𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐞

Episode 29

The dorm room door creaked open, revealing Phuwin slipping inside. He kicked off his shoes with a tired sigh, dropping his backpack onto the floor with a soft thud. Dunk, sprawled on the worn-out sofa, glanced up from his phone, a tired smile crossing his face.

"Hey, you," Dunk greeted, his voice slightly raspy. "Exams got you worked up?"

Phuwin rubbed his eyes, exhaustion etched on his face. "Yeah, Professor Lee's got us drowning in assignments already. How was your day?"

"Cancelled class and a boring meeting with my student group," Dunk replied, tossing a crumpled napkin onto the coffee table. "The usual."

They fell into a comfortable silence, their conversation punctuated by the quiet hum of the worn-out refrigerator. Dunk scrolled through his phone, a frown occasionally creasing his forehead. Phuwin glanced at him, a flicker of curiosity dancing in his eyes.

"Everything alright?" Phuwin finally asked.

Dunk looked up, startled. "Yeah, yeah," he mumbled, shoving his phone into his pocket with a forced smile. "Just some group assignment drama. Nothing major."

Phuwin didn't push further, sensing his brother's reluctance to open up. They changed into comfortable clothes, Dunk opting for a faded band t-shirt and sweatpants, while Phuwin slipped into an oversized hoodie.

Suddenly, the memory of Pond's hand in his, the warmth of their whispered confession, sent a jolt through Phuwin. He quickly looked away, the image of his date with Pond flashing in his mind. The stolen glances, the nervous laughter, the lingering touch – all felt charged with a forbidden electricity.

Dunk, oblivious to his brother's internal battle, grabbed a bag of chips and offered them to Phuwin. "Want some?"

Phuwin forced a smile, taking a handful of chips. "Sure, thanks."

They nibbled on their snacks, exchanging small talk about their classes and upcoming plans. Dunk's mind, however, was far from the conversation. Joong's kiss, the intensity in his eyes, still lingered. He wasn't naive enough to believe that it was some casual gesture. Joong was a player, everyone knew that. But the way Joong had looked at him, the vulnerability in his touch, stirred something deep within him. Was it just a game? Or was there something more going on?

As the night deepened, they settled into their respective bunks. Sleep eluded both of them. Dunk tossed and turned, the image of Joong's face replaying behind his eyelids. Phuwin stared at the ceiling, his heart a tangled mess of emotions. He was falling for Pond, that much was undeniable. But the fear of judgment, the weight of their social circles, held him back.

The shared dorm room held a secret silence that night. Two brothers, each on their own journey of love, hiding their budding affections behind a facade of normalcy. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear – their lives were about to change, propelled by the unexpected encounters of the day.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
In the sleek, glass-walled conference room, tension crackled in the air. Around the polished mahogany table, a group of sharp-dressed clients listened intently as Pond delivered the presentation. His voice was steady, his movements confident, a stark contrast to the carefree Pond his father knew.

Halfway through, Pond gestured towards Joong, a mischievous glint in his eye. "At this point, I'd like to hand over the reins to my esteemed colleague, Joong Park. He's the real brains behind this operation," Pond declared, a hint of pride in his voice.

Joong, ever the showman, rose from his seat, a slight smirk playing on his lips. He took the clicker from Pond and smoothly transitioned into the next phase of the presentation. His words flowed effortlessly, his explanations clear and concise. He peppered his talk with relevant data and insightful charts, captivating the audience with his expertise.

The clients, initially skeptical, leaned forward, their faces etched with growing interest. Joong's confident demeanor and in-depth knowledge of the subject matter commanded their respect. By the time he finished, the room buzzed with a newfound energy.

One of the clients, a woman with a steely gaze, cleared her throat. "That was impressive, gentlemen. A well-structured proposal, clearly well-thought-out."

A wave of relief washed over Pond. The initial gamble of letting Joong take the lead had paid off. He stole a glance at his father, who sat at the head of the table, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. Gone was the disappointment Pond had grown accustomed to. In its place, a flicker of pride, a silent acknowledgement of his son's newfound capabilities.

Joong, basking in the clients' positive response, fielded their questions with ease. He countered their arguments with well-prepared solutions, his confidence growing with each successful parry. The meeting stretched on, but the atmosphere remained charged with a sense of possibility.

Finally, after a series of negotiations, a handshake sealed the deal. Relief and exhilaration swept through the room. Joong and Pond exchanged a triumphant glance, a silent communication that spoke volumes. They had done it. Together.

As the clients filed out, their father leaned back in his chair, a genuine smile warming his face. He looked at his sons, a hint of pride in his eyes.

"Well done, boys," he said, his voice gruff but sincere. "I never thought I'd see the day the 'Jhonsons Twins' would close a deal like that."

Joong chuckled, his usual playful demeanor returning. "Give us a little credit, Dad. We may not be all work and no play, but we can pull it together when it counts."

Their father barked out a laugh, a sound rarely heard in the austere office. "Indeed you can," he conceded. "Perhaps it's time I start taking you two more seriously."

Pond and Joong exchanged another look, this time laced with a shared sense of victory. They had not only impressed the clients, but they had also earned their father's respect. It was a small victory, but an important one nonetheless. It marked a turning point, a dawning of a new era for the  brothers.

_________________________________________