Khang must have smelled the aroma, as he ran 'thump... thump...' down the stairs in his slippers.
Seeing the bowl of banh lot on the table, the weariness on his face vanished, and his jet-black eyes lit up brightly: "I used to love this dish back in school. After graduating, I never had it again."
Khang happily took a bite, his expression exactly like Banh Nep's when he sees meat.
"Eat slowly. I'll make spicy stir-fried banh lot for you tonight." Seeing Khang eat with such relish, I couldn't help but reveal the dinner menu.
Khang squinted his eyes and licked his lips: "Phuong, I feel like I've found a treasure."
I laughed: "Then you'd better hold on tight and not let anyone steal it away."
Khang glanced at me, stuffed a mouthful of banh lot into his mouth, and mumbled: "I'll definitely hold on tight."
Khang ate so enthusiastically that he overate and felt bloated. After cleaning up the kitchen, he lay stretched out on the bamboo chair, gently rubbing his slightly rounded belly.
He could only watch helplessly as the fresh, juicy strawberries all went into Banh Nep's mouth, his gaze a mixture of grievance and helplessness.
Banh Nep tilted his head, looking at Khang staring at him. He paused for a moment, then, very perceptively, dragged his bowl to a spot where Khang couldn't see it.
Khang let out a long sigh: "Where did you get this dog? It seems unusually smart."
"He probably just ran here on his own. I found him in the sheep pen."
Khang tilted his head to look at me: "So, you picked him up too."
I smiled: "Just like you. I picked you both up."
Khang didn't comment, but strangely, he didn't refute me either, even though it was the truth.
A full stomach makes one sleepy. Khang blinked, his eyes already welling up with tears; it seemed he was getting sleepy again. His head tilted to one side, and he drowsily nodded off, his heavy eyelids already closed.
Khang had been exhausted for too long. Now that he had free time, he would sleep whenever he could, and he slept like a log.
His skin was also quite remarkable; despite being out in the sun for so long, it was still fair and bright. The line of his jaw connecting to his neck formed a beautiful curve, very soft, not angular and cold like mine.
The collar of the tank top was too wide, revealing a large patch of fair, smooth skin. His legs, both slender and straight, were placed casually.
I had a feeling I couldn't look any longer. A familiar heat surged through my body, tending to pool downwards.
Without thinking whether I would wake Khang, I rushed into the bathroom and splashed a handful of cold water on my face. The heat in my body gradually subsided.
Before, I had always felt that Khang was special to me, but I never thought deeply about what that specialness was. I used to think, whether it was familial love, friendship, or romantic love, it didn't matter; he was simply special.
But now... I laughed self-deprecatingly, looking at my silent reflection in the mirror. I couldn't deny that I felt desire for Khang.
I've never been one to shy away from my inner self. Realizing this, I finally understood why a lingering sadness had settled in my heart after Khang left without a word.
I couldn't bear for him to leave me. For the first time, I had the thought of wanting someone to stay by my side forever.
Taking out an old bottle of liquor, I walked to my parents' graves. The sun outside burned my skin.
I sat on the yellow earth beside the tombstones, my heart a tangled mess. It wasn't that I couldn't accept falling in love with someone of the same sex; I was just afraid this feeling would hurt Khang.
He saw me as a friend. If he knew I had such disgusting thoughts, he would probably avoid me like the plague.
When my father and mother were young, they were a deeply loving couple. I think they wouldn't have objected to me loving someone; it's just a pity they no longer have the chance to see how wonderful this person is.
After wasting an hour or two, the sky had turned gray, with dark clouds swirling. The low atmospheric pressure was suffocating. There was much to do tonight; I really shouldn't have wasted time.
After coming to terms with my feelings, I felt much lighter. Some things are useless to overthink; rather than torturing myself, it's better to let nature take its course.
As I reached the gate of my house, I saw Khang standing in the yard wearing a straw hat, looking around everywhere. I knew right away that my leaving without a word would surely worry him: "Khang."
Khang was so anxious his face was red. It was hot outside, and sweat had soaked his shirt.
He pulled me inside: "Where did you go? I looked everywhere and couldn't find you. I thought..."
"You thought what?" Seeing Khang's flushed, worried face, my gloomy mood from the afternoon suddenly brightened.
Khang shot me a glare: "I thought you decided I ate too much and fled, leaving everything behind."
I couldn't help but laugh: "You're overthinking it. You don't even eat as much as Banh Nep. If I were to abandon anyone, I'd abandon him first, not you."
Khang's eyes widened in disbelief: "Are you saying you really think I eat too much?"
I blinked, just smiling without saying a word.
There wasn't much food left. That evening, Khang and I moved the rest of it. Khang was too thin. Seeing him stagger while carrying the sack of food made my heart clench; I was afraid that one misstep and he would be crushed by the rice sack.
If I didn't let him help, he definitely wouldn't agree, and his body couldn't be nourished back to health overnight. I had to find a chance to nurse him back to health properly, though I didn't know if I would still have that chance.
By the time we finished cleaning up, it was one in the morning. Khang and I sat in the yard to cool off. After bathing, the sticky feeling was gone, and we felt incredibly refreshed.
Khang tugged at my sleeve, grinning at me: "Phuong, I'm hungry. I want to eat banh lot."
I chuckled and pulled him into the kitchen: "There's some left over from today. You don't have to save food for me."