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“Phii, will you miss me?”
Arthit turned his head to the camera that was recording him. There was a frown on his forehead, while his hand stretched to reach the item. Though, the owner of the camera swiftly moved away, leaving only slow chuckles recorded as the background.
“Come on, Phii, will you miss me?”
“Why do you put me on record?”
“A token of remembrance, just in case I’m going to miss you.”
Then, what will I have when I’m missing you?
***
Arthit tightened his wristwatch. In a glance, his eyes captured the hands of time which were moving slowly towards the number twelve.
It was already 8 o’clock sharp, and he had to move in haste. There was a presentation that he needed to perform that morning.
Opening his one of his drawers, Arthit reached a little gear tied to a leather strap. The cogwheel had two colors, as a result of the change he had done years ago. As if the picture was still anew, the moment he had given the other one to Kongpob.
There were promises made, at that moment. Promises he had kept tightly up to this very second because he knew that Kong would’ve done the same thing. Since that day, Arthit was using this cogwheel as a talisman. A lucky charm that he’d brought everywhere. Because even though it was ridiculous, he felt like Kong was there as well with him.
The young man's eyes glanced spontaneously to the picture on the table. His picture with Kong, far before the younger man’s graduation day, and he missed him.
***
Kong stared at the gear on his hand, while the younger man was lying down on Arthit’s bed. He stared at the item being held by the leather strap with his mind half-wandered away. His mind wondered why he didn’t think of the idea of combining the two cogwheels before. Sometimes, he thought, Arthit could be very surprising.
“What is it?” Arthit came out of the bathroom with droplets of water falling from strands of his hair and fell on his white shirt. The young man dried his hair with a towel and he sat on the edge of his bed.
Kongpob rose from his position and hugged Arthit from behind. He put his chin on his shoulder and placing his hand around his collarbone. The younger man smiled thinly because even though Arthit’s body became tense, he didn’t go away. “I’ve decided to continue my study abroad,” said Kongpob, slowly.
There was a pause, and in his arms, Kong could feel Arthit getting tensed. But then, the young man lifted his towel and back to drying his wet hair. “That’s good. Where do you want to go?”
Kongpob bit his lip and kissed Arthit’s shoulder lightly. “I don’t know. I haven’t decided it yet.” There was another short pause, and then he held the leather strap with his other hand and let the gear he has been holding to hang in front of Arthit’s face. Kong turned his attention in the attempt to observe the look of the man that has become his lover. “Though, we will still be together.”
Arthit grabbed the gear, feeling the surface of the gear with his thumb before he stared at Kongpob. “Sure,” he replied softly, with a little smile.
Kong returned the smile, then without him really noticing, his hand had held Arthit's neck. He pulled it close, before locking him with a kiss on his lips.
***
"Hey Arthit, let's have lunch together." Tod approached Arthit who was tidying the files from his presentation. Meanwhile, others who also had attended the meeting were getting out from the room one by one.
Arthit nodded curtly. "Give me a minute," said Arthit, while his hand was placing all the files into one folder. "Okay, come on.” He said.
The cafeteria wasn’t too full at that time, perhaps it was because the weather outside was too bright after the merciless rain was pouring down for the past few days. Arthit and Tod sat across each other, facing their own respective lunch. Arthit with rice and spicy basil chicken, while Tod, sitting in front of him, ordered steamed eggs that made Arthit gritted his teeth once as he saw the food.
“Do you think our idea is good to go?” That was Tod. He took a spoonful of egg into his mouth.
Arthit sipped his pink milk once before nodding. "I think it’s good to go, Tod. We just have to think about finding the raw materials at a cheaper price.” For a moment, the young man fell silent, making an imaginary list in his mind and making sure that Tod would get it tomorrow.
Tod nodded. “I think I have a supplier’s contact that we could use.”
“Then, this problem is set—“
"Phii?"
"—tled.” Arthit lifted his head up. There was a girl in a white shirt and black skirt stood next to Tod. She was looking at him shyly. There was a cup of coffee in her hand.
“Yes?" Arthit looked at him questioningly.
The girl was a new intern in their office. She came from a famous university, and she was looking at Arthit with a reddened face while offering a cup of iced coffee that she had been holding. "Here, I bought this for you, Phii." She softly said while she lowered her head to avoid making eye contact with Arthit.
Tod almost spurted the eggs he ate. Under the table, Arthit purposely kicked Tod's feet.
"I’m sorry, um—Nong… “
"Dream."
"Nong Dream." Arthit nodded. “I don’t really like iced coffee. I already have a drink, anyway.” Arthit raised his pink-milk with an apologetic smile plastered on his expression.
Nong Dream lifted her head. Her reddened face now turned into a pale one. She lowered her hand that was offering the iced coffee. “I—I thought you liked iced coffee, Phii. I saw you drank it several times.” She said, slowly.
Arthit swallowed his smile, his eyes voiced an apology, but his mind had wandered far. "I’m sorry." There was no tone on his voice.
Tod watched the two awkwardly, and then he reached out to Nong Dream with forced chuckles. "What if you give the drink for me, Nong? It happens that I haven't bought a drink,” he said cheerfully to break the ice.
Arthit picked up his drink, while Nong Dream sadly handed the beverage to Tod. Then she went back; Arthit didn’t even notice it.
“You do know that she was trying to have a go with you,” said Tod nonchalantly.
Arthit threw a brief glance before he took another spoonful of his lunch. “You do know that I already have Kong.”
“Yes, but he’s not here.”
Arthit did not reply and only tried to swallow the longing that suddenly ambushed him.
That iced coffee. It wasn’t me who liked the iced coffee. It wasn’t me.