The next day, the teachers gathered everyone early and reminded them strictly to stay in pairs at the amusement park. No disappearing into the crowd.
Ping nodded obediently, though his eyes were already wandering, taking in the colorful rides and bright lights ahead.
There were so many things to see – the ferris wheel slowly turning against the sky,the carousel spinning with cheerful music, the bumper cars crashing with laughter, the spinning rides that made students scream and cheer .
Ping tried them all, laughing more than he usually did, his shyness slowly melting away.
And through it all, keng stayed close – matching his pace, watching his reactions, quietly, memorizing every smile.
Then ping stopped.
Keng immediately noticed.
Ping stood in front of a claw machine, eyes shining as he stared at the cute dolls inside. A small teddy sat near the edge, just out of reach, it's button eyes almost pleading.
"You like it?", keng asked.
"Yes", ping answered without hesitation, not even realizing how honest he sounded.
Keng smiled,"I'll get it for you"
Ping turned, eyes wide,
"Really?"
"Of course", keng said, reaching out to rub ping's hair gently, "anything for little ping".
Ping's heart skipped as usual.
Keng stepped forward and slipped a coin into the machine, but ping quickly grabbed his sleeve.
"Can I give it a try?", ping asked shyly, "I'm not very good at it...".
"That's okay", keng said softly "I'll teach you".
He stepped behind ping, bending slightly to his height. Gently, he took ping's fingers and guided them over the controls. His hands were warm – steady.
Ping forgot how to breathe.
He was supposed to concentrate. He wanted to learn. But with keng so close – his presence wrapping around him– ping's mind went blank. He stole small glances, his cheeks heating up.
Keng noticed.
He always did.
"Ping", keng said teasingly,his voice low and amused. "Concentrate".
Ping froze.
Keng chuckled softly,"I know I'm handsome, but focus, you can either choose to study my face or learn to play the claw machine".
Ping flushed immediately, gripping the controls harder.
Finally, the claw dropped.... and lifted the teddy.
Ping gasped when it fell into the prize slot.
Keng handed it to him, watching as ping's face lit up with pure excitement.
Without saying a word, keng played again.
"P'keng?" Ping started.
Keng only smiled.
This time, another doll fell. Keng picked it up and held it briefly before speaking.
"I'll keep this one", he said "Now we have a pair".
Ping couldn't reply.
His cheeks burned, his heart racing in a way he couldn't explain. He hugged the teddy close, unable to hide his blush.
As the day came to an end, the bus waited to take them home.
Ping stood beside keng, heart full, wishing the moment could last just a little longer.
He wanted to tell keng how much fun he had these past two days. How happy he felt. How safe.
But before he could speak,keng did,
"Ping", keng said softly, looking at him in the eye " I had a lot of fun spending these days with you. I'm looking forward to more days like this".
Ping's smile bloomed – bright, genuine, unmistakable.
In that moment, he became sure, sure of what he was feeling, sure of his heart.
And though nothing has been said aloud.... The confession was no longer silent.