The lunch rush at the HappyCare Clinic had finally tapered off, leaving the kitchen workers with a rare moment of peace in the late afternoon. Santichai sat in his usual quiet corner, the late sun casting long shadows across the table as he prepared to eat. He wasn't alone; KK had joined him, the two of them settling into the comfortable silence of a shared meal.
The plastic lids of the food containers began popping open, releasing the steam of home-cooked food. But before Santichai could take his first bite, Laddawan approached their table.
She looked neat and composed, clutching a small lunch bag with a hopeful smile. "KK, I thought I'd find you here," she said. She reached into her bag and pulled out the top container, handing it toward him with both hands. "I made this myself this morning."
KK accepted the container with a polite smile. "Thank you, Lada. I'll save this for later. Santichai already prepared something for me, so I'm going to finish this first."
Laddawan's smile faltered for only a second before she regained her composure. "Tell me if you like it or not. I'm trying to improve my cooking skills."
"I will," KK promised. "Do you want to stay and eat with us?"
She shook her head, her eyes darting briefly to Santichai before returning to KK. "No, I have to get back to work. I just wanted to make sure you got this. Since you already have food, I'll head out. Bye-bye."
As she walked away, Santichai felt a familiar pang of guilt. He looked at the container KK had set aside, then down at the meal he had worked so hard to prepare.
"KK, if you refuse her food like that, she might be upset," Santichai murmured.
Deeply aware of his own "lower" status, Santichai instinctively began to pull his own container back, closing the lid as if to withdraw himself from the competition. But before he could hide the food, KK's hand shot out, catching Santichai's wrist.
"What are you doing?" KK asked, his voice low but firm.
"It took so much courage for her to come over to you," Santichai said, still looking down at the table. "Did you have to be so blunt? You could've at least had a few bites before she walked away, just to be kind."
"I was as polite as I could possibly be," KK replied, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He gently took the container back from Santichai's hands and opened it again. "Why would I eat a sandwich when you went through the trouble of preparing this for me?"
Santichai looked at him, his heart heavy with the memory of how easily Asnee used to cast him aside for others. "If you don't eat it... aren't you afraid she'll be sad?"
KK began to eat, the flavors of Santichai's cooking clearly more precious to him than any gourmet offering. "It doesn't matter what other people think of me," he said, his voice steady. "That isn't important." He looked up, his gaze locking onto Santichai's. "I only care about your feelings. Because of that, I can't just randomly accept gifts from others. It wouldn't be right."
Santichai looked down at his hands, his voice small as the past leaked out again. "I was once told by someone... that because he ate the food I cooked every day, it would be rude for him to refuse gifts from other people."
KK didn't need to ask who "someone" was. "I am not that kind of person," he said firmly. "I respect you, and I value your heart more than social politeness."
A genuine, soft smile broke across Santichai's face. "Thank you."
"For what?" KK teased, a playful glint in his eyes. "Tell me you're already in love with me and we can skip the rest of this three-month trial." He chuckled, hopeful but patient.
Santichai chuckled back, though a hint of sadness remained in his eyes. "I'm sorry to disappoint you." He took a deep breath, the fear of the morning finally settling into a quiet resolve. "KK... I'm ready. I'll do the surgery."
KK's face lit up with a brilliant smile. "Okay. I'll make the arrangements immediately."
"Thank you."
"There is one thing I need you to promise me first," KK said, his expression becoming serious.
"What is it?"
"You have to stay at my house after the surgery," KK insisted. "For the entire recovery period. I want you where I can look after you."
Santichai nodded. "Okay."
"Also," KK added, watching Santichai closely, "I want you to go back to school."
Santichai's heart sank slightly. "KK... I have no money to continue. Have you forgotten?"
"I haven't," KK said, leaning forward. "But our clinic has a program. We pay the tuition, and in exchange, you agree to work here for five years once you get your degree. Not everyone qualifies—you'll have to pass a pre-test first—but I know you can do it." He smiled, seeing the spark of hope in Santichai's eyes. "I'll explain the details after the surgery. Once I have the date, I'll inform you and Mrs. Pricha."
"Mmm," Santichai whispered, overwhelmed by the idea of a future that didn't involve a sink full of dishes.
KK handed the empty lunch box back to Santichai, his movements brisk as he prepared to return to his patients. "I'm done. I have to get back to work." Before Santichai could react, KK leaned in and pressed a quick, firm kiss to his cheek.
He pulled back, laughing softly as he grabbed a napkin and gently wiped the spot he had just kissed. "Sorry. Grease. Bye-bye!"
Santichai felt the heat rush to his face, his fingers touching the damp spot on his cheek. "Bye-bye," he murmured shyly, watching KK walk away. For the first time in ten years, the "unknown future" didn't look so dark.
Watching from the corner, Fon waited until KK was out of earshot before clearing her throat. She approached Santichai with a knowing smile. "So... what exactly is the relationship between the two of you?"
Santichai looked down at the empty containers. "He bought me a fan, and I'm making him lunch for a month."
"And you think I'd believe that?" Fon sat beside him, her expression turning serious. "Santichai, even a blind man can see that Doctor Suwannarat is chasing you. Listen... the world isn't like it was yesterday. People don't have to hide their love anymore. But you are a good boy, and I don't want to see anyone take advantage of you."
"Pi Fon, what do you mean?"
"I'm worried," she admitted, her voice dropping. "You and the Doctor are not on the same social level. I'm afraid you'll be used."
"Thank you for worrying," Santichai said softly, "but I can take care of myself. I know my place. I know not to stand beside people from the upper class."
Fon sighed, seeing his humility as a vulnerability. "You're too nice. That's why the other kitchen workers push their work onto you. You have to be smart. Don't fall into the trap of a luxury lifestyle." She paused, her eyes clouding with a painful memory. "My brother once met a rich man. He dated him for the money at first, but then he fell in love. It turned out the man had a wife and kids—he never intended to be with my brother. When the truth came out, my brother... he ended his life with an overdose."
She looked at Santichai searchingly. "Are you gay? I'm sorry, is that too blunt?"
"No, I don't believe I am," Santichai said with a small, weary smile.
Fon nodded. "I'm not speaking ill of the Doctor. I've worked here since the clinic opened, and I know he's single. No wife, no children. He's an honest man."
"He is a very good person," Santichai agreed. "Whoever becomes his spouse will be very happy."
Fon was taken aback. "What? Why isn't that person you? You like him, don't you?"
"He's been kind to me, so I'm going to repay that kindness," Santichai said firmly. "It doesn't mean I have to fall in love with him."
"Santichai, that isn't right. It's not fair to either of you. If you don't like him, you're misleading him by being so kind in return. But..." she smiled, "if you do like men, you should give him a chance. A good partner is someone who values your feelings above everyone else's. Someone who makes sure you are happy before they worry about making others happy."
Santichai felt the weight of her words. "I'm just coming out of a bad relationship, Pi Fon. I'm not ready."
"Did you tell the Doctor that?"
"I did. He asked me to try dating for three months. If I don't love him by then, he'll leave me alone." He looked at her curiously. "Pi Fon, didn't you just tell me not to fall for the rich?"
Fon cleared her throat, looking slightly embarrassed. "I did, but he's so kindhearted. Just give him a chance. And if you happen to marry into the Suwannarat family, don't forget your old Pi, okay?"
Santichai managed a smile, but it faded quickly. "I'm just afraid it will end like the last one." He took a breath. "Pi Fon, I'll need a few months off soon. I'm having spinal correction surgery. Doctor Suwannarat is arranging it. I'll need a long time to recover."
Fon's eyes softened with genuine care. "Oh, Santichai... you go. Get better. I'll keep your spot for you. In fact, let's say today is your last day. Go home, rest, and prepare. I'll hire someone to cover for you while you're gone."
"Thank you, Pi Fon."
The peaceful moment was shattered. The kitchen door burst open, and an old cook was sent sprawling onto the floor. Fon shouted in anger, rushing to help the man up. "Who are you? How dare you cause trouble here!"
But the man standing in the doorway didn't hear her. Asnee's eyes were wild; his face twisted in a mask of fury as he stared directly at Santichai.
"Santichai Kittibun!" Asnee hissed, his voice trembling with rage. "You dare lie to me? You dare give me a fake number?"