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Joong had spent the whole morning walking around the neighborhood, looking for a sign that said "Boarding House" or "Rooms for Rent". He had a map of the area, but it was not very helpful. Most of the streets had no names, and some of the buildings looked abandoned. He had a limited budget, and he wanted to find a place that was close to his college, safe, and clean. He knew it was a lot to ask for, but he hoped to find something decent. He had seen a few places online, but they were either too expensive, too far, or already taken. He decided to try his luck on foot, hoping to spot a hidden gem.
He was about to give up and head back to the bus station, when he saw a small sign on a gate. It said "Room for rent, 1,800 baht per month, inquire inside" which was lower than most of the places he had seen. He pushed the gate open and stepped in. There were several doors on both sides, and a staircase that led to the second floor. He saw a woman hanging clothes on a line, and he approached her.
"Excuse me, ma'am. I saw your sign outside. Do you have any rooms available?" Joong asked politely.
The woman looked at him and smiled. "Yes, we do. Are you a student?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am. I'm going to study at the KMITL (King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang) and Im looking for a place to stay near the campus." he said.
"Oh, that's nice. My name is Mrs. Madee, and I'm the owner of this boarding house. I have a room on the second floor that is vacant. In fact, two rooms are vacant, the room 3 and 4. Room 4 has been empty since then. Room 3 is a small room, but it has a bed, a fan, a table, and a closet. You will share the bathroom with two other boarders. The rent is 1,800 baht per month, and you have to pay one month advance and one month deposit. You can also use the kitchen and the laundry area. The boarding house is only 5 minutes away from the university. Do you want to see the room?" she offered.
He nodded eagerly. "Yes, please. Thank you, ma'am." he said.
Mrs. Madee led him upstairs and showed him the room. It was indeed small, but it looked clean and cozy. He liked the window that overlooked the street, and the colorful curtains that added some charm. He thought it was perfect for him.
"I'll take it, maam. This is exactly what I was looking for" he said.
Mrs. Madee smiled and handed him a key, "Welcome to your new home, son. I hope you will be happy here" she said.
"Thank you Mrs. Madee"
Mrs. Madee nodded and patted Joong's back, "I am going downstairs first, I'll leave it to you. Also, have a safe trip on your way home"
Joong nodded and bowed his head with his palms pressed together. He did not stayed for too long since he still need to travel. When he was done locking his room, he looked at the room beside his room which is the room 4, wondering why it was vacant for a long time. He knows that it is none of his business anymore so he went downstairs and then he went home.
After a month, Joong had always dreamed of this day, the day he would leave his small town and embark on his own adventure. He had packed his bags, said goodbye to his family and friends, and boarded the bus that would take him to the city. He felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as he looked out the window, wondering what awaited him at his new college. He had worked hard to get accepted, and he was determined to make the most of his opportunity. He hoped to meet new people, learn new things, and discover more about himself. He knew it would not be easy, but he was ready to face the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. He smiled as he saw the skyline of the city come into view, and he felt a surge of energy. He was finally on his way to start his independent journey as a college student. Joong arrived at his boarding house and went upstairs, unlocked his room and he quickly unpacked his things before taking a rest.
He sighed, "Tomorrow is my first day, it is better for me to take a decent hours of sleep so I won't get sleepy in class"
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He was nervous as he entered the classroom. It was his first day at a new school, and he didnt know anyone. He looked around, hoping to find a friendly face, but all he saw were strangers. Joong was a loner but in his past school, he is familiar with the people around him but now, he was like a lost child but then someone approached him. Tall, dark hair, and with a bright smile that can light up a whole room.
"Hi! I am Dunk. Is this going to be your first class?"
"Uhm yep. I am Joong by the way"
"Oh I see~ Do you mind if I sit here, Joong?"
"Sure go ahead"
"Are you electrical engineering major or mechanical or what?" Dunk asked.
"No, Im actually a computer engineering major. How about you?"
"Oh, really? Thats cool. I am also a computer engineering major. So what made you choose this course?"
"I am interested in technology and I also have skills in programming. Oh, and I also love solving problems and creating new things"
"Wow. I can finally ask someone if I have something that I do not understand. I also love experimenting, I forgot about that"
"We have something in common then" Joong smiled.
"Yeah, we do. Maybe we can help each other out with this course"
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Joong and Dunk have been close friends for a month now. They exactly met on August 14, 2023. It is now September 14, 2023 and they have just finished their last class of the day. They were feeling tired and hungry. Joong grabbed his backpack and told Dunk that he needs to leave early since there are things waiting for him. He headed to the back gate of their university. He walked along the sidewalk, dodging the crowds of students and cars and he checked his phone, looking for any messages from his family or friends.
He was about to cross the street, when he felt a presence beside him.
"Oh! It's you, Dunk. Why are you here?"
"Cuz I am going home?"
"Do you live nearby?" Joong asked.
"Yeah, I do. I live in that apartment building over there" Dunk said, pointing to a tall and gray building.
"Oh, really? Thats cool. I live in the next block, in that yellow house" Joong said, pointing to his boarding house.
"Wow, we are neighbors. How come we never bumped into each other before?"
"We are classmates but that doesn't mean our schedules are that alike"
"Agree" Dunk chuckled.
They crossed the street and walked back to their places. They chatted along the way, talking about their hobbies, their families, and their plans for the weekend because even if they are classmates and more than that, they only talked about things that are related to school. They found out more that they had a lot in common, and they enjoyed each others' company. Joong felt a connection and wondered if it could lead to something more.
Joong bid a goodbye to Dunk before he entered the gate and went upstairs, threw himself on the bed and buried his face on the pillow. He felt a spark between them. It was not like this before. He knows that Dunk is just a close friend of his, but it is now different. Joong is honest to himself, he knows that he has feelings towards Dunk. He loves him. Dunk is his everything, his world. He stood up in front of his mirror and talk to his reflection, "Joong, you... are hmmm you are going to confess to Dunk tomorrow. Why not try? You are so weak." While he was talking to his reflection, there is a suddenly loud thud from Room 4. He was shocked to hear a thud since no one is currently living there. He went outside his room with his flashlight and checked his surroundings. He found out that the two other boarders were not there and he is all by himself. He knows how to open doors without using any key so he decided to open Room 4. He wants to check it since the day he arrived at the boarding house. The door creaked open as Joong stepped in. He scanned the room with the flashlight and saw nothing. The room is very empty. No traces of someone whoever lived there. When he was about to leave, he saw a shadow in his peripheral vision pointing at the wall. Joong wasn't so sure if he is going to turn around or not. He is now trembling in fear, but he still turned around and the shadow wasn't there anymore. He started scanning the walls because that is where the shadow pointed to. As he was scanning the wall, he felt something strange and poked the wall with his flashlight and it was cracked open.
"Uh t-this is weird but I am curious"
He entered the wall and stepped into another room. He was greeted by a cloud of dust that made him cough and sneeze. He waved his hand in front of his face, trying to clear the air. He looked around and saw a mess of old furniture, books, and papers. The room was dark and gloomy, and it smelled like mold and decay. He felt a chill run down his spine, and he wondered what secrets this room was hiding.
He walked further into the room, curious and cautious. He saw a desk covered with dust and cobwebs. He wiped the surface with his sleeve and found a faded photograph. He picked it up and examined it. He placed the photograph where it belongs and was about to go back to his room when he noticed a luggage in the corner of the room. He walks towards it to see it clearly. He doesn't have gloves on but he opened the luggage and saw something that made his jaw dropped and he fell backwards.
"A-a... w-what is t-tha" he is covering his ears while slowly moving away from the luggage.
Joong closes his eyes, hoping that everything was just a dream but when he opened his eyes, he saw Dunk standing in front of him and he blackout.
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He saw Dunk in his dreams. He saw his whole story. He got all teary while sleeping and woke up since he cannot take anymore what he was seeing in his dreams.
"Joong?" Dunk gently caressed his hair.
He sat down and looked at Dunk. He hugs the latter and was crying softly.
"I l-love you since day one. W-why y-you never told me about this? I-I thought we are friends? I thought you lived there, t-tall and gray building but why are you here? W-why are you the one inside the l-luggage? I don't want to believe it!"
Dunk just looked at him, "I am grateful that you have found me, Joong. The first time I saw you, I know that you are going to be a big help for me"
"I-I want to tell you something. I love you so much Dunk and I can't live without you. Please... Just bring me with you. I am willing to risk everything for you cuz I love you that much"
"You don't have to make a request, Joong. I love you and I am really bringing you with me."
THE END