After the final bell rang, Singto walked out of his class, his feets habitually turned in the direction of a tree in the school yard under which Krist waits for him everyday. Singto would walk Kit home and then head for his tutions.
His friends scold him for wasting time to walk Kit home but Singto didn't mind for it wasn't waste of time if you enjoy what you do. He like taking care of Krist. Periodt!
It was true that wasting time would cost him big since he was a tenth grade student now and his scores this year would determine his academic future. But dropping Kit home safely is one of his priorities. It was their special time, riding on a bicycle while happily chitchatting and sharing details of their day— it was their thing.
It had been their routine for ever since he remembers.
Kit aka 'Krist' aka 'Perawat Sangpotirat' was youngest son of Sangpotirat couple, a family friend and neighbour of Ruangroz family.
Naturally, they had spent their childhood together and shared a major part of their life with each other. Kit was two years younger than him so it was naturally his responsibility to take care of him. Thus started the routine of Kit following Singto everywhere.
Wherever Singto goes, Kit follows. Be it school, karate class, summer camp or simply swimming. Kit was everywhere where Singto was and if Kit couldn't follow, Singto would make sure to keep his nong under his supervision.
For example, take music, four years ago Kit started taking guitar lessons, something Singto had no passion or interest in, he only followed to see saftey of Kit. Because the child gets bullied everywhere, it was like he was a magnet for bullying be it verbal or physical.
It worries Singto to think that he will leave the school in a year and Kit will be alone for two whole years before he could follow Singto to college.
Singto found his chubby nong sitting under the tree as expected. But the eighth grader didn't jump down the bench and greet Singto with his usual happy wide smile. Kit was lost in thought, staring somewhere in to the space.
" Kit" Singto called. Krist didn't acknowledge the call, he didn't hear to be honest.
" Kit " Singto tried a little louder, succesfully managing to grab Krist's attention.
Krist looked at him with blank eyes, rimmed red, the dried tear streaks made Singto's blood boil. Not again! He is gonna kill the fucker whoever was responsible for it.
" Who was it? "
" No one. " Kit replied. Singto gritted his teeth. He hated this habit of Kit. Why does he always try to protect the bullies?
Even after asking several times in different tones ranging from concern to threat, Kit didn't reveal the identity of his bully. Singto could only sigh in defeat and plonk beside Kit.
" Tao, can you at least tell me what happened without telling me the names?"
" No," Kit shook his head "I know you will somehow figure out who was responsible and beat them. No one will try to become my friend then. I want friends na phi. "
" Kit, friends don't make you cry. They don't leave you alone to cry. They make you smile and if they can't do anything about it, they cry together with you. "
" Such friends only exist in books " Kit avoided Singto's stare " Kit wants friends. If you beat everyone that says something to me, no one will want to befriend me. No one does actually, everybody is scared of me." He whined, hiding his face behind his palms.
Hurt by Kit's statement yet concerned for his nong, Singto pulled Kit in to a hug.
" Am I not such a friend to you? "
" You are my phi. I want friends too." Kit whined again, placing his head on Singto's shoulder.
