Rays of sunlight crept slowly into the dormitory. The sound of hawkers and pedestrians in the early morning. The city outside rose into another day, just like how a sprout rises after the rain.
A strange peace and calm can be felt inside the dormitory – it feels like a small world separated from the outside world.
Kritsada woke up sprawled on the couch. His back ached from sleeping with his big figure on the cramped seat. He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, partially lost in his thought.
Then he remembered the previous night.
Rain. Kitten. Blueberries. Thira.
'Thira.'
He scrambled up from his position. The couch was visible from the hallway. His gaze landed on the closed bedroom door. Behind that closed door, Surithae and the kitten lay themselves to rest.
Inside his bedroom. On his bed.
Kritsada felt something growing deep inside his chest – something he couldn't pinpoint quite clearly. He swept his eyes across the room and saw the towel neatly hung on the side of the balcony. The small bowl was rinsed and placed near the sink.
He stood and stepped into the kitchen. He was about to get himself busy preparing breakfast.
'I wonder if she is fine with having eggs and sausages.'
The kettle began to whistle when Kritsada was cutting down the tomatoes. He grabbed two cups from the cupboard and made a cup of milk and a cup of coffee.
The aroma from cooked eggs and sausages woke Surithae up. The first thing she noticed was the kitten snuggled in her arms. She slowly raised herself to sit. The navy-blue sheets slid off her upper body.
Surithae glanced around the room. The small room, a few square meters, is clean and well-organized. She could smell a faint citrusy scent in the air. And on herself.
She felt the kitten nudging its cold nose on her hands.
"Are you hungry?" she asked the kitten, which earned her a soft mewl in response.
She stood and stepped into the living area, carrying the kitten.
What greeted her from the living room was the busy figure of the man in the kitchen.
"Good morning," she greeted him softly.
Kritsada quickly turned his head and greeted her back.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
"Yes, we slept well," she replied, gesturing at the kitten.
"That's good. Come, breakfast is ready. I've prepared toasts, eggs, and sausages."
"Do you… " Want to have some?" he asked with a cleared throat.
She nodded and moved herself to the small dining table. Kritsada placed the plates down on the table. He sat across from her after giving the kitten its food near the balcony.
Surithae studied the food on the table. It all looked appetizing and homey. She then fixed her gaze on the two steaming cups. Kritsada followed her gaze, picked up the cup of hot milk, and placed it gently before her.
"I want to drink the coffee," she said with pouted lips.
Kritsada was taken by surprise by her cute behavior, though he quickly hid it before she could notice. He then swapped their cups.
The gentle beam seeped through the glass sliding door in the balcony. The two started eating the small feast before them.
Kritsada broke the faint clinking sounds of the utensils against plates.
"I've already charged your phone last night. It's on the bedside table," he said.
"My phone? I thought I lost it."
"I found it soaked, but the good thing was that it was still working when I plugged the charger. It just ran out of battery," he replied.
"…"
"Do you want to call someone first?" he asked.
"Do you want me to go already?" she asked, paused midbite on her toast.
"Ah – no. I mean, there's always someone who might worry on your side," he quickly explained.
Surithae did not offer a reply. She just relished the dishes in front of her. The simple breakfast he prepared tasted like a small feast for her. Kritsada studied the young woman sitting across from him.
"Kritsada," he spoke suddenly.
"Hmm?" Surithae raised her head towards him.
"My name – It's Kritsada," he added.
"Kritsada…" she murmured his name. And for the first time, Krit felt happiness just because someone called his name.
"We have met before. In front of the Science Office Building," he pressed Surithae to go down the memory lane.
Surithae furrowed her brows, trying to remember the memory. Kritsada was about to feel disappointed when Surithae uttered something that made his jaw drop.
"Ah! I remember! You're the wet puppy," she said with faint excitement of successfully remembering the memory.
'A puppy?'
Surithae gasped, realizing she had blurted out something she shouldn't have.
"I'm so sorry, I misspoke. You're not a puppy."
Kritsada just stared at Surithae in silence. Surithae feared that Kritsada might be offended. And it baffles her – she's afraid for another.
"Are you mad?" she softly asked.
"No, I am not mad." Krit quickly replied.
"I was just wondering how pitiful I must have looked for you to associate me with a wet puppy," he added with slight laughter.
Hearing his response, Surithae managed to muster a small, genuine smile.
And there it was again. That smile, that damn smile. It took everything in Kritsada not to fall for that innocent, pure smile. She really looked like an angel sent from above. No words could fully express what Kritsada thought and felt in the moment.
The two sat close on the couch after having their breakfast.
"I called my driver. He will come in fifteen minutes from now," she informed Krit.
Kritsada felt a slight disappointment well up inside his chest. Damn well he knew this moment would last forever. But still, it stings.
"Do you want something – or?"
"No, I am good. I want to thank you for everything you've done for me," she said
"I barely did anything," he softly replied
"You're wrong. You clearly did everything back there," she replied with deep emotion.
Silence stretched before them when Surithae bent and scooped the kitten into her arms.
"About Bean, I want to take it with me, if that's okay."
"You want to take Bean with you?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Well, do you have experience in taking care of small animals?"
"No."
"Then –"
"I promise you, I will take care of it. I will make sure of it," she quickly replied, as if a second late, Krit would not allow her to take care of the kitten.
Kritsada exhaled his breath.
"Okay, at least let me give you a list on how to take care of a kitten for starters," he said
"I can just ask the vet or my butler – "
"But, they don't know how to take care of Bean. I can."
"Okay, let's exchange contacts then," she said, eager to do anything for the kitten.
"Good. I am the only one who knows how to properly take care of Bean." Kritsada said confidently. He lied.
They exchanged contacts. Kritsada walked Surithae down the dormitory entrance to her awaiting driver. They then bid their farewell.
Kritsada watched the vehicle disappear in the distance. Thinking he finally got Surithae's contacts, he was head over the moon. A fresh start, now, Kritsada was looking forward to something he could only imagine.
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Later that evening, Kritsada stood on his balcony, watching the charming city lights. Stars are now visible in the dark night sky.
His phone buzzed. A message from Suthirae. Attached a photo of a small kitten and half of Surithae's face captured in the frame.
[I'm giving you a small report. Bean's been eating properly. He likes to snatch my blueberries, so I gave him a tiny portion of smashed blueberries. He likes it too.]
'How cute.' Kritsada thought, a smile crept on his face as he stared at the screen.
[Little glutton.] he typed a reply
[Bean was angry when he'd read your text. He said you're accusing him.]
His smile instantly turned into laughter. Kritsada was clearly having fun – he gets to witness a new side to this cold princess. How did she manage to hide her cuteness behind that cold and distant exterior?
[Tell him not to eat too much or he'll grow as round as a blueberry.] he slyly texted back
[Bean is sulking. He doesn't want to talk to you right now.]
[…]
[He said his feelings are hurt.]
[Tell him, I'm sorry,] he replied, grinning
[I gave him another treat to ease his aching small heart. He said I'm the best and doesn't want you anymore.]
[Ouch, I'm hurt. Tell Bean that daddy is wrong for calling him a glutton. He is daddy's cute little kitten.] he replied playfully
His reply did not get any response. Kritsada almost scolded himself for messing things up. He is just getting started, but it feels like it will end anytime soon. He rubbed his face with his palm, exasperated. He grabbed the balcony railings and fixed his gaze on the unknown.
His phone buzzed once again.
[Bean and big sister said we don't care if you're hurt. I am big sister.] came her reply
Kritsada's laughter echoed into the night. He felt that his flirting might not go unnoticed. The woman is not blind at all. Maybe slow, but not totally clueless.
He typed in his reply for the night.
[Well, I want to wish Bean and his big sister a good sleep tonight]
[Bean said goodnight.]
Kritsada stared at the screen longer than necessary.
[Goodnight, Bean]
[Goodnight, little kitten]
'Let her start to wander things,' he thought, looking on the bright shining stars.