Peraya Delight - Chapter 56: Chapter 56

"Here you go, my highness." Arthit served the dish in front of the happily grinning Kongpob.
"Thank you, P'Arthit!" The younger male giggled as Arthit dramatically bowed his head in front of him asking him to enjoy his meal.
Arthit chuckled as he walked to the other side of the counter, removing the apron around him and placing it beside him. He leaned over, folding his hands as he rested it against the counter. Watching Kongpob eat the dish he prepared for him.
And not to mention that it was Kongpob's first craving. Arthit couldn't help but smile at the scene. Even though the younger had a weird combination of taste but the full bloom smile on those lips were worth it.
"Hmm! This is soo delicious!" Kongpob spoke through his mouth filled with noodles mixed with Cheetos.
"Come on, it's not going anywhere. Slow down, Kong." Arthit reached over to ruffle Kongpob's hair.
The younger pouted but continued to savour his food.
Arthit watched Kongpob with a fond smile playing on his lips. The latter had suddenly craved for noodles with Cheetos. Arthit was stunned at first, not knowing if that was a good idea or not. But the pout on Kongpob's lips as he pointed at his phone which surprisingly had someone eating the same dish.
It was Kongpob's first craving and Arthit didn't want the latter to not have it so he immediately took his car key and drove himself to the nearby supermarket. He tried to look for Cheetos powder as it was shown in the video but he couldn't find those, so he bought a few packets of Cheetos, making sure he didn't buy the spicy ones as he knows Kongpob can't handle spice very much.
After returning home he took the mission on himself to make it for his husband. Crushing the Cheetos and adding them to the boiled noodles. He doesn't know what he should be feeling about it but the way Kongpob's eyes sparkled at the sight whelmed his heart.
"You're the best cook, P'Arthit!" Kongpob gave two thumbs up after he finished having his food. He'll never get enough of this taste. He wanted more but he held it in.
Arthit chuckled, shaking his head. Taking the plate from the table he asked Kongpob to get ready so that they could go for a walk outside. It would freshen Kongpob's mind too.
It had become their routine at weekends, they'll go outside, either to parks or gardens to take walks as Dr Ann advised Kongpob to have. She stopped Kongpob from doing any excessive or stressful exercises as his condition was fragile than others, so she asked to settle it with having walks.
After cleaning up the kitchen Arthit walked towards the living room, turning the TV off and cleaning the sofa that had several blankets and pillows over it. You don't have to ask whom that belongs to.
He was too engrossed in what he was doing, humming a song, that he didn't realize that someone had opened the door to the condo and was already making their way towards him.
"Arthit!"
The young man turned his head around to the source of the voice, before he knew what was happening his lips were captured by another pair. Two bodies flushed together.
Arthit's eyes widened at the person in front of him. He couldn't move his body, he felt as if he was paralyzed. His brain short-circuited and things seemed surreal to him. Two pale, soft hands were around his shoulders. A warmth that he missed during the months back, the touches that he had missed.
"Arthit! Babe!" Arthit's breath was uneven as the other person's forehead rested against eachother.
"N-Namtan," he felt as if someone was choking him. This can't be happening.
Namtan cupped Arthit's cheeks, tears whelming in her eyes as she stared at the male with a wide smile on her lips.
"I missed you soo much, Arthit! Soo much! I was a fool to leave you like that! I still love you, babe! I love you soo much!" Namtan sobbed and Arthit didn't know what he should do.
"Namtan, I-You can't be-"
His eyes widened when Namtan started to kiss him again, sucking onto his lips and taking advantage of his shocked state to deepen the contact of their lips.
"P'Arthit Kharp, let's go I-" Kongpob stopped in his tracks. The smile on his face immediately wiped off. His lips started to quiver as he watched the scene unfold in front of him. His chest felt tightening, his breath started to become uneven.
"Namtan-" Arthit pushed Namtan away, still unaware of the person who was watching the two.
"Don't you miss me, Arthit? I know it had been hard for you." Namtan pouted, caressing Arthit's cheek with her fingers.
"How-how did you get in?" His eyes didn't leave Namtan's face. All the memories he had been trying to forget surfacing again.
Namtan chuckled, "Babe, you forgot I had an extra key. I kept the key with me, it came in handy right?" She winked.
Kongpob didn't know what he should feel. Hearing the name from Arthit's lips settling in his mind. He finally knew who the lady was. Namtan looked soo beautiful, in her white crop top and high waist blue jeans. In perfect figure. Skin soo clear and bright, her hair falling over her shoulder.
No wonder Arthit loved her.
"Who are you?" Namtan's suspicious voice filled the silence of the room.
"Huh?" Arthit frowned, turning around towards the direction Namtan was accusingly looking at.
Arthit's eyes widened, "Kong."
"You know him? What is he doing here?" Namtan glared at the younger male who was looking at the two with tear-filled eyes.
"I'm no one, just a visitor." Kongpob stared blankly at Arthit.
Arthit gulped, immediately taking a step forward but Kongpob walked towards him. Or rather, walked past him.
"Kong! Wait! I can expl-" Arthit bit his lips when the younger male turned absurdly towards him. His one hand over the bulged belly.
"I think I should go now," Kongpob stated deadpanned, not giving room for any more conversation he walked away, his vision blurry as tears filled his eyes. Silent sobs threatening to escape from his lips.
Namtan glared at Arthit, finding the other staring at the man who was walking away from him.
"Arthit-" Namtan gasped when she saw Arthit rushing towards Kongpob, wrapping his arms around the younger's waist as he pulled him closer. Stopping Kongpob from falling as he stumbled on his way.
"Kong! Be careful!" Arthit securely wrapped his arm around the younger's waist, pulling him closer by his hand. Kongpob's bulged belly putting distance between them.
Kongpob looked away, not having the courage to glance at Arthit. He cannot look at the man the same way now, the image of Arthit and Namtan kissing still fresh in his mind.
Pulling himself away from Arthit he quickly made his way out. Shutting the door with a loud thud that made Arthit jump.
The elder ran a hand over his face, a frustrating groan escaping his lips. When everything was finally settling, this had to happen! But Arthit just doesn't know what should be the exact feeling he should be experiencing.
"Arthit! Who is he!? Have you been fucking around with him!?" Namtan just couldn't contain the anger that rose in her. She clearly saw how Arthit was concerned with Kongpob when the latter was about to fall, the way Arthit immediately pulled the younger male closer to him got Namtan to crack her head on what was happening.
"Nam! Stop!" Arthit turned around, glaring. But his expression softened when he saw Namtan glaring back at him.
"He-he's my husband, Nam. And he's pregnant, with my child."
Namtan gasped, staggering backwards. She didn't know Arthit got married, let alone get the other male pregnant. She never kept tabs on him after she left for US, until recently that she decided to return to her ex-lover. She wanted to get Arthit back.
"How could you, Arthit? How could you?" Namtan clutched onto her chest. A look of betrayal taking over her features.
"I still couldn't get over you after months! Yet here you're! Having a family of your own! Were we nothing for you!? Were those 5 years just a joke to you!?" Namtan was fuming, her face red as she glared at Arthit. She turned around and took hold of the flower vase from the table and letting out a cry she raised it in the air, planning to smash it on the floor.
"Namtan!"
Arthit rushed towards Namtan and held her over her waist, pulling the flower vase away from her grip.
The young CEO then gulped as he pulled Namtan to a hug, letting her cry over his shoulders. But his eyes fixed on the door, the image of Kongpob walking over running through his mind.
"You left me too, Namtan. Did those 5 years even mean anything to you?" Arthit bit the inside of his cheek when Namtan stiffened in his hold.
Kongpob took a deep breath, his hands shaking as he got hold of the doorknob. He knows he's late, he knows he shouldn't have been gone for long but can you blame him? He just couldn't do this. He cannot handle it, not after all the memories they have made. But suddenly, the one person who he dreaded to meet arrived and turned their life upside down within one single morning.
It's past 6 in the evening already and Kongpob didn't want to stay away longer or worry his parents out. After he stormed out of their condo he went straight to his parent's house by bus. He was glad that he wore a large hoodie and sweatpants, his bump wasn't easily recognisable through it.
He wanted to distract himself from the thoughts of Arthit, so the only choice he had was to go meet his parents and sister, and his brother in law who he hadn't met for a long time.
Even though his parents and sister enquired why he was alone there, without Arthit, he managed to lie to them. Saying Arthit was the one who dropped him there but the elder couldn't visit as he had some urgent work coming up. He was glad that they didn't talk about his husband thereafter, the whole focus was on pampering Kongpob.
He met his brother-in-law too. The latter had personally apologized to him for not being able to attend the wedding. And of course, Kongpob understood.
His brother-in-law was in the navy, serving for their country. They don't get leaves easily, so Kongpob understood. He just needs the elder's blessings, which he knows is always upon him. Even though the latter is his sister's husband, Evin, his brother-in-law is like his own sibling. His own elder brother.
Kongpob soon felt himself relax as he made them feel the baby boy's fetal movements inside him. They already knew the gender of their baby a month ago, during the 18th-week ultrasound.
All the family members were thrilled feeling the movements, even though they were very fetal. They had to wait for the right time to feel it. And the smiles on their faces was all Kongpob needed.
But when it was getting late, Kongpob decided to take his leave. He lied that Arthit might be dead tired working as something immediately came up, so he would be taking the bus. And well, Evin insisted that he'll drop Kongpob off at the latter's place and in the end, the pregnant young male was dropped off at the condominium by his brother in law.
The thoughts he had temporarily stopped thinking about rushed through his mind. From getting into the elevator to the point of him standing in front of their home, with his fingers wrapped around the doorknob, his mind filled with Arthit Rojnapath.
Sighing Kongpob opened the door. His hand caressing his stomach as he felt movements inside him. He could feel the baby's hiccups. He should be smiling and talking to their baby inside him but he felt numb.
The fact that Arthit didn't even try to contact him or try to reach him piercing through him. Was it wrong of him to think everything had changed?
"P'Arthit!"
Kongpob's eyes widened at the sight in front of him. He gasped when he saw Arthit was about to fall from the sofa.
"P'Arthit!" The younger rushed as fast as he can with his bulged belly, reaching up to his husband who was losing his control.
"What are you doing, P!?" Kongpob was mad, soo mad at this point as he immediately helped Arthit stand straight. Stopping the latter from falling.
"K-Kong, is that you?" Arthit's drowsy eyes blinked as he focused his sight on the man in front of him. A sloppy smile forming on his face as he cupped Kongpob's cheeks.
Kongpob felt as if he's going to vomit any time soon as the smell of alcohol hit his nostrils. He looked around the living room while trying to balance Arthit who was trying to cling to him.
The living room was a mess. A total mess, completely different from the last time he saw it. Bottles of beers were all over the place. Some even having half of their content over the floor. There isn't any sign of food in there, only bottles and cans of beer.
How did Arthit manage to get those many?
And the smell was killing Kongpob inside. His stomach felt like it was turning and turning. And Arthit smelled like alcohol too.
"P'Arthit! Stop drinking!" Kongpob pushed Arthit away when the other tried to reach out for a can of beer.
"I want those! Leave me!" Arthit tried to walk past younger but Kongpob managed to push him towards the wall so that he could support himself while trying to control and get some sense into his husband.
Kongpob glared at his husband, eyes turning red as tears whelmed up in his eyes."Stop drinking P! Have you gone nuts!?"
"Yes!" Arthit snapped his head towards Kongpob, his face bright red from all the alcohol he had consumed. His eyes looked drowsy and ready to shut any moment but Arthit was fighting it off. His shirt was drenched in sweat.
"I've fucking gone nuts! Exactly! My life is ruined! I ruined my life!" Arthit growled, throwing a punch on the wall making Kongpob shudder in fear as he took a step away.
"First Namtan! Then you! Kongpob Suttilak! Then again, Namtan! I'm fucking confused!" Arthit slammed his back against the wall, releasing a frustrating scream.
Kongpob's hand flew to his mouth, covering it to not let his cries be heard. Tears falling endlessly from his eyes. What should he do? It was hurting him too. Soo damn much.
"W-Where is K'Namtan?" Kongpob asked with a shaky voice. He wanted to know, he wanted to know whether she left them for good or she's still there.
"I told her everything! I told about how I knocked you up! And she was fucking disappointed! She couldn't move on from me but I fucking did!" Arthit punched his own chest. And before he could hurt himself Kongpob reached out to hold his hands.
Arthit looked up fiercely at his husband. His pupils dilating at the sight of the teary-eyed, sobbing man in front of him.
Arthit didn't think much- not that he was able to- before he smashed their lips together. Releasing his hands from the younger's grip, he started to roam his hands all over Kongpob.
"P-P'Ar-P'Arthit! Stop!" Kongpob tried to pull away from the kiss. He was getting uncomfortable. It wasn't like the times they had before. Arthit was practically being harsh on him even though it might not be intentional.
And here Kongpob had to think about the baby inside him. And things were getting hard. Arthit hands were practically trying to tear his hoodie off but Kongpob kept pushing away.
"P'Arthit! Stop! You're hurting me!" Kongpob hissed when Arthit pushed him against the wall and started kissing his neck. Hands still trying to remove his hoodie.
"No!"
Kongpob took all the force he could muster and pushed Arthit away, a hard slap landing on the elder's cheek making the elder stumble back.
The younger's hoodie half torn from his shoulder.
"Get a hold on yourself, P'Arthit!" Kongpob broke down, leaning against the wall as his hands wrapped tighter around his belly. Sobbing and crying as he watched Arthit on the floor as he fell.
He wanted to help but he cannot risk his safety at this point. Arthit is drunk and they'll have a proper talk the next day when he's sober. Kongpob hopes he can have that.
"You're hurting me, P'Arthit... you're hurting me," hot tears slide down the younger's cheek as he watches Arthit trying to stand up.
Kongpob didn't want to see any of it again. He turned around and ran towards his room, shutting it with the strongest force as he rushed to the bathroom inside the bedroom.
Kneeling in front of the toilet, his one hand over the toilet bowl while the other wrapped around his belly, he threw up everything he had that day. The smell of alcohol was still over his lips from Arthit kissing him. He felt like vomiting again and again with the smell lingering over him.
Gasping for air as he finished throwing up, leaning over the toilet bowl, his eyes red and puffy, cheeks stained with tears. He felt like a mess inside out.
"I'm sorry for hurting you," Kongpob sniffled, looking down at his belly. Caressing it as he felt movements inside him.
Kongpob sobbed, "P-Papa is sorry, baby boy."
Kongpob's eyes shot open as he heard a loud bang. Sitting straight on his bed he groaned when he started to feel his surroundings spin.
"Shit..." Kongpob grumbled, clutching his head. He shouldn't have sat up soo quickly.
He turned his head around when he heard the door to his room open. His eyes widened, he immediately stood up, his hand clutching over the nightstand so that he could stand up.
"P'Arthit," Kongpob gulped, coming face to face with his husband.
"Are you okay? I came to check on you but you weren't there when I woke up," the younger walked to the other side of the bed where Arthit was standing, trying to be as casual as possible.
When he woke up the next day after the huge chaos two days ago, he immediately went to check on Arthit. The living room had still looked like a mess from the latter's drinking the previous night. But Arthit wasn't there. Finding Arthit's shoe and car keys missing Kongpob had understood the latter had gone somewhere.
So he did his best to clean the living room but he kept getting short of breath, he felt too tired. But he managed to clean it up in the end.
For one whole day, the latter had just gone missing. And deep down Kongpob knew who he was with, but he didn't want to accept it.
He wanted to call and check on Arthit but he stopped himself from doing it. He was tired by this. Being the only one who's trying to make things right.
The next day when Kongpob woke up he found Arthit in the living room, all ready in his suit to go to work. They didn't even talk or dared to even glance at eachother. They were walking on shells around eachother.
And it stressed Kongpob out.
When he didn't find Arthit when he woke up today he thought the elder went to that person again. Or maybe to the company.
"I went to my lawyer."
"Huh?" Kongpob's eyebrows furrowed. He gulped feeling the blank stare on his face.
He was getting conscious of what was going through the elder's mind.
His hand kept caressing his belly, the small being inside him was the only source of support for him at the point.
"Take a look," Arthit's voice was cold. Devoid of any emotion, plain and blank. His hair was dishevelled, shirt wrinkled. It wasn't like Arthit Rojnapath.
Kongpob gulped, glancing between Arthit and the brown envelope in the elder's hand. With a shaky hand, he reached out for it. His lips quivering as he prayed this wasn't another of those agreements. They just got over those and was starting a peaceful life, trying to understand eachother.
Why now? He wanted to ask, but will he ever get an answer to that? Probably no.
As soon as his eyes landed on the bold letters at the top centre of the paper that he took out of the envelope, he felt as if he was getting out of breath. His eyes widened and disbelief washing over him. He started to tremble and felt dizzy.
"P'Arthit, you-you cannot do this!" Kongpob shouted, the part of the paper he held to, crumbling with his shaky fingers.
Arthit closed his eyes, jaws clenched."I can do this, that's exactly why am giving this to you."
"No! No! No!" Kongpob sobbed, shouting. He was about to tear the paper into pieces but Arthit immediately took it from his hands. Glaring at his way.
"Don't be selfish Kongpob! This is what I want! I don't want this to continue!" Arthit accused a finger towards his husband.
Kongpob gasped, tears sliding down his cheeks.
"We can work this out, P'Arthit! Divorce is not an option."
The younger pointed at the paper in Arthit's hold. His other hand wrapped around his abdomen, fear taking over him.
"Kongpob!" Arthit felt a flash of irritation wash over him. "Why can't you understand!? This is not working! All of this is bullshit!"
"How could you, P'Arthit!?" Kongpob shouted, his eyes red and hands clutched into a fist.
"Everything was turning fine between us! But why now!? Is it because of h-"
"Yes! It's because of Namtan!" Arthit turned his face away from Kongpob. He didn't want to look at him.
A stuttering intake of breath was heard from the younger male.
"She had left you, P'Arthit. She had hurt you in the past. How can you say that she won't hurt you again?" Kongpob bit his lips, trying to get the other to understand the situation.
"She came back, right? She came back for me, leaving her dream back there. It might be late but she did it, right? I still love her, she was the one who I was supposed to marry. Not you. But things happened." Arthit closed his eyes.
"I can't leave her again, Kongpob. Understand me, I can't do it. This is the best for us. Parting ways." Arthit turned around, with determined eyes staring at his husband's teary ones.
A bitter chuckle escaped Kongpob's lips. "Then you can leave me just like that, huh? Leave me who is the other father of your child! You can throw me away soo easily!?"
Arthit just stared at the younger male. Blank.
Kongpob sobbed, he was turning into a mess but he didn't care. He wanted to let it all out.
"What about the kisses we shared P'Arthit!? What about those lovely moments we shared!? The times you made love to me! Didn't that mean anything to you!?"
"It was all a mistake, Kongpob. We're a mistake."
The younger threw his hands in the air, letting out a silent scream as he ran his hand through his hair. He took a few steps towards Arthit, forcefully taking the other's hand in his.
"Kongpob! What the hell are you do-" Arthit gasped when his hands were placed over Kongpob's belly.
His lips parted, his eyes widened as he felt small, feather-light movement against his skin. It wasn't much but he could feel the fetal movements.
"How can you leave him, P'Arthit? H-How can you let him lose his other father? Are you that cruel? He needs us, P'Arthit. He's our son, our baby." Kongpob was crying, his face flushed red with all the pressure he was feeling. He felt as if someone was choking him, an unknown pull in his chest.
"I-I love you, P'Arthit."
Arthit gasped. Immediately pulling away from the younger male. He watched as a bitter smile form on the other's lips as he stepped away.
This was the first time one of them had said those three words. And Arthit doesn't know what he should be feeling now. This wasn't right.
"I don't know if I'll ever get a chance to say that again to you, P'Arthit. Now that I know your answer. So better say it when you can, right?" Kongpob wiped his tears.
His lips started to tremble while trying to hold his cries as he watched Arthit turn his back towards him. He covered his mouth, muffling his cries.
"I'm keeping this here," Arthit placed the paper on top of the compact cupboard near him.
"We have to wait for a year to get divorced. Trial period they say, I checked. You can have custody over the baby, you deserve that much."
Kongpob couldn't hold up anymore as he watched Arthit walk away from the room, closing the door. Leaving him to digest all that happened.
He didn't want to cry anymore but he didn't have control over it, tears just kept escaping from his burning eyes. With shaky hands, he reached out for his phone on the bed.
With his fingers trembling he took his time to dial his brother-in-law's number. Soft sobs left his lips as he waited for the call to get connected.
And when it was finally connected, hearing the happy voice of the other he broke down completely.
"P-P'Evin, can you please come pick me? I-I'll talk about it later. Please."
"Namtan, you have to listen to me." Arthit bit the inside of his cheek. Staring at the crying woman in front of him.
"How could you do this to me Arthit!? I came back to you! For us to start a new life and that son of a bitch came in between!"
"Namtan!" Arthit instantly glared at her. "Don't."
Namtan laughed mockingly. "Now you don't even let me talk bad about him! Just wow, Arthit! That man ruined our life!"
Arthit shook his head, feeling his chest tighten at the mention of Kongpob's name. Each and every time.
"He-he didn't, I ruined his life. And you left me alone, Namtan. I don't know why you suddenly changed your motive." Arthit looked down at his hands. Trying to end this on a good note.
"Seriously!? You're asking me that!? I came back for you, babe! I came back for you!" Namtan moved her chair closer, immediately reaching forward to cup Arthit's face in her palms.
"I love you, babe. I love you, I don't want that job anymore. I want to be with you, get married, carry your child and give you a perfect family. We can live the perfect life, Arthit."
The male just stared at Namtan, into those eyes which didn't captivate him anymore. Those eyes didn't hold as much emotions as his husband's did.
"I-I can't, Namtan. I-I just can't get him out of my mind. He's-He's soo precious, Namtan. And I'm an idiot to push him away. Every single time! I'm a bastard!" Arthit pushed Namtan hand from his face making the other glare at him.
"You are not a bastard, Arthit! You did the right thing! You love me! That's why you pushed him away!"
Arthit shook his head, refusing to digest any of what Namtan was saying.
He knows he's late, very late. Like each damn time, this happens. Why does his brain have to work like this!? He knows it's his fault.
They say you'll never know the value of someone's presence in your life until you lose them. Until that presence becomes a memory.
And Arthit can relate to it, soo much that if he gets a chance to rewrite his and his husband's destiny, he'll make it soo much less complicated.
A month.
For a month he tried to live without Kongpob. At first, it was easy. Namtan came over and started to live with him, two weeks it continued but later on Arthit just couldn't digest the fact that it was Namtan who was in his arms other than Kongpob, his husband.
That's it's Namtan everywhere in the house at the places he used to see Kongpob once. He didn't like it, he felt suffocating. Kongpob's face always rushed into his mind every time his eyes landed on each corner of the place he once called home.
It wasn't home anymore. It just felt like a shelter now.
Arthit couldn't take it anymore so he asked Namtan to move back to her apartment. That he can't see her around in his place. Namtan was fuming that day, cursing at him as she packed her bags and left the place after hours of fight.
Arthit drowned himself in drinks. He hadn't told his parents about it yet, they don't know anything about what was happening.
What hurt him more was the fact that whenever Achara calls him, she excitedly says about the conversations she had with Kongpob over the phone. Arthit didn't know whether he should cry or let a sigh of relief at the fact that Kongpob still tried to act that everything among them was the same as before. That they were on good terms.
Kongpob lied to Achara that he was staying at his parents' place for a week or so since he missed them and Arthit visits from time to time.
Achara had called him the day Kongpob told her about this and scolded him, saying he should stay at Kongpob's house, be there for his husband. He didn't know what to say so he just agreed to it.
Each day. Without Kongpob's laughter echoing the walls of their home, without the voice of him humming to songs or singing while in the shower or even while watching TV, without his silly tantrums. Arthit felt as if there was a huge hole in his chest.
His days became empty. No emotions, nothing to look up to. No Kongpob to welcome him with wide, innocent smiles as he comes back home.
Arthit knew he cannot wait anymore. He knows he doesn't deserve a second chance but he wanted to try. Try everything to gain back that trust. He knows he cannot stay away from Kongpob or their baby. The thoughts of their baby growing inside Kongpob always fills his thoughts. He'll apologize, do anything to get him back.
He knows now, that he loves Kongpob. He loves him. Soo much.
He was confused with everything. His ex returning and bringing back the feelings he had been trying to bury. With her love confessions and tears. She was the one with who he had pictured his future. And when she returned, his feelings started to mix up. And the first thought that came to his mind was to run away from Kongpob. That it was much complicated with him.
"No. I pushed him away because I'm an idiot who couldn't see his worth. Because I confused myself from the plans I had in mind with reality. I mixed up with expectations and reality. The reality was much easy to run away from, Namtan. But when you lose something, you'll know how much that meant to you. How much, unconsciously you've started to depend on it."
Arthit stood up, pulling his hand away from Namtan's.
"You're going to him?" Namtan clutched her fingers in a tight grip.
Arthit nodded, "Soon. I wanted closure between us. I'll meet him soon, try to win him. I just...wanted to prepare myself before meeting him again."
"I'm sorry, Namtan but this is what I want. I want to make things right. And I hope you find the one who's meant for you. What we have between us had already faded. Ask yourself, whether you love me or are you just trying to get me back to balance your life." Arthit gave a small smile before he turned away, walking towards the closed door of Namtan's apartment room.
"Arthit! Wait!" Namtan stood up.
"If Kongpob wasn't pregnant from the start, would there be any chance for us then?"
Arthit gulped, closing his eyes tight. He let out a deep sigh.
"Maybe, yes. But I love him too much to let him go now."
Namtan watched as Arthit walk away from her. Ending what they had. This can't be happening. She cannot lose Arthit like that. She had got a grip over him, she can't let him go.
Kongpob sighed, looking out into the bright afternoon sky. Caressing his belly as he leaned onto the recliner chair his sister and brother-in-law had bought for him as he started to live with them.
Evin had placed the recliner chair at the balcony in Kongpob's room as the younger male tended to stand at the balcony and gaze at the sky most of the time.
"Shh...there- there," Kongpob caressed his belly, trying to calm the little one inside. The baby has started to move a lot as he's entering the 26th week.
His baby boy has started to kick too. It isn't very strong but recognisable than last time.
"Papa loves you, baby boy. I wish the days can pass soon so that I can meet you." Kongpob smiled, looking down at his belly.
He had started this habit of talking to his baby. It felt weird for him at first but it just came out naturally. And he felt soo better talking like this. His baby was the only one who knew what he felt like inside. He's the only one who knows what Kongpob had gone through.
"Can Papa be strong, baby? Am I really capable of being so?" He bit his lips. Closing his eyes, letting the single drop of tear that whelmed up in the corner of his eyes fall.
He had promised himself that he won't cry over this again, that he won't cry over Arthit Rojnapath. But, how can he? When he loved that man too much that it hurts to let him go?
"Your Dad was soo happy to see you that day, I don't know what changed." The palm over his belly started to tremble.
On the day they got to know the gender of their baby, he and Arthit were over the moon. Seeing their baby on the monitor screen, and when Dr Ann said they were going to have a baby boy, the joy and happiness that washed over them was unexplainable.
Kongpob even saw Arthit's eyes whelm up with tears that the elder tried to hide. Those dimpled smiles on the elder's cheeks as he kept looking back and forth from the monitor to Kongpob's belly was priceless. And Kongpob treasured those memories now.
It was only a memory now.
"Kong."
Kongpob looked up, wiping his tears immediately as he put on a smile on his lips seeing his sister walk through the sliding door.
"P'Kik." Kongpob smiled when his sister hugged him from the side. Caressing his hair.
"There's someone who came to see you, Kong. She's waiting downstairs."
Kongpob frowned, "Me? Who is it?"
"She told me she's your friend. Told that she wanted to surprise you." Kik helped Kongpob stand up when the other started to push himself up from the chair.
"Did Noel come?" Kongpob asked as they walked inside.
Kik chuckled, "No. If he came you would have already seen him."
Kongpob smiled, shaking his head at the thought.
Noel had been a constant support to him ever since he came to know what happened between him and Arthit. The latter had tried to contact him for days after he left Arthit's place and genuinely speaking Kongpob didn't want to talk about it.
But when one day he accidentally accepted Noel's call the other had practically bombarded him with questions, asking if he was okay or whether he himself did something wrong that was making Kongpob stop talking to him.
In the end, Kongpob ended up telling what happened and Noel immediately went to his house. The latter had come to visit his parents' house when they were in university but Kongpob was surprised that he still remembered it.
His parents and sister were happy to see Noel, they let him talk to Kongpob. And Kongpob ended up pouring out all the emotions he had been building inside him in front of Noel.
You cannot talk about everything to your parents no matter how supportive and understanding they're. There are some things that better sit with sharing with a stranger than your parents.
Maya and Kerkkrai were soo angry and frustrated when they heard what happened between Kongpob and Arthit. Kongpob didn't say everything to the full detail, only crumbs of it, concluding it with the elder's decision to divorce him. Kongpob added that he had already signed the paper before he walked out of Arthit's place, forever.
Kik and Evin were beyond mad, ready to confront Arthit but Kongpob stopped them. He stopped his parents from reaching out to Achara and David too. He told that he didn't want them to know yet, he'll tell them when he's ready or when Arthit discloses about it to them.
He didn't want to hurt Achara and David, they were such good in-laws to him. Always caring and asking about his well being.
His best friend just listened to him talk about everything that has been muffled inside his mind, giving him silent support. In the end, telling him to do what 'he' feels is right. Telling him to prioritize himself and his baby.
Since then Noel visits him from time to time. The latter was busy with his own personal and work-related businesses, but still, Noel made time to visit him. And today Noel had messaged him telling he's coming over to meet him.
"Aw, you could have waited downstairs Khun," Kik's voice brought Kongpob back from his trance.
He was walking downstairs from his room to meet his guest. But now, looking at the person who stood at the middle of the stairs, just two steps below him, Kongpob could feel his heart beating fast.
"Khun Namtan, what are you doing here?" Kongpob's voice came out as a mere whisper but Namtan heard it loud enough, making her smirk.
"Aw, it's fine! I didn't want to bother him by coming down, he's pregnant...after all."
Namtan's eyes fell on Kongpob's belly and the younger immediately wrapped his hand over it, feeling conscious.
"Let's sit in the living room, we can talk there." Kik gave a polite smile, but Namtan just waved her hands off.
"I won't take much time, I just wanted to give this to you." Namtan took an envelope from her side bag and handed it to the younger male.
Kik watched with confusion as Kongpob took the envelope and tore it open.
She tried to peek in and see what was written there but her eyes were on Namtan, trying to get what she was trying to do. By the sight, it didn't look like Namtan was Kongpob's friend.
"No! What the hell is this!?" Kongpob shouted, startling Kik.
"Aw," Namtan glanced at the paper innocently. "Arthit asked me to give this to you. He doesn't want you anymore, nor this baby."
Kongpob glared at Namtan, his palm crumbling the paper in his hand. "I'll never abort my baby! Tell that to him! I have all rights over it!"
Namtan smirked, taking a step forward and Kongpob immediately moved away, walking past Kik and Namtan downstairs.
"But you're the one who signed that agreement!" Namtan shouted. Kik doesn't know what was happening but she immediately went near her brother, wrapping a hand over his shoulder.
"You're the one who signed the agreement stating you will give up on your child to Arthit after birth. But well, we just changed the clause of it. You're going to abort that baby inside you, it's a shame for Arthit."
Kongpob stopped in his tracks, turning around on the stair to look at Namtan. Does he even have to ask how she knew about the agreement?
"Shut up! Who are you to talk about Kongpob and Arthit like that!?" Kik was fuming as she stared at Namtan.
"Aw! I'm Arthit's girlfriend. And this baby inside him is a threat to our relationship!" Namtan pointed at Kongpob, scoffing at the sight of him.
"P'Arthit tore that agreement! You're lying to me!" His heart started to beat fast, and he felt drained out. His lips trembling in fear.
Namtan laughed, she took a few steps down, towards Kongpob but Kik blocked her from nearing towards her brother. Coming between both of them.
"Poor you to believe him! He had a copy of it already and you know money can do anything. Oh well, how can you know? A person like you from low class will never know that." Namtan laughed.
"Shut up you bitch! If you wanna talk, talk safely! Talk with respect! And this is not the place we should have this conversation at! At least consider that he's pregnant!" Kik placed her hand over Namtan's chest, pushing her away.
"Come Kong, let's get you to sit." Kik turned around, stepping two steps down.
Kongpob didn't know what was happening to him but the next thing he knew was his heart ready to jump out of his chest, his knees going weak making him stagger backwards.
"Kongpob!" Kik's eyes widened in horror. Immediately reaching out to hold his brother's hand but slipping away. Making her fall in the process too.
Kongpob gasped, a scream escaping his lips as he slipped on the stairs. His hands flew towards the sides to grab something but he fell over the stairs, rolling down the last few steps. His hands immediately clutched over his belly, protecting it from the hard impact.
Kongpob groaned as he rolled over the floor, gasping for air as he landed on his back. His forehead bleeding. He could feel something flowing down his thighs, the thought making him dizzy.
"Kongpob!"
He tried to look at the source of the voice, he saw Noel rush towards him from the front door. He felt his body being lifted, he could hear others' voices but everything felt like a flash. His vision started to blur.
"He's bleeding, Ma! He's bleeding!"
Those were the last words he heard before he passed out. Darkness taking over him.
"Hello, Mae?"
"Arthit! You have to come to the hospital immediately!"
Arthit's eyes widened, "Mae! What happened!? Did something happen to you or P-"
"It's Kongpob, Arthit! He fell down the stairs!"
Arthit gasped, his heartbeat rising as he registered the words his mother said. His grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"I-I'll be there soon." Arthit's stuttered. Hanging up on the call he immediately made a U-turn as he drove towards the hospital.
"Please-please," Arthit mumbled as he tried to reach the hospital as soon as possible.
He was supposed to go meet Kongpob today. Ask for forgiveness and try to earn his trust but he never thought that this will happen. He doesn't know what should be the feeling he should be going through now, he just felt numb. Unable to grab the situation he's in.
As soon as he reached the hospital he parked his car and immediately ran into the hospital. Gasping, he asked the receptionist about a patient named Kongpob and she immediately showed him the direction towards the ICU.
Arthit could feel himself panic, he felt wobbly on his legs and could feel his heart ready to jump out of his chest any moment by then. When he reached in front of the ICU, seeing Kongpob's mother and sister cry, he felt his chest tighten.
Achara was the one who noticed his presence and she immediately rushed towards him.
"Arthit, son!" She engulfed him in her arms. Letting her tears fall.
Arthit gulped when Kongpob's family's eyes fell on him. He could see that they were disturbed by his presence, the hate in their eyes and look of betrayal was setting his body of fire, as if he was been burned alive.
From Achara's reaction, he could guess that no one told her about what happened between him and Kongpob. In this situation, he doesn't know how he will handle it if Achara gets to know.
"M-Mae, how's he?" Arthit bit his lips, breaking their hug.
Achara sniffled, rubbing her tears away. "They aren't telling anything, Arthit. They asked us to pray and stay positive. It's been almost two hours."
"How did this ha-"
"Doctor!"
Arthit's head snapped towards the ICU door as he heard Kik shout. Soon everyone reached out towards Dr Ann who walked out of the ICU.
"Dr is he okay?! Kong and the baby are fine, right?" Maya immediately asked, trying to hold her tears.
Arthit just stood behind them. With lips trembling as he waited for Dr Ann to say something.
"I'm sorry," Dr Ann gulped, giving an apologetic look to everyone. Making sure she made eye contact with all, especially Arthit who was standing at the back.
"We couldn't save the baby. We tried our best."
Arthit closed his eyes tight, letting the tear that he tried to hold on roll down his cheeks. A soft sob escaping his lips as he heard cries escape from others' lips.
"Mr Rojnapath is stable, he's awake. We'll have to monitor him for a few hours before moving him to a room. And..." Dr Ann gazed at Arthit.
"He asked for Mr Arthit."
Arthit gulped, his hands trembling as he stared at the man who had his back faced towards him. Taking a deep breath he took a few steps forward.
"I'm surprised you're here."
A weak voice resonated in the room making Arthit stop in his steps.
"I wanted to know whether you came or not, that's why I told the doctor to ask for you."
"K-Kong," Arthit could feel his voice breaking, the sight of the other on the bed with wires attached to him was breaking him.
It was all his fault.
"Don't. Khun Arthit."
The elder bit his lips, the unfamiliar coldness of the other's voice piercing through him. He couldn't see the latter's face and he didn't dare to reach out to him too.
"Are you happy now?" Arthit's eyes widened when he heard a painful chuckle escape the younger's lips.
"Are you happy now that the baby is gone and you can live your life with your girlfriend without any guilt?"
"Kong, listen to me. I -"
"No. I had enough of listening to you. Now that the life that bonded both of us has gone, leave me alone. Don't ever come to search for me, it's guilt that is trapping us together, Khun Arthit. And I don't want that."
Tears rolled down Kongpob's eyes. He didn't want to see Arthit, he just wanted to hear that voice again for the last time before he leaves this man completely and forever.
"You can leave now. This is all that I wanted to talk to you. I wish you a happy life."
Silent tears rolled down from both of their eyes.
For different reasons.
Wiping his tears away Arthit walked out of the room. Despair taking over him, feeling a painful tug in his heart. He didn't flinch when his mother pounced on him as soon as he walked out of the ICU.
Her cries and shouting turning him even numb. His eyes were on the floor, not daring to look at anyone.
"How could you Arthit!? Is this how we raised you!? Is this how you repay us for supporting you always!? What did that boy do to you!? He never hurt you, Arthit! He always-always had been in your side!" Achara clutched onto his collar, shaking him as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Pain from both losing her grandson and what her son has done to Kongpob ripping her inside.
"All these days when I talked to him, he only assured me that you were a good person! That you both were working this out!" Achara sobbed, pushing her son away.
"How can I even look at his face again Arthit!? After all that you've done!" Achara sobbed, clutching her chest.
"I'm disappointed in you Arthit Rojnapath!"
Arthit bit his inner cheek, stopping himself from breaking down as he watched his mother walk away from him. He's disappointed in himself. He can never change the past but if he can he'll change what the future holds. He knows everyone is disappointed in him, but he'll try to gain their trust again. He can do that, right?
"Ah!" Arthit staggered backwards, hitting his back on the wall as he clutched his jaw. Hissing in pain he felt a piercing pain in his lips.
Dabbing his finger over his lips he saw the stain of blood over it. Gasping he looked up at Evin who was throwing daggers at him as he was being pulled back by Kik and Kerkkrai.
"I wouldn't be his brother if I don't do this! Fuck off from here Arthit! Never come back!" Evin shouted.
Arthit broke down, falling on his knees as he watched the family leave him alone. He promised himself that he'll make things right.
He'll try on everything to gain Kongpob back. He knows the younger is slipping away from him, far-far away. But he wanted to grab on to the last straw left. He'll never repeat the same mistakes that happened in the past. He doesn't want everything to be a memory again, the pain he felt was evidence of what he wanted.
He took a long time to realise it, too long that he lost his child, and he's losing the one person who truly loved him.
But it was too late. Too late to reach out now.
When he tried to visit Kongpob two days after, he was told that the patient was discharged but he had left something for him.
Arthit felt enervating at the moment, gruelling waves hitting him when reality crashed into his senses. Staring at the ring that the nurse placed on his hand he was breaking apart.
The wedding ring.
The ring that Kongpob always wore, unlike him. The ring that he would see glistening on the younger's beautiful slender fingers.
There's no future for them anymore. Kongpob had given up on them unlike in the past. And that was the last string that broke.
He was too late. Right?