Two years passed quietly, beautifully.
Ping graduated with Keng always by his side—sometimes waiting outside lecture halls, sometimes teasing him with coffee, always reminding him that love didn't mean stopping life, but growing with it.
By then, Keng had taken over his father's company, balancing board meetings and stolen lunches just to see Ping smile. Still, Ping stayed focused, determined to finish school no matter what.
And now—finally—it was Ping's graduation day.
"P'Jinn, what about our plan?" Ping whispered, adjusting his gown.
Jinn nodded, glancing around nervously.
"Let's go. Make sure Rain doesn't find out."
What Ping didn't know was that everyone was involved.
Friends. Parents. Even Keng.
Flowers were arranged carefully, fairy lights hidden just right. When Ping noticed Keng's mother still around, he frowned.
"Mom, you can go back now," Ping said gently.
She only smiled. "You'll see."
Ping looked at his own mother for answers, but all he received was the same knowing smile.
When everything was ready, Ping led Rain toward the flower-decorated spot, heart racing.
But suddenly, Rain stopped.
"Rain?" Ping asked. "Where are you going? You're supposed to—"
"This," Keng's voice interrupted softly from behind, "was never meant for Rain."
Ping turned.
Keng was on one knee.
The world seemed to stop.
"I promised I'd wait until you graduated," Keng said, holding out a ring, his voice steady but eyes full. "These years with you taught me what love really is. You're my home, Ping. My other half. I don't want a future that doesn't include you."
He smiled.
"Little Ping… will you marry me?"
"Hia…" Ping whispered, tears filling his eyes.
Then he laughed through them.
"Yes," he said, holding out his hand. "I'll marry you."
Cheers erupted.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" everyone chorused.
Keng didn't hesitate—he pulled Ping close and kissed him, slow and sure.
"You're really shameless," Ping murmured, smiling against his lips.
"And you love it," Keng replied, kissing him again.
"Our friend is such a bad boy," Tao teased.
"He really is," Jinn laughed.
"You're not any better," Bank shot back.
"Fuck off," Jinn replied, grinning.
Nearby, both families watched—blushing, smiling, proud.
"Mom," Ping said softly, hugging her. "You knew."
"Of course," she replied. "Congratulations, my baby."
And in that moment, surrounded by laughter, love, and the people who mattered most, Ping realized something simple and true—
Everything they had gone through was worth it.
"Hia… you really don't cease to surprise me, do you?" Ping said, smiling as he looked at Keng.
Keng only laughed.
Over the years, he had done more than surprise Ping—he had slowly, gently woven himself into every part of Ping's life.
Somewhere along the way, Ping had moved in with him, and without either of them realizing it, that house became home.
"So," Keng asked, glancing at him, "do you love it?"
"Of course I do," Ping replied without hesitation.
"Do you want to watch the stars?" Keng asked.
Ping's eyes lit up. "Oh yeah, I do."
Later, it was just the two of them, lying side by side beneath the open sky. The world was quiet, the stars scattered above them like promises kept.
"You know," Keng began softly, "when I think back… I'm really glad I approached you."
Ping smiled, eyes still fixed on the sky. "And when I think back, we've been through a lot. But I'm glad we overcame everything."
Keng turned to him, his voice gentle but certain.
"I love you, Ping."
Ping turned too, meeting his gaze, heart full.
"I love you too, Hia."
They stayed there, fingers intertwined, breathing in the calm they had fought so hard for.
And in their little world, it was just the two of them.