Voices filled with laughter were coming from the kitchen. I chuckled and said to Chak, "Seems like Taeng and Kit are really enjoying cooking."
"Let's go take a look," he suggested.
We got up and walked towards the kitchen.
The kitchen was a mess—flour scattered all over the counter, even a bit on the floor.
Taeng was making pancakes, while Kit kept teasing him. He tickled Taeng's side, making him laugh and say, "Stop it, Kit!"
When the first pancake was done, he gently placed it on a plate. Kit immediately rolled it up, handed it to Taeng and said, "The first one is always for the cook."
Smiling, Taeng shyly returned the smile and took a bite.
"It's good," he said with satisfaction and nodded.
When the next pancake was ready, Kit said, "Now it's my turn!"
"Go ahead, chef not," Taeng teased him playfully.
Kit confidently grabbed the ladle and poured the batter into the hot pan. "Told you it's not hard," he said and added, "Now I'll show you how to flip a pancake properly."
"You won't pull it off," Taeng teased with a playful grin.
"Just watch and learn," Kit replied, lifted the pan and tossed the pancake into the air.
It did flip – but only slightly touched the edge of the pan and landed… on the floor.
"Told you you wouldn't make it," Taeng laughed.
Kit frowned and said with a mock-offended tone, "You distracted me, that's why it didn't work."
Taeng picked up the pancake and placed it on another plate. "Let me show you how it's done," he said and winked.
With one smooth motion, he flipped the pancake and it landed perfectly back in the pan.
"You're a real chef," Kit said in admiration.
Chak and I looked at each other and smiled. "They work so well together," I whispered to him.
We stepped closer and Chak said, "I hope you two plan to clean the kitchen too."
"Don't worry, Ice Man," Kit replied with a grin. "Of course we will," Taeng added.
I opened a drawer and took out four glasses. Chak opened the fridge and grabbed some juice.
"Which one would you prefer? Orange or mango juice?" Chak asked me.
"Mango, please," I replied.
He poured the juice into the glasses while I arranged them on the counter. Kit and Taeng sat down on nearby stools, in laughing and clearly pleased with their pancake mission.
"Anyone want another pancake?" Taeng asked as he placed a freshly golden-brown one onto the plate.
"If they're as good as you say, then definitely," I said and reached for a fork.
Chak helped himself too. "You never told me you could cook this well, Taeng."
"Surprised?" Taeng winked and looked at Kit. "Maybe next time you'll hire me as your personal chef."
"I've got one already," Chak said and looked at me.
"But Kit can hire you," he added.
Kit laughed. "Immediately," he said, grinning. "If I want breakfast, he'll be the one making it for me."
We all burst into laughter. It was one of those relaxed moments when everything just feels right. We forgot about all the problems for a while.
After Kit and Taeng left the kitchen, silence settled in for a moment. I was still holding my glass, and Chak stood by the counter, hands in his pockets. I looked at him—he seemed relaxed, but there was something restrained in his gaze. He was always like that—reserved. Too quiet. Too controlled.
I gathered my courage. I knew this might not be the right time. But at the same time… it was perfect.
"Chak?"
"Hm?"
"Can I ask you something?"
He raised his eyebrow slightly and looked at me. "Ask."
I hesitated for a moment, then said, "Why do you hide your emotions from others?"
Silence. A long, almost uncomfortable silence.
Chak's expression grew more serious. He looked away, as if he had to process the question before answering. He gazed out the window, then softly said:
"Because… people expect me to be strong. To have everything under control. If I show emotions, I become vulnerable. And when you're vulnerable, people can hurt you."
His words were softer than I was used to hearing from him. A gentle tone he rarely used.
"But… that's not fair to you," I said quietly. "You never let anyone truly know you."
He turned to me and looked me in the eyes. "And you? Have you ever truly let anyone in?"
I felt my heart beat a little faster. We were both too used to hiding behind masks. And now… now we stood here, just the two of us, our walls slowly crumbling.
.