....
His gaze was quiet yet piercing, as if he were searching for answers in my eyes. In a calm voice, he asked,
"Did you draw the picture?"
"I did," I nodded. "But… before I give it to you, I need to ask you something."
Chak raised an eyebrow slightly and nodded for me to continue.
"Where did you go yesterday and today? Why won't you tell me? What are you hiding from me? Please, Chak… trust me."
For a moment, he looked away, as if battling with himself. Then he let out a deep sigh and said,
"I can't tell you. Not yet. But you'll find out soon, I promise, Niran."
In silence, I handed him the drawing. He took it wordlessly and stared at it for several long moments. His eyes were serious—almost moved.
After a few minutes, he gently asked,
"Why... my lips?"
I looked into his eyes and whispered softly,
"Because I can't forget them. Because they mean something… more to me. Even if you're hiding things from me, I want you to know—I trust you. And I want you to trust me, too. Anytime. With anything. I want to be your safe place. And I promise… I'll always obey you. Whatever you ask of me, I'll do it."
Chak stepped closer and embraced me without a word. His hug was strong yet tender, as if shielding me from the world.
"Niran," he whispered against my neck, "there are things I can't tell you yet. Not now. But one day, I will. Just… promise me something."
I looked at him, my heart pounding.
"Promise me you'll always stay by my side. No matter what others say. No matter what you might find out. I want you with me. Now and always."
I smiled and whispered,
"I promise."
Then I gently pressed my forehead against his, and in that silence, between our heartbeats, I knew—love was already here. We just needed to let it breathe.
After that quiet moment, Chak slightly pulled his head back, but his arms remained around my waist.
"Are you hungry?" he asked softly.
I nodded. "A little."
"Perfect. We'll order something. You're not cooking today," he said with a grin, like he was already planning something special.
I grabbed my things and we headed to the living room, where we browsed menus from nearby restaurants together. In the end, we chose our mutual weakness—Thai noodles with peanut sauce and fried tofu. We added some spring rolls and dessert: mango sticky rice.
While waiting for the delivery, we sat on the couch my head resting on his shoulder, his arm wrapped around me.
When the doorbell rang, he stood up, winked at me, and said,
"I'll be right back."
A few minutes later, he returned with a bag full of fragrant food. He laid out the plates on the coffee table, arranged everything neatly, and then sat back down beside me.
He picked up a spring roll, dipped it into sauce, and gently brought it to my lips.
"Open up," he said with a soft smile.
Slowly, I opened my mouth and let him feed me. It was so tender, almost intimate. Our eyes stayed locked. With each bite, I watched him—his eyes, his smile, the way he looked at me… it melted me from the inside.
"I didn't know you could be this gentle," I said between bites.
"Only for you," he whispered, wiping the corner of my mouth with his thumb. His touch was soft, but filled with emotion.
Then he took a bite for himself. The food was amazing, but his touch… his gaze… what was happening between us was sweeter than anything on the table.
After a few more bites that Chak fed me, we both leaned back slightly on the couch. His hand rested on my thigh, fingers gently brushing up and down, as if tracing invisible lines.
"Niran," he said quietly.
"Hm?"
He looked at me. This time, differently. More intensely, more deeply. His eyes searched mine, and it felt like time stood still.
"Earlier… when our lips touched… did you…" he began, but didn't finish. His voice softened even more, almost hesitant.
My heart started pounding. I slowly leaned in, not even realizing it. He leaned in too. We were just centimeters apart. His gaze dropped to my lips. And mine to his.
"Chak…" I whispered.
His face was now right in front of mine. I could feel his breath on my skin. Everything was silent. Just our breathing, the warmth of our bodies, the tension in the air.
When our lips were about to touch…
DING DONG!
The doorbell rang. We both jumped slightly and quickly pulled away.
We sat in silence for a few seconds, still catching our breath from the almost kiss that was interrupted so suddenly. My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
Chak let out a soft sigh and stood up slowly. "I'll get the door."
I nodded, still frozen on the couch, trying to process everything that just happened—or almost happened. My lips tingled from the closeness. My body felt warm. My mind was spinning.
While he went to the door, I buried my face in my hands for a moment. What just happened? Were we really about to kiss again? Or was it just me imagining things?
I looked toward the hallway, hearing the quiet murmur of Chak thanking the delivery person. The door shut. A second later, he walked back in, holding another smaller bag.
"What's that?" I asked.
He smiled slightly. "A surprise. I ordered in secret."
He placed the bag on the table and pulled out a small box. Inside was a single slice of coconut cake—my favorite.
I blinked."How did you know that is coconut cake my favourite.
He whispered. "Taeng"
I smiled and say: "I could know."
I reached out and touched his hand gently. "You're full of surprises today."
Chak sat beside me again, this time a little closer. "You bring that out in me."
We shared the cake slowly, in silence, only the soft clinking of forks between us.
When the last bite was gone, I leaned my head back against the couch and closed my eyes for a second. I felt Chak's fingers gently brush mine. I turned my hand around and let our palms touch. No grasping. Just connection.
"Chak?" I whispered.
"Yeah?"
"If I asked you to kiss me… would you?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned his body toward mine and gently took my face in his hand. His thumb brushed my cheek.
"I would," he whispered, "but not because you asked me. Because I want to."
He leaned in again—but this time, slower, more deliberate.
And just before our lips met once more—
DING DONG!