Unrequited

6

Days had passed, and Pooh found himself growing more anxious with each one. He had hoped for a response from Captain Pavel but had heard nothing. It was a particularly long day at school, and as the evening bell rang, Pooh walked towards the gate with a heavy heart.

 Just as he was about to leave, he noticed a familiar figure by an Army Jeep parked in front of the school. Captain Pavel was there, surrounded by excited boys and girls all clamoring for his attention.

"Your captain is there, wow, Pooh," Thanapon said, nudging Pooh playfully.

Pooh's heart skipped a beat, but as he watched the scene, his initial excitement turned into disappointment. The captain was busy talking to everyone else, posing for photos and smiling for the crowd. Feeling a pang of sadness, Pooh decided to leave, his shoulders slumping as he walked away.

Thanapon looked confused. "Hey, Pooh, where are you going?"

Ignoring his friend's calls, Pooh continued walking, his mind swirling with mixed emotions. Suddenly, he heard the sound of a car horn behind him. He chose to ignore it, thinking it was just another vehicle trying to get through the crowd. But then, the Jeep drove ahead and parked directly in front of him, causing him to jump back in surprise.

"Don't you want to talk about that report anymore, kid?" Captain Pavel asked, lowering his window glass, his eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and concern.

Pooh stood there in silence, too overwhelmed to respond. Pavel sighed and began to drive away. "Alright, I'll leave then."

"W-wait... Captain!" Pooh shouted, running after the Jeep as fast as he could.

Captain !!!!!!!!!!!

Seeing Pooh's desperation, Pavel felt a pang of sympathy and stopped the Jeep. He opened the door and motioned for Pooh to get in. "Come on, get in."

Pooh nervously climbed into the passenger seat, his heart pounding in his chest. As he settled in, he couldn't help but notice how different Pavel looked in casual clothes. The captain seemed even more handsome and approachable, making Pooh gulp as he tried to steady his nerves.

"Where are we going, Captain?" Pooh asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Let's go to my house," Pavel replied, his focus on the road. "Since I don't have my guards here, it's better to catch up somewhere safe."

Pooh smiled to himself, finally relaxing into the seat. He glanced over at Pavel, feeling a mixture of awe and excitement. He was finally going to spend some time alone with the captain, a moment he had dreamed about since the festival.

As they drove through the city, the conversation flowed more naturally. Pavel asked about Pooh's school and his interests, and Pooh found himself opening up more easily than he had expected. When they arrived at Pavel's house, it was a modest but cozy home, a stark contrast to the grandeur one might expect for a hero.

"Come on in," Pavel said, leading Pooh inside. "Make yourself comfortable."

Pooh looked around, taking in the simple yet inviting decor. "Thank you, Captain," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Pavel smiled warmly. "Just call me Pavel when we're off duty. So, let's hear about this report of yours."

Sitting across from Pavel, Pooh felt a rush of excitement and inspiration. This was more than just an interview for a school project; it was a chance to connect with someone he deeply admired. As they began their conversation, Pooh realized that this moment, this connection, was something he would cherish forever.