KIRT
Kirt was still in a daze. What he had just done was something he could never have imagined.
For the first time, he had acted out of concern for someone else.....and that wasn't like him at all.
What on earth did I do?
He had given away the money he had been saving to buy himself a bike. Not just that....his entire salary, untouched and unspent, was now gone... handed over to a guy who hadn't even asked for his help. He hadn't even stopped to think about how he would survive the rest of the month.
Ming had disappeared after taking the money. With no shoot scheduled today, and since Ming had already cleaned everything before leaving, Kirt was left restless. His thoughts wandered to Aunty Fern.
He hadn't visited in three months, and whenever he went to see her, he always carried something along. To show up empty-handed now would feel strange...
After wrestling with the thought for a while, he finally decided. Grabbing his bag, he set off towards her place.
As expected Anty Ferm welcomed him warmly... She gave him a warm hug...
" Oh my boy I thought you have forgotten me..." As usual she complained...
" How can I forgot about you .. you and Uncle James are the only reletives I have.." Kirt replied with a smile...
"Wait here. I'll take care of the customers and then bring you a hot coffee with some hotdogs," Aunty Fern said with a grin before disappearing into the canteen.
Kirt glanced around the place, his eyes settling on an empty table tucked away in the corner. Without a second thought, he walked over and sat down.
"Hi Malee, hi Aunty..."
What on earth is she doing here? Aunty Fern's eyebrows shot up skeptically as the thirteen-year-old girl stepped into the canteen.
"Oh... this work is too much for me to handle, that's why I called Lalida for help," Malee admitted, scratching her head with a sheepish smile.
" Oh will she work..she dressed as if she came here for modelling.." Mrs Fern grunted..
"Hi Lalida! I'm so excited you came!" she exclaimed, genuinely thrilled....unaware that Lalida was the type who never helped anyone without expecting something in return. Undoubtedly, Lalida had come here for one reason only: a free feast at Aunty Fern's canteen.
"Look, I came just for you... Actually, Cavin was waiting to take me to a famous restaurant, but I refused....just to keep my promise to you, even without having breakfast,"
Lalida said, never missing a chance to mention that she had turned down her boyfriend, as if the world should admire her sacrifice. She had clearly planned everything: wait for her sister to call her, come over after giving a missed call about a supposed emergency at home, and leave immediately after finishing her meal without lifting a finger to help.
"Oh... that's so nice of you," she said, trying to mask her irritation. "You wait here, I'll bring breakfast for you."
Malee filled a tray with cold coffee and a cheese sandwich for Lalida, while Aunty Fern clenched her teeth, struggling to control her rising anger.
"Malee, you're very mistaken if you think that... that girl will work here as a waitress," Aunty Fern said, trying to ground her daughter in reality. "She's only here to fill her stomach. Once she's done, she'll vanish like the wind."
"Oh, Mother, stop being paranoid," Malee rolled her eyes, shooting her mother a look of disbelief.
As she turned to leave, footsteps echoed from the canteen entrance.
Kirt appeared, catching sight of Aunty Fern carrying coffee and sandwiches.
"Sorry for being late, kiddo," Aunty Fern said, her shoulders slumping. "I called Malee to help, but she's busy with her friend."
"Don't worry, Aunty," Kirt said smoothly. "Let her spend time with her friend. I'll handle things here."
"No, Kirt. It's fine. Only a few customers... I can manage," Aunty Fern replied politely.
"Kirt, how are your studies and work?" she asked, genuine concern in her eyes.
"Hm... well," Kirt replied casually, biting into his sandwich. "I go to school to sleep. Only the last hidden bench gives me peace." His teasing tone masked the truth....his insomnia left him restless until nightfall.
"Alright, Aunty, give me your helper's uniform," he said after finishing breakfast, his tone firm and confident.
"Oh, Kirt, you don't have to," Aunty Fern began, trailing off as she met his unwavering gaze.
"Aunty, I'm serious," he said, leaving no room for argument.
"Okay... let's go," Aunty Fern finally surrendered.
Meanwhile, Lalida answered her carefully staged phone call, her eyes sparkling with fake concern. "What? Cavin? Don't worry... I'm coming."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Malee. Cavin had an accident. He's in the hospital. I really wanted to help, but I have to rush," she said, her voice dripping with calculated remorse. Innocent Malee immediately believed her.
"Malee..." her mother called, pulling her attention back.
"You go home. Kirt's here to help me," Aunty Fern instructed.
Both girls turned, and their eyes landed on Kirt. He was impossibly handsome....trendy clothes hugging his toned frame, spiked hair perfectly tousled, his presence commanding attention. At sixteen, he carried the maturity and confidence of someone much older.
Lalida's jaw dropped. Her eyes widened, a flash of admiration....and something far more dangerous....flickering in her gaze.
"Hello, Malee," Kirt's deep, husky voice rolled out, his smile magnetic, leaving Lalida momentarily speechless.
"Oh... hi, Kirt. This is my friend Lalida," Malee said warmly, noticing Lalida's flustered expression.
"Hello, Kirt. Nice to meet you," Lalida stammered, suddenly aware of every detail....his piercing gaze, the way he carried himself, the effortless charm that made her heart skip a beat.
For the first time, Lalida felt the sting of regret for her earlier plans. She had underestimated the effect he could have on her. And in that brief moment, she silently vowed she wouldn't be able to forget him anytime soon.