The cupcake guy

Chapter 4 - So, really ?

As soon as the question was asked, Arthit felt uncomfortable and tense. 

In front of him, Kongpob had his eyes wide open. He was motionless. He wasn't breathing because he was so surprised, and that was quite normal. Arthit's question had come out of nowhere, like a real storm and now, none of them knew what to say. The silence stretched, heavy in the kitchen, to the point that Arthit, overtaken by his own audacity, plunged his gaze into his curry, trying to find in it, a magic formula to go back in time.

He felt bad. He should have asked for it in a more subtle way... He should have waited until he got to know him a little bit more, to make sure he wasn't offended, but now...

"Yes."

Now Arthit was afraid that...

"Sorry... ?"

He had misheard...

Yes, he had certainly dreamed...

Kongpob had not just said...

"I said yes." He repeated, without taked his eyes off Arthit, who felt that his heart had stopped. "I love him."

"You... Really ? So, it's true ? I mean... I suspected it, but..."

Arthit did not know what to say, now that he was facing the truth. Kongpob did love John. He had said it without hesitation, with a certainty in his voice that made no doubt about the veracity of his feelings. Arthit felt that what he had to say to Kongpob weighed even heavier on his shoulders. He felt a cold come over him, when the young man was worried.

"P' ? Do you have a problem with that ? You know, I wouldn't say I'm gay, but I love P'John. I love him, I can't help it. I can't explain it either, that's how it is. If it bothers you..."

"No..." Arthit put a firm hand on his shoulder, shaking his head. He didn't want Kongpob to think that of him. "I have no problem with the fact that you love another man... It's true that for many men, this kind of announcement is difficult to accept. I don't mind, but..."

He wanted to explain everything to him, but the words died in his mouth, which gave the young pastrycook the time to speak again. The features of his face had relaxed and he sighed of relief, offering his host his warmest smile.

"Thank you ! I was afraid that you would be distant or embarrassed because of this... P'Arthit, you are really a good person ! Ah ! The curry !"

.

Arthit opened his eyes abruptly.

He had waked up with a start and it was already more than 10 o'clock in the morning. He rubbed his eyes nervously. He would have liked this conversation to be just a dream, but it happened and he had been dreaming about it all night. He sighed as his cell phone began to vibrate, drawing his attention.

Shit... It was John. It was a really bad timing... In the morning, before his shower and coffee, Arthit was a zombie. He was thinking backwards. The conditions were not right to talk to him, but he knew his friend. If he did not answer, John would harass him relentlessly. Arthit had no choice.

"John... I just woke up..." He muttered. "What's going on ?"

"Hey bro ! How do you wake up ? At this hour ? I'm calling to find out how things are going on on your side ? You're watching over Bonus ? You're feeding him, aren't you ? And... you were able to solve my problem ? It's solved ?"

Arthit's forehead tensed up.

John was asking him this, as if it was about painting his apartment. He did not care at all about Kongpob's feelings and emotions. Arthit did not like this and announced dryly.