2012

Doot.

"Is there anything else you would like sir?" The shy cashier scanned the beverage, and looked at the young man that comes in daily.

"No. That's all." Kongpob smiled.

"Then that will be 83 Bahts."

Kongpob was taken by surprise. 83? Did the price go up? Kongpob has been drinking the same sports drink for god knows how long, and it has always been 79 Bahts. Why today of all days? Why on a day when he forgot his phone.

"Here's 80, wait a second." Kongpob fumbled around his pockets. When he couldn't find any money in his pockets, he started going through his backpack.

"I'm sorry. I know I have some change in my bag." Kongpob embarrassingly smiled at the cashier.

The cashier returned his smile, but looked nervously at the long line behind Kongpob.

Kongpob fished out 1 Baht, and placed it on the counter. Sticking his tongue out at the corner of his mouth, he reached in his backpack again in search of more change.

After a few more seconds, the cashier finally spoke. "Excuse me sir, maybe you can step aside to find your money first. I need to checkout the other customers."

"Oh, yeah. I'm so sorry." Kongpob looked up apologetically.

"There's no need. Here's 2 Bahts." A boy slide two coins towards the cashier.

Kongpob turned to look at the boy with glasses. He didn't even notice him before since he had his nose in his manga. He looked awfully familiar.

"Eh, thanks, but I swear I have it in my backpack." Kongpob said.

The cashier didn't wait any longer. She went ahead, and took the money to complete the transaction. She tore the receipt off the register, and pushed Kongpob's drink forward.

Doot. Doot.

The cashier scanned Arthit's bottle of Coca-Cola and a pack of gum.

"It's okay. It's not much. The line is getting very long." Arthit smiled scratching his nose bridge.

"Will that be all for you sir?" The cashier asked Arthit.

"Yes." Arthit replied.

"Kongpob! What's taking you so long?" A girl rushed into the convenience store, and playfully yanked on Kongpob's arm.

"All right. I'm coming." Kongpob replied to the girl, and chuckled.

"Thanks again." Kongpob said smiling at Arthit before being pulled away.

Arthit didn't even get a chance to say anything before Kongpob was out the door. Not that he really had anything to say.

"So, his name is Kongpob. Nice name." Arthit muttered to himself as he grabbed his own stuff off the counter.

Arthit had recognized Kongpob the second he saw him walk into the convenience store smiling at the cashier. It was the same bright smile. However, everything else about him has changed. Kongpob wasn't as lanky as before, and he seemed to have gotten taller. Arthit didn't know if Kongpob would recognize him from the Paws Cause car wash three years ago though. He himself has grown quite a bit. Ever since that encounter, Arthit had joined the Paws Cause Club at his own school. It seemed fun to him, and it was for a good cause.

However, his sister mocked his sudden interest in animals when he barely plays with Bubbles. But come on, what man would want to be seen with that spoiled yappy furball. How that thing hasn't grown since day one is beyond him. He eats everything in the house. Even Arthit's favorite sneakers.

The Paws Cause Club helps real animals in need, like cleaning the ocean to save sea turtles. Saving Koalas from bushfires. Or provide shelter for abandoned pets. The Paws Cause Club is nationwide too. All high schools and colleges have a Paws branch. They host a big fundraising festival annually where all the club members get together, and celebrate the club's achievements. But not once has Arthit seen Kongpob at any of the big events. Maybe this year. Maybe he will run into him again.

~~~~~~

It's another hot and humid day in Bangkok today. It's 37C outside. The sun is at its highest, and there's not a cloud in sight. The wind is as still as the dead.

Despite the intense heat outside, there was a long queue for the locally famous grilled pork sticks. The Pork Man cart that sat outside of Kasetsart University was widely known. Foodies from all over the city flock here to try the grilled pork neck on a stick.

Even tourists have been coming to find Mr. Pork Man. The owner's bad attitude did not deter anyone from coming back. In fact, some even think his grumpiness added to the charm. Mr. Pork Man's grilled pork neck was known to be tasty, succulent, and juicy with just the perfect amount of crisp charring. People simply loved it.

"I don't know why all you people keep coming here. I've started giving less meat. I have raised my prices. There are other food carts around. My food takes a long time. You people are not normal. What is wrong with you guys? I need a pee break real bad." The pork guy kept mumbling to himself as he flipped the pork sticks over on the grill.

Arthit has waited in line for over forty minutes under the scorching heat. He thought he had come prepared with his hand held fan, and a bottle of water. However, the damn fan gave out twenty minutes ago, and he was down to his last drop of water. Like everyone else in line, he was a sweaty mess. His shirt stuck to him like a second skin down his back. Two giant pit stains could be found under his arms. If Bright didn't swear that this was the best grilled pork in all of Bangkok, there's no way he would be in this ridiculous line. But Arthit loves everything on a stick, especially grilled pork. Thus, he is in this ridiculous line.

"Next!"

Arthit excitedly stepped to the front of the line. "Uhm, I'll take five sticks."

"That will be 90 Bahts." The pork man held his left hand out to Arthit while he continued to grill with his right.

Arthit took out his phone to pay with his Line Pay.

The pork man frowned, and pointed to the "CASH ONLY" sign.

Arthit immediately panicked. He had no cash on him today. He had left his wallet in his backpack, and usually that's not a problem since paying apps have become widely accepted.

"Hey, Hom. I'm here." A boy suddenly approached the pork man.

"Thank God. My bladder is about to explode. Here! Take the tong. I'll be right back." The pork man shoved the tong in the boy's hand, and sprinted off.

Arthit couldn't believe his eyes. It's the same boy he saw at the convenience store a few months ago. What was his name? Kong? Kongpob. That's it.

Kongpob was busy putting on an apron. When he finally looked up, and he saw a familiar face staring at him.

"Hey, it's you!" Kongpob smiled brightly, and looked at the boy excitedly. It was the same boy from the convenience store.

"Hi." Arthit said embarrassingly nervous.

"So, how many do you want?" Kongpob asked while flipping the pork sticks.

Arthit leaned forward, and spoke in a lower voice. "I uh, don't have cash on me. But I have Line Pay." People behind him were getting annoyed with him for holding up the line.

"Oh. How many sticks did you want?" Kongpob asked still smiling at Arthit.

Arthit could feel himself blushing from Kongpob's stare. It's so embarrassing to try to buy food when you're penniless. He looked away, and then peeked back up through his lashes. Yep, the boy is still staring at him.

"I want five sticks. Can I pay you with Line?" Arthit asked hesitantly. He has already been in line for so long. He really didn't want to leave empty handed.

Kongpob took a paper bag, and stuffed five sticks of grilled pork in it.

"Here! Take it. It's on me." Kongpob handed the bag over.

"Oh, I can't just take this. Just give me your Line. I will transfer money to you." Arthit held out his phone.

"It's really okay. My treat. I need to take the next person now." Kongpob said wiggling his brows, and tilted his head to see the angry man's face standing behind Arthit.

Arthit followed his gaze, and turned around to see a man glaring at him. He quickly stepped aside, and nodded his head apologetically.

"Thank you." Arthit said to Kongpob.

Kongpob smiled, and waved to him with a tong in his hand. "See you next time."

Arthit turned, and took a few steps before looking back again. Kongpob was smiling, and chatting with the next customer.

Arthit took one pork stick out of the bag, and took a bite. The pork is indeed the best he has ever had. It really is worth the wait.

~~~~~~
AN: One of the very few food items that both Singto and Krist has mentioned liking is Moo Ping (Thai grilled pork neck). This is one of the random things I remember. 😅

***I wrote this chapter on the plane, and another chapter for another story. Can you guess which one? 😏