Listening to the Heart

Chapter 29

A/N: The image above does not belong to me. It belongs to the person who uploaded it on the internet.

Third Person POV

Kao went about his school day in something like a stupor. He kept calling himself all kinds of names for not being able to shake off his feelings for Cooheart. He decided to do something about it once and for all so that he could focus on his studies.

He made his way to the administrator's office of the campus dormitory and inquired with the secretary about any opening. The secretary informed him that there was none at the moment but that someone had given notice that he was leaving at the end of the following month. Kao asked her to put him on the waiting list. The secretary told him that she was happy to do so but also informed him that he was third on the waiting list. There were two other students who had approached her before he did. Kao said his thanks with a heavy heart. He had to get out of the Namwirote household. It was wreaking too much havoc on his helpless heart. Maybe he should go around the neighborhood and start knocking door to door to inquire about a possible room for rent.

After his last afternoon subject which ended at six, he made his way to the library to do some research on a Child Development topic on which he had to submit a report. He had tried to research it on his own computer but there was no pdf for it. He had to go and borrow the book from the library.

The librarian was a kind and helpful young man who showed him where to find the book. He personally guided Kao to the row of shelves where the book could be found. It was a book by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek called "Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Children Really Learn---And Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less."

Kao got so engrossed in the book that he forgot all about the time. He did not realize that he was all alone in the library except for the librarian.

He almost jumped when he felt someone tap him lightly on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry but I have to close the library now," the librarian informed him.

"Can I borrow this book to take home with me?" Kao asked.

"I'm afraid not," the librarian said, "this is one of the books that can only be read in the library. If you wish, I can set it aside for you for three days and then I will have to make it available to other students after that."

"Thank you so much," said Kao, "yes, please do that for me."

Kao stepped out of the library and felt a bit nervous when he saw how deserted the campus was, except for a janitor who was pushing his cleaning cart down a covered walkway.

Kao took out his phone from his pocket and unmuted it. Oh shit, he had a missed call from Mrs. Namwirote. He quickly tapped on the voicemail to listen to her message.

"Hey, you, not sure if you're thinking of having dinner some place else but I will be instructing Rose to save a plate for you. Bye."

Kao quickly made a call to Mrs. Namwirote.

"What's up, son?" Mrs. Namwirote said in her pleasant motherly voice.

Kao's heart jumped at hearing Mrs. Namwirote addressing him as 'son'.

"I'm so sorry for being late to dinner," Kao said, "I had to do a research in the library and forgot to call you before doing so. Please forgive me. It won't happen again. I'm on my way back now."

"No worries," Mrs. Namwirote assured him, "I will instruct Rose to leave your plate on the table."

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Namwirote," Kao said, "and again, I'm so sorry."

"That's alright, son, see you later."

Kao's heart jumped again when he heard Mrs. Namwirote calling him 'son'. He knew that she used the word 'son' only to Cooheart and Title. Was he going to be included in the family circle now?

Kao sighed heavily. Fat chance that was. Mrs. Namwirote probably used the word 'son' to all the students living under her roof.

Kao tried to walk as fast as he could through the dimly lighted deserted walkways of the campus. He always felt a little edgy whenever he had to walk down dark deserted roads.

He only slowed down when he reached the more lighted area of the main street where he waited for the traffic light to turn green before crossing the street.

In just a little over twenty minutes he was unlocking the front door of his boarding house with his duplicate key.

He went straight to his room to set his backpack down and stifled a gasp when he saw Cooheart, his hair still wet from his shower, removing his bathrobe to change into the pajamas that were laid out on the bed.

Cooheart had his back to him and did not notice him immediately.

Kao cleared his throat to make his presence known. Cooheart turned quickly on his heels, losing his balance in the process.

Kao moved swiftly to catch him before he could hit the floor.

Cooheart instinctively grabbed the front of Kao's shirt, accidentally pinching Kao's chest as he tried to hold on for balance.

The smell of Cooheart's freshly shampooed hair and fresh minty breath and Cooheart's wide eyed stare was Kao's undoing.

Without letting go of Cooheart, he let his backpack slide to the floor and then used his free arm to encircle Cooheart in a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry, Cooheart," Kao said, grimacing a little at the thought that earlier he had been making his apologies to Mrs. Namwirote, and now he was making apologies to her son. He was starting to become a threat to the Namwirote household.

"Sorry for what?" Cooheart asked breathlessly.

"Sorry for this," Kao replied before holding the back of Cooheart's still wet head and claiming his lips with his own.

To Kao's surprise, he felt Cooheart returning his kiss eagerly. The kiss would have gone on and on when there was a brief soft knock on the door.

It was Mrs. Namwirote.

"Oh there you are, son," she said.

"What is it, mom?" Cooheart asked, feeling a little resentful at the interruption.

"No, I wasn't talking to you," Mrs. Namwirote said, handing a piece of paper to Kao. "Here's the receipt for the check payment that you slid under my door this morning before you left for school."

"Oh, thank you, Mrs. Namwirote," said Kao.

"For as long as I'm calling you 'son' why don't you just call me 'mom'," said Mrs. Namwirote.

"Thank you, I will... mom."

Cooheart stood where he was, listening in on the exchange between his mom and Kao, trying to wrap his head around what he was hearing.

Mrs. Namwirote glanced at her son before she left the room and then turned around again, taking in her son's wide open robe and suddenly noticing her son's and Kao's flushed cheeks.

Holy hell, had she been wrong in trusting Kao like a son?