Between Us

Just like Before

As Kongpob opened the door, his mind still reeling from Arthit's confession, he froze upon seeing who stood on the other side—Arthit's mother, holding Mai, on her hip.

"Kongpob?" Arthit's mom raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised to see him standing there. "What are you doing here this early in the morning?"

Kongpob stammered for a moment, glancing nervously back at Arthit, who was now standing awkwardly a few feet away, his face flushed. "I—uh, I lost my keys, and... well, Arthit—"

Arthit quickly stepped forward, fumbling to find the right words. "He stayed over because he couldn't get home, so I... I brought him here." He scratched the back of his neck, looking anywhere but at his mother.

His mom's eyes darted between the two men, her brow furrowing slightly, but she chose not to comment directly on the awkwardness. Instead, she smiled warmly, shifting Mai to her other side. "Well, that was nice of you, Arthit. Mai and I were just stopping by for breakfast. Mind if we come in?"

"Of course," Arthit said, almost too quickly. He stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter, but his eyes kept drifting toward Kongpob, silently pleading for some acknowledgment, some reaction to what he had said.

But Kongpob, clearly overwhelmed, seemed to throw himself into distraction mode, immediately reaching out to take Mai from Arthit's mom. "Here, let me help," he offered, his voice too bright, too cheerful. "I'll go set the ingredients and keep Mai busy."

Arthit's mom smiled, but there was a knowing glint in her eyes as she watched Kongpob's hasty attempt to avoid further conversation. "Thank you, Kongpob," she said, handing Mai over, her gaze briefly flicking toward Arthit, who was still lingering nearby, his expression one of mild frustration.

As Kongpob carried Mai toward the kitchen, Arthit followed closely behind, his steps slow and hesitant. He wanted to say something, to pull Kongpob aside, but Kongpob was doing everything he could to stay busy—pouring juice, setting the table, playing with Mai, all while completely avoiding eye contact with Arthit.

At one point, when Arthit tried to help, handing Kongpob a plate, Kongpob took it without even glancing at him, brushing past as though he hadn't just heard the most vulnerable confession of his life. It made Arthit feel like a ghost in his own house—present but unseen, his emotions brushed aside.

Arthit pouted like a child, arms crossed as he leaned against the counter, watching Kongpob buzz around the room like he was on autopilot. Why isn't he saying anything? Arthit thought, frustrated and anxious all at once. He began following Kongpob from one end of the kitchen to the other, his eyes pleading for some response.

"You're ignoring me," Arthit muttered under his breath, loud enough for Kongpob to hear, but he received no reaction.

Mai giggled as Kongpob made a silly face at her, still completely avoiding Arthit.

Arthit's mother, now sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea, watched the entire interaction with a smirk playing on her lips. "You know, Kongpob," she finally said, breaking the tense silence, "you're very good with Mai. Almost like she's used to having you around here."

Kongpob froze for just a second before smiling again, though the smile was a bit too tight. "She's a sweetheart. I don't mind helping out. Though I love spending time with her."

Arthit's mom's eyes flicked between the two men once more before she tilted her head slightly, her voice casual but laced with subtle curiosity. "So, Kongpob, what brings you here so early, aside from the lost keys? It's not often I find you at Arthit's place this time of day."

Kongpob finally glanced at Arthit, and for the first time since their conversation was interrupted, their eyes met. Arthit's heart skipped a beat, but Kongpob's expression remained carefully neutral. "Like I said, I couldn't get home last night, so Arthit helped me out."