Till Baby Do Us Part

More Than Friends

What began as mere curiosity had unexpectedly turned into a friendship I never saw coming. After the incident, I found out that Great wasn't just Tay's best friend but also close with P'Off. Great also happened to be dating Inn, and they were all like one big family. They had known each other for years. Somehow, against all odds, I'd found my way into their tight-knit group.

It had been two months since I joined the school here in Bangkok. Everyone noticed how I followed Tay around constantly. At first, it was simple curiosity — something about him intrigued me. But now, it was because I had become attached to him in ways I didn't expect. With Inn's help, I was able to slip into the bond the four of them shared, eventually becoming the fifth member of their close friendship.

Tay was someone I deeply admired. Initially, I was suspicious of him, wondering if his kindness had some hidden motive. But the more time I spent with him, the more I realized he was just a genuine, clumsy person who lived his life freely. There was an ease about him, a relaxed energy that drew people in. It was no surprise that everyone respected him. Even when he found out I had stalked him for three weeks, he didn't judge me or treat me any differently. Somewhere along the way, we had become close — so close that I couldn't imagine a day without him.

Every morning, I would run to the rooftop, eager to spend time with him before classes started. At first, Tay didn't appreciate it; he used this time to think and be alone. But when he realized I wasn't going to stop coming, he gave in and let me stay. Those moments became sacred to me. We'd talk about everything and nothing, from why I moved to Bangkok to our favorite foods. Tay shared parts of his life with me that I never expected him to, like how being the middle child was difficult and how his dating history had shaped him. Slowly, he let his guard down around me, and that made me incredibly happy.

But underneath that happiness, there was a feeling I wasn't ready to confront.

"You like him," Inn said to me one afternoon. I was complaining about how Tay, Off, and Great were leaving in less than three weeks.

I frowned at Inn. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you like him more than a friend."

My heart skipped a beat, but I laughed it off. "No, I don't. I've never liked anyone before, and I don't even know what love is."

Inn smirked. "That's exactly why I'm telling you. You don't even realize it yourself, but you're always talking about him. No matter what we're discussing, you find a way to bring him up: 'P'Tay this, P'Tay that.'"

"That's because I spend a lot of time with him. He's in most of my stories," I argued, trying to deflect.

"But you can't go a day without him. You're always with him. Why?"

"Because he's my friend, my best friend."

Inn raised an eyebrow. "We're best friends too, but I don't see you hanging out with me every chance you get."

I opened my mouth to reply, but nothing came out. He was right. When I was happy, I ran to Tay. When I was sad, it was Tay who comforted me. Even when I was frustrated or wanted to throw a tantrum, I went straight to him. We were inseparable, and part of me relished in the fact that others — especially the boys and girls who fawned over him — were jealous of the closeness I shared with him. There was a satisfaction in knowing that no one could share what Tay and I had.

On a Monday afternoon, we sat together on the rooftop, skipping lunch in favor of some snacks and our usual quiet time. I decided to break the silence with a question that had been weighing on my mind.

"What do you want for your graduation?" I asked, glancing over at Tay. "There's only one week left."

He chuckled, leaning back on the bench and resting his head on my thighs. The weight of him there felt so familiar now. "How about a condo near my university? I'd really appreciate that," he joked, flashing me that teasing smile of his.