The new morning dawned with soft sunlight streaming into the bedroom, waking Atikom. He heard sounds from outside his room and knew Anupap was already awake. Atikom quickly washed his face and walked out of his bedroom.
The aroma from the kitchen drifted to his nose. He walked toward the source and found Anupap sitting at the dining table, preparing to eat breakfast. The young man wore an oversized white t-shirt - probably his smallest size.
But why was there only one place setting on the table...
"Good morning, Khun. Nu," Atikom said, still staring at Anupap, about to ask his question.
"Good morning, Captain," the young man said with his head down, beginning to eat breakfast: two fried eggs, two sausages, toast, and a glass of milk.
"Um, why is there only one serving? Did you forget something? There are two of us... you and me..."
"Oh, that's all that was left in the fridge. I was hungry so I ate it. It's almost gone," Anupap looked up briefly with an indifferent expression, then continued eating without concern.
The young man was deliberately teasing him.
"Cruel," Atikom muttered, walking to open the refrigerator. He saw two cartons of UHT milk remaining and grabbed them, placing them on the table across from Anupap.
"Just watch. Today I'm not going anywhere. Let's see what you'll eat for lunch," Atikom sat down, dealing with his two milk cartons.
"I'll walk out and buy something to eat around here."
"There's nothing around here. My seaside house is far from any community. If you can walk that far, be my guest. But remember, I have the car keys," Atikom said with a straight face.
"I can go without eating. You don't know - I've dieted and skipped meals before. Two days is easy."
"Oh, Khun Nu, don't play psychological warfare like this. Are you still angry at me for bringing you to rest and get fresh air?"
"No," Anupap replied, getting up to wash his finished plate. Atikom followed and stood beside him.
"At lunch I'll take you to eat at the most delicious seaside restaurant you'll never forget... to celebrate my promotion. Last night's dinner doesn't count," Atikom smiled.
Anupap nodded without looking up at Atikom fully.
The newly promoted police major wore a thin white tank top that fit snugly - probably very old since the fabric was so thin it revealed his firm muscles underneath. His cotton pajama pants were equally thin. Standing this close, Anupap could smell his scent. Feeling flustered in a way he'd never experienced before, he quickly moved away.
***
Anupap sat reading a book on the hammock strung up in front of the house. The wide porch overlooked a long stretch of white sandy beach with clear, inviting seawater. The sea breeze blew gently.
Atikom went to search for food in the car, returning with several bags of snacks to share with Anupap.
"Cruel... you made breakfast without letting me eat any. Are you sure there was really only that much in the fridge, Khun Nu? I think the cleaning lady probably left more than that. Or did you deliberately hide it and make just enough for yourself?" Atikom sat complaining on the large reclining chair next to the hammock.
"First time you called me cruel, second time cruel again. You have called me cruel several times now. Soon I'll be truly cruel for you to see."
"Don't be really cruel. I'm scared," Atikom grinned widely. "I think we should go find something to eat."
"I just started reading. It's not even noon yet."
"Let's call it blunt then. I'll take you to pay respects at the temple, see the lighthouse, drive around sightseeing a bit, then we'll go to the restaurant."
Anupap suppressed a smile. "Brunch, not 'blunt.' It's spelled b-r-u-n-c-h, not b-l-u-n-t."
"Well, I'm not a prep school kid," Atikom said sheepishly.
Deep down, Anupap felt sorry that Atikom was probably hungry and eager to go out. At least they could stop somewhere to buy food. So he put down his book and agreed it was time to go out.
Atikom drove slowly along the coastal road with the windows down to let the sea breeze in. Anupap looked at the scenery on both sides with interest. The wind tousled his thick black hair. He squinted against the bright sunlight.
"Khun Nu, wear my sunglasses so your eyes won't hurt," Atikom offered his sunglasses.
"Wow, they're huge. They could cover my whole face."
"You're just joking. Try them on and let me see."
Anupap shook his head. Atikom nodded encouragingly. "The sun is bright."
Anupap put on Atikom's sunglasses and tilted his head up, pretending to worry they might fall, then used his finger to push them against his nose. The young man smiled widely. Atikom laughed heartily - he wanted to see the sparkle in Anupap's eyes when he smiled like that.
"We'll stop and buy glasses that fit you properly. You can get some personal items too."
"Who said I'm buying anything?" Anupap replied, turning to look at the sea.
"Don't you want, um... underwear? Or are you wearing yesterday's, or none at all, or mine..."
"Knock it off, captain." Anupap turned to glare, but Atikom couldn't see because the sunglasses blocked those eyes.
"Well, you said you wouldn't buy anything. How else should I understand that?" Atikom protested.
"Why should I buy anything? You should be responsible for expenses. You kidnapped me here," Anupap teased.
"Fine, whatever you want I'll get for you... my Khun Nu," the last phrase spoken softly to himself. "Mine..." the voice disappeared in his throat.
***
Anupap had never eaten this much in one meal in years. The lunch was as delicious as Atikom had praised.
"I'll probably gain weight for several days," Anupap said, drinking water and leaning back against his chair. The cheap brown sunglasses they'd bought at the supermarket in town made the young man's face look more intense. His hair was messy from the sea breeze, but Anupap didn't bother to smooth it down. He looked more cheerful than Atikom had ever seen him. Usually Anupap maintained a cool, composed demeanor and showed slight irritation when someone bothered him - and that someone was often Atikom himself.
"I think we should cook dinner together tonight," Atikom suggested.
"Can you cook, Major?"
"No," Atikom said with a straight face.
"Then why are you suggesting it?" Anupap pretended to ask, though he knew Atikom meant for him to cook.
"Well, you made breakfast. You should make dinner too. This time make enough for both of us, not just one person."
"Fine. Four fried eggs, four sausages, four slices of bread. Divide by two - we each get a pair."
"Cruel."
"Cruel again... Watch out, I might really put poison in tonight's dinner. This time I'll be as cruel as you accuse me of being." Anupap looked away toward the waves washing the sandy beach.
"If you do, go ahead..." Atikom stopped mid-sentence. He saw a tall figure with fair skin and an intense face walking into the restaurant. Anupap looked over too.
"An old friend," Atikom said with a smile, standing up and waving. The other man spotted him and smiled widely, walking straight to their table.
"Kom... didn't expect to see you here."
"Small world, detective. Khun Nu, this is Police Lieutenant Colonel Awoot from the Central Investigation Division, Royal Thai Police Headquarters. My old friend who's gotten much better positions than me and Tongrob."
"Pleased to meet you," Awoot greeted Anupap. The young man removed his sunglasses and smiled back in a friendly manner.
Awoot paused. Anupap looked familiar, like his former lover. The young man in front of him seemed charming, with sparkling, bright eyes like a clear sky. Awoot chatted with both young men briefly before excusing himself as he had an appointment to dine with senior police officers to discuss work.
"I'm working on the fake jewelry case," Awoot told Atikom, then turned to Anupap. "Nice meeting you, Khun Anupap."
After Awoot left, Atikom paid for their meal and invited Anupap to the market to buy food for dinner and the next day.
Atikom walked alongside Anupap to the car, thinking about what he'd observed in the restaurant.
Awoot had stared at Anupap until he forgot that Atikom noticed his hidden interest.
Why wouldn't Atikom see through Awoot? They'd been close friends for so long. Even though they'd been separated for years since Awoot went to study abroad, he knew Awoot well.
Anupap was exactly the type Awoot liked...
Awoot never easily showed interest in anyone. In all the time they'd known each other, there were only two people Awoot had relationships with - the first one was a a forensic doctor, the second was a UN interpreter. Both had the same characteristics... his friend never changed... Awoot liked the same type...
But one thing Atikom feared was that Awoot was very determined. If there was something he wanted, this man never gave up.
Atikom told himself. This is going to be a tough battle. There's Tarin, Atid, Tongrob who seems to be playing games sometimes seriously, and now Awoot too.
Anupap... why does everyone seem to like you so much...
***