As the car moved swiftly on the Pracha Road, a sense of stillness enveloped them. The quietness of the surroundings seemed to mirror the unspoken understanding between the two friends. Kieran wanted to ask Hardin something but felt like he couldn't find the right words. Yet, he found himself constantly stealing glances at Hardin, admiring his peaceful and energetic demeanor.
Despite the lack of conversation, Kieran found himself smiling secretly as he looked away from his friend's face. He reached for his cell phone and began to scroll through his saved photos. As he went through them, he stumbled upon a picture he had taken seven years ago, which he had also saved on his USB drive.
The photo brought back a flood of memories and emotions. Kieran remembered the day like it was yesterday when he and Hardin had gone on a spontaneous adventure and stumbled upon a breathtaking view. As he looked at the photo, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the enduring friendship he had with Hardin.
The silence on Pracha Road was a welcomed respite from the usual noise and chaos of the city. It allowed Kieran to reflect on the past while appreciating the present moment with his friend. As they continued walking, Kieran made a mental note to himself to cherish these moments and never take his friendship with Hardin for granted.
He glanced again at Hardin who was driving quietly. Hardin looks very different now, handsome, and manly. He clearly remembered it all. He will never forget how he met Hardin in Rama VIII, where his love at first sight happened.
"It animates my thoughts sometimes," he verbalized. He refers to their first meeting.
"I got lost that night, and I don't even speak a single Pasa-Thai, and if I didn't see you that night maybe I wander or stay on the bridge the whole night," Hardin's thoughts drifted back to the night they first met. They had been in Rama VIII, and he had gotten lost in an unfamiliar place where he didn't speak the language. But then he had seen Kieran, and everything had changed. It was as if fate had brought them together.
Kieran looked at Hardin—the boy he captured in his old camera back then. Kieran couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. Hardin was so handsome and manly, with a rugged charm that had captured his heart from the moment they met.
"It still amazes me sometimes," Hardin said, breaking the silence. "That we met like that, in such a random and unexpected way. If it weren't for you, I might have spent the whole night wandering around or sleeping on that bridge."
As they drove on in comfortable silence, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance encounter that had brought them together. It was a moment he would never forget and a memory that would always bring a smile to his face.
"No, a lot of natives can speak English fluently." Kieran shut his cell phone off.
"Such a lovely visage takes me back to that night. Do you know that you didn't change?" Hardin asked.
He was feeling content with who he was. He loved his attitude, his personality, the way he dressed, and his passion for photography. Nothing had changed in his life, except for one thing: he still loved Hardin.
He had been waiting for the perfect moment to confess his feelings, but fear held him back. The fear of rejection was strong, especially given how society and even his father had rejected him in the past. But he couldn't help the way he felt. He was drawn to Hardin like a moth to a flame, and every time he saw him, his heart raced faster.
Kieran had always known that he was different from other boys. Growing up, he had felt like an outsider, never quite fitting in with the other kids at school. But then he found photography, and it was like a whole new world opened up to him. He could capture the beauty of the world through his lens, and for a while, he forgot about everything else.
But then he met Hardin, and everything changed again. Hardin was like a ray of sunshine in his life, bringing laughter and joy wherever he went. Kieran couldn't help but be drawn to him, even though he knew it was risky to fall for someone who might not feel the same way.
As he stared at Hardin. Kieran made a decision. He knew he couldn't keep his feelings bottled up inside forever. He would find a way to tell Hardin how he felt, even if it meant risking rejection.
After all, he had nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Even if Hardin didn't feel the same way, at least he would know that Kieran had been true to himself. And that was all that mattered.
"You're still wearing the most beautiful smile I've ever seen."
Kieran couldn't help but wonder if Hardin's compliment was genuine. As someone who rarely smiled, knowing that his smile was considered the best in the world by Hardin made Kieran's heart leap with joy.
However, his mind soon drifted to a topic he didn't want to dwell on - was Hardin already in a relationship? It was a frivolous thought, but Kieran couldn't help but wonder since Hardin was attractive and seemed to have no trouble flirting with any girl he wanted.
Hardin's charming and enchanting personality can lure any woman. Kieran was so curious about it that he opened his mouth and asked Hardin.
It took a few seconds before Hardin answered his question. "Yes."
A short answer and Kieran wasn't hoping for Hardin's whole story. He was not interested in how Hardin met his girl, how he courted her, how nice she was, what was her name, or where she was from. Kieran was not interested. His heart slowly wounded. "Oh, I see." He babbled. Hardin doesn't care anyway.
"Do you know what were the first Thai noodles I know that became my favorite?" Hardin glanced at Kieran for seconds.
Kieran shrugged. "How did I know?" Kieran was still bitter.
"Hmm, guess what."
"How did I know?" Kieran repeated his question.
"Okay, it was Guay Teow, remember?" Hardin smiled.
"Maybe," Kieran deadpanned.
Hardin scratched his head. He couldn't explain why Kieran suddenly act like that. One of his hands ruffled Kieran's hair.
As Kieran turned to face him, Hardin commented, "You should always wear that perfect smile on your lips. You look so much better when you're not frowning," he said, playfully pinching Kieran's ear.
Suddenly, Hardin's tone changed. "Wait, are you disappointed?" he asked. "I can tell something's bothering you. Is it because I didn't show up, even though I'm in Bangkok? Or maybe it's because I didn't tell you about my girlfriend. She's really attractive."
Kieran's expression remained unchanged, but his mind was racing. He couldn't believe Hardin had a girlfriend, and he felt foolish for even entertaining the idea that they could be something more than friends. Despite his disappointment, Kieran managed to force a smile and said, "No worries, man. It's all good."
"Really? But I can sense that you're disappointed. Hmm... My girlfriend is gorgeous. You might fall in love with her. But can you tell me why you don't seem feeling well, Kieran?"
As Hardin's words sank in, Kieran's heart sank as well. He had been hoping to spend some time with Hardin, but it seemed that wasn't going to happen. "It's either you're in Bangkok and didn't show up or you hid your girlfriend from me," Kieran said, trying to veil his disappointment. "But I understand that your personal life is your own business."
Despite his efforts to remain composed, Kieran couldn't help feeling hurt. He had been harboring feelings for Hardin for a while, and the thought that he was already in a relationship was a bitter pill to swallow.
He looked out of the car window, trying to hide the turmoil inside. "And I have no intention of meeting your girlfriend," he whispered to himself. Kieran knew he had to come to terms with the fact that his feelings for Hardin were one-sided, but it didn't make it any easier. For now, he would focus on being a good friend and supporting Hardin, even if it meant hiding his feelings.
"Okay, I'll take care of you tonight." Hardin smiled.
Kieran didn't say a word. He kept looking outside. The corners of his eyes warmed. Why did Kieram ask earlier if Hardin had a girlfriend, he was hurt.
"Have you ever been in love? that was the question you asked me, remember? Now, I want to ask you the same question, it's fine now, you aren't a baby anymore." Hardin tapped Kieran on the shoulder.
"I love you," he said audibly and faced Hardin.
Hardin smiled. "I do love you too, Nong. Friends love each other.”
Eh, my love for you is more than friendship.
"Wanna go out for dinner in a fine restaurant? Or a dinner date in the yard?”
“Dinner date?” Kieran couldn't help asking what that meant.
"Yeah, date me, your friend, best friend, it's been years since we talked for hours. A friendly date. Let's talk about your life, my life, your special person, and playing favorites.”
"So the yard is in a huge space? I want a barbeque.” A disappointment in his chest a while ago slowly dissipated.
"Yes, of course, let's buy a barbeque then."
"I want to grill it."
"That's cool, Nong."
"Pee, the Nong in the Philippines means Uncle or Tito right?" He laughed.
"Chai khrub," That's right he answered.
"Are we close to your apartment now?" Kieran asked, changing the subject.
"Yes," he said and his car turned left. His car ran for about a minute before he stopped in front of the gate