When the world notices, love becomes a little more complicated- and a lot more fun
The morning air was thick with humidity, and Bangkok's sky threatened rain. Fah ducked into the engineering building just as the first fat drops splashed down. He shook off his bag, hoping the day would be simple—little did he know, simplicity had no place in a world with Tawan.
As he rounded the corner, he nearly collided with a group of giggling classmates. "Oh my god," one whispered loudly enough for him to hear. "Did you see Fah and Tawan at the noodle shop yesterday? They were… like, holding hands!"
Fah froze. Holding hands? Holding hands? He hadn't even realized they'd brushed fingers over the table like that. And now everyone was talking.
His face turned a bright, undeniable red. Before he could respond, Tawan appeared at his side, holding an umbrella and smirking like a cat who'd just knocked over a vase.
"They're spreading rumors again," Fah muttered, adjusting his bag strap.
Tawan laughed softly, shaking his head. "Let them talk. Honestly, it's kind of flattering."
Fah blinked. "Flattering? Are you serious? People are going to think—"
"—that we're ridiculously cute together? Exactly." Tawan tilted his head, letting the umbrella hover over both of them. "And I don't care what anyone thinks."
Fah felt a flutter in his chest. It was one thing to follow his heart quietly; it was another to have someone so boldly insist that it was okay to show it.
The rain grew heavier as they walked to class, umbrellas bumping as they jostled along the crowded sidewalk. Fah couldn't stop stealing glances at Tawan, who seemed perfectly at ease in the wet chaos, his dark hair sticking slightly to his forehead in a way that made Fah's heart leap.
Midway through the day, they ended up stuck in a lecture hall together again. A group project meant they had to collaborate closely, which Tawan clearly noticed. Every time their hands brushed over a notebook or reached for the same pen, Fah's pulse quickened—but this time, he smiled instead of panicking.
By the end of class, the rain had stopped, leaving the streets shimmering under the city lights. Fah and Tawan walked side by side, shoes splashing in puddles.
"You know," Tawan said suddenly, "if people are going to talk about us, we might as well give them something to talk about."
Fah looked at him, brow raised. "And what exactly do you suggest?"
Tawan's grin was mischievous, eyes glinting. "We could start small… like a proper date this weekend. Just the two of us. No noodle shop, no chaos—well, maybe a little chaos. But mostly fun."
Fah didn't hesitate. "You're on."
And just like that, even with rumors swirling and minor obstacles popping up, Fah realized it didn't matter. With Tawan, every rainy day, every messy coincidence, every small challenge became a reason to laugh, to flirt, and to fall a little harder.