2013
(K 19, A 18)

The sun retired, and the evening settled in. Street lights flooded, and music started playing from various directions. A steady crowd of people started filling the streets. Everyone is excited to feed their hunger now that the scorching heat has subsided, and their appetites have awakened. Woks stir-frying, pans searing, grills flaming, and oils bubbling could be heard all down the robust streets of Sukhumvit Soi 38.

Arthit and Kongpob were just done eating. Arthit looked behind Kongpob, and there was a line out the door waiting for a seat. The little noodle place was packed, and all the aunties were busy.

Kongpob's mother came rushing out of the kitchen with two carryout bags of noodles, and placed them in front of Kongpob and Arthit. "Baby, can you take these to Joey on your way out?"

"Sure. I can take them mom." Kongpob smiled, and pat the two bags with his hand.

"Thank you baby." Kongpob's mother kissed him on top of his head, and rushed back into the busy kitchen.

"Arthit, do you want to come with me, or do you want to go home already?" Kongpob asked, looking from his mother's retreating back then to Arthit. He can always walk Arthit to the bus stop first he thought. Kongpob got up from his seat, and Arthit followed to do the same.

"Where is it? Will I be in your way?" Arthit really wanted to tag along, but he also didn't want to get in the way of Kongpob working, or anything like that.

"It's just down the block. It's a beer garden called Joey's. The owner Joey is a long time customer, and he is very nice. He gave me my first beer."

"Really? How old were you when you had your first beer?" Arthit asked following Kongpob squeezing through the narrow space between two tables. But Kongpob didn't answer as he was busy making his way out of the restaurant.

"Aunties, I'm leaving. Goodnight." Kongpob called out to the busy ladies. They all waved to him, but they we're too busy to reply.

"So, are you going home? Or do you want to come with me to Joey's. I'll probably stay there for a little bit. Do you want to join me?" Kongpob waited for Arthit to answer before deciding which way to turn. Right turn to the bus stop, or left turn to Joey's.

"I have never been to a beer garden. I want to go, but are you working? Will I be in the way? Your mom seems busy. Do you need to go back and help?" Arthit looked back at the busy restaurant.

"No. Actually, this is not considered busy. It's very typical. I don't plan to go back this evening. So, we can stay at Joey's for a bit. If you want, we can walk around the night market too. My friends like to do that even though they don't buy anything." Kongpob said cheerfully.

"That sounds fun. We can do that." Arthit tried to sound casual, but a face splitting smile is threatening to break. He is excited to spend more time, and learn more about Kongpob.

Kongpob was holding one bag in each hand, and Arthit was walking to his left. The bag of food kept bumping between them. The street was much busier now than earlier.

"Here, let me help carry one of them." Arthit reached for the bag that was between them. His hand grabbed on top of Kongpob's. A shiver ran through his body, and his heart raced again at the innocent touch. He quickly retracted his hand, and he could feel himself blushing.

Kongpob looked up from his hand to Arthit's nervous blushing face. Why was he blushing? What's wrong? Why does he look so shy and cute all the sudden? Kongpob smiled, and handed the bag over to Arthit. "Thanks."

They kept walking, and squeezing between people to get through. They had to be careful not to drop or crush the bags of noodles along the way. Sometimes Arthit would have to walk behind Kongpob because the space got too narrow. Then they came upon a group of people standing in the middle of the street eating their satays. They had no choice but to move around them. They moved to the right, and there was another group blocking them, so they turned around to go to the other side.

Kongpob saw a little space, so he quickly grabbed Arthit's hand without thinking to get through to the other side.

Ba thump. Ba thump. Ba thump. Ba thump.

Arthit's heart was overworking again, and the butterflies in his stomach had gone wild. Kongpob is holding his hand. Kongpob is holding his hand. Is this really happening? Kongpob is holding his hand. That's the only thought he had as his feet moved forward automatically.

It all ended as quick as it had happened. Kongpob let his hand go once they got through the group of people. Arthit stopped walking for a few seconds, staring at his empty hand, and then noticed that Kongpob was still walking ahead. He quickly caught up to Kongpob, making sure not to lose him in the crowd.

Kongpob stopped, and turned around to let Arthit know that they had reached their destination. The stop was so sudden that Arthit slammed right into him. Chest to chest with their faces merely a couple of inches apart. Arthit was still wobbling, so Kongpob grabbed both his arms to steady him. Being taller, Kongpob looked down a little into Arthit's eyes. Arthit reflexively took a step back, and looked away feeling his blush creeping up. He could feel his ears and neck get warmer by the second. He just hoped Kongpob wouldn't notice.

"Whoa, are you okay? We're here." Kongpob asked, and tipped his head towards Joey's.

"I'm fine. You uh....you just stopped too sudden." Arthit said in a soft voice looking elsewhere.

Kongpob frowned. He saw Arthit's lips move, but he couldn't hear what he said over the loud noise surrounding them, so he leaned closer to Arthit.

Arthit's breath hitched, and he instinctively raised his hands to keep Kongpob from getting closer. He really can't take much more. "Let's go inside." He tried to speak louder.

Kongpob was happy to hear Arthit sounded okay. So he turned around, and led the way. They stepped inside the cozy little bar. There were only a few customers inside. Kongpob spotted the man behind the bar counter, and walked straight over. He took the bags of noodles, and placed them on top of the counter.

"Joey, dinner is ready." Kongpob said to the man who had his head down washing glasses at the bar sink.

"Hey Kongpob! It's Sunday. Why are you here?" The scruffy man said with a warm smile on his face.

"My mom asked me to drop off your food, and I brought a new friend too. This is Arthit. Arthit, this is Joey, the owner." Kongpob pointed to Arthit, and then to Joey.

"Nice to meet you Arthit. I'm Joey. I've watched Kongpob grow up. Do you two want to stay for a bit? There's a couple of seats left in the garden."

"Sure. We can stay for a little while." Kongpob looked to Arthit just to make sure, and the latter nodded.

They sat down at a table along the side of the garden. Joey brought out a few beers in an ice bucket for them. "Here's a few bottles on the house. Don't tell your mother Kongpob. Otherwise, she's not going to give me the extra fishcakes I like."

"Hahaha, fine. I won't. But I don't know if Arthit drinks. Do you know how to drink?" Kongpob asked Arthit.

"Yes. Although, I only drink with my dad at home. I haven't gone out drinking in bars before. This is my first time in a bar."

"Really? It's such an honor then. Let me tell you. I gave Kongpob his first beer when he was twelve." Joey said proudly.

"He tricked me, and said it was soda." Kongpob said exasperatedly.

Arthit laughed. This Joey guy was friendly and funny. He was handsome with a goatee, well built in physique, and probably in his thirties.

"I know a lot of his embarrassing stories, but it's not fun since he doesn't find them embarrassing." Joey said, rolling his eyes.

"Really? Tell me one. I want to hear one." Arthit was very interested in hearing anything about Kongpob.

"Come on Joey. The one time I bring a friend, and you try to embarrass me." Kongpob laughed, and said in good nature. He was actually embarrassed by some things, but all and all he didn't let things bother him much. He never took things to heart even if he was the butt of the joke.

In a way, Kongpob is a free spirit. He never cared what people thought or said. His grandpa has always taught him to just live with a conscience mind, and do what's right.

"Of course. I must seize the moment. Let me tell you, Arthit. This kid used to walk dogs around my neighborhood. I'm usually not around when he walks Oscar. I mean, if I was home, then I would have walked my own dog. Anyway, one day I happened to come back home just as he dropped off Oscar. He was trying to leave. The keyword being 'trying' here. You see, my gate has a latch that's not easily opened to prevent Oscar from running away. I had stood on the other side of the gate watching him. He had no idea I was there. His glasses were missing one lens, and the other lens was all scratched up. So, he couldn't unlatch the gate for like ten minutes. It was so funny watching him with his tongue sticking out trying over and over again to open the gate." Joey laughed.

"You were mean. You could have helped me instead of just watching me like a creep." Kongpob said, taking a swig of his beer.

"Aww....you were adorably frustrated. Hey, I walked you home didn't I? I kept you from getting run over by a car right?" Joey shrugged his shoulders.

"What happened to your glasses?" Arthit asked curiously as he took the beer Kongpob handed him.

"I was tackled by the dogs at the park, and they broke in the process. Luckily, someone helped me find them in the grass. I was as blind as a bat." Kongpob chuckled.

The story sounded awfully familiar to Arthit, and then it suddenly clicked. The smile, the eyes, and the sound of his laughter. Could it have been him?

"Was it at the Joo Wan Park?" Arthit asked.

Kongpob's eyes widened in surprise. "Yeah. How did you know?"

"Eh, I was that someone that found your glasses in the grass that day." Arthit smiled, and took a sip of his beer. He can't believe it. It really was Kongpob.

"Wow. The world is so small. So you have seen the adorable and dorky Kongpob then. He wasn't always so handsome you know? Okay, boys. I'm going to eat my dinner now. You two enjoy." Joey said, before leaving.

The two boys nodded, and gave a little wave to Joey.

"So, that was you at the park? Wow, for real, what a small world. That was a long time ago too. Wait. I have something for you."

Arthit watched as Kongpob reached into his pockets to produce a set of keys.

"Look. This is yours, right? At least it is your dog's, right?" Kongpob showed Arthit the dog tag he has been carrying on his key ring.

"Oh, it is Bubbles' tag. You have been carrying it this whole time?" Arthit doesn't know why, but that made him happy.

"Yeah, I didn't know how to return it. So, I've been carrying it with me. I was hoping to run into you again when I walked the dogs, but I never did. And then I stopped walking dogs a couple of years ago. But I never took the tag off my keys. Let me give it back to you now." Kongpob proceeded to take the tag off his keys, and slid it across the table to Arthit.

Arthit picked up the tag. So, Kongpob was hoping to see him again too. Just like when he had joined Paws Cause hoping to see Kongpob again. But he wasn't going to tell Kongpob about that. He slid the tag back across the table to Kongpob.

"What's wrong?" Kongpob didn't understand why Arthit was giving it back. Maybe it's too worn out.

"Keep it. So we would always have this story." Arthit said looking into Kongpob's dark warm eyes.

The corners of Kongpob's mouth curved to form a slow shy smile. His eyes blinked, yet he didn't move. He stared back at Arthit's beautiful doe eyes, and sweet dimple smile. It wasn't until a sudden roar of laughter from the other side of the garden that broke their trance. Kongpob attached the dog tag back onto his key ring.

"We can always make more stories..." Kongpob found himself saying.

Arthit's was so happy to hear Kongpob say that. His heart nearly burst. What is this warm feeling? Hope?

Kongpob tucked his keys back into his pocket, "when I come back."

And just like that, Arthit's heart bloomed and crushed all within minutes. Maybe it's the alcohol. All his emotions were heightened.

Kongpob looked up and met Arthit staring at the bottle in his hands looking dejected. His smile was suddenly gone.

"Arthit, are you feeling okay?" Kongpob asked with concerned seeing Arthit's sudden mood change.

"You haven't told me yet, the reason you are leaving." Arthit said without looking up. Instead he started peeling the sticker on his beer bottle from its corner. Anything to keep him from looking up. His heart was feeling heavy. He had to take a deep breath. How did he forget? Kongpob is leaving.

"Ah yes, my reason. I will tell you. It's a love story." Kongpob took another sip of his beer before continuing. He doesn't know why he is telling Arthit his reason, but he's doing it anyway.

Arthit's heart felt an unknown pang. It's the same pang he felt when he first found out Kongpob was leaving. A love story? Kongpob has a love story? He felt more pain, but he still wanted to know. So he kept quiet, waiting for Kongpob to go on.

Kongpob had on a meek smile, and stared far off into the sky. The string lights overhead made it impossible to see the stars. The moon was fuzzy covered by the cloudy sky. He took another sip of beer before he began.

"It's a promise I made to my grandpa 7 years ago before he passed away. My grandpa was an orphan that met his love in the orphanage at a young age. They were each adopted, but to very different families. My grandpa was adopted by a modest working class family. While his love Jenny was adopted into a wealthy family that had lost their only child. Fate had brought them together again by chance, and they secretly started dating because Jenny's family would never approve of my grandpa's status.

They were happy until they were found out. Jenny's family immediately locked her up, and arranged to send her overseas to separate them. My grandpa promised Jenny no matter what, he would always find her. And my grandpa was able to find her a week later. He broke into the hiding place where they had kept her. They were going to run away together, but they were quickly caught. Jenny's father ordered his men to break my grandpa's leg, and Jenny was shipped off before my grandpa could walk again. My grandpa was devastated. Jenny's whole family moved with no trace left behind. Two years later, my grandpa's old neighbor handed him a letter from Jenny. It was sent from San Francisco in the USA.

In the letter, she said that her family moved around a lot, and she was being watched. In her letter, she said she missed my grandpa, and cried to sleep every night. So, that was the last time he heard from Jenny. He tried to find her for many years. All his letters to that address were returned. He kept going back to his old home waiting for mail, but eventually that old house was turned into a shopping center. This was back in the days when not everyone even had a telephone. As time went on, life had to go on too. My grandpa married my grandma through an arranged marriage by his parents. He was a good man, a good father, and a good husband. But his heart was reserved only for his Jenny.

My mother hates Jenny. Even though my grandpa was a good husband to my grandma, my mother hated the fact that my grandpa didn't love my grandma. On his deathbed, my grandpa asked me to help him find his Jenny, and give her two things in person. After many years, I was finally able to track Jenny down. Her old employee told me she is sick, and alone in New York. She doesn't have much time left. So, that's my reason for going. My mother and father think I'm just going for studies. So, please don't tell anyone."

Kongpob turned to look at Arthit, and he found the boy in tears. He reached his hand across the table, and wiped a tear off his face. Arthit quickly used both hands to dry his face, and rub his eyes. The story was so sad that he wasn't even embarrassed to be seen crying. He looked at Kongpob, and a soft smile was on his face, and a single tear slid down his cheek.

At that moment, there was no one more beautiful than Kongpob in Arthit's eyes.

~~~~~~
AN: Sigh. Here is another long chapter. I could have split it into two, but I didn't. This is over 3k. That's long for me. It's kind of sad though. I'm sorry my Sweets. ❤️

Facts: Singto wants to go to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. Krist wants to go to Maldives to bathe in the sun. They really are polar opposites. However, Singto said he would go with Krist just to take his pictures. 😅

This chapter is dedicated to @flowerurui. ❤️