working on his itinerary for the program. -Replied.
-Also, he was my classmate at university. -Nunew added looking towards his partner.
- Oh really? -Zee asked surprised. -How small the world is, nice to meet you again, Nu already has a husband and son. -He added that last thing so naturally that Nunew and his friend didn't catch it right away.
- Hia, don't scare him! -Nunew shouted embarrassed, looking at him from his seat.
I stifle a laugh as I watch the couple's interaction, the family dynamic seemed fun.
A few months after Lian was born, Zee and Nunew returned to the media spotlight, where they answered their first questions about how they were coping with their new parenthood. Both responded that they were facing a challenge much bigger than their jobs as public figures; they had the confidence to talk about the nights they spent taking turns to attend to the baby's cries, the scares with his first fever, and how difficult it had been to leave him at his grandparents' house for the first time because they both had jobs.
-Excuse him, he doesn't want to scare you, he's just annoying. -Nunew addressed him again.
-Don't worry, Khun Zee is fun. -He answered, observing the expression of the older man in the background.
Behind Nunew, Zee was rocking the little boy in his arms.
- Right Lian? Daddy Nunu already has a family to take care of, and who knows, maybe you'll have a little brother soon too. -Such words caught the attention of both.
Even through the screen he could swear that the reddish hue on Nunew's cheeks had become prominent.
- Hia! –Nunew immediately turned his chair around, and began tapping his husband's abdomen. -You better go prepare Lian's bottle and stop saying embarrassing things.
-Hey, it's not embarrassing. -The older man answered, looking offended.
-Don't say those things in front of my friend Hia. -Nunew continued to claim.
-Well, well, I won't say it in front of him. -Zee said stroking his hair. -Then I'll go give Lian his bottle, okay?
Nunew nodded, and then Zee said goodbye to both of them and left the room.
After witnessing that he had been left thinking, Is Nunew...?
-There's no baby on the way if that's what you're thinking. -Nunew spoke, breaking him out of his thoughts.
-Ah, don't worry, I wasn't thinking about that, but I admit that Khun Zee took me by surprise. -He told him.
-Well... -Nunew looked down with a half smile. -Yes, we have talked about it, especially because we would like Lian to have a little brother or sister to play with when Hia and I have to travel, or when it takes us a while to get home. But since we are both having a lot of work, that won't be possible anytime soon. -Nunew admitted, leaving him surprised with the confession.
He was flattered by the trust, despite not having been close when they met as students.
-I understand perfectly, I know very well that you have a rather long waiting list. - He answered, with much truth in his words, getting some of Nunew's time was very difficult.
-Of course, if it happened like with Lian, and a baby came as a surprise, we would wait very happily. -Nunew added, somewhat thoughtfully.
Although their first child was not planned, it was public knowledge that both were happy with the news. After giving the news, neither hid the preparations they were slowly making to welcome the baby; on more than one occasion their fans were fortunate enough to receive updates through live streams that both of them made showing things they had bought, and others they received as gifts.
-I can imagine, you two look very happy even with such a busy life. -He replied.
-When we started college… - Nunew began to say, absorbed. -I would never have thought about what my life would be like now, because now it is Hia and baby who make me be where I am, and at that time I didn't even imagine that Hia and I would meet, much less that we would become close and much less that we would like each other and have a relationship.
They were very moving words, behind Nunew there was a path full of history, where his efforts to grow and become an icon of music in his country were intertwined, and his story with the man he met in that same area, with the who faced many difficulties because the path of someone whose name echoed in every corner of the city was also full of detractors.
He personally admired Nunew, he was happy when he saw him in the first TV programs to which he was invited, it seemed to him that finally all the effort that his partner put into his dream was beginning to bear fruit.
-In my opinion, for those of us who knew you at that time it was also unexpected to see how you started and even more so when we found out about your relationship with Khun Zee, but it also gave us great joy to see you succeed. -he answered causing him to smile. -Now you have bigger and bigger works that are representative of your effort, and I'm not telling you this just as a friend, I can swear to you because I work there and I know how loved they are by television channels and the media in general. -he added with emotion. -In addition to that now the two of you have your own company that has become notable for its growth, and you have finally formed your family and the three of you are very loved by fans and non-fans.
Nunew was very moved to hear all this.
Maybe they had strayed from the main topic of work, but they were words that perhaps he needed to hear.
-Well... Getting back to work, the production wants your appearance to be a huge surprise for everyone. -He commented, returning to the matter that brought them together there.
-I like the idea, it sounds fun. -Answered Nunew interested.
But before continuing, he heard something and Nunew turned to the side again, and at that moment he could hear Zee's voice.
-Nu, I'll go give Lian a bath, things happened, everything is clean, I'll tell you later. -He heard the older man say, without pausing to give further explanation.
Nunew looked back at the screen, showing his smile, his family was quite a case, especially his husband.
-Sorry again, these things are normal in this house. -Nunew told him.
-Don't worry, I'm glad you're having fun. -He replied.
-So, shall we continue? - he asked again, resuming the thread of work, then he would go see what happened.
-Let's continue, let's move on to the schedules. -He finally answered.
In the end, those hours of talking instead of doing work had been quite pleasant, it was nice to be able to talk to an old friend after so long. Likewise, he hoped that the rest of the interview would go off without complications, especially since Nunew had to leave as soon as possible to see what chaos his husband and son had caused, before they hid evidence from him.