MileApo : Catching Feelings

ten

The ride was pretty long, Apo made sure to make the most of his friend's motorcycle, speeding whenever he could. Feeling the air against their faces, as everything around them blurred past, the cars, the buildings, billboards, markets... Both of them were the only constant while everything else varied. Mile seemed a little tensed at first, but Apo could feel Mile's body relaxing against his over time, he was embracing the exhilaration as well.

They entered the Phra Nakhon district and passed the University, where they met almost a decade ago. The Chao Phraya flowed south with them and to their left were the various attractions of the old town. Apo knew Mile loved this place, they'd been here together a few times to make merits or just to walk around. But they'd never seen the sunset here together and Apo was quite sure Mile had never seen the sunset from the spot he had in mind.

It was almost temple closing time when Apo pulled up near Wat Pho. They managed to get inside and spend some time praying before the temple closed.

"I wanted to show you the sunset." Apo finally disclosed his intention. "I know a place."

Mile seemed a lot better than in the morning, he was smiling again, real smiles that reached his eyes. Whatever was bothering him, the time in the temple helped. Apo led him along the road outside Wat Pho, towards the riverside cafe.

"I used to come here sometimes after class, back in the days. The shops have all changed, but I'll show you the sunset. It's still as beautiful."

"Lead the way, sir." Mile held out his hand allowing Apo to walk ahead.

Apo chuckled and kicked Mile playfully before running off towards the riverside. They bought some coffee from a cafe and sat outside it, on the edge of the river. The pier was a hundred metres to their left, and the ferry relayed between the opposite banks, taking travellers from Wat Pho to Wat Arun. The sun was on its course west, a red ball hiding from the night behind Wat Arun.

The sun setting behind the Temple of the Dwan, Apo smiled at the simple irony. Just as the sun brushed the tip of the temple, the lights turned on as if discerning the touch. The so far gorgeous sunset turned into a breathtaking sight.

"Wow," Mile whispered.

Apo faced Mile, he was smiling at the view, his eyes moving rapidly from point to point, attempting to drink in all the details of the beautiful scenery. The rays of the setting sun fell on him, highlighting the contours of his face. Because of the filming, he was even more perfect those days, with perfectly shaped eyebrows, his deep-set eyes, slightly crinkled at the corners, and his lips turned up into a small smile. Apo smiled as well. Mile was nearly as breathtaking as the sunset itself.

"Yeah. Wow." Apo agreed.

The sun finally hid itself and the sky began to fade in colour as night crept in. The night was luminous on the opposite bank, Wat Arun glowed brilliantly in front of them, such a sight to see. Apo hadn't ever stayed past the sunset to see this sight in the dark. This was his first experience as well. They lingered in silence as they watched the sky go through its phases.

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"That guitar... It was Lily's. I was going to give it to her on her birthday." Mile did not pry his eyes to look at Apo as he spoke, his gaze was fixed straight ahead, at the blinding lights of the temple.

"Lily?" Apo finally spoke out the name that had been gnawing at the back of his mind since that morning.

"We own a supermarket back home and every month, we sponsor stuff to an orphanage. Lily was a resident there... She was just six years old when I met her."

"She's a little girl?" Apo's surprise was apparent in his tone.

"Yeah... Really adorable, always smiling, always running around. She was really shy when I first met her, hiding behind a caretaker when I tried to say hello." Mile smiled fondly, reminiscing the past.