What if - MATURE rating

My Engineer - Frong and Thara Part 1

Frong POV

I threw my bag down and groaned in frustration. The doctor was so confusing! One minute, it feels like he likes me then the next he says things like 'We are brothers right'.

Everything was going great. We shared a tent, he helped me find my necklace and we even exchanged numbers.

Is it Duen all over again? Have I got the wrong idea? Is he like this with everyone?

I sighed and rubbed my face before heading for a shower. Hopefully, the hot water can help clear my head.

When I emerged I was still just as confused and frustrated as ever. My phone pinged and I smiled when P'Thara's name flashed on the screen. It instantly turned into a frown as I chided myself.

"He thinks of you like a brother!" I told myself as I reached for the phone.

He'd sent photos from the trip and I hated that it made my heart flutter. His arm around me had felt so good.

'Thank you for going with me. I had a great time.'

Delete!

'It was a great trip. Thank you for finding my father's necklace.''

Delete!

'What would you say if I said that I like you?'

Delete!

'Thank you for sending the pictures.'

The message was instantly read but there was no reply. I groaned again and collapsed on the bed. My head pounded so I decided to try and sleep it off.

---

The next day, my head and heart still ached. At school, I sat staring into space at lunchtime.

"P'Frong!"

I jumped as a smiling Duen sat across the space while his boyfriend scowled behind him.

"You ok P'?" he asked.

"Yeah I'm fine," I forced a smile.

"Really? You sure about that?"

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Well, I called your name, like, four times and you didn't answer. It was like you were thinking too hard about something," he looked worried.

"No, it's nothing ..." I paused. "Well actually ... I wanted to ask you about your cousin."

Duen's smirk made my cheeks heat up but I bit down the butterflies, I needed to know.

"What about him?"

"Well, is he seeing ... I mean does he have a ..." I couldn't get my words out.

"A lover, you mean?" I nodded. "P' the thing you need to know about my cousin is that he is clueless. He is very smart but not when it comes to that sort of thing."

My heart fell.

"Look, as far as I know, he's not seeing anyone and if you want to be with my cousin, you gotta make it clear to him. Let him know you're interested," he suggested.

I nodded, I knew he was right I just had to take the plunge. If I don't I'll be waiting forever for him to figure it out.

---

The following Saturday, I nervously paced near his bike, outside his hospital. I'd called ahead to find out when he finished his shift. My legs shook as I nervously looked at my watch. P'Thara was half an hour late.