Arthit was suspended for three days so he opted for staying at dorm today. Every bone in his body was aching, he could at least get Some long deserved rest. He decided to sleep after downing two painkillers and survived on anything that was available in his mini fridge.

Afternoon was peaceful but his evening was disturbed by a knock on his door.

" Who is it ? " Arthit yelled from his spot on bed. It definitely wasn't Knot because he had a spare key.

There wasn't an answer, Arthit's heart skipped a beat. Is it Kongpob ? He had used his personal cell to call Ai Knot when attacked, his business cell had somehow gotten hit and it'd display was damaged , he had sent it to repairing shop with Ai Knot.

Spewing all tier 1 curses in his mind , he opened the door. It was Aim and Tew - Kong's friend.

" May I come in ? " He asked timidly.

" What for ? " Arthit scowled.

" I have something to give you . " Aim answered after Tew poking him in ribs.

" Fine " Arthit slid inside, letting the door open wide for them.

Walking in Aim placed the polythene he was carrying on bedside table.

Arthit Kick-arranged two footstool, since bending was impossible " Make yourself home " he looked at the two, Aim was playing with his fingers while Tew curiously took in every corner of the room.

" You room is so cool... " Tew exclaimed.

" You definitely aren't here to comment on working state of AC of my room " Arthit scowled "State your business.."

" Here " Tew handed him a notebook, and Arthit raised a brow.

" Notes. " Tew clarified, you were absent today.

"How much ? " Arthit asked, it was only fair that he pay since he charged people.

"Arthit we are just here to help - "

" Don't want -"

" See, we are classmates.. " Tew replied " it's natural that we take care of you since you can't attend classes for now."

" We are classmates since one whole year and we definitely don't walk in same group "

" That's because only after you started talking to Ai Kong, you scary ass self is little bit approachable. " Aim butted in , immediately realizing what he said, he bit his lip, staring wide eyed at Arthit.

" You don't remember but you have helped me choose my specialization, also you had given my nong your drink when you saw she was on the verge of fainting. If nothing consider it a repay..." Tew replied.

" Fine. " Arthit accepted the notes.

" Also..." Tew handed him the polythene
" Food "

" What is this for? "

" Just so..."

" How much is this ? " Arthit pulled out hus wallet .

" Why are you like this ? "

" I don't want to owe anyone " Arthit replied. He hard learnt it hard way that there was no free food in the world. There were three kinds of people he encountered in his life - 1. Who hated him the instant they knew his background.
2. Who were friendly at first expecting physical favors in return.
3. Who thought he was free game.

Of all these, second kind were most dangerous people that he religiously avoided.

" I already owe you a favor since you have been thoughtful enough to bring me actual food .I am not touching it without paying. "

Tew smiled " Fine then. I want us to be friends..."

" Out " Arthit barked " Both of you, out of my room and take your food with you ..."

" Arthit ... fine don't consider us your friends but...." Aim was trying to reason but Arthit was having none of it , he grabbed both of their wrists and opened the door to haul them out . The scenario outside made his jaw slack.

" What the fuck ? " He yelled.

All his male classmates were outside his dorm room. " what the hell you protesting outside my door for ? "

" Arthit ..go inside " the tall boy Arthit remembered from basketball replied.

"All of you , get the hell out of here if you don't want me to complain- " his sentence wasn't even complete when he heard someone shout "They are coming... Get Arthit inside ..."

Despite Arthit's protests he was shoved inside his room by Wad along with Aim . Wad locked the door from inside and shoved Arthit on bed, Arthit fell on his backside , as soon as he could sit up straight , he lunged at Wad " The fuck you are shovibg me for ? "

" I am just trying to protect you for now. Don't go outside. "

" I don't want protection. "

Wad gave him a dead stare " Too bad . We are giving it to you . " saying this, he made himself scarce, leaving Arthit and Aim alone in the room.

" You..Tell me,what the hell is going on outside of my room ? If I get in trouble because of you guys and, I will make your lives a living hell . Tell me now and don't leave out anything... "

" It's just....I was here to ask you for notes of the three days I was absent due to fever, when those guys..."

Arthit knew where this was heading, he clenched his jaw at the prospect of all the engineering department knowing the secret he was desperately trying to protect " what did you see ? " he asked to confirm.

"Everything . " Aim confirmed and Arthit slumped on the bed in a heap if flesh.

" Arthit ...I ...am sorry but..."

" Shut up . You ...why did you do that ? "

" I didn't want to do it okay...." Aim yelled " I called rector to interfere but what did he do ? He punished you instead of those guys. You are suspended for three days and they got nothing. It isn't fair.."

" Since when is the world Fair , you dumbass ? "

" I just did what Kong would have done. When rector and other higher administrative didn't interfere ...I posted video on our second year group, with voice muted ofcourse. I was out numbered okay... majority of us voted in the favor of seeking justice on our own.

" what did you guys do? " Arthit felt onset of a headache ...how could such a mess ensue within few hours?

" Wad, Prem and some of the sport team along with others sought those guys out and evened the tally. Now they can't attend classes for atleast ten days . "

" Such an achievement " Arthit clapped, are you happy ? "

" No , I am not. But they got what was coming to them, they had passed comments on Oak , Tootah and prae on freshy day. And we know this is not the first instance they bullied you. They needed to be taught a lesson."

" Yeah and you decide to take the laws in your hands? Do you know who they are ? "

" Yeah, his grandfather is boardmember of our institute. So , does that give them free license to do anything ? "

" It does." Arthit gritted.

" Great. " Aim shrugged. " Then that gives me license to do something about the shit going on in this college since my mother is in the board and my brother is president of student council.

" You are board members son? "

" Yeah. Tew is too and Bright's mother is vice chairman. "

" Wow! " Arthit hid his face behind his palm. " What the fuck I got myself in to ? "

..............
As soon as agricultural students set foot in the engineering dorm lobby,
an ugly fight broke out. No side was ready to back down.
It wasn't long before seniors had to interfere before second years damaged university property.

Seniors were pissed, the video of Tan and Pak molesting Arthit proved furl to fire. Half of third years were ready to jump in to fight. The cold minded ones made the crowd disperse. It was decided to deal with the matter at a later date when everyone was in right mindset.

The main culprits(in Arthit's eyes) and heroes(in his friend's eyes ) gathered in to Arthit's room .

" Its 2 in the fucking night. Take your asses in to your respective rooms. " Arthit growled. But no one was ready to listen.

" Their lot is sneaky. They can come back at night. Knot is in the hospital, I promised him to look after you " Prem replied to which Arthit lunged at him. He was feeling so destabilized by so many stranger faces in his room.

"This is my problem okay. Get the hell out. I can protect my self. "

" This " one of the guys Arthit didn't know pulled the gear bracelet on Arthit's wrist " says you are one of us. So this mess and you are our responsibility, like we are yours. "

" Fine " Arthit huffed sitting down in his bed. This was taken as free pass by his uninvited classmates who had suddenly declared themselves Arthit's friends.

They found the seat anywhere they liked except Arthit's bed. Aim and some others took out their favorite Mangas from Arthit's shelves and started reading while others discussed about some movie and stuff. Tew had taken lead to cook everybody some instant noodles from Arthit's stock.

Someone asked Arthit to join the conversation but his glare made the boy go back on his words instantly.

" I am gonna kill you slowly and painfully " Arthit promised Aim in his heart.

Although he was thoroughly exhausted and furious, somewhere in his heart he knew he was thankful too. This was the moment he will never forget in his life. Knowing not how to react , he yelled at his top voice " If I see single thing out of place when you leave, It's not gonna end well for you all. " and he covered his head with duvet, his heart beating at fastest pace.

He wasn't used to good things happening to him.

He had read somewhere that unforgettable memories were bad ideas done with good friends. This almost felt like one of them.

At five in the morning, his classmates left for their own respective rooms but not before making Arthit promise to call them at slightest inconvenience.
---------

Stupid . " Kong scribbled .

Surely ....Utterly ... totally stupid. Definitely the IQ he was awarded was somehow wrong because how can he -a person be with IQ 145 be so stupid to not get Arthit's number before coming home for weekend.

"Kong ...." his mother called but he ignored her. He wanted to break something so bad ...so he picked up the vase, removed the flowers and let it fall, the sound of breaking glass calmed his anger but not by much .

" Kong! " His mother came running in to his room " What happened, are you hurt ? "

" No ..." Kong replied from his place, still sitting holding his mobile , looking at Arthit's Facebook profile. His friend request was still pending and message was unseen.

" Why are you angry Kongpob ? "

Kong looked at her puzzled " I want to tear the IQ certificate to pieces Mae. I know its wrong but I really want to do it. My brain keeps repeating that I am stupid. How can I be friends with him and not have his number mae? "

" Who Kongpob ? "

" Arthit."Kong replied.

"The same Arthit that drew the portrait you gifted us. "

" Yes, mae. "

" And was beside you in the hospital ? "

" Yes mae. "

" How long since you are friends with him?"

" Six months since I am his friend but he has become mine since one week only. "

" Then isn't it normal that you don't have his number Kongpob ? "

"I really want to talk him Mae. I am trying to remember if Arthit had somehow mentioned his number or I have seen it somewhere. " Kong kept knocking his knuckle against his temple.

" Kong ... " his mother called gently, "can you tell Mae, about this friend of yours ? "

And Kong did. He happily showed her Arthit's pictures and every little thing he knew about him.

He didn't know how afternoon melted to evening and evening darkened to night. His frustration melted like a icelolly in heat. And the issue of Arthit's number was forgotten. Not for long though, it came back with venegence the moment Kong sat down to watch the movie for the week. Shutting the laptop, he exited his room and started pacing in the garden.
.......

"Kong " it was his Mae again. Perhaps she knew, distracting him temporarily will not be enough.

" You couldn't sleep ? " she asked.

" I don't have Arthit's number " he repeated and started pacing to and fro. " I even asked Aim to contact Aim has not replied mae.

" Kong, have you asked yourself, why do you want Arthit's number so urgently ? "

" I want to talk to him , mae "

" Why Kongpob ? "

He clenched his toes, restraining himself from tapping his foot anxiously " I don't know mae. "

" Then know it Kongpob. Figure it out, before you meet him. "

" I will try mae " Kong promised.

His mom patted his shoulder " Don't worry, you will figure it out. "

.....

" Kong ! "
Arthit was surprised to find Kongpob at 6 Am at his door. It wasn't even 24 hours since Kong went home. It has been just an hour that other students have emptied his room when seniors from both engineering and agriculture department interfered to extinguish the feud between second years.
He wanted to rest but all his sleepiness evaporated seeing Kongpob.

Kongpob was here, instead of heading towards his dorm. What worried Arthit that after being MIA for three days straight, his possible new friend was suddenly at his door,looking pale and sad or may be confused ? It was hard to decipher with emotions rapidly transforming from one to other.

"You should have called me . Why did you climb all the steps ,Kongpob?" Arthit admonished
" Your ankle needs rest na!"

" Arthit ..." Kongpob sighed, shoulders sagged, head hung low " can I come in? "

" ofcourse. " Arthit opened the door wide while stepping aside " come on, in. What happened, are you okay ? Is something the matter? "

Kong raised his eyes and instantly looked down, staring at his shoes " I am sorry " he mumbled.

" For what ? " Arthit asked, while he lead Kong towards his bed .

Kong slumped in the bed,
" I know I should not come here and disturb you like this. Phi pin told me it's against manners and the behavioral codes."

His elder sister had repeatedly warned Kongpob against barging in Arthit's dorm, stating it will make Arthit wary of him. Kong didn't want that to happen but the urge to see Arthit was so strong , he didn't even know why .

" Why did you suddenly suddenly visit me when you were to stay home for three days, Kong ? "

" I really wanted to see you, badly but I was at home to recover. And Aim isn't replying my texts requesting him to give me your number, saying you have enough on your plate "

" Why ? " Arthit asked.

" I don't know , Aim is suddenly - "

" Why did you want to see me, Kongpob ? "

" I was watching the movie for the week, the heroine fell in love after the hero saved him from goons. They kissed. And I wanted to see you, so bad. "

Arthit raised a brow" You wanted to kiss after seeing a trash rom com , so you drove all the way from your home to my dorm ? "

" It is part of my treatment. I watch movies and try to decipher what people are feeling at the moment and how differently they can behave while feeling same emotions.
I can't understand emotions Arthit , this automatically makes me unable to understand social barriers, satire among other things. "

Arthit's jaw fell slack " You can't understand emotions ? Like none at all ? "

" I do experience them, but it's so hard to decipher and distinguish one from another, unless it hits me like a truck. " Kong replied.

" And how do you live with that ? It must have been frustrating to feeling everything but not knowing what you are feeling ? And people must have been giving you shit and you keep wondering why they are being like that? " Arthit wondered, aloud.

A thin smile graced Kongpob's lips for the first time since he coming in to Arthit's room. Arthit was indeed different.

Everyone normally prods like how is it possible to not know what you are feeling along with other intrusive questions. They even questioned sincerity of Kong's friendship, because he can't understand love like others. But no one had asked him how he felt about that ? How tiring it was for him?

" It was like that at first. " Kong replied " Later, I started to understand emotions like I approached coding. I made it like program, noting small but common behavioral patterns and body languages associated with different emotions. I started to note it down and observe it , making necessary changes in my observations , putting if and then clause,predicting next moves of people and recognizing familiar patterns in behaviours. I also read novels of drama and romance genre and watch movies of the same to understand it as deep as I can. It has been a great help. "

Arthit smiled, plopping down beside Kong, he nudged Kong's shoulders with his " So stubborn. I would be surprised if you wouldn't have chased the problem until it presented solution Kongpob. "

Kongpob smiled back " I hope I am not annoying you with my stubbornness. And I am sorry for today , I will be mindful in future. It was just ..." Kong fell silent , searching for words " the urge was so strong, I was infront of your door before I knew. "

" Kongpob " Arthit cupped his face with his palm, his the rubbing at corner of Kongpob's lips " Isn't it frustrating to keep guessing and drawing inferences to act right for others ? To act in a pattern set by society, don't you get tired ?"

" I do. But they have only ever known one kind of response, they don't understand another. So I have to learn the kind of response they expect. They don't need to learn to accept me for I am only one person and they are in majority. "

" You know what, Fuck those behavioral codes. You don't have to follow those norms with me. " Arthit replied " Do whatever the fuck you wanna do. Ask whatever you wanna ask. No filters, no masks."

" But people always get annoyed or hurt when I don't follow those " Kong replied. " I don't want to annoy or hurt you."

"One, being annoying is your default setting and I am used to it now. And two, there isn't much that you can say or do to hurt me that I haven't already heard or experienced,Kongpob. You have nothing to worry in that department. Just be yourself "

Kongpob remained silent .

"Kong" Arthit tried to prod a response.

" I really don't want to lose you. I. ...whenever the thought crosses my mind , it feels like I am drowning without life support. "

Arthit sighed, giving Kong an evil smile
" Didn't I promise you Kongpob , that I won't ignore you ever? Don't you believe me ? "

" I do. "

" Then belive it when I say,I much prefer real imperfection than fake perfection Kongpob. If you can't understand emotions or boundaries, you don't need to pretend that you do. You don't need any filter or rulebook to be by , when you are with me, just be yourself. Slowly you will understand my boundaries and yours too, through trials and errors. "

Kong kissed Arthit's cheek " You are so much like my grandfather "

Arthit chuckled " I look like a seventy-eighty year old man ? That definitely wasn't the compliment I was fishing for "

" You are wise beyond your years and original and bold and thoughtful like my grandpa. " Kong beamed.

" I am honored that you think so , Kongpob"

" I am honored that you let me be your friend , Arthit ... I really am. " Kong was beaming but it pricked Arthit's heart..

" You won't be for long..." Arthit mumbled.

" Why ? " Kong asked, confused.

" Nothing " Arthit shook the melancholic thoughts tapping at his mind's door . He cupped Kongpob's cheek and rubbed his nose against the side of his face.

" You always smell good. " he breathed. .
" You are here because you wanted to kiss me, didn't you Kongpob ? " He asked.

It was indeed a blessing Kong couldn't catch his emotions or he would have seen the old pattern Arthit was falling in to. Drowning the sorrows in to pleasures of flesh that made him feel more hollow after the momentary high tides of emotions receded.

" I did.... I want to kiss you, talk to you angry do more. "

" Then what are you waiting for ? " Arthit asked taking off his Tee " Let's kiss and more. "

Nodding eagerly, Kong got rid of his clothes in record time and jumped his bones.

...........

Arthit snapped his eyes open. Why the hell wasn't he feeling the familiar emptiness in chest ? Why was it beating in a steady rhythm almost matching Kongpob's ? Why the hell wasn't he drowning in to melancholy ? Instead he was feeling the calm and happiness he felt seeing the stars, tiniest of hope germinating in to sapling, like the familiar warmth of ideas taking shape in his head , the sketches of tomorrow.

His heart warmed at the idea of Kongpob and him visiting his village, wandering in the green fields. Trekking the low hills, camping on the hilltops to see the wonders Sunset brought and miracles stars painted , to foolishly search for a shooting star and asking for a wish - to make possible the impossible .

He gazed at the bare body of Kong tangled with him.

How long will this calm last ?
One second. One hour , one days or perhaps one year. But chaos must come for it was his home , the turbulence his friend. He has known that the philosophy of ' It will pass too' applies more to his happiness than his hardships.

" Am I allowed to dream ? " He asked the sleeping body beside him. " I promised you that I won't ignore you but why didn't you give me the same promise Kongpob ? " his heart wailed.

But the man he wanted answers from was beautifully unaware . The rational part of Arthit's brain preferred it that way.