We pulled away from the hug a bit later and I just held onto him, as he laid his head on my shoulder.
The show still didn't make sense to us but I know we were both using it as a way to escape from the sea of feelings that was engulfing us. Just then his phone rang again. It was Pond this time.
"Answer the phone Phuwin. And be honest with him ok?"
He nodded as he answered the phone, still lying down on my shoulder. I could hear Pond asking him how the workshop went and all. Phuwin stuttered initially but finally unpacked the entire truth to him. Pond didn't say anything but suddenly hung up! Phuwin sat up quickly, groaning. He turned to look at me.
"He's gonna be here in the next 10 minutes, isn't he?"
Phuwin nodded.
"Shall I go?"
"Cant you still stay?"
"You are ok with me staying?"
Phuwin was quiet but just nodded. I fought to keep the smile off my face as I agreed to stay. Just then the door bell rang. Phuwin went to open the door while I stood up.
Pond came in immediately, not realizing my presence. He saw Phuwin and just hugged him tightly, teary himself. Phuwin held onto him back, starting to sob. Ah these two boys. Their friendship just really tugs at my heart. Pond let go of him, checking his cuts out and nagging away, wanting to go hit his manager. Phuwin tried to subdue him and also alert him to my presence but Pond wasn't listening.
I finally spoke up. "Hello Pond. How have you been?"
Pond looked in my direction, stunned to see me! "P! When did you.. oh my.. I'm sorry i didn't see.."
I laughed as I waved off his apology. He came over and greeted me respectfully, given I was older than him. I smiled at him. Phuwin went to fix him a drink and he sat down with me. I told him I knew what happened too and that I really wanted to bash the manager up myself too. Pond chuckled and said we should just do it.
But just then Phuwin came out and heard us, and he glared at both of us.
"Don't you dare! You promised me you would give 1 more chance!" He pointed his index finger at me, nagging away. I laughed as I agreed and turned to see Pond who was stunned at how informal Phuwin was being around me.
"When did you two become so close that's he's so informal around you?"
I just kept quiet, looking at my hands instead, finding them mighty interesting suddenly. Pond turned to look at Phuwin who just shoved the drink in his hand and scuttled to the kitchen to get snacks for us.
Pond looked at me curiously, poking at my arm. I looked up at him.
"I ... we just.. we just been hanging out recently. I hope..I hope it's ok.. I just...we are just..friends."
I don't even know why I was stuttering! I looked at Pond who just looked at me confused.
"Why are you stuttering around me, P? I'm just happy you and Phuwin are close. Why are you so worried? Phuwin and I are just friends. We aren't dating if that's what you are worried about."
I looked at Pond mortified about to rebut when he leaned in closer. "Though to be honest, if you wanted to date him, I wouldn't say no. I think I would be the happiest. It's about time that guy had someone else in his life too."
"I...no..we can't.. we..he's my Nong.. he's younger. He's 21. I'm 27, almost 28 Pond. I.. I just.."
Pond looked at me confused.
"Really, P? It's just age.. why is that stopping you..."
I kept quiet, just looking at him. I was about to answer when Phuwin walked in with snacks for us. He hadn't heard on what had transpired so he was clueless and just grinned away at us. "Snacks?"
I just nodded and Phuwin proceeded to put the snacks down as I looked at Pond subtly and shook my head. Pond just looked at me confused but didn't say a word.
Phuwin sat down in the middle and we decided to game for a bit. I let the two game as I watched them. I watched as they really got into the game, screaming and smacking each other! I laughed watching their antics. Midway while Pond was choosing another game, Phuwin turned to me.
"You ok?" He mouthed. I nodded, saying I was fine. He smiled and turned back to the game. A little over 2 hours later, Pond and Phuwin finally wound up and Pond wanted to head home.
I offered to send him home but he waved it off, saying it was still early and called for an Uber instead. We watched him go off and then Phuwin closed the door.
I turned away, chatting about wanting to get a shower before sleeping when I heard Phuwin ask me softly.
"Is age really a factor, P?"
"Huh?" I turned around to Phuwin, clueless over what he was asking.
"I asked if age is really a factor. In you dating people?"
"Why..why do you ask that Phuwin?"
He finally looked at me, a sad smile playing at his lips as he mentioned he had overheard the conversation between Pond and me. I stared at Phuwin, mortified that he had heard that.
"I am older, Phuwin. I... you deserve someone closer in age."
"I asked what mattered to you P. Not what matters to me."
I kept quiet, refusing to answer. Phuwin just smiled sadly at me as he went off, saying he would prepare the clothes for me. But as he passed me, I heard him mutter.
"But to me, age doesn't matter. Not especially when it comes to you."