Two hearts in Bangkok...
Kieran leans in intently on the circular table, deftly slicing the delectable Thai Roti with a glint in his eye. A faint smile graces his lips, betraying his satisfaction with the task at hand. As he sits upright, his brow furrows in contemplation. He couldn't help but ponder the reason for Pharm's prolonged presence.
What could be the cause of his delay? Kieran's frustration grows, and he feels a sudden urge to hurl his lunch box at the tardy individual. He wonders if Pharm has concocted a mischievous scheme, a prospect that fills him with trepidation. Kieran fervently hopes that any such prank will fall flat this time around.
"Pray tell, my dear Pharm," Kieran uttered with a touch of artistry, aware that his friend might not comprehend his vernacular. "I implore you to procure for me a delectable glass of Pink Milk."
With a graceful bow, Kieran resumed his culinary endeavor, skillfully slicing the Thai Roti once more before drizzling it with a luscious stream of liquid chocolate. Raising his chin in satisfaction, he noticed that Pharm had not yet departed. Perturbed by his friend's lingering presence, Kieran stood up to investigate the cause of the delay. Upon closer inspection, he realized that Pharm was engaged in a conversation with an unknown individual.
A strikingly handsome man leaned nonchalantly against the doorway, catching Kieran's gaze with a magnetic pull. The stranger's eyes shimmered like a majestic sunrise, ablaze with fiery intensity and fervent passion. He held Kieran's gaze with a cosmic smile that seemed to transcend earthly limits. Kieran inhaled deeply, savoring the tantalizing scent of freesia that emanated from the man's alluring tropical accent. The fragrance was so enticing that it made the man all the more irresistible.
Kieran swallowed. He felt the wave of self-consciousness wash over him. He couldn't help but be drawn to the man's gentle countenance. His flawless features were reminiscent of a leading actor, capable of captivating audiences with just a glance.
As Kieran gazed into the man's eyes, his heart began to race, thumping against his chest like a wild stallion. The man's mere presence had a magnetic pull, and Kieran found himself unable to tear his gaze away. He couldn't help but wonder if he was equally as alluring to this stunning specimen before him.
Despite his momentary insecurity, Kieran knew that he was in the presence of someone truly special. The man's beauty was not just skin deep; it radiated from within, illuminating his every gesture and expression. In that moment, Kieran felt as though he were in the presence of a deity, a divine being whose very essence was love and compassion.
As Pharm sat back down on the sofa, and now it was only him and the stranger stood together staring at each other, Kieran was struck by a sudden sense of longing. He yearned to be close to him, to bask in the warmth of his gaze and feel the tender touch of his hand. For Kieran, this moment was like something out of a fairytale, a dream come true that he never thought possible.
With his heart beating like a hummingbird's wings, Kieran took a deep breath and summoned the courage to speak. "I...I don't know what to say," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're just so...perfect."
The stranger's lips curled into a sly smirk as he took in Kieran's appearance, from head to toe. Kieran couldn't quite decipher the man's intentions, but the intensity of his gaze made him feel exposed, as though his shirt had been torn away by merciless hands.
There was something undeniably familiar about the stranger, from the way he smelled to the curve of his smile. Kieran couldn't help but be drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. The stranger's happiness was palpable, radiating from his eyes like a beacon of light.
Kieran felt a sudden surge of possessiveness, as though he had finally found something he had been searching for all his life. The stranger's smile was like a key that unlocked something deep within him, setting free emotions that he had long kept hidden.
As the stranger continued to stare at him, Kieran felt a rush of heat spread across his body, like a wildfire consuming everything in its path. He couldn't deny the attraction he felt towards this enigmatic stranger, even if it meant surrendering himself completely to the unknown.
"Pee," Kieran said. He observed the man's entire face. He felt that there are tracks of memories that connected him with the guy.
The guy raised his arm, and Kieran saw him holding Nom Yen in a plastic bottle. "This is for you."
He smiled, and without a second thought, he snatched the bottle in the stranger's hand. He has no shame. That's a blessing. As he looked down at the bottle in his hand, Kieran felt a flood of memories wash over him. It was the same brand of Nom Yen that he had received when he took his entrance exam at the university. The sight of the familiar bottle filled him with a sense of nostalgia and longing, reminding him of a time when anything was possible and the future was full of promise. There's a word written on the bottle...
Congratulations.
Kieran's gaze fixed on the man before him, and his heart skipped a beat as he noticed a familiar mole on the man's lower lip. Memories flooded Kieran's mind, reminding him of someone he had once loved deeply and lost. His longing for that person intensified, and he felt an overwhelming urge to run to the man, bury his face in his chest, and pour out his heart.
Kieran struggled to find his voice as he addressed the man, avoiding using his name. He couldn't bear to say it out loud, as it would bring back too many painful memories. Despite his efforts to remain composed, his throat constricted with emotion.
"It's been a long time," the man said, breaking the silence.
Kieran nodded, unable to trust himself to speak. The weight of a thousand memories and unspoken words hung heavily in the air between them.
"Who me." The guy moved close to Kieran.
"P'Hardin," Kieran's voice took on a lively tone as he spoke the name that held so much significance to him. Hardin: his first crush, a friend whom he had secretly loved for years. Memories of their past flooded Kieran's mind, and he couldn't help but smile as he recalled the time when he was a lonesome fifteen-year-old wandering around Rama VIII.
He remembered how Hardin had treated him to a bowl of Guay Teow and gifted him a black hoodie jacket that he still cherished to this day. Kieran had been touched when Hardin had asked him to keep his photo safe and return it to him when he was in college. It was a promise that Kieran had kept, even though he had longed to see Hardin again.
And then, there was the time when Hardin had asked Kieran to study in the same university as him. Kieran's heart had soared at the thought of being closer to the person he loved, "And a guy—" but he was unable to speak the last word, the one that signified the depth of his feelings for Hardin.
Hardin was seven feet tall and Kieran was only up to Hardin's lips. Kieran felt Hardin's breath on his face. Kieran looked up at him, Hardin was so close. Kieran felt nervous. Hardin messed up his hair.
"You remember so much." Hardin coaxed.
Kieran bit his upper lip. He wants Hardin's touch. He didn't know why the way Hardin mess his hair made his eyelids feel heavy. "And a guy, who said that he will take care of his junior." He smiled. He's not shy anymore. Hardin said that line back then, a line that Kieran cared about.
Hardin's sweet smile widened as he pulled Kieran closer to his body, enveloping him in a tight embrace. Kieran felt a rush of warmth and affection flood through him as he wrapped his arms around Hardin in return. As they held each other, Kieran could feel Hardin's face resting atop his head, and he knew that this was where he belonged.
For almost a minute, they remained locked in their embrace, unwilling to let go of one another. It felt like no time had passed since they last saw each other, and yet, their paths had crossed once more. In that moment, Kieran knew that he wanted to hold onto Hardin forever. Finally, their paths cross again.
"Good god, you're here," said Arthit.