Throughout the rest of the vacation, Ping and Keng didn't stay in touch.
Ping was too scared to go back to Keng's house, and deep down, he trusted keng won't break the promise he made—not to leave again. So he waited. Quietly. Patiently. Painfully.
When school finally resumed, Ping returned with one hope in his heart.
I'll see him there.
As soon as he got to the dorm, Ping went straight to Keng's room and knocked.
No response.
He knocked again.
Still nothing.
His shoulders dropped.
"Maybe he hasn't returned yet," Ping muttered to himself, forcing a weak smile before walking back to his own room.
He sat on his bed, staring blankly at the floor.
Just then, the door opened.
"Hey buddy, how are you?" Rain asked cheerfully as he walked in.
Ping only lifted his head slightly but didn't answer.
Rain paused, sensing something was wrong.
"I came in and you didn't even notice," Rain said, walking closer.
"Are you okay?"
He tilted his head.
"Or… do you miss your boyfriend already?
Didn't you guys come back together?"
Ping's lips trembled. His eyes suddenly filled with tears.
"Hey—what's wrong?" Rain asked quickly, sitting beside him.
"I think it's over between p'Keng and me," Ping said, his voice breaking as he started crying.
"What?" Rain said, shocked, grabbing Ping's hand.
"You guys just got together. Why would you say that?"
Ping wiped his tears and explained everything—from the visit, to the door opening, to the call that ended abruptly.
Rain's eyes widened.
"What?!" he shouted.
"That's serious… really serious."
He took a deep breath and softened his voice.
"But still, you should wait to hear from Senior Handsome. You shouldn't assume the worst."
"He did call me that day," Ping said quietly.
"But he suddenly hung up… and I haven't heard from him since."
Rain pulled Ping into a hug.
"We'll look for him tomorrow," he said firmly.
"You shouldn't cry like this, okay?"
"Hm," Ping replied softly, sniffing as he wiped his eyes.
The next day, Ping and Rain went to Keng's usual spot on campus.
That was where they saw Tao, Bank, and Jinn.
"Hey, Ping! Rain!" Tao greeted with a smile.
"Hello, phi," they replied, greeting the rest.
Bank looked around before asking,
"Ping, have you seen Keng?"
"We couldn't reach him throughout the holiday… till now," he added.
Ping's heart sank.
"I was actually going to ask you guys about him too," Ping said quietly.
The three friends exchanged worried glances.
Jinn stepped forward and tapped Ping's shoulder gently.
"Then we'll check up on him for you, Ping."
Ping nodded, hope and fear mixing in his chest.
Later that day, Keng's friends went to visit him.
"Hey, buddy," Tao greeted as they stepped inside.
Keng looked up briefly.
"Why are you guys here?" he asked plainly.
"Oooooiii," Tao exclaimed dramatically.
"If it was Ping, you'd already be rubbing yourself all over him."
Keng shot him a look but ignored the comment.
"How is he?" he asked instead, his face lighting up with worry he couldn't hide.
"He's worried about you," Jinn said seriously.
"Why aren't you in school?"
Keng exhaled slowly.
"It's a long story," he said. "Let's sit."
After Keng finished explaining everything, the room went silent.
"HOLY SHIT," Tao blurted out.
"Do you have to be this dramatic with your life?" he added
Keng shook his head.
"Must you always be loud?"
"So… you have a fiancée now?" Bank asked teasingly.
"What fiancée?" Keng snapped, glaring at him.
Bank raised his hands.
"Relax, I was just asking."
Jinn leaned forward, his expression serious.
"So what are you going to do about Ping?"
Keng didn't hesitate.
"I promised him I wouldn't leave again," he said firmly.
"And I won't."
The certainty in his voice left no room for doubt.