Always You

4

Arthit's POV

"Thanks, Arthit. It'll take a while to check this report since there is a conference due in a bit, but I'll intimate the further details as soon as I am done."

I nodded and was about to leave Kongpob's cabin when he stretched his hand out. It held a paper bag.

"I uh mistakenly placed an order for two Khao Phats for lunch. Would you mind having one instead of canteen food, today? I don't want it to go waste. It's really good too, you'd...like it." His voice trailed off as he tentatively gazed at me.

"Sure, thanks. I'll take your leave now." As if I had it in me to refuse a delicious Khao Phat.

On my way back, I deliberated over the happenings of the past few days. It had been a hectic time. The hospital bills hadn't ceased to increase, the lenders were still hounding me with calls, and juggling two jobs hadn't been as easy as I had previously thought. Even saying that I was figuratively dead would be a euphemism. My ass would have landed right back on the hospital bed due to neglect and fatigue, if it wasn't for my boss. It had become a practice, for Kongpob to get me food every now and then, under the pretext of various reasons, like today. The first day of this ritual, at the canteen, was something that didn't go unnoticed by me. I had clearly seen Kongpob finish lunch before he left and got the take away, as opposed to his claim of having food at the said restaurant. Since then, not a day had passed when he hadn't gotten me one of my favourite foods, the sole reason my stomach has sustained. Now, I am no imbecile. It was as evident as the sun that he was trying to ensure I wasn't skipping meals. The reason, also being the questions that he tried to slip into our conversations every now and then. Right from direct 'Have you had your food yet's to subtle 'What did you have for lunch today's. But the question that was bothersome, was Why?  Why had he taken a 180 from being the devil boss? Our frequent spats, were something I missed. Since the guy had decided to enter sainthood, we had very less of those, almost none.

Wait a minute. Could it be that-? No, no. But what if-? Could it be... that he had taken my comment back at the hospital, about falling sick due to work pressure, seriously? Shit. So THAT was why he was being extra careful with me! It's all falling into place now. Oh god, I better go and tell him that I was kidding. The poor devil must've beaten himself up. You're so stupid Arthit.

Though my boss gave me some significant troubles, he had never been seriously unkind or harsh. Moreover, the censures were only struck at me in private. Never had he undermined me in front of higher-ups or employees instead had propelled me for good and lauded all presentations during conferences. His pushes had significantly increased my efficacy over the years and I was grateful to him for all this. But I'd rather immolate myself than admit this to him. I knew how much the little bitch would gloat if he ever had a whiff of my feelings.

xxxxx

The night was hot. Discarding the jacket I made my way to Todd's.

"Woah. You're early today." Toota, who was already in his uniform stood by the back door.

"Yeah, I finished work before time."

"The devil let you off that easily?"

"He has been for the past few days, and I have a mild seizure every time he does it."

"Haha! Lucky you. Wonder what's wrong with him." I didn't though, I knew exactly why. "I'll be off now; one of the pourers is acting up again."

"Again? It's the third time in the same month. We really need to ask Todd to get a fresh batch. It's been ages since we've changed those."