18. Do You Fall In Love?

"Javin, there's something different about you," August said while observing Javin carefully. He looked at his best friend from head to toe carefully. "You look more ... brighter."

Javin looked up, shifting attention from the book he was reading to August. "You're making this up," Javin argued with a smile.

"There he is," said August. He nudged Leon's arm beside him. "Leon, you see? He's gotten a lot more handsome lately."

Leon looked at Javin with a smile and nodded. "That's right, I feel the same way. Javin, do you have a lover?"

Javin was shocked. "Lover? Do you have any?"

August took a deep breath. "I want to, but how can I? I'm running out of time for studying and making assignments. We don't often go to campus, but still, preparations for next year's internship take up too much time and effort."

"That is very correct," said Leon.

Javin pounded the table lightly. "Hey, am I not the same as you guys? If I remember correctly, we've been classmates for four years here, in medical faculty. So how come I have the spare time to get a lover while you two are busy studying? I have to work too."

August and Leon looked at each other, then laughed together.

"Well I think your chances of getting a lover are better because you work too. At least a lot of pretty girls stopped by the convenience store while you were working there and I'm sure they are just looking for excuses sometimes, shopping as a cover to seduce you," said Leon.

"Even when I was working at the convenience store, I didn't pay attention to things like that," Javin muttered. "Right now, I mostly work on my laptop and dealing with paperwork, or taking care of that big Phi Forth house."

"At least, the job is safe for you," said Leon, patting Javin's shoulder softly. "You can also live in a safer and more comfortable place. Phi Forth treats you well, right?"

Too good that my heart can't hold back the feeling that shouldn't exist, Javin answered silently to himself.

"Yes, he's very kind, and so are his other friends. Phi Shone, Phi Jock, and Phi Kwan."

"That's good. We're also pretty calm now that you're in the right place," August said. "So, how about your internship preparations? Have you submitted the first draft chapter for your thesis?"

"In two days I will meet with Professor Dain to discuss it," said Javin, but his face was gloomy. "I don't know whether he will pass my draft or not. He is known to be a perfectionist."

"Don't worry, you can definitely go through all the processes. We can all do it," Leon said with determination.

The three friends chat about many things, while having lunch together. Javin's phone rang while August was telling him about his brother running a clinic in the remote area.

"Hello, Phi" said Javin answering the phone.

"Nong, are you on campus?" asked Forth on another channel. "Yes. I didn't wake you up when you left because I thought you were only asleep after four in the morning."

"Yes. I have to finish checking the proposal put forward by my father's best friend's son and it is urgent."

"It's time for lunch, Phi. You can warm up the food I made before leaving earlier in the microwave."

"I'm not hungry yet. What time are you coming home?"

"Another hour. I'll be returning the books to the library after lunch."

"Fine, I'll just wait for you then. I don't want to eat alone."

Javin paused and bit his lower lip with a blush. He felt ridiculous because Forth's words made his stomach tickle like a fluttering butterfly wing.

"I-I'll be home soon, Phi," replied Javin.

"Be careful on the way."

August nudged Leon's arm and pointed at Javin with his chin. "Javin, was it Phi Forth, calling you?" Leon asked cautiously.

"Yes. He only went to sleep at four in the morning and didn't want lunch, even though I had it ready before he left," Javin replied.

"Why?" Leon asked.

"He said he didn't want to eat alone."

"Is that a habit?" August asked. "Can't eat alone?"

"I guess so," replied Javin thoughtfully. "Someone always comes to accompany him at lunch. His best friends always take turns coming to have lunch with him. After all, Phi Forth never goes out during the day, so his house also doubles as his office and they all bring work that Phi Forth has to handle home ."

August thought for a moment. "Javin, is Phi Forth an agoraphobic? He doesn't like crowds?"

"Or heliophobia? Fear of light or bright places?" Leon added.

Javin looked at his two best friends while thinking about what he had heard from Wine. Javin shook his head and thought about his words before speaking.

"I don't think so. Phi Forth sometimes goes out to go to his parents' house, or attends general meetings with his staff in the management office, but only when absolutely necessary and at times he seems normal. However, he chooses to do anything he likes at night because it makes him more comfortable. He likes to stare at the sky for a long time and often just sits on the balcony to enjoy the evening."

"Uh, isn't that too weird for you?" muttered Augustus.

"He's not weird," Javin replied with a smile. "He's just a Nyctophile. Someone who really likes the night scene. He feels more relax and comfortable at night than day."

August kicked Leon's leg lightly under the table. He had confirmed his suspicions recently, against Javin.

His best friend looks very different since he started meeting a man he calls Phi Forth.

Javin has never had a girlfriend, even though there are lots of women who like him, not even a few men try to chase him.

Javin is very handsome but beautiful too, with a tall slim body, intelligent, and he also has a pleasant manner.

However, there wasn't anyone who could hold Javin's attention any more than he needed to. He is polite but keeps his distance to anyone who tries to approach him. He is strict and places limits on anyone who tries to force him.

This man, Forth, could even make Javin smile just by hearing his voice and blushing at what he said.

Javin packed his books into a bag. "I have to go home now, guys, Phi Forth hasn't had lunch yet and I don't think he will eat if I don't come home because today everyone is gone and no one will come to join him for lunch."

Javin stood up and prepared to leave, but Leon held his hand. "Wait a second, my friend, Nong Javins!"

Javin looked shocked. "Hmm?"

"Tell us" August said as he helped Leon hold Javin's other hand. "What do you feel for that Phi Forth of yours?"

"Huh? W-what do you mean?"

"Do you fall in love with him?"

***