Arthit looked at his friend, John, being both disconcerted and amused. The story he just told him was even funnier than a TV sketch. His friend, 23 years old like him, had just announced that he was going on a trip. He was leaving Bangkok for a month to go to his parents' hometown in Chiang Mai. Of course, that wasn't what made him laugh, but the rest of his story. John did not like the countryside very much, but he had accepted his parents' request to come and spend time with them, because in reality he was fleeing something, or rather, he was fleeing someone.
Arthit had heard about his friend's troubles on the phone for months, and now that he had returned to live in Bangkok, after years of study in Japan, John had hastened to repeat everything to him verbally. John was in trouble. He didn't know what to do because of his famous neighbour, the cupcake guy. Arthit had heard so much about him that he had almost had nightmares, as if it were some kind of ghost.
In front of him, John waited nervously for his answer. Arthit had the impression that his friend's life depended on the response to his request. But John was desperate enough to beg Arthit to come and live in his apartment during his absence. Of course, for Arthit, it was not a bad idea, because he had not yet found an apartment since his return. Thanks to this proposal, he would be able to leave the small hotel where he lived since his return. John's apartment was not very big, but in a lively neighborhood, close to all amenities, including his future workplace.
But if John wanted so much that he moved into his home during his absence, it was mainly so that Arthit, who had always been a very persuasive and convincing person, could help him "get rid of" of his problem, this intrusive neighbour who did not let him live in peace.
"Come on, Arthit, please..." he begged again, his forehead bent by the nerves. "I can't stand this story anymore... He doesn't want to understand... And I don't know how to tell him... You know, I'm not comfortable with these things..."
"Because I do ?"
Arthit raised an eyebrow, perplexed.
"That's not what I mean...But I don't know what to do with this guy...He comes to see me every day... He brings me these damn cupcakes... I don't like sugar, you know. I have to throw them out when he leaves... He sits there, waiting for me to eat a bite to see if I like them... He looks at me like an idiot... I'm sure that he's... that he's in love with me..."
John sighed. The idea of being the love interest of his neighbor, a young man therefore, gave him hives. He wasn't homophobic, but he clearly didn't like men. It wasn't his cup of tea, and this one in particular, seemed to put his nerves on edge. He hoped that Arthit could, during this month, explain to his neighbour that John was not interested in him and would never be. He hoped that when he returned, he would no longer have to bear the boy's visits, his cupcakes and his chilled looks. He hoped to be free of it, as if it were a curse. Arthit looked up to the ceiling, before asking him, in a malicious tone.
"And, he's not cute, even a little bit ?"
John almost strangled himself. The look he gave Arthit was strange, lost and outraged.
"He's just ordinary ! What are you talking about ?! He's a guy like everywhere else, but he's ruining my existence ! Please, help me... I didn't tell anyone I was leaving, so he wouldn't come in here with a « good trip cake » or something like that ! He would have been able to bring me cakes for my whole family, I'm sure ! Please help me... I'm sure you can make him understand that I'm not... not gay..."
"You know, maybe this guy isn't in love with you...maybe he just wants to be your friend, or he's like that with all the other neighbors..."
Arthit was trying to reassure John, but deep down, he didn't think his friend's situation was that bad. All he had to do was be honest with his neighbour. This guy wasn't a psychopath... But John shook his head, disappointed.
"That's what I thought too... But he only does that with me... Arthit, if you find out that he actually doesn't love me, I'll be the happiest man in the world, but I've got to get out of here. I'm going crazy. Last time, I came home late from work and he was waiting here, sitting in front of the door, half asleep, like in the soap operas ! He wanted me to try a new recipe... It's a nightmare... I have to get out of here !"
Finally, Arthit accepted, making John smile with relief.
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No more hotel fees for a month by moving here was far too tempting and interesting for Arthit to refuse anyway. John had received his reply with delight, as if he had just hired a ghost hunter or something like that.
As expected, he left two days later, after insisting with Arthit that he not forget :
1) To take care of his goldfish Bonus,
2) To resolve this cupcake neighbour's business before he returns or he should move out because he was tired of it.
As he finished putting his belongings in the guest room, Arthit looked at his watch.
It was past 5 : 00. The famous neighbour should be here any minute to —
Knock
Knock
Knock
Arthit jumped out, even as he was thinking about it.
The mysterious neighbor, the living problem of his friend, the reason that made him flee from his own apartment as if he were fleeing the cholera, was standing outside the door waiting for John to open it. For a moment, Arthit had a hint of grief for this stranger who, every day, came to see his friend with a pastry, trying to get his heart or his friendship, or both, it was not very clear. But for his sake, he had to understand that John was not interested. It was best for John, but also for this guy.
Arthit, who had never played marriage counseling for anyone in his life, tried to tell himself that it would be easy. A formality. After all, all he had to do was open the door, explain to this guy that John was on a trip, and make him understand that his friend loved women, only women, and that this would not change.
It was not complicated.
So Arthit opened the door with confidence.
On the other side, a young man opened his eyes with astonishment when he saw him. He held in his hands a box containing two chocolate cupcakes. Arthit already knew his name, but asked.
"You're Kongpob, right ? Sorry, but John's not here..."
It was not complicated. Not at all...
---
Tbc...
Hello ! I hope you enjoyed this first chapter! I start this new story, but I continue in parallel "No next time" ! The chapter 13 should come out soon! Thank you all for reading me! Kisses! <3
