Summer House

Chapter Seven

❤︎

Chapter Seven

Kongpob woke up early to catch the sunrise, peeking from the distant horizon. The touch of the sun warmed him and made him feel better. He hadn't slept at all after that cold shower last night. It left him numbed and shaking all night. With a wool blanket wrapped around his broad shoulders, Kongpob decided to sit down on the front porch steps, breathing in the fresh country air. However stuffy nose was, it didn't help him at all, instead he let out a loud sneeze.

"Bless you," came the voice from behind him.

He turned his head just enough to catch a glimpse of May who was wearing a robe over the clothes Arthit had given her the night before. She had dark circles under her eyes and Kongpob figured she hadn't slept well either. She moved to sit next to him and then placed her head against his shoulder the same way she always did with her comforting presence. "It's beautiful in the morning," she spoke softly.

"Yes," he agreed, turning to look down at her. "It is." He then shared his blanket, placing around her shoulder too. "How are you feeling?"

"I don't know. My mind seems to be all clogged up. I don't want to think about anything. I just want to sit here for a while and enjoy the beauty of this place," she paused, lifting her head to look up at him, "with you."

Kongpob reached out with his hand and placed her head on his shoulder. "If my grandfather were alive, he would have adored you."

"I'm sure I would have enjoyed his presence too. This place. This house, tells me a lot about him."

Kongpob closed his eyes, envisioning his grandfather's smiling face. He remembered it like a painting, locked inside his mind. He remembered every contour, every laugh line and most of all; he remembered how his eyes glowing with such warmth. "I wish he was still here."

May, sensing his loneliness, quickly placed a hand on top of Kongpob's and squeezed in reassurance. "I'm sure he's watching over you right now."

Kongpob liked the fact that May always knew what to say to him. This was the reason why he wanted—no, he needed her around him. He wanted to be reminded that there was still someone who cared for him. He needed a reason to live.

He leaned his head against hers and tapped her cheek lightly. "Thank you for being here."

"Thank you for letting me stay here," she said in return.

He felt another sneeze coming on and decided to stand up to turn away from May. He let out two more sneezes before he said, "I think I caught a cold. You go on ahead and freshen up. I'll let Arthit bring me some medicine." He turned to face the window, thinking he was inside the house.

May quickly stood up. "I could help you instead. What do you need? Let's go inside first."

She came closer to him, but Kongpob held out his hand. "I don't' want you catching a cold either. "Arthit! Hey! Arthit!" he called out loud.

He heard Arthit's footsteps approaching and watched as he opened the door and poked his head out, greeting May first with an inclination of his head, and then fixed his gaze on him. "Sir? What is it that you need?"

Kongpob chose to ignore the title Arthit used with him and tried to force down the memory of him walking in on him while he was in the shower with his clothes on. What if he had been naked? Would he have ran out screaming? Or stayed to stare at him instead? Quickly brushing his silly thoughts aside, he said, "I need some cold remedies. Fix me something and bring them to my room."

Arthit raised a puzzled brow. "Cold?" Stepping out, he approached them both with a look of concern. Dressed in a simple white t-shirt, comfortable jeans rolled up past his ankles, and his long hair tied up in a bun, Kongpob realized how youthful he appeared. He had to constantly remind himself that Arthit was only 19. He definitely sounded older sometimes.

"You've caught a cold?" Arthit inquired worriedly, sticking a hand into his pocket as if nervous about something.

"Don't ask. Just do as I tell you." Kongpob said shortly.

Arthit bobbed his head in obedience and entered the house without a word.

Kongpob turned to May. "Let's go inside."

May lowered her head in response and agreed with a nod. Kongpob noticed that she was looking rather unhappy. He wondered if it had anything to do with him calling upon Arthit instead of her. "What's wrong?" he asked.

May looked back at him and offered him an underlying smile. "Nothing. Nothing's wrong."

He couldn't help but think that there was something wrong, but May was just refusing to tell him what exactly.