Seven years later
Saem Choi, Bangkok Thailand.
Kieran languished in his solitary chamber, his ennui palpable as he sat amid the stillness of his stagnant existence. The door, a boundary between him and the outside world, remained closed, shutting out the mundane and the routine. His life had become a monotonous voyage along a tedious shore, devoid of excitement or adventure. The sweltering heat of the afternoon offered no solace, and he had no desire to seek the company of friends.
As he lay down on his bed, a sudden swell of memories overtook him, taking him back to a time long ago. Seven years had passed since he had last seen his bosom buddy, Hardin, and the recollections flooded in like a tidal wave, overwhelming him with nostalgia and longing. As a sailor lost at sea, he yearned for the comfort of his old friend's company.
Kieran's recollection of his name remained crystal clear, unblemished by the passage of time. The mere thought of Hardin, with his enchanting looks, had an inexplicable hold on Kieran's psyche, impervious to his attempts to shake it off. It resonated within him like a celestial melody, piercing through his very being.
Kieran's heart was consumed with longing for Hardin, a profound yearning that seemed to grow with each passing moment.
Kieran's deepest longing was to spend the entirety of his existence entwined with Hardin, but the harsh truth was that such a fate was unattainable, for Hardin was a man who unequivocally identified as heterosexual.
Kieran's mind was consumed with the thought of Hardin's father, and the possibility that Hardin might share his father's narrow-mindedness. The tears flowed freely down Kieran's face, as he grappled with the overwhelming anguish of his impossible love.
The very notion of Hardin reciprocating Kieran's feelings seemed implausible, owing to the fact that they were both young men. To compound matters, Kieran was certain that Hardin had been romantically involved with someone else for several years now. The world in which Kieran existed was a harsh and unforgiving one, where prejudice and bigotry reared their ugly heads at every turn.
The countless instances of hatred he had experienced had left Kieran feeling utterly despondent. He wasn't a robot that didn't get hurt, sometimes he just secretly cried. But he never blames himself for what he did.
Kieran's memory of the fateful day when Hardin had proposed that they attend the same university at Bang Mot, Sub-district, Thung Khru District, Bangkok Thailand was as vivid as a technicolor dream. The two had made a solemn pact, their bond sealed by a shared vision of a bright future together.
Yet, as the years trickled by like grains of sand through an hourglass, Kieran felt an acute sense of sorrow and regret. Despite their grand plans, Hardin had not once made an effort to reach out to him, nor had he shown any inclination to meet again. The silence between them was a deafening roar, a cavernous void that echoed with the sound of Kieran's unrequited love.
The absence of any communication from Hardin, not even a perfunctory greeting on Line or any other social media platform, was a bitter pill for Kieran to swallow. It was a stark reminder of the chasm that had grown between them, a gaping wound that refused to heal.
Kieran adeptly concluded the lingering memories with Hardin, and they gradually dissipated like a celestial object obscured by daylight. At that moment, he seized the chance to ruminate on a topic of his choosing. His thoughts drifted to the most felicitous day of his existence, the day when he sat for the entrance exam at the university, pursuing his passion for engineering, a mere two months prior. His heart swelled with anticipation as he reflected on the forthcoming announcement of his exam results, imbued with the utmost confidence that he had excelled.
He had a sudden recollection. It was like a blooming flower in his mind's garden. He reminisced about the day of their exam when he took refuge in the university canteen, awaiting the arrival of Ayne and Pharm. A kind-hearted engineering student approached him and offered him a bouquet of snacks and a glass of Nom Yen, a sweet and refreshing nectar that was as pink as a flamingo's feathers.
Despite being taken aback by the unexpected gesture, he graciously accepted the gifts. The engineering student then revealed that he was merely the messenger and that the true benefactor was his friend.
He ought to have inquired as to the identity of the generous donor, but the gentleman promptly pivoted and strode away, leaving him with a lingering sense of inquisitiveness. The mystery persisted in his thoughts to this day. The bestowal of a glass of Nom Yen was a mark of distinction, an indication that one held a special place in the giver's heart. Who, then, had graced him with the pink-hued milk?
Although he wished it was Hardin, he couldn't be certain. After all, Hardin had not made an appearance that day, nor was Kieran certain of his attendance at the university.
Despite his negative suspicion about Hardin being the donor, Kieran's being was filled with hope. His nerves were frayed, and he felt the tremors of anticipation running through his entire being. He gazed up at the ceiling, lost in thought.
All he yearned for was to seclude himself in his quarters until the results of his entrance exam were announced that day. He was cognizant that if he were unsuccessful, his father would compare him unfavorably to Arthit, the esteemed doctor of the Sutthiprapha family. Nevertheless, Kieran was resolved to remain indifferent to his father's reproaches, as he had grown accustomed to such scathing remarks.
Kieran reclined and embraced the pillow snugly, as it served as his confidant and trustworthy companion for all his emotions. Overcome with emotion, he bit his bottom lip.