Hidden Agenda (English)

Chapter 13

Inside the neatly organized small apartment, a silence pervaded. The owner sat obediently on the sofa, while the unexpected guest, Jiranai, stood there with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the top of Sitang's head, almost as if he was demanding an answer owed to him. This unyielding stare caused the apartment's owner to become uncomfortably tense.

"Uh... well, why don't you take a seat first? How about we have a drink... let me go get one for you."

Sitang was on the verge of rising to escape the situation, but his arm was seized firmly.

"I know how to sit, I can fetch my own drink, but what I'm looking for is your answer! Don't evade it!" Jiranai's response was direct and unwavering.

The intensity of his hawk-like gaze met Sitang's beautiful eyes, causing his heart to tighten so much that he had to avert his gaze once again.

"I've talked to N'Mee, and we decided to remain just friends. As for you and me... well..."

"My business with you? It's our business! There's no need to separate 'me' from 'you'!" Jiranai interjected.

"Please don't interrupt me, I'm trying to articulate this clearly."

The apartment's owner slightly furrowed his forehead, as if searching for the most comprehensible words.

"Um... I still haven't figured out what to label my feelings... I've been grappling with the answer, Joke... but I'm still uncertain whether it's love or fondness or simply a desire to be friends. Nevertheless, I do want to be with you... I yearn to have you by my side... to see you every day, to converse, to laugh, even to argue with you."

The sentence was lengthy, as if he was pouring out his innermost thoughts. Sensing it still wasn't adequate, Sitang glanced at Jiranai and added softly,

"I want us to remain like this..."

Jiranai could no longer suppress his smile. Almost two years of waiting had not been in vain; he believed those years were like living in a dream, and now he had finally tasted the sweet fruit of his patience.

"If... if... if you don't mind, can I find out first?"

"Okay."

The boy, whose love is as vast as the Thai Binh sea, quickly responded, yet simultaneously blocked his own exit.

"Then, let's be in a relationship first and take it from there!"

Sitang blinked, seemingly processing the information ahead of time, then hastily shook his head.

"No, I don't mean we should become a couple."

"Huh!?" His radiant face immediately contorted as if he had just lost a treasure that was snatched away by someone else.

"Is... I think I still don't know enough. Um... I want us to become better acquainted first..."

...Get better acquainted? Learn more about each other...?

"Raise your head and look me in the eye! What's my name?" His tone was serious, the request compelling the innocent gaze to meet his own.

"Your name... Jiranai Tangkanchanaphanich."

"What's your favorite food?" The respondent blinked.

"I heard you enjoy drinking okra water, and about food, you once mentioned a liking for drunken noodles. But I think you're easy to please when it comes to food. You enjoy spicy flavors but not overly hot dishes. If it's too hot, you'll wait until it cools down. You're not a big fan of junk food, but you're okay with it. And when it comes to coffee, you prefer espresso."