❤︎

Part 15

I was sitting at the table, shifting uneasily as I eyed Kongpob Suthiluck's empty seat — any time now he would come down for breakfast. For once, I wasn't hungry and I stared at my bowl of rice as I toyed with my chopsticks, unable to swallow anything.

How would he react when he sees me?

I felt my ears growing hot as I remembered again the way his arms had held me securely last night and the touch of his lips on mine.

*Thump, thump, thump*

Footsteps coming down the stairs...

My heart started racing as I stared even harder at my bowl of rice.

"Kongpob, good morning."

"Morning mum, morning Arthit." His voice was as flat and emotionless as ever.

"G...good morning," I stuttered, almost choking on a mouthful of rice that I had hastily shoved into my mouth before he appeared, in order to avoid looking at him. I could not resist sneaking a peek at him. To my disappointment, Kongpob Suthiluck was reading the paper as normal as he sat there eating his breakfast. He was acting as if nothing had happened between us.

My heart plunged with disappointment.

Well what else did you expect Arthit? I scolded myself severely for having all those daydreams about him ever since he kissed me.

"Kongpob, doesn't Arthit look pretty in his new clothes? We bought them when we went shopping for his university clothes last week." Finally, the cool dark eyes lifted to my face, observing my red sleek shirt and black jeans. I felt my face turning hot as they gazed at me appraisingly and calmly.

"You've grown fatter."

My eyes widened in incredulity as he turned back to reading his paper without another word. What a mean thing to say! How could Kongpob Suthiluck say that to a person, especially to someone that he has kissed!??

I should have known that he was still the same scientific miracle — a cold-blooded mammal... Well at least he has been kind enough to disillusion me right from the start — goodbye my wonderful dreams...

❤︎

May and Aya were waiting for me at the university as I arrived. We were all extremely disappointed when we realized that once again, we were in the worst class in the University.

And as expected, Kongpob Suthiluck was in the best class — it was history repeating itself all over again. During lunch, I took a route that would enable me to walk by Kongpob Suthiluck's faculty. To my shock, I saw that Jessica and Mike were both with him — how did the two of them end up in this university instead of SK?

I squinted my eyes when I saw Jessica lean extremely close to Kongpob to whisper something to him, smiling super widely and just being way too close to him for comfort. It was obvious she was very interested in Kongpob.

Luckily, Kongpob maintained his expressionless face, but he didn't push her away when she brushed closer.

*Crack!*

Did you hear that?

That was the sound of my poor hopeless heart breaking...

Once again.

Damnit...ㅠㅠ

Mike saw me and nudged Kongpob, " Hey look who's here." I stiffened as he glanced casually at me and then coolly ignored me.

"That guy keeps staring at you. Is he your booooyfriend?" Another guy who was with them asked Kongpob teasingly.

Hopeful, I tried to perk up my ears to hear Kongpob's answer better.

"Never gonna happen."

His cold reply cut me to the quick.

Obviously our kiss meant nothing to him, nothing at all. I felt something heavy pressing on my chest — breathing had become suddenly difficult and I felt stupid for hoping something impossible...once again.

❤︎

"How was your day?" I was greeted cheerfully by Mrs Suthiluck as soon as I reached home.

"Okay..."

"Would you mind helping me wash and cut these vegetables?"

"Of course not, Auntie." I quickly put down my things and went to get the apron. Somehow we started chatting about school and I found myself telling her about my friend Aya.

"She's so pretty and smart, Auntie. I think she's the type that Kongpob Suthiluck likes..." Why was I saying that suddenly??? Gosh, I was going crazy...A lump came into my throat as I lowered my head.

"Not all people like pretty and smart people, Arthit. Neither your uncle nor myself judge people by their looks and intelligence. Kongpob is also not like that — I'm his mother and I know him well." I looked at beautiful and gentle Mrs Suthiluck with utmost gratitude. Dear Auntie, she is the best. She has always been supportive of me, no matter what.

Hours passed and I had been hanging around the corridor and my bedroom, anxiously waiting for Kongpob to return from university. Despite him rejecting me and being so cold to me, I still couldn't stop myself from caring for him and my heart skipped a beat when I heard the sound of his footsteps coming up the stairs.

I quickly shut the door of my room, pretending that I was about to go downstairs.

"Hi Kongpob."

"Hi," His face was as expressionless as ever as he began to walk past me.

"Wasn't that Jessica whom I saw with you in University today?" I just couldn't stop the words before they were already out of my mouth. Jealousy had consumed me and was eating me up from the inside.

"Yes," to my surprise, a slight smile curved up his lips. "Are you jealous?"

"What? Of course not!" I frowned, but I could feel the heat hit my cheeks as I blushed furiously.

"She's still as beautiful and intelligent as in high school. We're in the same class again."

Yeah...just keep adding salt to the wounds, will ya?

"If she's so smart why isn't she in SK university?" The words burst uncontrollably from my lips — I guess I had to admit that I was jealous, just a little bit.

...

A LOT!

*cough*cough*

Ignore that.

"May I remind you that I am also not in SK University? Don't tell me you forgot why I am currently attending the same university as you. Would you say that I'm not intelligent?"

Kongpob asked me mockingly and I wordlessly lowered my head.

"I knew you wouldn't be able to forget me, especially not after our kiss..." He whispered close to me, his sweet as honey in my ear.

My eyes grew wide and I blushed fiercely as a knowing smile lingered on his lips. He bent closer to me and I held my breath — OMG! was he going to kiss me again???

OMGOMG

I haven't even brushed my teeth! OMG, he's leaning closer!

Breathe, don't breathe, breathe Arthit!

After scrutinizing me for a few seconds (it seemed like hours to me), our faces just inches apart, he suddenly laughed, moved away and picked up his bag from the floor, before walking into his room.

I remained in the same frozen position for a while, totally confused by his behavior — was I just a game to him?

Kongpob Suthiluck, please don't be so mean to me, all I have ever wanted was to love and admire you.

❤︎

"Kongpob, do you remember our conversation the other day? Will you be joining our tennis club?"

I looked up and saw a classmate standing in front of me.

"Ok sure."

He looked extremely pleased with my answer. "Wohooo! We got the almighty Kongpob in our team! See you Thursday afternoon then!"

I felt someone looking on and turned, noting that Arthit was standing unobtrusively in a corner where he had been trying to overhear our conversation. I smiled secretly to myself — my my my Arthit, it appears that you want to be in the same club as me?

Well, we shall see if you are up to it.

❤︎

It was Thursday afternoon and I was making my way to the tennis club meeting room. From the corner of my eye, I could see a little black shadow following me — Arthit as per normal. As I had expected, that baka could not even tail me properly and he ended up entering the Manga Club wrongfully where he was hassled by all the members about what comics he read.

I shook my head and left for the tennis club. To my surprise, Jessica was also there. I never knew that she could play tennis but watching her warming up, I realized that she was quite a good player although not up to my standard. I was once told by a coach that I could play on the national team any day, so I guess that's a totally different benchmark altogether.

When we were starting to play, I heard someone puffing and panting, running up to the courts.

It was Arthit!

Apparently he had managed to trace me to the courts. He proceeded to sign up, obviously determined to attend tennis club together with me.

I was pretty sure he had never even held a tennis racket before.

Well, good luck to him...

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"What?? You are both in the tennis club!?? That's fantastic!"

I couldn't help rolling my eyes when mama started clasping her hand together and cheering when she heard that Arthit had signed up for tennis as well. "Did you know that I taught Kongpob how to play tennis? I can teach you as well."

"Really? That will be great!" Arthit was beaming away like the simpleton that he was.

"Well for someone like you, I'd be surprised if you would be able to hold the racket properly after ten lessons. You might be able to start hitting the ball after a few years' practice." I told him insolently, laughing secretly when he turned red with anger and started arguing with me.

Somehow, I really enjoy baiting him. He always comes out second best in our arguments, but it is still fun seeing how frustrated and angry he can get.

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The first tennis lesson was a total flop.

At first, I was very happy to be in the same club as Kongpob Suthiluck, until I met the assistant coach. He was also a fellow student — Mike. He was told to test our skills and coach us, and I thought he was a kind and gentle person. I mean he was so nice to me at first and even told me that I was very cute...

Sigh...

Okay, I know it's quite pathetic but very few people compliment me so I really treasure these few compliments.

Then when he started playing, he turned into a really really mean version of Mr Hyde. There was this intense competitive glint in his eyes and he didn't give us newcomers any chance at all.

It really didn't help that Kongpob Suthiluck actually beat him — I must say I never knew that Kongpob could play tennis so well — and that I was immediately after him. He worked us so hard that more than half the newcomers fainted with exhaustion and I was one of them.

When I saw Mike the next day in the canteen during lunch, I was extremely jumpy and I quickly tried to avoid him. However, it was too late. Mike walked right up to me as I poised myself, ready for flight at the slightest provocation.

"Hey, are you alright after yesterday's practice?"

"Yeeeess..." I lied hesitantly.

To my surprise, a rueful smile appeared on his face as he looked at me rather sheepishly. "I'm sorry for the way I treated you all yesterday."

My eyes widened in surprise.

"I'm just like that — I turn very competitive, like another person when I play tennis and I simply can't help myself. When I'm not in a tennis court, I'm a different person. I hope you will be able to see me as a friend when we are not playing tennis." He apologized with a gentle smile.

I could not help but shake the hand that he was holding out to me. I decided to see for myself if his words were true.

Perhaps I could gain a new friend here...

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"Arthit and I will be moving out..." Dad's words didn't take me by surprise — he had informed me the night before that the construction had completed and we could move back in. However, the knife dropped with a clatter from Auntie's hand and she weeped in shock.

"Why are both of you moving out? Don't you like staying with us?" She was almost in tears.

I bit my lip as I lowered my head, feeling guilty for making her so sad.

"Both Arthit and I have been disturbing your family long enough. It's time that we left..."

I heard a noise and looked up, seeing Daniel running upstairs. He must be delighted at the news, I thought.

"Big brother, Arthit is moving out! Yippeeeee~"

I heard him shout excitedly as I followed him upstairs. I saw Kongpob Suthiluck leaning against the wall in front of my room, his arms folded against his chest as he looked at me with his usual enigmatic expression.

"So you are leaving?"

It was more of a statement actually.

"Yes..."

"Finally, my life can go back to normal." He muttered indifferently.

I mean, I didn't expect him to cry or anything, but at least a bit sympathy would have been nice.

Sadly, I lowered my head, unable to look at him as I tried to swallow down the lump of tears in my throat. "Excuse me, I have to go and start packing."

"Sure," he moved away from the door and turned to enter his own bedroom.

Immediately, my vision blurred and I quickly dashed into my room, shutting the door behind me, before jumping on the bed and letting the tears fall.

I couldn't bear leaving you Kongpob Suthiluck...

No matter how cold you are towards me, your image is so deeply imprinted in my heart that I can no longer forget you.

Gosh how much I will miss you seeing you every day...

ㅠㅠ

❤︎