NOT MEANT TO BE

Chapter 12

"Wow." Godt stared at the newly built website of Jaruji Auto Services and repairs. "This is classy, Tee." He began clicking on each page, admiring his friend's effort.

"Ever since this place was open, por hadn't done any kind of sales promotion, online or otherwise." Tee gave a self-satisfied smile, leaning back on his chair. "Our business is vastly increasing with the new line of promotions I have started. Within a year I estimate to double our profit."

Godt scrutinized his best friend.

"What?" Tee chuckled.

"I remember, you were whining, just a few months ago. Now you are totally into this." Godt said with an amused tone.

"A few months back, I thought I would be working under por."

"I can't believe he actually entrusted the total reign to you, Tee. Just like that!" Godt snapped his finger.

"Me too." Tee frowned. "But I think he has a bigger fish on his mind now." He contemplated for a moment. "Do you think he has ulterior motives? Because now that I think about it, he'd never given me a chance to prove my worth." He tapped his chin.

"Maybe, maybe not." Godt tilted his head. "Just don't think too hard, man." He leaned in and patted his friend's shoulder. "At least you are free to enjoy your work, for now." Godt ran his eyes around the newly furbished room. "Look at this room." His eyes started dancing with mischief. "As a bonus, you also get to spy on your secret crush." He waved his hand at the security system.

"Shut up, man." Tee smiled shyly. "I didn't install them to spy on him."

"Like I said, spying on him is an added benefit—"

Tee lifted a pen holder to throw at Godt. The taller man lifted his arms in surrender, laughing.

After sobering up, Tee looked at his friend.

"Why did you even come here? I mean, I'm glad you came but you sure didn't come to see me. You knew your por will be out of the country for Songkran." Tee rambled on, methodically clearing out his desk. It's time to close up and head home. Staff had been given a week-long holiday for the upcoming Thai new year. Tee just came here to tie some loose ends before wrapping up for the holiday.

"I came exactly because of that. He's gone away for the holiday with someone. I can have the house for myself." Godt got up from his seat and followed Tee as his friend started shutting down things before closing off.

"You could have stayed in the city." Tee shot a peculiar look. "Celebrations are grander there than here in the countryside."

"I kinda miss this place." Godt simply shrugged.

"I thought you couldn't wait to get the hell out of this shit hole?" Tee teased his friend. "Or...." Tee pressed the automatic key to his brand new Prius – another surprise from his dad. He thought he would have to ride from University to work on some shitty old car. "Is there any other reason?"

But Godt wasn't impressed much when he mentioned the car. He's into more masculine brands. But for Tee, a car is just a car. As long as it's new and ran well, he appreciated it.

"No other reason." Godt slid into the passenger.

"Bas didn't ask about you." Tee grinned.

Godt spluttered.

"Why would he ask about me?" He started playing with the seat belt. "We're not friends."

"Hmm..." Tee hummed, started the car. "It looked like he wanted to ask something. He tried several times but maybe he was too shy?"

"Really?" Godt dropped all pretense of nonchalance and turned to face his friend with interest.

"You two have been pulling each other's pigtails for years." Tee smirked. "That's the elementary level of liking someone."

"I don't see you pulling Tae's pigtails," Godt muttered.

Tee laughed out loud.

"What are you trying to say, Tee?" Godt asked impatiently. "Just out with it!"

"You live in the city. He's here. You can only come home twice a year." Tee shot a glance at his friend before focusing back on driving. "What I'm trying to say is that it's a hell of a time to get interested in each other."

"Maybe I'm not meant to be close to him." Godt leaned his head back and observed the passing scenery. "Maybe it's for the best."

"Maybe." Tee agreed. "But if you want to see him, I know where he lives."

"You have been to his house?" Godt gasped.

"I have dropped him home several times." He looked at Godt. "Want me to drive there now?"

"Now?" Godt widened his eyes.

Tee nodded.

"Not now. Not today." Godt shook his head vehemently. He's not ready to see that brat again. He'd been thinking about Bas more than he should. When he should have concentrated on his studies his mind suddenly brought up images of the kid. Their past encounters were brief. He didn't know what was wrong with him. All he knew was that he needs lots of mental preparation if he were to see the kid again.

A few days later Godt was riding his bike following the directions given by Tee. He went up and down the said lane several times but he couldn't locate the house Tee described.

He sat on the bike, planted one foot on the ground for balance and the other on the paddle before pulling his phone out. He should call Tee and clarify.

His call was interrupted by the sounds of someone running and giggling happily inside the rusty old gate of a house. He watched curiously when a cute brown puppy came running followed by a boy in a pair of black shorts and an oversized t-shirt. They rolled on the untrimmed lawn in the middle of the tiny front garden.

The boy managed to capture the puppy before it escaped.

"Did you really think you could outrun me?" He grabbed the brown puppy with floppy ears and rolled onto his back. "Eh, Rocky?" He held the puppy above his head and laughed out loud.

Godt watched, mesmerized. It was a beautiful scene. The evening sun had splattered over the unkempt lawn, kissing the puppy's brown fur, glinting off the boy's black hair and fair skin.

He simply stood by the sidewalk, awes trucked by the sight.

tbc.