Housemates

FORTY

 "Hello!"

The phone rang for a long time before Tae's voice came croaking through the speaker.

"Have you been sleeping?" Kimmon asked without any greetings.

"Ah Kimmon," Tae cleared his throat. "Why are you calling? Is everything alright at the gym?"

"The gym is fine P'Tae," Kimmon stole a glance at Copter. The dimpled boy is sitting docilely on Kimmon's living room sofa as if he belonged there. What a fitting image. "Why did you go home suddenly?"

"I told you. Mom asked me to come home."

"It's very unusual for you."

"Kimmon, if you don't have anything to say, I'm hanging up."

"No, wait!" Kimmon quickly called. "P'Tae," He started in a gentle voice. "Did anything happen?" He paused and added carefully. "With you and nong Tee?"

"I don't know what you are talking about Kimmon." Tae said darkly.

"P'Tae, come back," Kimmon pleaded. "We can sort out anything, you know."

"Nothing to sort out Kimmon. I'm hanging up—"

"Don't hang up P'Tae. Please listen to me." Kimmon took in a deep breath. "I spoke with nong Tee today and he's very upset. He doesn't even know why you left without telling him."

"I don't have to tell him anything. We're nothing. It's just a few random fucks."

"You don't do random fucks."

"Apparently, now I do."

"P'Tea," Kimmon called again impatiently. "If Tee is just a random fuck, then why are hiding there—"

"I'm not hiding—"

"Then come back tomorrow."

"I can't. I have stuff to take care of here."

"What stuff?"

"Just stuff."

"Oh just drop it, P'Tae." Kimmon said impatiently, finally losing his cool. "You and I both know that you are head over heal for that boy. I just talked to Copter and believe it or not Tee feels the same way about you too. He wants you as much as you want him. Now stop being an idiot and get your ass down here as soon as possible."

"....."

There's nothing but silence on the other end, for a moment, Kimmon thought that Tae had already hung up.