After the final bell rang, Singto walked out of his class, his feets habitually turned in the direction of a tree in the school yard under which Krist waits for him everyday. Singto would walk Kit home and then head for his tutions.
His friends scold him for wasting time to walk Kit home but Singto didn't mind for it wasn't waste of time if you enjoy what you do. He like taking care of Krist. Periodt!

It was true that wasting time would cost him big since he was a tenth grade student now and his scores this year would determine his academic future. But dropping Kit home safely is one of his priorities. It was their special time, riding on a bicycle while happily chitchatting and sharing details of their day— it was their thing.
It had been their routine for ever since he remembers.

Kit aka 'Krist' aka 'Perawat Sangpotirat' was youngest son of Sangpotirat couple, a family friend and neighbour of Ruangroz family.
Naturally, they had spent their childhood together and shared a major part of their life with each other. Kit was two years younger than him so it was naturally his responsibility to take care of him. Thus started the routine of Kit following Singto everywhere.

Wherever Singto goes, Kit follows. Be it school, karate class, summer camp or simply swimming. Kit was everywhere where Singto was and if Kit couldn't follow, Singto would make sure to keep his nong under his supervision.

For example, take music, four years ago Kit started taking guitar lessons, something Singto had no passion or interest in, he only followed to see saftey of Kit. Because the child gets bullied everywhere, it was like he was a magnet for bullying be it verbal or physical.

It worries Singto to think that he will leave the school in a year and Kit will be alone for two whole years before he could follow Singto to college.

Singto found his chubby nong sitting under the tree as expected. But the eighth grader didn't jump down the bench and greet Singto with his usual happy wide smile. Kit was lost in thought, staring somewhere in to the space.

" Kit" Singto called. Krist didn't acknowledge the call, he didn't hear to be honest.

" Kit " Singto tried a little louder, succesfully managing to grab Krist's attention.

Krist looked at him with blank eyes, rimmed red, the dried tear streaks made Singto's blood boil. Not again! He is gonna kill the fucker whoever was responsible for it.

" Who was it? "

" No one. " Kit replied. Singto gritted his teeth. He hated this habit of Kit. Why does he always try to protect the bullies?

Even after asking several times in different tones ranging from concern to threat, Kit didn't reveal the identity of his bully. Singto could only sigh in defeat and plonk beside Kit.

" Tao, can you at least tell me what happened without telling me the names?"

" No," Kit shook his head  "I know you will somehow figure out who was responsible and beat them. No one will try to become my friend then. I want friends na phi. "

" Kit, friends don't make you cry. They don't leave you alone to cry. They make you smile and if they can't do anything about it, they cry together with you. "

" Such friends only exist in books " Kit avoided Singto's stare " Kit wants friends. If you beat everyone that says something to me, no one will want to befriend me. No one does actually, everybody is scared of me." He whined, hiding his face behind his palms.

Hurt by Kit's statement yet concerned for his nong, Singto pulled Kit in to a hug.
" Am I not such a friend to you? "

" You are my phi. I want friends too." Kit whined again, placing his head on Singto's shoulder.

" Phi can be friend. " Singto insisted.

" So, I can speak casually to you? " Kit questioned. He wanted to talk to Singto like Joss talked with him - casual and equal.

"Nope. "

It made Kit sad and angry. " You see.... Friends don't have these many boundaries. I want a friend like P'Joss, P'Tay is to you. I want someone I can casually talk to, share my problems with, discuss over common interest. I want a friend phi, not a phi cum friend."

" Kit, just because I won't let you talk casually doesn't mean I don't  see you as friend. Don't  we share everything? You know everything about me, you understand me more than Joss, Tay or any friend of mine. You are more than a friend. You are my nong, my friend , my secretkeeper, sometimes my phi . You see? We have much more than you or I could ever have with other people. Friends doesn't have to be of same age, background or ethnicity Kit, they just have to have a caring heart and good soul."

With curious eyes, Kit looked at Singto, sometimes his 13 year old brain doesn't  catch much of the meaning behind Singto's words. His philosophy was like an old soul. 100 year old man in body of 15 year old boy. Singto would talk such deep things that it would lull Kit to deep sleep.
While next day, he definitely feels guilty for sleeping on Singto but he couldn't  deny those were one of best sleeps he ever had. And Singto understands him, he never chided Kit for happily walking to dreamland while Singto poured his heart (brain) out.

Singto would sometimes feel happy seeing the adoration in Kit's eyes. How Kit always leaned a little forward, little towards him, even when the topic being discussed was out of scope of his understanding. He loved how Kit always listens to him, thinks a world of him. For Krist, Singto can never do anything wrong, same goes for Singto.

Singto had read some articles on body language and upon observing he had found out that they had very special bond. Kit has always been sincere in his expressions, words and action. What baffled him was the fact that they mirrored each other like a family would do, like a couple would do. And Singto cherished this little info to his heart.

"Tao, do you want the juniors to see you talking informaly with me and start doing the same? "

Kit shook hus head. " No. "

"See. That is why I can't  allow you to talk informally with me. But, you can talk informally sometimes like when we are alone or there is no junior around."

" I can ?" Krist was a bit happy, the sadness weighing his heart,lifted a little.

" Yeah. You can. When you want me as friend, you can talk informal if juniors are not around, we don't to be a negative influence to them now, do we ? . "

Kit shook his head in negative, his heart  again plummeted a little. What if juniors were around and he wanted to talk informal to Singto ?

As if Singto read his unasked questions, he answered " If juniors are around, we search a place where we can talk without any worries. Just you and me."

" Thank you phi " Kit wrapped his arms around Singto's waist and laid his head on his shoulder. " Thank you Phi Sing. Love you.  Kit is very happy. "

Singto smiled. " I am always here for you Tao. Phi rak Kit too na. "

Kit tightened his arms around Singto and Singto patted his back gently.

" Kit, I promise I will not go search for anyone responsible for today's events. Can you tell me what happened  Tao ? "

" It was nothing, I realize now that it was stupid phi. " Kit explained " We were discussing about numbers in our class. Someone asked to choose a favourite number and also tell the reason. Teacher wanted us to be aware of the number and it's natural significance in our environment.  Most of the students chose one for they wanted to be number one, some chose other numbers. "

" What did you chose ? "

Kit's shoulders slumped a little while replying " Zero."

At that time chosing zero sounded like a cool idea because rarely anyone will ever choose zero. But it doesn't  look cool or wise now. He didn't  want Singto too to think of him as a looser.

" Wise choice. " Singto smiled patting his junior's back.

" Really phi ? " Kit asked with wide eyes. Even his teacher was a little skeptical when Kit chose zero but here sat Singto gazing at him with so much pride and affection shining in his eyes, it made Kit astonished. Singto always made him feel astonished.

" Really." Singto assured. " While Zero may not seem such a significant number to you or most people but it's a wonder in itself. "

" How phi ? " Kit leaned forward, framing his face between hus palms while his elbows supported the weight.

" First of all without zero nothing is complete. Zero is place holder, central point to many events, concepts. Zero also teaches us a way of life. I would say every person should become like Zero."

" But Zero doesn't have value phi ! We become valueless ? "

" No Tao" Singto chuckled " You see, if we add Zero to any number no matter how big or small — the number remains same. We should be indifferent  to any differences among people — be it race, cast, ethnicity, material riches. We should behave equally politely and respectfully with everyone.
Like Zero our egos should be so negligible that we can mix and live among any type of environment, situation, people — riches and rags should be equal to us. "

" But phi, Zero also destroys any number, no matter how big. If we multiply it by Zero, it becomes Zero ! "

" Yes, Tao. Again it teaches indifference. Justice should be delivered in equality to everyone. No matter the status of person, our values and moral shouldn't  be compromised according to status and authority of person."

Kit stared at Singto in awe. Same amazed expression filled his eyes.

" When you will learn quadratic quations and polynomial next year, you will learn that we call their solutions as zeroes of the polynomial. "

" Zero is solution  to problems in higher classes ? "

" Not literally but in a way — Yes! We call the solution a Zero. "

" You are my Zero. " Kit chuckled at his own idea. Singto laughed too.

" I am your Zero? " He asked.

" Yes, Phi. You are my Zero. Solution to my every problem. Today, my classmates called me looser for choosing Zero. They said our choices reflect our character. They said I was focusing on lazing around and being nothing,just like zero, that is why I have no friends. "

" You have me." Singto announced.

" Yes phi. " Krist hugged the lanky boy. " I know. And you have me too. You will always be my Zero, I get solution to every problem when I am with you.
You are my Zero also because when I am with you, my happiness my worth increases manifolds. I hope someday I become awesome like you and become  Zero to someone too. "

" You are only my Zero. My only Zero. " unaware of the true meaning behind the declaration, Kit grinned at Singto.
He liked the words.

" Let's make a promise phi. We will be each other's  Zero even when we go to college and become old enough to date, marry and raise kids and even after that too. "

Singto linked his pinky to the offered one " I promise you will be my only Zero no matter whoever else comes in my life. "

" Kit rak phi Zero naa. "

" Phi Zero Rak Nong Zero naa. " Singto smiled. " Come on agent Zero, I will treat you to Ice-cream  "

The teenagers happily boarded on their bicycles and strode towards the ice-cream shop .

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A/N : Hope you liked it 😅