Looking down at his hands, Mok exhaled. "I felt something."
"Toffee is safe... my family... Kao... then why does it feel like something's missing?"
He shook his head, dismissing the thought.
The evening heat was relentless, leaving everyone desperate for rain.
A sudden chill ran through Mok as he stood there. He tried to ignore the creeping suspicion that he was being watched.
"Mok..."
Turning around, Mok spotted Kao waving frantically, signaling him to return.
He hurried back, but his foot caught on a small rock. He stumbled, nearly falling into a patch of green jasmine, their blossoms drooping in the heat.
Before Mok could hit the ground, a pair of arms wrapped tightly around him, pulling him into a firm embrace.
He could feel Kao's uneven breath and quiet panic. His own heart pounded so violently that all thoughts vanished.
"Kao... let go," Mok managed, hand gripping Kao's shoulder, still anchoring himself after the near fall.
Gently running his fingers through Mok's hair, Kao held him even closer instead of letting go.
They stood locked together, neither willing to move.
After a long moment, Kao's gaze drifted toward the distant pond.
Following his look, Mok stiffened as a shared sense of dread washed over them both.
Afterward, they returned to the car.
Once again, Mok lowered his head to Auntie Ja, hugged Rak, and clasped his hands to Nut.
Only the trees knew how many times he had thanked them.
As Kao swung the car door open, Mok settled inside. Before it closed, he glanced back one last time.
The three of them were still standing out there.
Only then did he realize that the most painful thing wasn't losing years of memories together. It was the ordinary goodbye people exchanged every day, never knowing it might be the last.
They had known each other for only a few days, yet it felt like years.
Time had never been the measure of how close people could become.
Kao got into the driver's seat.
Everything had already been packed neatly, though the clothes he had bought for Mok still rested inside that new shopping bag.
Every day, Mok would take the garments out, look at them, fold each piece carefully, and tuck them away again.
"Let's go," Kao said as he started the engine.
The car glided away from the large mansion and entered the peaceful road.
"Phi... we are alone again," Rak murmured.
Their fingers intertwined tightly.
"Just pretend you know nothing. Even if you do, please don't say a word."
Nut placed his palm gently on Rak's head.
"Phi..." Rak choked out, a single tear escaping down his cheek. Nut leaned in close, tracing the wet path with his lips.
Meanwhile, back in the car...
"Do you think it'll rain today?" Mok asked, staring out the window while absentmindedly tapping his phone.
"Maybe tonight. I didn't check the weather."
"Damn..."
Kao nearly jumped.
"Mok? Did you just curse at me?" Kao's grip tightened on the steering wheel, his voice filled with uncertainty.
Speechless, Mok suddenly sat upright.
"I didn't," he muttered, pausing before letting out a sigh. "I just forgot to tell Toffee I am going back. He's going to kill me..."
Flustered, he watched the window, faking interest in the crowded evening streets lined with shops.
"Don't talk to me... Please don't..." came his silent plea each time Kao took another corner.
"He's angry... Look at his face... Please don't ask me anything..." Kao's thoughts raced just as wildly.
Both of their minds spun much faster than the vehicle as the evening quietly turned into chaos.
Silence filled the air.
Not a single soul was outside the building.
Dark clouds had gathered, and the sun had already disappeared beyond the horizon.
"Kao... Phi Kao..."
"Huh?" Kao flinched, snapping back to reality as he faced Mok.
"You're spacing out again. I'm going now. You asked me to stay for five more minutes, but you haven't uttered a single word for over ten."
Thudding against the dashboard, Mok let out a quiet hiss as he reached for the door.
The moment he unlocked the door and shoved it outward, a figure nearly ran straight into it.
"Wait, Mok!" Kao lunged over, forcing it shut before it could hit the stranger.
"Thank goodness..." He let out a breath before settling back into his seat.
Clenching his fists, Mok got out of the car.
"Mok..."
Ignoring Kao, he opened the back door, grabbed only his favorite belongings, and walked away.
Kao hurried after him, trailing him all the way to the dorm entrance, where the security guard blocked his path. The guard explained that Mok had just warned him about a stalker, showing a photo of Kao on his phone to make sure he wasn't allowed inside.
Acting like a dedicated stalker caught in the act, Kao only left after confirming Mok was safely inside the elevator.
With a heavy sigh, he finally headed back toward his condo.
The rapid sound of a button being clicked echoed inside the elevator.
"Kao... jerk... bastard..." A smile spread across Mok's face as his finger kept tapping the button without a pause.
Behind him, two people clung tightly to each other, trembling.
"I'm scared, baby..."
"Me too, baby... Tell him to stop doing this to us. I want to get out..."
"I'm already dizzy..."
A mechanical voice announced, cutting through the quiet air.
Lugging his bags behind him, Mok left.
As the doors shut, the two terrified boys collapsed onto the steel floor, still holding each other.
"I'm scared..." Without another word, they agreed to take the stairs from now on.
Scratching his ear, Mok waited in front of his room and patted his pockets for his key.
"That clueless bastard..." he whispered. Right before unlocking the door, a memory flashed through his mind.
A moment ago inside, when Kao had moved across to close the door, their fingers had brushed together.
A faint blush spread over Mok's cheeks.
"Is he upset that I'm leaving? I am sure he will beg me to stay for another five minutes. To his surprise, I am not getting out. Half an hour, is that enough..."
He bit his lip. "Kao had been so close... I could feel his breath. Did he want to kiss me?"
For a brief moment, Mok had shut his eyes and waited.
But no kiss came. No hug either.
When he finally opened his eyes, Kao was simply watching him, looking puzzled.
Bumping his bag, Mok pressed his forehead against the wall.
"Why did I expect anything from that dickball..."
Slam!
A loud noise came from inside the room.
"Who's in there?" He quickly went through his bag for his phone. "Why can't I find it..."
After digging through everything, he finally found it and checked the messages.
Lamon had already texted that he would be late.
He squeezed the phone. "Just who is inside?"
Sweat broke out along his brow as his fingers began to shake. "I know martial arts... I can do this..."
Taking a deep breath, he threw the door open.
"Ahhh!" Mok shouted, nearly losing his footing while rushing in.
In Kao's condo—
Night had fully fallen.
The sound of running water drifted through the empty space.
A dim light from the bathroom spilled over the floor as Kao came out, only a towel wrapped around his waist.
Drops ran down his hair and skin while he roughly dried himself.
He sank onto the bed, letting his body relax.
Touching his lips, his mind began to wander.
"I almost kissed him... No wonder he was angry. I've been losing control lately."
"This isn't a dream, right?"
"...I miss him."
The phone suddenly rang.
At first, Kao ignored it, but then a realization hit him—What if it's Mok?
He quickly took it from the table.
The disappointment that appeared on his face was impossible to hide when he saw the caller.
"Hello... Samy."
From the line—
"I'm not disturbing you, right?" Samy asked hesitantly.
"Mmh... You're not."
There was a short silence.
"I received a mail from Corex. They are challenging you to a race."
"They must have heard that I'm retiring."
"Right. So, what should we do? You know we can't ignore a challenge like this, especially when it comes from an international team."
"Samy, we can't discuss this over a call. I'll come to K9."
"Now?" Samy's voice became uncertain.
"Mmh..."
"Kha." After hanging up, she dialed another familiar number.
Kao tossed his phone onto the bed and walked toward the wardrobe to change. That was when his eyes caught sight of a bag.
He unzipped the bag and sat down on the floor.
Inside were his clothes... the ones Mok had worn.
Picking up one of the shirts, Kao held it quietly before getting ready.
Outside, the rain started pouring.
Like pearls striking glass, the drops came down, washing away the weight of the long day.
Kao's footsteps sounded against the underground parking. A beep followed, and a red light flashed as he unlocked it.
Getting in, he drove out of the lot.
Screech!
He slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt stop.
The rain had grown heavier, leaving the car caught between the sheltered parking lot and the raging storm.
From the back seat, he grabbed the black jacket he had planned to wear.
As he got out, his shirt was quickly soaked through, and his shoes flooded.
Ignoring the cold, Kao bent down near the bushes.
Then he heard it.
A small sound that pierced straight through his heart.
"Don't cry..." His voice softened.
"You're safe."