Unmasked

Chan rak khun

After approximately one more week, Can managed to return to the mainland. Although he desired to stay hidden in paradise with Tin, he knew he had to confront reality eventually. Upon arriving at his home, he discovered that the plants were still thriving, thanks to the efforts of his sister and Tin. Can diligently dusted all the furniture, cleaned the bathrooms, and washed all the coffee mugs, a routine he followed after coming back from a vacation. As he looked outside, he noticed that there was still daylight remaining, prompting him to change into a pair of worn track pants and wash his car.

Can grimaced as he was wrist-deep in a bucket of soapy water when his phone started ringing. After washing his hands, he wiped them on his pants and retrieved the phone from his pocket. As he looked at the screen, Lemon's name popped up.

Can let out a sigh but answered the call. "Hey, sis."

"Can!" Lemon cheered. "Hey! How are you? I miss you! Tin said you were back. Are you back? I mean, back back."

Can laughed. "I'm good and I missed you too."

"Seriously, Can. How are you?"

He rested his back against the damp car and casually crossed his legs at the ankles. Letting out a sigh, he nonchalantly remarked, "No complaints here. As my mom used to say, things could always be worse."

"Oh, that doesn't sound good. Please fill me in on all the details."

"I don't even know where to begin," Can confessed. "Everything was going so well. He would leave and return, and every time he came back, I couldn't help but feel even happier. But now, it's all different."

"Explain."

"We've been dating, going out, making love—damn...." Can sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced nervously towards the house. Tin was inside, busy making business calls, and Can didn't want him to accidentally overhear his conversation with Lemon. "I truly love him, Lemon. Whenever I imagine him with someone else, or if he decides we can't make it, it breaks my heart a little."

"Don't be too dramatic. I'm confident things will turn out fine."

"You're the optimist in the family." Can shook his head. "I'm not that lucky."

Lemon let out a deep sigh. "Perhaps you should tell Tin you love him once more and see how he responds. Have you told it to him since your time at the restaurant?"

"No, I haven't mustered up the courage to do so again. The last time I did, he bolted away so quickly that I'm still recovering from the shock."

Lemon chuckled. "But so many things have changed since then. You both have been enjoying blissful weeks in paradise. You've been going on dates and experiencing all those wonderful moments, isn't that what you said?"

"Right."

"Love requires courage, Can. A strong man is the one who achieves a happy ending. You must be ready to put in the effort."

"I'm not sure if I'm brave enough for love. It's a lot of work, you know?"

"I think I'm ready to take a chance," Lemon said excitedly. "I'm having Yacht over tonight and I even got some new lingerie!"

Can chuckled. "Sweetie, I don't think the lingerie will be on for very long."

"Not the point. God, you think like a man."

Can laughed. "Um...."

"Smartass..."

"Can, do you know where the..."

Can turned at Tin calling for him and smiled. "Hold on, Lemon.... Where the?"

"Sorry. I didn't know you were still on the phone," Tin said, stopping before him. "I was trying to find the bucket, but you're using it."