Him? [JesBible]

3 [A Familiar Face]

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting soft shadows across Feline Haven, Bible continued his usual routine, tending to the cats and serving customers with a smile that masked the lingering sadness in his heart. He had just poured a fresh cup of iced Thai tea for a group of regulars when he felt a twinge of restlessness tugging at him.

"Hey, Momo! Stop that!" he called out as he spotted the mischievous orange cat swatting at the potted plants. The playful feline paused, looking back at him with wide, innocent eyes before resuming her antics. Bible chuckled, shaking his head, but the distraction only provided temporary relief.

After ensuring Momo was back in line, he took a moment to breathe, glancing out the café window to watch the world go by.

The street was alive with colors,the vibrant hues of flowers from nearby stalls, the bustling sound of vendors calling out their wares, and the laughter of children playing. It was a typical evening in Bangkok, but tonight felt different somehow.

His gaze drifted to the flower shop across the street, a small, charming place bursting with blooms of every kind. He always admired the way the flowers were arranged, but this evening, something caught his eye.

A figure stood just outside the shop, leaning against the entrance, casually browsing the vibrant bouquets on display.

His heart skipped a beat. The moment he laid eyes on the figure, he felt his breath hitch in his throat. It was him. The mysterious boy looked exactly like his lover, same tousled hair, the same gentle features, even the way he casually crossed his arms over his chest.

"Is that...?" he murmured under his breath, eyes widening in disbelief. He blinked rapidly, hoping to clear the haze of grief that clouded his vision. But no matter how hard he tried, the resemblance remained, as striking as it was surreal.

"Are you okay?" a customer asked, snapping him back to reality.

He shook his head slightly, unable to tear his gaze away from the figure. "I... I think I see someone I know."

The customer followed his line of sight, their eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "Who?"

"Just... someone," he replied, his heart racing as he stepped closer to the window, trying to get a better look. The figure turned slightly, revealing more of his profile, and Bible felt his heart plummet. The familiarity was overwhelming; it was like looking at a mirror reflecting back everything he had lost.

"Stay here!" he told the customer, though he barely heard their response. Without another thought, he slipped out of the café, the bell above the door jingling as he rushed across the street. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of hope and fear propelling him forward.

As he approached, the figure turned, and their eyes met. Time seemed to freeze. The boy's breath caught in his throat as he took in every detail of the man standing before him.

It was as if he were looking at a ghost, one who had stepped out of his memories and into the present.

"Jes?" he breathed, the name escaping his lips as if it were a prayer.

The mysterious boy blinked, a look of surprise crossing his face. For a moment, the world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them in a bubble of shared familiarity. But then, just as quickly, the expression shifted, confusion furrowing the brow of the man who resembled everything he had lost.

"I... I'm sorry," the stranger said, his voice soft yet hesitant, "Do I know you?"

Bible's heart sank, the weight of reality crashing down around him. "You look just like him... You look just like Phi Jes!" he exclaimed, desperation creeping into his voice.

The man's expression shifted again, a mixture of surprise and concern flickering across his face. "I think you're mistaken," he replied gently, taking a small step back, as if the intensity of Bible's gaze was too much to bear.

But Bible couldn't help himself; he took a step closer, longing and desperation mingling within him. "No, please! You have to believe me! I lost him, and now you're here-"

"I'm sorry," the stranger interrupted, his voice softer now, tinged with empathy. "But I really don't know you."

Bible felt a sharp ache in his chest, the flicker of hope extinguished by the stranger's words. He stood frozen, heart racing, as he watched the man turn to leave. The world around him blurred once more, and he felt a wave of despair wash over him.

"Wait!" he called out, but the man continued to walk away, his silhouette disappearing into the bustling streets of Bangkok.

As he stood there, feeling the weight of loss settle heavily upon him once more, he whispered into the night, "Please... come back."