Peraya Delight - Chapter 33: Chapter 33

"Arthit, relax will you?" Knott muffled his laughter as he tried to calm his fuming friend.
"She's too close to him," Arthit mumbled but his friends heard him clear.
"Of course she's! Anyone would take the chances to sit close to their crush," Bright added fuel into the fire.
Namtan glared at Bright, "Shut up Bright! Don't make him angrier than he's!"
She turned towards Arthit and patted his shoulder, "Arthit, relax. They're just friends, I know that. Kongpob had been friends with them since the time I saw them, and I've heard that they have been together since elementary school."
"But still!" Arthit whined.
"Look! She's practically sitting on Kong! And he's really uncomfortable!" Arthit added, pointing a finger at the bench across them at the field.
"You dummy!" Namtan smacked Arthit's head.
"You did the same thing to make him jealous last time by using me! Remember?!" Namtan snapped at her friend.
"That was his idea!" Arthit pointed at Bright who just played innocent.
"So? You'll do anything he asks you to? You clearly wanted to see if Kongpob would get jealous so you agreed!" Namtan raised an eyebrow.
"Either you confess your undying love for him or suffer here," Knott remarked, he took his drink and started sipping it knowing it was useless talking to Arthit.
"Knott, you know it's not easy. He is annoyed at me." Arthit sighed.
"Yeah, he dislikes you soo much and that's the reason he got jealous when Namtan was all over you. Yeah, it's soo clear that Kongpob hated you," Knott said sarcastically.
"Are you really soo dump Arthit?" Bright shook his head sympathetically, earning a glare from Arthit.
Namtan shook her head, "For once I agree with this idiot." She pointed at Bright.
Arthit sighed. He took his books from the table and decided to leave.
"You're leaving!?" Bright called out.
"I'll just sit in class," Arthit replied.
He glanced at Kongpob's table and saw the latter looking back at him. Arthit broke their stare and moved faster to reach his class that was on the second floor.
Once he entered his class, he took a seat at the far end of the, near to the window. There were only a few students inside, some were reading books while others were in their own world.
Arthit sighed as he looked out of the window. He could see the large expanse of trees and buildings. He could hear the chattering of children from the ground. He wanted to look down and see if he could spot Kongpob but he didn't.
He knows that he tried to make Kongpob jealous but the latter didn't show much reaction to it, rather than that Kongpob only smiled back at him when their eyes met that day. Arthit didn't know a simple smile could take his breath away. He didn't know why the latter smiled at him but that was one of the moments that he'll cherish for his lifetime.
Arthit didn't know that his life would turn upside down like this when he decided to move into his step dad's house. He had heard from Kerkkrai about Kongpob, he had a picture in his mind from that. From what Kerkkrai told him, his son was the most polite person who doesn't talk much and has a close circle of friends. He imagined Kongpob to be a nerd with glasses or something.
But when he saw the boy for the first time, he was mesmerised. The first sight of Kongpob for him was the smiling face as the boy hugged his dad. He could see how much the latter loved his dad, just like how he loved his mom.
Things didn't go as he thought, later on, their first interaction was awkward. He started to think that Kongpob hated him. And he was nothing like what Kerkkrai told Arthit about Kongpob, well at least not towards him. Arthit received special treatment from Kong.
And sometimes Arthit enjoyed the grumpy side of the kid, it was cute on Kongpob. Without him realising he slowly started to fall in love with Kongpob. Even though Kongpob was played annoyed towards him he used to catch the latter stealing glances at him or silently helping him with simple chores with lame excused when asked why he did it.
Arthit giggled at the memory of when he had caught Kongpob ironing his shirt two days back. Kongpob was a shuttering mess then, with red cheeks and panicked expression. The latter didn't give him any explanation. For the next day, Kongpob completely avoided him and would always blush when their eyes made meet.
Deep inside him, he feels that Kongpob might also love him and maybe just afraid to accept the fact, after all, he was his stepbrother. But another side of him told that Kongpob was just trying to improve their relationship as brothers and there were no romantic feelings involved.
And this thought was making Arthit go insane. He doesn't know how he could find that out. Whenever he teases Kongpob the latter doesn't push him away, it's more like Kongpob enjoys those moments just like he does. All these mixed signals were giving Arthit a headache.
Arthit looked down at his fingers, his fingers traced the bandage on his left index finger. A small smile finding its way to his lips when he remembered the panicked dark eyes of the honey skinned boy.
"Arthit! I told you to not scatter your books over the table!" Kongpob glared at the other boy who was just scratching the back of his neck.
"Geez! Relax will you? I'll arrange it." Arthit rolled his eyes.
"Then do it now!" Kongpob furrowed his eyebrows.
Arthit groaned, "I'll do it later."
"Then, what about that!?" Kongpob pointed at the cupboard.
"What about it?" Arthit raised an eyebrow.
Kongpob ran his fingers through his hair angrily, he walked towards the cupboard and opened it. Kongpob stood there dumbstruck when all the cloths fell on his feet. He turned his head towards Arthit with a blank stare in his eyes.
Arthit gulped, he gave a nervous smile to the other. "I get it, I'll clean them later."
"Now," Kongpob growled.
"What?" Arthit stared back confused.
"Clean. It. Now." Kongpob's bottom lips were in a small pout with his eyes boaring holes at the cloth on his foot as he said those words.
"Come on Kong! I'm tired from school! I'll do it later." Arthit slumped on their bed.
Kongpob looked up at Arthit, "Arthit! I'll ask you one more time. Will you clean it now or not?"
Arthit rolled his eyes, "I already told you I'll do it later."
Kongpob turned towards their study table which was already a mess with Arthit's books scattered on it, he took the long steel ruler from a book and marched towards Arthit who was now lying flat on their bed.
Kongpob smacked Arthit's thigh with the ruler making the pale boy yelp in pain.
"Kong! What are-" Before he could complete his words Kongpob smacked him on his shoulder.
"Clean it now Arthit!" Kongpob demanded out loud but Arthit didn't care.
Arthit laughed as he ran away from Kongpob who was just behind him with the scale.
"You idiot! Clean it now! You won't do it later and I know that!" Kongpob shouted as he ran down the stairs following Arthit.
"No!" Arthit laughed when he dodged the weapon in Kongpob's hand.
Kongpob was fuming when Arthit ran behind Achara who was setting snacks on the table.
"Mom! Stop him!" Arthit pulled Achara as his shield.
"Don't try to hide Arthit! I just told you to do one thing and you couldn't!" Kongpob shouted as he tried to reach out for Arthit.
Achara just stood there, smiling as she watched the interaction between her sons.
"Mom! Help!" Arthit screamed when Kongpob hit his hand.
"You!" Kongpob glared at Arthit who pushed Achara who laughed towards him and ran towards the sofa.
The two boys ran around the living room, Arthit was laughing as Kongpob chased him. He giggled when Kongpob hit his leg accidentally on the sofa.
Kongpob groaned out loud. He was about to give up chasing Arthit when he heard a cry from the other.
"Arthit!" Kongpob panicked when he saw Arthit holding his finger and hissing. He rushed towards him and took the other's hand in his.
Kongpob observed the small cut on Arthit's finger, blood was dripping from it and it made Kongpob more worried.
"How did this happen?" Kongpob asked before he took Arthit's finger and placed it in his mouth.
Arthit gasped as he watched what Kongpob was doing. He gulped when he felt Kongpob's tongue lick his small cut and he hissed a little in pain.
"I'll bandage it for you," Kongpob said as he pulled away. He looked around the area where Arthit stood and examined it. His eyes caught the small needle-like thing that was on the wall. He sighed when he looked back at Arthit
"Come here." Kongpob pulled Arthit towards the sofa and made him sit.
"I'll take the first aid box." Kongpob didn't wait for any reply as he rushed towards the small cupboard at the dining room where the first aid box was placed.
Arthit was too stunned to say anything. He looked at his wound which was still having blood coming out of it. He looked at the direction where Kongpob went and saw his mom looking back at him with a smile. Arthit felt his heartbeat fast and his cheeks were heating up. He diverted his gaze to his hand when his mom winked at him.
He soon heard Kongpob running towards him. He watched silently as Kongpob dressed his small cut and bandaged it.
"You should be more careful when you run." Kongpob sighed as he kept the first aid box away.
Arthit just stared at Kongpob, he was soon stared back by the latter who looked up at him. His heart was beating fast that he could hear it loud in his ears, he felt his toes curl up as those concerned dark eyes stared back at his. He found the other biting his lips and Arthit didn't know where he should look at.
Arthit and Kongpob broke their gaze with blushing cheeks when they heard Achara clearing her throat.
"I-I'll keep it back." Kongpob didn't dare to look up as he took the first aid kit and walked back to place it back from where he took it.
Arthit chuckled. Wetting his lips he stared out of the window.
He never expected things in his life. He was always a person who would let life do what it wants and he would accept it no matter what. But it was hard for him to do so when his mom was in a new relationship but eventually he did accept it.
Maybe this time too he should let the future show him what life has in store for him and Kongpob. Maybe things might not end the way he wished it to and even though it hurts he's going to accept whatever the outcome is.
Arthit waved his hands at his friends as they bid goodbye. Their classes had ended and Arthit was waiting for Kongpob. It's been a week since they started school and Kongpob always came at the front gate so that he and Arthit could go back together or the other way around. They used to take the public bus and after reaching their stop they would ride Kongpob's bicycle to their house.
Arthit checked his watch and saw that it was past the time Kongpob usually arrives. He took a deep breath before he decided to check upon Kongpob, he remembered Kongpob telling him he had basketball practice in the morning.
"Maybe he's still practising," Arthit mumbled to himself as he walked towards the basketball ground.
Arthit roamed his eyes around the basketball ground. There weren't many students there and he doubted whether Kongpob was there or not. That was until his eyes fell on a figure who was trying to walk as he clutched onto the railing.
Arthit sprinted towards the figure and caught the latter before he lost his balance.
"Kong, be careful!" Arthit caught onto the other's shoulder.
"Arthit?" Kongpob blinked his eyes as his hands clutched onto Arthit's shirt.
"You should have called me to help you." Arthit sighed as he made Kongpob sit down on the nearby bench.
"I don't have your number," Kongpob mumbled as he bit his lips.
Arthit pretended to not hear what Kongpob said as he examined the latter's feet.
"What happened?"
Kongpob sighed, "I think I sprained my ankle. It was not this bad while I was playing but after I changed my Jersey and was coming to join you to go home the pain suddenly increased and I couldn't take a step further." Kongpob hissed when Arthit massaged his ankle.
"I was going to call dad but then you came," Kongpob stated.
"Hmm... Anyway, let's get this treated after reaching home. Mom might have some balm or ointment to apply on your ankle." Arthur said as he looked up at Kongpob who nodded his head.
Kongpob tried to get up with the help of Arthit but he soon sat back hissing in pain.
Arthit sighed seeing how Kongpob was trying to control his pain, "Okay then, get on my back."
"What?!" Kongpob's eyes widened when Arthit positioned himself in front of him to get on his back.
"Stop speaking and get on my back, or else we might miss the bus." Arthit tried to hide his smile as he said those words.
Kongpob stared at Arthit's back for a good minute before he sighed. He gulped as he wounded his arm around Arthit's shoulder as he leaned forward and before he knew Arthit was giving him a piggyback ride.
"Are you okay? Am I too heavy for you?" Kongpob asked worriedly.
Arthit chuckled as he adjusted his bag in his hand, "Not at all! You're too light."
"Hey!"
Arthit laughed making Kongpob pout.
Throughout the walk towards the bus stop, no one dared to utter a word. Arthit helped him to sit down on the seat when the bus arrived and they sat beside eachother in silence until Arthit's phone rang.
"Hey mom," Arthit greeted as he answered his call.
"Oh, ok. Actually, Kong sprained his ankle." Arthit glanced at the person near him who was looking out of the window.
"No, no! You focus on your meeting I'll take care of it." Arthit smiled as he replied to his concerned mom.
"Just tell me if you have a blam or an ointment to apply on his ankle." Arthit chuckled at how concerned his mom was for Kongpob.
"Ok mom, thanks. Yeah, see you." Arthit hung up the phone and glanced at Kongpob who was trying his best to not show any interest in what Arthit was talking to his mom.
"Kong," Arthit tapped on the other's shoulder making Kongpob turn towards him.
"Dad and mom will be late today, she said they have an urgent meeting that came in," Arthit informed him.
"Oh...okay." Kongpob gave a nervous smile to the other making Arthit chuckle as he watched Kongpob turn his attention back towards the window.
When they reached their stop, Arthit helped Kongpob down the bus and made him sit inside the bus stop while he took Kongpob's bicycle which was chained to the fence near the bus stop.
Arthit helped Kongpob to sit on the back seat of the cycle and then he hopped into it. Kongpob's hands automatically caught Arthit's waist to balance himself making Arthit smile.
Arthit took Kongpob's hand on his hip and wounded it securely across his waist.
"Hold tight," Arthit said before he started cycling to their house.
Kongpob blushed as he looked down on his dangling feet, a small smile on his lips as he tightened his arm around Arthit. He felt soo safe and he was getting jitters for an unknown reason.
Kongpob didn't even realise when they had reached home until his hands on Arthit's waist was softly pushed away as Arthit got down the bicycle. They shared a small smile at eachother as Arthit helped him down.
"Hey!" Kongpob's eyes widened when Arthit carried him in his hands.
"You still can't walk, so stop resisting," Arthit said without glancing at Kongpob who was staring at his face.
Kongpob blushed, his hands wounded around Arthit's neck tightly and somehow he enjoyed the butterflies he was getting. He could see the small smile that Arthit was trying to control and he didn't question it.
Kongpob stared at Arthit's face as he was slowly placed down on the couch, he didn't leave his eyes from Arthit as the latter pulled his leg up on the couch making him lay down. He watched as the other rushed to their parents' room - well, he was accepting the fact that Achara is his parent too and he doesn't think there's nothing wrong with it.
He watched as Arthit came back with an ointment in his hands. They didn't talk as Arthit gently rubbed Kongpob's ankle with the ointment as the other places his leg on his lap. Kongpob just stared at the pale face, taking in how concentrated the other was.
"Why do you still help me even though I'm always rude to you?"
Kongpob's eyes widened when the question came out of his lips. That was supposed to stay in his mind!
Arthit's fingers that caressed Kongpob's feet halted. Arthit looked up at Kongpob who was biting his lips as he avoided his gaze. Arthit smiled as he closed the top of the tube and placed it beside him.
"If you're rude to me that's your issue, that's how you feel towards me but it's not compulsory that I should feel the same, Kong," Arthit stated making Kongpob snap his head towards him.
"What do you mean?"
Arthit chuckled, "I know that this whole thing is hard for you. You might not like how I entered into your life that was revolving on you and your dad, and I completely understand you. I know that you're behaving this way towards me to hide your own insecurities and that's okay with me."
Arthit's smiled when he saw Kongpob's eyes soften, "I don't have any grudge towards you, Kong. Even though you fight with me or nag at me for silly reasons I enjoy it. It makes me feel that other than my mom there's someone else who cares for me. Even though I know that you do it because you don't like me, I just want to think it this way and I don't want to change it."
Kongpob gulped as he stared at Arthit, the latter had soo much sincerity in his eyes that was overwhelming him. Kongpob hates the fact that Arthit know exactly how he feels and at the same time he feels happy that someone understood and didn't judge him for how he behaved. Kongpob felt guilty now that he didn't try to understand Arthit like the latter did with him, he was selfish and didn't care about the other boy.
"I'm sorry Arthit." Kongpob bit his lips.
Arthit's eyes widened hearing Kongpob apologize. "No Kong, don't. I told you it's okay."
"I'm jealous that I couldn't understand you, I'm jealous that you take this whole situation peacefully. I'm jealous that I couldn't be as strong as you." Kongpob looked down at his hands which he intertwined together. He could feel the tears in the corner of his eyes and he didn't want Arthit to see him like that.
Arthit smiled softly, he caressed Kongpob's hand that was in a tight grip. "I'm not strong Kong. Like you, I had my own meltdown."
Kongpob slowly raised his head to look at Arthit who stared back at him with a fond smile on his lips.
"Just like you, my life surrounded around me and my mom. I never let anyone enter it, after dad passed away my everything was my mom. And I wanted it to remain that way. You won't believe it but when mom told me that she's in love with someone I recked havoc at our house." Arthit chuckled at the memory.
"It was hard for me, I didn't like sharing my mom. I'm very possessive of people who love me. After my dad passed away his family always criticised my mom and I didn't like that, it was because I had enough of them that we moved into this city. I only wanted myself for my mom. No one else. But later when she told she's in love with uncle Kerkkrai I felt afraid, for her,for me." Arthit sighed.
"What if he leaves us too? What if he's like my dad's family? Does he truly love my mom? Will he see me as a family? Or will they abandon me after they know that I'll be a burden to their relationship?" Arthit bit his lips when he felt his voice shutter. He looked down at his hand when a palm was placed over it.
Arthit looked up and saw Kongpob softly smiling back at him as he nodded his head.
"It took me months to come in terms with everything. Uncle Kerkkrai started to visit us more and at first, I was very rude to him. Sorry," Arthit eyed Kongpob who just chuckled as he shook his head.
"But uncle was very nice to me. He never got annoyed at me and even asked my mom to not scold me when she once did in front of him because I was rude to him. As days passed I felt he cared for me just the same way he cared for my mom. I could see my mom was happy with him and somehow it made me happy too. All that I need is to see that beautiful smile on my mom's face return and it's because of uncle Kerkkrai. Soon we got along well. Uncle told a lot about you and I couldn't wait to see you. I'll get a new friend, a new person whom I could share my feelings with."
"But I guess I was wrong, you were soo irritated at me back then at our first meeting," Arthit added chuckling when he saw Kongpob pout.
"I'm sorry," Kongpob but his lips. Arthit just smiled and waved his hands dismissing it.
"Just leave it, I'll get some snacks for us. I'm soo hungry!" Arthit said as he stood up.
Kongpob just watched the other rush to the kitchen as if he just hadn't opened up his feeling to a person who was completely rude towards him.
Kongpob smiled bitterly, it was soo wrong of him to judge Arthit like that. He shouldn't have behaved that way. Arthit was soo understanding but he wasn't. They were in the same situation yet Kongpob didn't try to look at Arthit as someone who endured the same pressure he felt.
Even when he was feeling comfortable with the latter he tried to push him away. Even when he thought Arthit was the most amazing person he denied it. When Arthit tried to talk more and spend time with him he found excuses. He realises now that he enjoyed the small tantrums they hold, he enjoyed hearing Arthit's laughter each time after he scolds him.
To add upon all that, Kongpob enjoyed the hugs he gets during late nights from the fast asleep Arthit. Kongpob felt safe and secure when Arthit's arm would sleepily snake around his waist and pull him closer. He loved it when he would feel Arthit's stare on his face when he'll be studying or reading. He loved when Arthit would whine when he blew his ears in the morning to wake him up, a technique he developed after knowing Arthit's ears were sensitive.
He loved everything about Arthit, he just was in denial. He loved the whole of the latter even before he knew. He knows that he's falling in lo...
Kongpob's eyes widened as be sat up, hissing in pain when his leg was moved.
"No...this can't be, no...I..." Kongpob groaned as he covered his face.
He was falling in love with Arthit. And he doesn't know what to do!
"Kong, are you okay?"
Kongpob looked back to find Arthit near the kitchen counter, giving him a worried glance.
No, he is not okay. Definitely not!
Kongpob covered his face feeling his whole face heat up at the conclusion he had drawn to.
What was he gonna do!?