Kieran joyfully led Pharm to their quarters, meticulously adhering to all of Hardin's directives and instructions. Meanwhile, Hardin was busy in the courtyard, diligently preparing their evening meal. Kieran attentively watched as Pharm unpacked his belongings from his luggage.
Suddenly, Pharm paused and gazed directly at Kieran, his expression betraying a sense of bewilderment. It seemed that Kieran was behaving oddly of late, engaging in soliloquy and exhibiting a remarkable vitality.
Pharm couldn't help but wonder what had caused this change in Kieran's behavior. He had known Kieran for some time now, and he had never seen him act like this before. Perhaps it was the fresh air and tranquility of the city that had brought about this transformation.
Kieran, however, seemed oblivious to Pharm's scrutiny and continued to assist him with unpacking his belongings.
Pharm was acutely aware of Kieran's struggles with depression and social anxiety. Many nights, he had observed his friend staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought and seemingly unable to find comfort or peace.
Kieran's struggles were compounded by the fact that he lived in an environment that was hostile to his identity. Surrounded by people who were openly homophobic, Kieran had to constantly navigate a minefield of prejudice and discrimination. It was a daily battle that left him feeling drained and hopeless.
Pharm couldn't help but feel a deep sense of empathy towards his friend. He knew all too well the toll that such an environment could take on a person's mental health and well-being. It was a cruel irony that someone as kind and compassionate as Kieran should have to suffer in this way.
Prior to their introduction, Kieran had not mentioned any of his close friends to Pharm. As a result, when Kieran mentioned the name "Hardin," Pharm was left questioning who this individual was in Kieran's life. Although Pharm was not overly concerned, he was curious to learn more about this person. Now that Pharm has formed the impression that Hardin is a good and kind individual, he feels at ease. Pharm does not object to the idea of someone coming between Kieran and Hardin if it were to occur.
Kieran noticed that something seemed to be bothering Pharm and he couldn't help but ask what was on his mind. "P'Pharm, is everything okay? You seem a bit off. What's going on?" Kieran asked with a concerned expression, making eye contact with Pharm. It was as though Pharm's aura was silently pleading for something, but Kieran couldn't quite put his finger on it.
As Kieran pondered what could be bothering Pharm, his mind wandered to their shared living situation. Perhaps Pharm had concerns about the monthly rent payment for their apartment. Or maybe there was something else entirely on his mind. Kieran remained attentive, waiting for Pharm to share his thoughts and feelings.
Kieran let out a sigh and asked, "Tham mai khrub?" which translates to "What's wrong?" in English. He noticed that Pharm's gaze was fixed on him, filled with curiosity, and yet he seemed hesitant to speak up.
"We can't keep Ayne and Hardin waiting, P'Pharm," Kieran said as he tried to pull Pharm along, but he remained motionless.
Kieran began to wonder if there was something more serious on Pharm's mind. He decided to take a step back and give Pharm the space he needed to speak up. He sat and waited for him to open up about whatever was troubling him.
Pharm and Kieran's interaction was fraught with tension as Kieran was visibly curious about Pharm's behavior. He prodded Pharm, asking if there was an issue on his mind, and urged him to speak up so they could move on with their plans. However, Pharm seemed to have a different agenda and teasingly retorted.
"Look, who was in love here," he then sauntered over to Kieran, further intensifying the charged atmosphere between them.
Despite Kieran's insistence that he was only concerned for his friend, the underlying tension between them was palpable, suggesting that there may be deeper issues at play. It remains unclear whether Kieran's curiosity was born out of genuine concern or a desire to control the situation.
"My friend just loves me very much, and won't mind telling me what's on his mind." Kieran heaved.
"You like P'Hardin, right? Oh no wrong term, I mean you loved P'Hardin, right?" Pharm looked straight into Kieran's eyes, he was seeking the sincerity in Kieran's answer. "I can tell."
Kieran's heart skipped a beat at Pharm's sudden question. He had always tried to hide his feelings for Hardin, but somehow, Pharm had seen right through him. Kieran's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he struggled to find the words to respond.
Pharm, on the other hand, seemed almost amused by Kieran's discomfort. He leaned in closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Don't worry, I won't judge you," he said, a hint of laughter in his voice. "But I am curious, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Kieran's mind raced as he tried to come up with a response. He had always been afraid of telling anyone about his feelings for Hardin, fearing that it would ruin their friendship. But looking at Pharm now, he realized that he couldn't keep it bottled up forever.
Taking a deep breath, Kieran finally spoke. "I didn't want to risk losing him," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "He's my best friend, and I didn't want to do anything to jeopardize that."