Keng took responsibility for ping's injury.
He walked ping to class, waited outside when lessons ended, and stayed close even when there was no real reason to. Wherever ping needed to go, keng was already there, calm and unhurried,as if this was simply how things were meant to be.
Keng took ping to the old pavilion.
It was just the two of them there,the familiar space wrapped in a calm ping wasn't sure he deserved.
Ping shifted slightly, gathering his courage.
"P'keng.... you don't have to take me everywhere", he said softly. "I can take care of myself".
Keng looked at him, then smiled.
"Why? He asked lightly "you don't like seeing me?"
Ping's eyes widened. "N– no, it's not like that!".
The words spilled out before he could stop them.
"I like you. I like seeing you around me. I just – I know someone like me doesn't even deserve your presence, but I want you to...".
Ping froze.
It hit him all at once.
Too much.
He has said too much.
Heat rushed to his face as he looked away, biting down on his lips. He wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole.
"I–i mean ", he rushed to fix it , his voice shaky, "what I meant is that p'keng is very nice, and I really appreciate it"
Silence...
Ping's heart pounded as he sensed movement. When keng stood up, ping was sure that was it– that he had ruined everything.
Keng smiled noticing ping's nervousness.
He knelt in front of ping, one knee touching the ground, his movements careful and unhurried.
Gently,he adjusted the bandage around ping's ankle,his fingers warm but respectful.
"You're really cute when you're nervous",keng said casually.
Ping froze.
Stunned.
Before he could even react,keng continued,his voice calm, sincere.
"I don't mind walking you around",he said,"it's fine..... As long as it's you".
Silence.....
By closing time, ping was still gathering his things when the classroom door slid open.
But keng was already there.
The room went strangely quiet for a second. Girls looked up, eyes widening, soft gasps following as whispers spread. Some of them started blushing openly, glancing between ping and keng as if they were watching something they weren't meant to interrupt.
Keng ignored all of it .
He walked straight to ping, placed a steady hand near his elbow,and helped him stand. Then he reached down, picked up ping's bag, and slung it over his own shoulder like it belonged there.
"Ready?", keng asked.
Ping nodded,too aware of the stares burning into his back.
They left together, every pair of eyes following them out.
On their way home,ping tried his best to hide it, but his steps were uneven, the strain showing more with every few minutes.
Keng noticed almost immediately.
He stopped suddenly, turning to face ping.
"I'll carry you", keng said simply.
Ping's eyes widened "W–what? No, it's okay. I can walk, I'm fine".
Keng raised an eyebrow "you're clearly not".
Before ping could protest again,keng turned his back and bent slightly "come on".
Ping hesitated, face burning,"phi...."
"Ping", keng said calmly,"get on".
There was no teasing in his voice, just certainty.
Heart pounding, ping carefully hopped onto keng's back , keng adjusted his grip instinctively, holding him securely, and then started walking again.
They didn't talk.
The silence wasn't awkward – just full.
When they reached ping's house,his mother was outside, busy with her chores,she looked up just in time to see them.
Ping immediately slid down from keng's back and straightened himself, mortified.
"Good evening,mom", ping said quickly.
His mother looked between them, eyes soft with curiosity,"is this your p'keng?",she asked.
"Mom", ping whispered urgently "can you be quiet?".
Keng smiled and bowed politely "good evening aunty".
Ping's mother smiled wider and stepped closer to her son, resting a hand on his shoulder. "He talks about you a lot", she said kindly. " Thank you for taking care of my baby".
"Mom", ping groaned , face burning, "that's enough".
"It's okay, aunty, please take care of him he hurt his ankle" keng said gently.
"No problem", she said, she looked at ping her eyes filled with questions, which she would ask later.
She turned to keng "you can come here anytime if you want to".
Keng's eyes flickered briefly to ping before he smiled "can I?"
"Of course", she replied.
Keng smiled at ping's mom "goodbye aunty", he said politely, then turned to wave at ping.
Ping stood there, heart racing with slight embarrassment.
Keng paused for a moment,then turned back to ping, making sure his mom wasn't watching. He gave a small, teasing wink.
Ping's face burned bright red, without a word he spun around and leaped inside the house, clearly flustered.
Keng chucked quietly to himself, shaking his head, unable to hide his laughter.