Mhok was beyond flabbergasted.
He didn’t expect Day to change his mind and accept his offer.
The night at the hospital, Day had requested Mhok to ask for the salary he liked. When Mhok couldn’t voice out his salary expectation, Day finalised an amount by himself, which was a lot for his job.
Mhok quit his job at the bakery right after escorting Day back to his house. The drive back was filled with Day thanking Mhok every now and then for saving him.
He returned the car, and the boss didn’t stop him from resigning.
Why would he? It was not a corporate job that required specialized skills. The bakery owner could get an employee like Mhok anytime. Mhok thought.
The next morning, Mhok woke up with a grin on his face. He might be the happiest person to go to work.
Mhok lived in a rented house of one bedroom that he only used for sleeping since most of the time he was outdoors.
Locking the door, he walked towards his destination with an unfamiliar warm feeling.
Standing before Day’s house, Mhok wasted no time before knocking. He could hear commotion from the other side of the door.
Day opened the door. Mhok felt relieved after seeing Day look livelier than he did before. Yesternight, Mhok had made sure that Day had his dinner before leaving his house.
“Good morning, Day.” Mhok grinned at him. He couldn’t stop that even when he knew that Day couldn’t see him.
“Good morning.” Day smiled a little, “Come in.”
Day stepped inside, and Mhok followed him, studying the place. The place was huge for a person who lived alone.
The stale air engulfed Mhok that made him scrunch up his nose, but Day looked more than used to it. The interior was also dark since the curtains were closed.
“Is it okay if I open the windows?” Mhok politely asked.
Day stiffened a little. Mhok noticed that.
“It’s okay, I simply asked.”
“You can.” Day assured. “I’m scared of leaving the windows open, but since you’re here, it’s alright.”
Mhok nodded as he finally realized, “Oh, ok. I’ll close them when I leave.”
Day nodded.
Mhok opened all the windows and let the fresh air in. He was content that Day could finally breathe some good air now.
“Where’s the kitchen?” Mhok knew that Day might be hungry by now. So, he did not want to waste another moment.
Day tapped his walking stick on the floor and began walking. Mhok followed him.
“Here.”
The kitchen was dusty. In fact, this whole place could use some cleaning.
Mhok brushed off that thought. He decided that after cooking for Day, he could clean this place as well.
They had bought groceries the day before considering how Day did not stock up those in the kitchen. Mhok wrapped an apron around himself and began to prepare breakfast while Day went to his room to sort out some things.
Mhok knew how to cook well since he had been by himself for most of his life.
After an hour, the food was ready. Mhok knocked on Day’s door, “Breakfast is ready!”
“Okay!”
Mhok smiled a little and set the table for both of them. Day had asked Mhok to do it this way since he felt uncomfortable by eating alone when Mhok was the one who prepared it.
In no time, Day made his way to the dining table. Keeping his stick against the chair, he occupied a seat.
“Here, try this.” Mhok pushed the tray of food in front of Day.
Day blinked rapidly in confusion, and Mhok immediately said, “The sausages are at 3 pm and omelet at 9 am- “
Day’s eyes widened, “Where did you learn that from?”
Mhok looked smug, “I do my research.”
Day looked impressed, and Mhok couldn’t be happier.
They began eating.
“How’s the food?” Mhok couldn’t stop from asking.
“Hm. It’s aright.” Day lied. It was really delicious.
“That’s all?” Mhok asked with a pout.
Day snickered, “Just kidding. It’s tasty, ok?”
Mhok’s smiled, “Thank you.”
“No, I should be the one thanking you.”
“Okay, let’s leave it at that.” Mhok said.
They shared a laugh.
Day noticed that his mood was better these days. However, he still needed his cake.
“Mhok?” Day called out to him as Mhok was settling the plates in the washing area.
“How old are you, Day?”
Day was confused with Mhok’s out of the box question.
“I’m twenty-five.” Day replied anyway.
Mhok chuckled, “I can’t believe you kept calling around my name for the last few days.” Mhok shook his head, “You’re much younger than me.”
Day’s lips pulled into an unconscious pout, “Alright, how old are you?”
“Older than time itself.”
Day rolled his eyes, “Very funny.”
Mhok chuckled at his reaction, “I turned thirty last month.”
“Woah, you really are an old man.” Day covered his mouth with his hand to give a dramatic effect.
It was now Mhok’s turn to roll eyes, “Very funny.”
They both laughed again. The house that was dead silent a week ago was now echoing with genuine laughter and warm conversations.
“Use honorifics from now on, okay?” Mhok joked.
Day nodded, taking it seriously, “Okay, P’Mhok.”
Mhok was glad that Day couldn’t see how Mhok’s mouth was hanging open at that moment.
“What did you say?” Mhok just wanted to hear it again. And again.
“What did I say, P’Mhok?”
That moment, Mhok realized that there was no turning back from here.
He made a silent promise to take care of Day for as long as he let him.
He was indeed whipped beyond saving.
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