We stopped by a local market, and it was quite entertaining. Apparently, Kongpob has never been to one of these. He was so curious about everything. He had so many questions for the market ladies, and they were more than happy to answer them. They tried to give him instructions on how to make certain dishes. What goes with what. What's in season, and so on so forth. In matter of fact, they didn't even want to let him leave.

He amassed a little crowd around us. The older ladies were all smitten with him. One girl openly flirted with him, telling him that he should just invite her home to cook for him. Seeing how popular he was, I gave him a list of the ingredients we needed. And of course, he got the best of the best, and they even threw in extras. I'm a fairly good looking guy myself, and some were flirty with me too, but I definitely don't know how to turn up the charm like he does. He knows how to take advantage of the situation and soak it up. While I just find myself blushing and feeling awkward at situations like these.

The comical part came when we were looking at the seafoods. I wanted to fry a few fish, and get some live shrimps. When we got there, a fish just happened to jump out of its tank, and Kongpob jumped behind me just as quick. I had to coax him that it's perfectly safe before he was willing to get closer again. We didn't get anything free at the seafoods station, but the discount was so deep that the husband was yelling at his wife. Kongpob and I made our quick escape before they can try to take our stuff back. We laughed so hard on our way back to the car. We had so many bags that our arms were tired just from holding all of them.

My menu for the night was Pad Thai Shrimp, Fried Fish, and Green Curry Duck. Everything was relatively easy to make. That is until Kongpob insisted on helping. Who would have thought that giving him small tasks such as peeling shrimps would turn out to be such a disaster?

I mean this grown ass man was squirming whenever the shrimps jumped. I found myself teasing him with them. Kongpob said he was hungry, so he went ahead and started on dessert first. At the market earlier, the lady at the fruit stand insisted that we try her mango pudding. She says it's the best in town. We really only wanted to buy some fruits, but she threw two in for free when Kongpob went to pay.

So, he ate those puddings while I was cooking. At first, I told him he shouldn't eat them before dinner, as it would spoil his appetite. That's what my mother would used to say to me whenever I wanted to snack close to dinner time. But then I remembered Kongpob is a bottomless pit. To coax me from nagging, he started feeding me pudding too as I'm busy stirring the curry. He didn't even bother using another spoon, and I got comfortable enough that it didn't bother me. I have to admit, the pudding is very good. I'm going to have to remember that lady's fruit stand.

After messing around for a while, we finally settled down to eat. We opted to eat at the dinning table this time. Kongpob brought out a bottle of red wine and poured each of us a very generous glass. I anxiously watched him take the first bite.

"Oh hoo hoo...mmm...this is so good. What do you put in your food? Crack? I'm getting addicted."

"Thank you. I am glad you like it. And we should thank those ladies that gave us so much freebies. I should always bring you along to to the market."

Kongpob laughs at my comment, and raises his glass of wine to me, and I followed suit.

"Cheers to an enjoyable day with a new friend."

"You consider me a friend?"

"Yes, unless you tell me otherwise. I think we get along pretty well. I actually only have two close friends, and they both work for me. They see enough of my face during work, so we rarely hangout outside of work unless it's a special occasion. So, I've enjoyed your company this weekend."

"Friends then. I'm lucky and glad to have met you. If it weren't for you, I don't even know what I would have done, or where I would have gone. Despite my misfortune, I've enjoyed my weekend here too."

We drank to our toast, and we started to eat.

I hesitated for a bit, but this is something I really wanted to know, so I decided to ask.

"So, why did you help me the other day? Even now?"

He swirls his glass of wine a few times before he takes another sip.

"I don't know. I guess it was just the right time, and the right place. I hate people who uses others for personal gains. And all I really offered was to keep your stuff safe. I didn't think I would get a roommate for the weekend, but it's been fun."

"Do you mind that I'm gay?"

"Do you mind that I'm straight?" He asked raising an eyebrow at me.

We both laughed shaking our heads.

"Honestly, it's not something I thought about. It shouldn't matter to me. What matters is each person's character and actions."

"Thank you. I'm happy to have met you. I haven't made new friends in a long time. So, how old are you?"

"I just turned 29 last month. I can't wait to leave my 20s. So, I can stop getting the same 'so young comment' that I get at every interview. How about you?"

Oh, I made that comment too.

"Don't you like being praised for being young and established?"

"Let's just say it's a pat on the back, but a slap in the face kind of thing for me. People say it like they are impressed, but in reality they are full of doubts just because I'm young. I've been doing what I've been doing for ten years now, but none of it counts because I'm young."

Kongpob refills his glass and mine.

"So, what about you? How old are you?"

"I thought you knew since you told Thak to get my lost wallet reported." I raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"I only gave Thak your name. He did the rest. I'm sure he knows everything about you by now, but he only tells me what I need to know, or what I ask."

"Well, I'm 28."

Kongpob nods to that while he is trying my fried fish.

"Where did you learn to cook so well?"

"I used to help my mother in the kitchen growing up. She was always so busy taking care of everyone around the house, cooking was the only time that I got to spend time with her alone."

"You sound like a good son."

"Thanks." I take a big sip of wine.

"If I had time, I would ask you to teach me, but I don't. Also, cooking for one wouldn't be so much fun."

"Well, I'm going to have to get used to it."

"Some people are not worth the time or the effort. It was his loss."

"You don't have to comfort me. I'm fine."

Kongpob nods as he continues to eat.

We eventually moved to the living room, and slumped on the couch.

Third bottle of wine....

"So, I said I would make him my wife, so his gear would be mine too."

"Haha hah ha... no you didn't."

"I did. Haha I did. You should have seen his face. He was so pissed."

"Did he punch you? Because I would have."

"He wanted to, but he was held back. I was ready for him though."

"You sound like a real trouble maker."

"Hey, I was the class hero."

"Hahaha... I bet you were."