The visit to Narin's uncle's house became the beginning of a new routine.
Whenever Narin visited his relatives after school or on weekends, he would sometimes ask,
"Phawin, want to come with me?"
Most of the time...
I said yes.
Every visit felt warm and welcoming.
Narin's aunt always insisted that I eat before leaving.
His uncle enjoyed asking about school.
The younger children followed Narin everywhere.
And Korn...
He was usually somewhere nearby.
Sometimes reading.
Sometimes helping around the house.
Sometimes playing football with the children.
Unlike Narin, he wasn't very talkative.
He only spoke when there was something to say.
In that way...
We were a little alike.
One Saturday afternoon, I arrived a little earlier than Narin.
He had stopped at a nearby shop to buy drinks.
"I'll be there in a minute," he had said.
So I waited at the gate.
A moment later, the front door opened.
Korn stepped outside.
"Oh... you're here."
"Narin's buying something."
"I know."
He smiled.
"He called me."
There was a brief silence.
Then Korn asked,
"Would you like to come inside while you wait?"
I nodded.
"Thank you."
The living room was quiet.
Korn placed two glasses of cold water on the table.
"I hope you don't mind waiting."
"I don't."
Another silence followed.
Neither of us found it uncomfortable.
Korn smiled faintly.
"Narin was right."
I looked up.
"About what?"
"You're quieter than anyone I've ever met."
I laughed softly.
"People keep saying that."
"Does it bother you?"
I shook my head.
"No."
"It just means I listen more."
Korn nodded.
"I like people who listen."
Before I could reply, the front door opened.
"I'm back!" Narin called.
He looked at both of us sitting in the living room.
"Looks like you've already become friends."
Korn smiled.
"We were just talking."
Narin looked relieved.
"Good."
"I was worried it'd be awkward."
The rest of the afternoon passed peacefully.
The three of us played board games with the younger cousins.
Narin laughed the loudest whenever someone made a mistake.
Korn smiled quietly from across the table.
I found myself smiling too.
It was a peaceful day.
One that seemed completely ordinary.
As I walked home with Narin that evening, I thought nothing of it.
To me...
Korn was simply someone I'd begun to know.
A kind cousin of the person I loved.
Nothing more.
But for Korn...
That quiet afternoon had answered a question he hadn't realized he was asking.
He wanted to see Phawin again.
ns216.73.217.110da2 
and then Add to home screen.