A Vihokratana's tragedy

20. Smile

Everyone was at the breakfast table and finally, after days Pluem got to sit beside his boyfriend, Chimon, on his right and his brother, Frank, on his left. Pluem was glad, more than that actually. And to his surprise, Perth was an excellent chef. It's the first time Pluem ate something so delicious at home other than his Dad's cooking. Well, he will be honest in that his Papa's cooking isn't that great and although his Dad is as clumsy as a bear he cooks like a professional. Pluem thinks maybe because his Pa loves to eat so his Dad mastered cooking. And what Perth made can indeed be compared with the chef of Seven Stars.

"This tastes divine, Perth! scrumptious!!" Chimon gave Perth a chef's kiss. However, his compliments were not at all exaggerated.

"I am loving this Tofu scramble. Really. You are a great, chef. I honestly didn't expect it." Pluem complimented Perth, surprisingly. "Did your Mom teach you?" Pluem regretted asking so. Perth smiled at him but it wasn't out of joy. It looked more like a mask that tried to hide his misery.

Perth shook his head. "My ex taught me. He loved cooking. And I will say the truth, his cooking was truly heaven's taste."

Pluem was impressed. Very few were so mature to speak so politely about their ex. To his amazement, Perth was one of those very few. A mature boy he didn't expect Perth to be. Pluem was glad Nanon was around good people not some rowdy, rich, idiots he expected. Perth gives Pluem those after-rain-sun vibes. There are no words to describe it but one thing is for sure he does have an aura that makes a person feel calm. Perth is a good boy on a good day, Pluem has concluded.

"Pluem, you should try his baked pumpkin doughnuts. Trust me that's one of the best deserts you will have." Nanon had to level up his friend in front of Pluem.

Pluem nodded at him as he put some fruits on Frank's plate. "Definitely, if he bakes some." Perth signalled a yes. "Drake, come to the garage after you are done." Drake responded to Pluem with a nod.

....

Last night New and Off were not able to talk to their heart's content and they decided to meet in a cafe today. Only them.

New did ask Off about their friends but he still hasn't gotten any idea of what exactly has happened. Strangely enough, Off has mastered the technique of changing the topics so smoothly that New just flows with his words giving no space to knowing any information about their friends.

"Off, I have been asking you about KristSingto since last night. Don't avoid it anymore. Tell me, how are they?"

Off sighed. He could not ignore this anymore. He didn't want to spill all negative news to New just when he has finally met him after years but this has to be revealed to him now or some other day.

"You should start calling them Krist and Singto. They aren't together anymore." Off put some pressure on his words.

All of a sudden, a tension grew around them, so palpable. No words agreed to come out of New's mouth as if a gag was blocking them all. KristSingto—no, Krist and Singto were the first in their group to mingle. They were so in love that Singto even broke all his relations with his Family. His brother whom he loved so much was the first to oppose their relationship. And New remembers how he was there with Singto that night to witness his misery. Singto thought his brother would understand him. He thought he would be there even if everyone in the world would turn against him but no, it turned out his brother was the first to turn his back on him.

On the other hand, Krist's parents were not surprised when he introduced Singto as his boyfriend to them. His parents loved Singto more than any of his friends and maybe they sensed Krist's different way of treating Singto than his other friends. But if everything was already on the right track what changed their story? New had no clue.