Without You [KongpobArthit 18+] - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

*Kongpob's POV*
"The number you have dialed is unavailable."
Cursing, I hang up the phone and dial his number again. For the fifth time.
"The number you have dialed is—"
"Dammit!" I groan in frustration, ending the call. Why did I kick him out in the first place? I should've seized the opportunity while it was right in front of me to make amends and get my lover back. But instead, I had to mess everything up by leaving that stupid note.
I can't give up. I gave up two years ago and I'm not going to do it again. Being without Arthit is harder than keeping our relationship a secret. If he wants our relationship to be private, fine, I concede. I just need my Ai'Oon back.
Before I can dial his number for the sixth time, my father's number pops up on my screen. Frowning, I accept the call.
"Hello?" I start into the receiver. "Father?"
"Kongpob," my father's voice comes through the line, sounding tense. "You need to come home as soon as you can."
"What is it? Did something happen? Is mother hurt?"
"Your mother's fine. Just come home quickly."
Click.
I furrow my brows, staring at my phone as if it'll spill whatever secret my father is hiding. Sighing, I stuff my phone in my jeans pocket and head out to my car. Of all the days for my father to call me home, it just had to be today. I need to find Arthit, but I can't exactly ignore my family either.
Pulling up to my parents' house, I feel myself stiffen. There are two cars in front of their house that I don't recognize. Do they have guests? Is that why they needed me to come home? Unbuckling my seat belt, I climb out of the car and hesitantly approach the house. The door swings open two seconds after I knock, and my mother greets me with a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes.
"Kongpob," she says, smiling faintly. "You know you don't have to knock at this house."
"It's polite," I argue, and her smile briefly widens.
"Yes, well, come in. Everyone's waiting."
"Everyone?" I question, but I'm ignored as my mother ushers me to the living room. "Who's—"
The word gets caught in my throat when I see Arthit sitting on the couch, with his parents sitting perpendicular to him.
"Arthit," my voice is filled with surprise at the sight of Arthit and his family sitting in my parents' house. Arthit wrings his hands nervously, chewing on his bottom lip.
"Have a seat, son," my dad tells me, gesturing to the open spot next to Arthit. I cautiously sit down, carefully looking at all the faces in the room.
"What's going on?" I ask them.
"Arthit said he has something to tell all of us, but he wouldn't start without you here," my dad fills me in, and my head snaps to Arthit.
"What are you doing?" I whisper.
"Something I should've done a long time ago," Arthit murmurs back, sitting up straight. He takes my hand, causing confusion to fall over the room. "Kongpob and I have something to tell you all, that we should've told you long ago. But we didn't, because I was scared and didn't have enough faith. Now I do, at least I'm hoping that I do. Kongpob and I... are dating."
"I don't understand," Arthit's mother chimes in. "What do you mean you're dating?"
"We're in a relationship," Arthit answers as smoothly as he can, but I still detect a bit of shakiness in his voice. "Kongpob's my boyfriend."
Despite the tense situation we're in, I can't help but smile at that declaration. 'Kongpob's my boyfriend'. Arthit does want to get back together!
"For how long?" My dad inquires in a soft tone. "How long have the two of you been in this type of... relationship?"
"Since my freshman year of university," I answer, and their eyes widen.
"That long?" My mother asks, seeming hurt. "Why didn't you say something sooner? Why would you keep this from us?"
"That's my fault," Arthit quickly says. "Kongpob's wanted to tell you for years, but I always made him wait. I'm sorry, Kong, for not being strong enough to do this years ago. But I am now."
"Thank you, Arthit," I say, my voice nearly inaudible from the amount of emotions welling up in my throat.
"Two men," Arthit's father huffs gruffly. "How can two men be in a relationship?"
"The same way anyone can be in a relationship," I fire back, and he scoffs.
"Oh, is that so? Two men can't make a baby. Two men can't even get married in this country. How do you plan on having a relationship that's not recognized here?"
"Because we recognize it," Arthit cuts in. "Our relationship is about the two of us. If we have to wait until same-sex marriage is legal, then we'll wait. We're not going to break up over something like that. We love each other."
His mom's eyes light up. "You're in love?"
Arthit nods with a shy smile. "We are. Kongpob is the only person I've ever truly been in love with, and the only one I'll ever be in love with. I don't want anyone else. Just him."
By now, the tears are blurring my vision. I try blinking them away, but one stray tear slips down. Arthit smiles tenderly, using the soft pad of his thumb to wipe it away. I capture his hand, pressing a kiss to his palm.
"This may take some time getting used to..." my father starts slowly, "but I want to support my son. Kongpob, if this is what makes you happy, then I want you to be happy."
Relief floods my chest. "Thank you, dad."
"I can't accept this," Arthit's father grumbles. "You're our only child. Our family line depends on you getting married and having children. I won't support you giving it up for a man."
Arthit swallows thickly. "I understand. But I'm not giving Kongpob up. I made that mistake once, and I'm not doing it again."
His father glares at him before standing to his feet and marching out the door. His mother smiles weakly, cupping Arthit's cheek with one hand.
"I'll talk to him," she promises, and Arthit smiles.
"Thank you, mom."
She kisses her son's cheek before following her husband out the door. Once they're gone, I intertwine my fingers with Arthit's.
"Are you two sure about this?" My father checks.
I nod my head. "Positive. I've loved Arthit for years, and I'll never stop."
"We will do our best to support you," my mother promises. "But please give us some time to get used to the idea. This is all new for us."
"Of course," I instantly agree. "Thank you for being understanding."
My parents smile at us before leaving the room to give me and Arthit a chance to talk. Taking both of his hands on mine, I look at him seriously.
"What made you want to do that?" I ask quietly.
Arthit shrugs. "I had a talk with Prem. He helped me find the answers I was looking for. I knew if I wanted to get you back, I needed to prove that I have faith in our relationship. Are you upset?"
"Of course not," I shake my head. "I'm only worried about you. Your father didn't respond well."
"He'll get over it," Arthit insists, although sadness flickers in his eyes. Pulling him closer, I wrap my arms around him in a warm embrace.
"Thank you," I whisper as I bury my face in the crook of his neck. "Thank you."
Yay for our boys being so brave!!
I wish I could be as brave of them.