Always You

7

Kongpob's POV

If someone would have said a week ago, that I'd be holding Arthit at a length shorter than an arm's, I would have rolled on the floor laughing. But this very fantasy had played out, and well too, before my supposed friend decided he wanted to overturn my apple-cart. I side glanced at Em, who was presently stuffing his face with gravy at an ungodly pace. Should I just dunk his head into the bowl?

He stopped eating when he noticed I was staring at him, and gave me a wide smile, completely oblivious to my musings. I think he must've guessed my train of thoughts because his smile faltered, nervously pulling his bowl away from my reach.

"For the millionth time Kong, I am so sorry for last Thursday. Can you stop glaring at me? I don't think you know how petrifying you look and have made me be on my toes for the past week."

"Serves my purpose then."

"On a serious note, I didn't know you'd be up there trying to snog him. You should have called me to tell so."

"We didn't plan on it Em! The next time we set up a schedule, to have a moment, I'll inform you." I shrugged and continued playing with my salty fried rice. "And.. I don't think Arthit was going to kiss me."

"Why do you say that? What I saw, exhibited the complete opposite."

"Because, his behaviour since, has been unremarkable. Way too normal, for a person, who went through an abnormal event. Which means it was something ordinary for him. I think he got carried away due to the pretty emotional chat we had before that. I am not even sure he knows I was about to kiss him; he must've expected a hug or something."

"I don't know man. Didn't look that way to me."

"Yeah and we'll never know now. Courtesy your perfect timing.

I am so sick of being bothered by him, especially when he clearly isn't."

"Don't worry. A week in Taipei, will help you empty your mind. It's for the best that he won't be accompanying you."

It probably was.

XXXXX

Spending a Sunday at the mall is not something I'd subject myself through, voluntarily. The stores, teeming with people, are a huge bother. Now, I don't characterize myself as completely asocial, but I'd rather be walking through a less populated setting than these swarms of happy people. And this particular day, to my utter annoyance, the people appeared more exuberant than usual. I passed a couple, sitting on a bench, along my way. The guy, who was feeding his girlfriend a spoon of what looked like cake, was behaving like a dog with two tails. I sneered internally at their sappy theatrical. Get a room guys, languishing people, like me, should not be subjected to this torture. I scowled at them as I walked by, which resulted in him pulling her closer, as they looked me anxiously. That'll teach them a lesson.

I trudged to my destination, which was a store that sold winter-wear. Taipei is really cold around this time of the year. Rifling through different coats, I attempted at banishing my sour mood. But the universe had other plans, for when I shoved aside a particularly hideous red tunic by its hanger, a distinguishable face came into sight. The last person I wanted to see then. Dilating my eyes, I pulled back the tunic, closing the gap that sustained the view.

Was it really him? I peeked from above the bar that held the coats and ducked my body when the spectacle was confirmed. He was standing just outside the store's window. With a girl. Who was she? Still crouching, I ambled to the edge of the rack and peered outside. A petite girl with long blonde hair, came into my sight. She is very pretty, I observed grudgingly.

"Excuse me Sir. Are you looking for something?" I started at the voice and looked up to see the leaning face of a sales woman.

"Uh- yeah. I actually dropped my ring somewhere around here. I was searching for it."

"Oh, let me help you." She crouched down beside me and I had no choice but to start looking for a non-existent ring too, my eyes not leaving the two figures outside the shop. As I noticed them leaving, I stood up suddenly and left after them, ignoring the sales lady's calls behind me.

They were apparently so indulged into their animated conversation, that it wasn't hard to follow them without getting caught. My conscience was constantly bugging me about the morality of stalking someone, but to no avail. Jealousy had already taken over and I had made it my life's purpose to discern her identity and what she was to him. Hopefully a friend and not a date.

I was almost ten minutes into the trail, when they abruptly stopped in front of a guy with glasses. The girl looked like she knew him and was introducing him to Arthit. I moved towards an ice cream cart and stood behind one of the customers. They trio were now in earshot, with Arthit's back to me. A definite vantage point.

"Of course we'll come. We'd love to see your house. Won't you Arthit? Oh wait, you don't mind me bringing him along right? It's a Sunday and I usually spend weekends with my boyfriend."

All colour drained from my face the instant I heard her call Arthit her boyfriend. Maybe I had heard wrong. But all doubts vanished into thin air, as Arthit put his arm around her waist and pulled her close while waiting for the guy's reply.

I didn't wait around after that, having heard and seen more than my share. I sharply turned on my heels without looking back.

What happened to his story of never having dated before? So, it had all been a lie. The vulnerability in eyes as he stared into mine and the pretty picture of singlehood, he painted for me, had been nothing but trumped up tales.

It takes a lot for me to break. And this one instance did it.