The secret of our true love between us and everything in the middle

Chapter 9

              KongPob closed the door to his bathroom, steam emitting from it. He went ahead to dry off some stray water droplets that trickled down his face from his hair. It was then he noticed frantically ringing on his desk. It was none other than his beloved P'Arthit.
   
      “P'Arthit krap, you must have arrived home late if this is the time you are calling me,” he said as he took a seat and noticed it was half past 10 in the night.
“I'm sorry KongPob. Today we had a huge order to make this afternoon and we're only able to finish around 7:30. I was about to fall asleep when I suddenly remembered that I hadn't called you yet.” P'Arthit replied as he undressed from his work clothes. He had missed KongPob's voice all day even though they had just seen each other that morning, this being a side effect of having being close to KongPob almost 24/7 in university.

     “Ohh, then you should have just gone to sleep P'Arthit.We could've just talked tomorrow morning,” KongPob said a but worried that he was tiring P'Arthit out. He was aware that his part time job at Oceans Electrics as a production engineer was taxing as it was and he didn't want to add more stress unto him.
        “Oii KongPob, it's nothing at all. I'm not tired at all besides I made a promise to call and message you as much possible whenever we are apart and I intend to keep it,” P'Arthit said a bit drowsy  unaware of how much his words affected the junior. KongPob felt his chest tighten and tingle and a grand smile graced his lips. He was falling deep for P'Arthit and he was loving each moment of it.
            “So, how was your day KongPob? Anything interesting happen?” P'Arthit continued stifling a yawn so that KongPob wouldn't notice and tell him to sleep rather he wanted to prolong their talking time. KongPob proceeded to tell him what his friends had proposed and he turned to him for advice.

        “I think it's a good idea KongPob. A part time job would keep you busy and also keep you from thinking about me too much. But don't accept a tasking job like me, just a simple job that you will enjoy and works around schedule ok,” P'Arthit said his words now beginning to slur owvr each other as he struggled to stay awake.
    “P'Arthit krap, I can hear you sounding sleepy, why don't you rest then we will resume tomorrow,” KongPob requested as he shifted to hsi bed and tucked himself in. At that moment, P'Pam came in to deliver his night drink of warm milk and honey. He acknowledged her and gave a her a Wai before resuming his conversation.

      “As I was saying P'Arthit, we can talk tomorrow and let you rest. Don't worry about it ok P'Arthit?.... P'Arthit krap.....P'Arthit krap,” KongPob called out when he didn't  get an automatic response.
On the other side the line, P'Arthit had  succumbed to the forces of slumber and had drifted away to unconsciousness. His phone lay beside his head still on as he was trying to respond in time but couldn't keep up. Aware of what had happened, KongPob could only chuckle slightly before wishing him a good night and sweet dreams and his only response was a soft snore. He cut off the call and smiled at his phone. His boyfriend was someone even he couldn't understand of times.

           Having the blessings of his father and conscious advice from his boyfriend, KongPob began his search for a job. His father was a tad bit disappointed that he had declined his offer at their company but KongPob wanted to stand on his own feet. All the experience he could gather from other jobs would someday be helpful to their company one way or another. He also didn't want to be known as the CEO's son who got a post because of his status.
        He decided to scower for a place  around P'Arthit's area so that he would be able to meet  P'Arthit when he got from work and they could go home together. He didn't particularly lean towards a certain job just as long asit was fitting and flexible, he ready to do any job.

    It was mid afternoon when he decided he was in need of a break. He had gone into several shops and places but there was no available spaces. It was understandable that most places were full especially this time of the year. He spotted the familiar cafe shop and he and his friends had been to a few days ago and went in to get  an iced chocolate milk. He recalled they served pretty good ones.
      The fresh air from the air on was more than refreshing to the heat-stricken boy. The sun was beating down on the Thai people and it was extremely hotter than usual today. He took a seat at a window tabel as he took out his phone and sent a text to P'Arthit. It was likely that P'Arthit wouldn't see it until later in the evening but it gave him a sense of satisfaction knowing he had someone he could text at any moment without feeling like you were burdening someone.
    
       “You came alone today sir?” a voice spoke beside him and KongPob turned to face the person.
“Excuse me,” KongPob asked in confusion as he stared up at the waiter who had spoken up.
“I'm sorry if I disturbed you I just noticed that you weren't with your friends like last time or have I mistaken you for someone else?” the waiter said in hopes of sparking  up a conversation between them.
“Ahhhhhh, no no. Yes I was here with my friends the other day but how did you recognise me if I may ask?”
“Ohh, I was the one who served your table last time. You don't seem to remember me,” he said a bit surprised for someone who was used to being memorable to most customers who came in.
    “Ahh, sorry if I can't remember you, there was a lot going on that day,” KongPob genuinely apologised not wanting to seem rude.
“It's OK. Judging from your group, you were quite serious with your discussion. Anyway, what can I get you today?” KongPob relayed his order then resumed to rereading past messages between him and P'Arthit. Most of them contained of his notorious flirty words and P'Arthit's annoyed responses back.

      “Here you go. You must really like chocolate milk sir, the last time you were here you ordered the same thing.” KongPob politely smiled as he stirred the dark drink in his hand. “Yes, I like chocolate milk. It reduces my stress levels and it is quite healthy. And please stop calling me sir, I'm not that older than you. Call me KongPob instead” he replied as he faced the other man. A grin came over the waiter as he nodded.
“Ok, KongPob. Then you can call me San.” he extended his hand out which KongPob took in a handshake.
“Nice to meet you San.”
“Nice to meet you too KongPob. Then.... I'll leave you to enjoy your drink.” San said as he excused himself and turned to attend to other customers.
    KongPob nodded going back to his activity. He didn't notice the numerous glances San threw at him or the smiles San got everytime he saw KongPob smirk. A new storm was coming up to KongPob and P'Arthit and this would be the first of many tests the new couple would face.

      KongPob walked up to the cashier to pay for his drink before heading out and resume job hunting. Once again he came face to face with San. San was a handsome lad of 21 and seemed to be a half cast judging from his caramel skin tone and greyish-bluish eyes. He was of above average height probably a few inches taller than KongPob himself and spotted some fine side burns. His bushy, curly hair was  tied in a high pony tail and to top his look off, a charming smile on his face.

“Leaving already? I hope the milk was to your liking,” San said as he rang up the price.
“It was very delicious krap. I'll be sure to be stopping by whenever I am in the area.” KongPob replied as he handed over his credit card.
“It would be a pleasure to have you again.”
KongPob could only nod as he waited for his receipt. He was about to leave when San called him back. “Wait KongPob, I have something to ask.”
         “What is it?”
     “I know it is inappropriate but I couldn't but wonder if you got a job yet. I couldn't help but overhear you and your friends discussing about that last time and well I'm just curious to know if you found one yet.”
KongPob felt a bit hesitant and uneasy that San had eavesdropped on their conversation in the first place but he didn't seem harmful with his intentions.
      “No krap. I haven't been able to find one. Almost all places are full.” KongPob sighed as the thought that he might not find one today after searching for so long made him feel dejected.
        “I thought so. It's hit season during winter so the likelihood of you finding even just a part time job is very low. Lucky for you, we have a new opening for a part time job here. Would you lime to have it?” San asked as he smiled at KongPob.
That threw KongPob off.

      “Are you offering me a job? What makes you think I am fit enough to work here? Do you even have that power to hire me on the spot? KongPob asked hesitant that San had offered him a job out of nowhere for nothing in return and they had only just met. San couldn't help but laugh. His enthusiasm was showing a little more than he intended. “I apologise if I seem a but forward. My brother owns the place and recently he has some other commitments to deal with so we are understaffed at the moment while you are in need of a job. It looks like fate if you ask me. I offered you the job because you seem like one to easily adapt to any kind of job given. So are you interested? I promise you won't regret it working here,” San replied a pleading tone mixing with his voice.
         KongPob looked around the quaint cafe shop. It was nice, serene and warm. It didn't seem like a bad place to work in fact could grow to like it her plus the added advantage was that P'Arthit's condo was close by, just a 10 minute walk.
“Ok krap. I will take you up on that offer.” San's couldn't smile wider than what he already did.
“Great! Why don't you take a seat then. I'll show you around and introduce you to my brother later on. My break begins in 10 minutes. I hope I won't inconvenience you that much.”
         Shaking his head, KongPob told him that he was ok in waiting. San got back to business as KongPob sat at the counter occasionally playing on his phone unaware of San's long gaze on him