The Art of What-If: A Drabble Collection

i ain't gonna tell him, i think he knows (KA)

"Here's to another day in the place we call hel— I mean, home. Whoops, we want to keep this family-friendly or the admin's going to hunt me down! For other news aside from the explosion that happened in the Chemical Engineering department, oh boy do I have something to say."

Kongpob was calmly walking down the path of a corridor he has been slowly committing to memory ever since he transferred here, and the main thing he noticed about this university it the students' shared interest in radio.

He could hear excited whispers around him, gushing about how interesting the news was going to be. His friend, Tew, was walking alongside him, noticing his apparent confusion.

"Ah, that's the famous university radio DJ, "Krist". He's using this pen name because nobody actually knows his true identity, so he went with a pen name to conceal it, maybe he was shy or wanted to keep his privacy."

"He actually started out as having little to no listeners but when one of his live sessions got viral, everyone now listens to him every 4 to 6 PM. Usually, there are no more classes during this time period except for some specialized courses."

Kongpob turned to him, "And they play him on the school speakers? How did he get permission for that?"

"The student council contacted him through email and they agreed to have his show broadcasted as it actually helps students unwind and get back on current events."

Kongpob could hear the song coming to a close as they passed the corridor and had already climbed to the second floor, the speakers still blaring. And then, Krist entered his commentary.

"Jeez, I don't really get personal on live radio but you have got to hear about this. So basically, there's a new batch of transferee students every semester. Since y'all don't know my identity, it's safe to also conceal this person's identity."

Kongpob hummed, a little distracted as he saw the classroom he was in a few hours ago, sighing in relief as he noticed the unlocked door.

"I don't believe in love at first sight but oh my god this person is like an angel sent from heaven. They're gorgeous, and their voice sounds amazing. And not to mention they're nice and respectful."

Tew was snickering beside him.

"I know, I know. The great Krist having a love life? Scandalous! That's what I said too, but damn I can't even forget about the way their eyes looked," at this, Kongpob pursed his lips, a little disoriented.

"I'm calling it a meet-cute, alright? I highly doubt they're even listening right now because they're probably in their dorm or outside or something, so I'll just lay it out. I met him on accident, we bumped into each other!"

"Calm your horses, everyone. A percentage of the world's population bumps into someone every day, but no, I was holding a stack of books and this gorgeous human bumped into me, and the books fell. And I was having such a bad day but they were so nice and sweet."

"They calmly helped me pick up the books back again and kept apologizing, and they have this smile, ah! My alter ego would be so devastated by the way I'm talking right now but I can't be bothered to care."

Kongpob was getting tense by the second, freezing for a moment as he tried to listen to the radio, the buzz of students growing louder. He picked up the book he left on his desk earlier and stopped when Krist continued.

"Then they looked at me and said "Sorry, I'm new here, but here you go." while they handed me back the stack, careful to place it firmly so that it wouldn't fall and our fingers brushed, HOLY SH**!"

Tew was then looking at Kongpob with wide eyes, "Hey Kong, didn't you also bump into someone earlier today?"

"I—"