Tuesday - Bangkok (cont.)

Ding Dong. Ding Dong.

Kongpob made his way to the door. He checked to see who was outside. He knew the face, and hesitantly opened the door.

"Davika, what brings you here at this hour?"

"Well, your secretary told me you didn't have time to meet me in the office, so I came here."

Davika walked straight into the house without waiting for a response from Kongpob.

Kongpob stood by the door with his hands in his pockets.

"Davika, I don't think this is a good time. Maybe we can meet next week."

Davika turns around to walk back towards Kongpob. She grabs him by the wrist, and pulls him further into the living room.

"Davika, I'm kind of tired. This can wait for another day."

Davika walked over to the bar, and pulled out a bottle of wine. She grabbed the bottle and the opener, and walked towards Kongpob.

"Here, open this. I can make the tiredness go away." Davika says in her seductive voice.

Kongpob takes the bottle of wine and the opener from Davika, and placed them on the coffee table.

Seeing this, Davika closed the distance between Kongpob and her. She wrapped her left arm around Kongpob's waist, and placed her right hand on his bare chest.

"Kongpob, it's been a while. Why are you avoiding me?"

Davika takes her hand to hold Kongpob's cheek, and went in for a kiss. Kongpob doesn't kiss back, but gently pushes her off of him. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand with a deep scowl on his face.

"Davika, please don't do this. You know I care about you, and we are good friends. Let's not ruin what we have."

Davika frowns, and stares into Kongpob's eyes.

"Kongpob, why can't you see me? I've been by your side all these years. Through thick and thin. I've tried so hard all these years to prove to your mother that I'm not just a face. I'm worthy to stand by your side. I've been in love with you since college, but you were happy with Mild, and that was enough for me. But after Mild left, and your father had passed, I knew you needed time. Time to heal, and time to prioritize your responsibilities. I just wanted to be your supportive friend until you were ready again. But it's been ten years. Ten years! Does none of what's between us matter to you? Can't you move on? Can't you try to love me?"

Tears start streaming down Davika's face. She cups her face in her hands trying to wipe away her tears. Davika had always been a strong and confident woman, never one to back down or shy away. But at this moment, she is just a vulnerable girl asking to be loved.

Kongpob looked at Davika pained. He took a step closer, and wrapped his arms around her. This was the friend that was there for him when he was sad, when he was sick, and when he was alone. 

"Davika, I'm sorry. I do love you, but only as a friend. I don't want to lose you, and that is why I've kept my distance. You deserve someone that will love you, and cherish you. I'm sorry I am not that person, and I don't want to hurt you anymore than I already have. Thank you for being there for me these past ten years. I hope I was at least half as good of a friend for you as you have been for me."

Kongpob pulls away from Davika to look at her, and gives her a sad smile. Davika wipes away the last of her tears, and sniffled a few times. She slowly looks up to meet Kongpob's eyes.

"Don't you dare pity me Kongpob. You know I hate pity."

"I would never dare to pity Ms. Mai Davika Hoorne."

They both chuckled a bit.

"This is so embarrassing. I can't believe I'm crying over you."

"It's okay. We will get through this. There's nothing that our friendship can't withstand. Don't you try to ghost me."

"Ugh, how can you be so calm about everything?"

Kongpob shrugs, and brushes Davika's hair back behind her shoulder.

"Kongpob, are you still in love with Mild?"

"No. I haven't been for a long time already. Mild is just my past, but there is no love in it."

"Are you in love with someone else? Is that why you can't love me?"

Kongpob sighs shaking his head.

He walks Davika over to the sofa, and settles her down. He sits beside her, and holds her hands in his. He has missed this friend of his. The friend where he used to just talk and banter with before sex got in the way, and complicated things.

Kongpob leaned back on the sofa, and Davika laid her head on his shoulder while her one hand was still in his.

"Davika, it's not because of anyone. Love is something that can't be forced or controlled. You should know very well."

"I know. If I could have, I would have stopped loving you. Just give me some time. Now, that it's off my chest, I just need some time to move on."

"Just remember. I'm still here for you."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while. Suddenly, Popeye comes to the living room, and upon seeing Kongpob, he jumps up on his lap.

"Hey buddy. You're not asleep yet?" Kongpob scratches the back of Popeye's ears with both hands. Davika pets Popeye adoringly.

"Kongpob, when did you get a dog? He is so cute."

"It's Arthit's dog."

"Oh. I almost forgot you have a roommate. Where is he? This is so embarrassing."

Davika looks around to see if Arthit has been hiding somewhere.

"He's not here. Don't worry. The fall of the great Mai Davika will remain a secret."

Davika smacks Kongpob's arm playfully, and sighs.

"Too soon?"

"You think?" Davika pouts and raises an eyebrow.

"Sorry."

"What's his name?" Davika nods towards Popeye.

"It's Popeye."

"Like the chicken place or the cartoon?"

"Chicken."

Davika laughs. "That's cute. Just like his owner." Kongpob turns to look at Davika for a second hearing her say that.

"Don't worry, I know."

"You know what?"

"That Arthit is gay."

"How? Did he tell you?" Kongpob asked looking surprised.

"No, but I've seen enough. You know I have quite a few friends who are. He practically eye fucks you, and shoots hearts at you."

"Really?"

Kongpob looks away. Davika senses the uneasiness. She sighs.

"Kong, I may not be much help since I'm heartbroken here, but I can still lend an ear. You can tell me anything."

Kongpob sighs, and looks at Davika before turning back to Popeye.

"I'm not sure what's really going on with me." Kongpob said.

Davika waited for Kongpob to collect his thoughts.

"I don't know. I'm a little confused. I've been having weird dreams of kissing Arthit, but I'm certain it's not a dream now. I think we kissed after BIFW, but we drank too much, and I don't remember all the details. When you kissed me earlier, the images were much clearer."

Davika gasped.

"So, what does this mean? Are you into men now?"

"No! I....I don't know what is going on. That's why I'm confused."

"Just say you're gay. It'll be easier for me."

Kongpob rolls his eyes.

"I don't find men attractive. Well, at least not before him."

"So you find him attractive?"

"I don't know. I'm just really comfortable with him, and if I'm honest with myself, I think I miss him."

"So, where is he?"

"He is in Tokyo, and he said he is not coming back. Maybe I'm a bad kisser, and he is completely turned off. He is so turned off that he is running away to another country to get away from me. Haha."

Davika rolls her eyes.

"I wish you were a bad kisser. So, tell me, did you find him attractive right from the beginning?"

"No. He was just another guy to me. I haven't given any thought to any of this."

"You mean you don't see the burning stares he gives you? I see it a mile away."

"No. Why would I think another guy is looking at me like that? This is all very confusing."

"I can tell you this much is certain, he definitely likes you. Ask yourself if you like him that way? Don't rush to decisions, but don't lie to yourself either."

"If I do like him, will that make me gay?"

"Man like man. Yep, pretty much. But does that matter? I know you are better than that. Don't think about what others think of you. You never cared about those who looked down on you all those years before, so why care now? You don't need anybody's approval. You are fucking Kongpob Suthilak."

Kongpob sighs, and gently nods hugging Popeye. This is why he needed his friend back. Someone to remind him he is in control of his own destiny.

"It's getting late. Did you want to stay or go? You can stay in one of the guest rooms. I have to get some sleep for tomorrow's board meeting."

"No, I'm going to go home and do some more crying. I've lost ten years for nothing."

Just as they were about to get off the sofa, Davika pinches Kongpob's left nipple hard.

"Ouuuuu....! That really hurts!"

"Yeah, so does my heart."

Davika laughs throwing her head back. Kongpob rubs his sore nibble, and laughs too.

Kongpob puts down Popeye, and walks Davika to the door. Davika puts her shoes back on, turns to Kongpob.

"Goodnight. Friends forever."

Kongpob kisses Davika's forehead.

"Forever."