Even though he was doing his work diligently, Singto was still distracted. His co-star a young beautiful popular actress was sitting next to him, answering questions the interviewer had to ask, and then when they moved to the fanmeet sight, they both fielded questions from the fans and did a lot of fan service. Yet, all Singto could think about was his friend.
Where was he now? What was he doing? Was he still in Bangkok?
Singto remembered having run to Krist's home, to ask what had happened. Krist's father had opened the door and had said his son wasn't there. Singto had insisted, to at least tell him what the problem had been. He hadn't. His mother had then finally appeared at the door.
"n'Singto, our son isn't in the country. Please don't bother to find him."
"I just want to-"
"Krist didn't want you to know, son. Am sorry."
"It is better," Krist's father had said, "if you don't come here anymore."
Then, Krist's father had shut the door on his face and Singto had been left standing at their doorstep flabbergasted. They had never behaved with him like that before. Not even remotely rude to him. Krist's family broke off connection with him after that.
And, Krist had disappeared.
*
Singto walked out of the terminal Exit, pushing his trolley ahead of him. He put his aviators on and flashed smiles at the cheering fans, waving at them, wincing at the blinding flashes. It had been almost a year since he had last stepped in Guangzhou for a fan meeting.
*
Singto reached Bangkok a week later. As soon as he reached the GMM building, he went straight to the heads inquiring about Krist's new project. The project was under wraps and they weren't willing to spill any details. Dismayed, Singto left to meet the producer of his upcoming movie.
There were three things bothering him: one, Krist was in Bangkok (or, had been and would be if he still wasn't). Two, Krist still hadn't approached him and Singto didn't know how to reach out to him and lastly, his Inbox was filled with texts asking him if he knew his friend was back, why he didn't share it with anybody and messages like 'hey man, heard n'Krist is back. Sucks to hear from news.' Indeed.
*
Singto left the comforts of his trailer and ventured out, braving both the heat and crowding fans. He needed his daily dose of coffee and he had forgotten to have it because he had been late. Singto crossed the bus stand on his way, making 'little hearts' with his fingers at the teenage girls sitting there who giggled and blushed (it was a common sight to them now - seeing Singto pass by at this hour) and entered the cafe. Singto ordered his usual and sat at the table by the window. He fiddled with his phone, playing the latest game app he had downloaded. His phone suddenly buzzed in his hand and he dropped it. Cursing under breath, he bent down to pick his phone up when his eyes landed on the bus slowing down outside. He immediately straightened up, one hand of his going to the glass and leaned forward to press his face to the glass, stunned.
Krist had a similar gesture, an earbud falling out of his ear and his mouth hanging open as they both stared at each other in shock.
Then, the bus blared its horn, Krist flinched and moved away from the bus's window. Singto sat that way frozen and watched Krist go away in the very bus he had seen him last for the second time. Singto took the bus number down in his phone before he could forget.
