Here All Along

chapter - 12

Win winced as i panned the phone's camera to my right ankle. It was bandaged and yet, he said he could imagine how much it must hurt.

"It's fine actually" i chuckled, "I'm glad at least this could convince mom at last."

He rolled his eyes.

"It would have been better if there was another way but yeah, i guess it's a relief she's finally going to be better."

"I'm sorry for freaking you out at midnight" i sighed, "i didn't know who else to call."

"You don't have to call anyone else when there's me" he said, shifting conveniently in his bed.

I smiled gratefully which he received with an easy nod of assurance.

"How long are you going to be in hospital?" He asked.

"About a week I guess. I'll ask mom when she returns. She's gone to bring my clothes and books."

He nodded and we went silent, smiling foolishly at each other before he laughed, saying i looked funny in the hospital gown. I couldn't agree more.

"How are things with Kavin?" I asked.

The shift in his expressions did not escape from my observation.

"Uh it's fine" he shrugged casually, "normal I guess."

"You fought again" I said.

It was not a question and he knew it.

"Twice this week" he admitted, "he wants me to apply for Bangkok universities because he's applying there too."

My heart raced fast as I heard him but I managed to keep the nonchalance of my face.

"So what's the problem?" I asked and he frowned, seemingly offended.

"I am applying for universities at Chirang" he said, "we discussed this, didn't we?"

I said that we did but also suggested him not to limit his opportunities. I was afraid he would feel obliged by our plan and jeopardise his career and relationship, both of which were young and fragile.

"What if i actually make it to a university at Bangkok?" He asked, "I want to be in Chirang with you."

This was one of the moments when selfishness would overpower me. I was not a saint, after all.

"Then tell Kavin to accept your decision" I said, instead of convincing him to change his own and save his relationship.

I wondered why did I do that after we cut the call. Soon, mom came and I stopped thinking about Win.

.
.
.
.

My graduation ceremony came with a flood of good news. Mom finally hired a lawyer (as her therapist suggested) after she and dad had a long, violent talk. Dad admitted to be sleeping with a nurse and mom admitted she'd been fool to not see it coming. They were going to divorce as they should have ages ago but better late than never. Since he had already moved to Bangkok, there were some timing issues regarding the proceedings but I was glad mom had full support from my grandparents and her therapist.

Secondly, Win's application to Chirang university was accepted and he was to move in the next month. He was officially an undergraduate now, my little boy who used to pee in his pants. I remember he cut the call when I said that and sulked for two days.

However, it cost him his first relationship and honestly, for two eighteen year olds, Kavin and Win handled the whole situation very maturely.

They would never work out, Kavin had said. For him, dating a boy was a testimony of his courage and self - acceptance. But being with a boy who was yet to open up about his sexual orientation was holding him back. Win saw that it was a valid point and promised to change himself but then the whole conflict over colleges happened and they agreed they were too young to dwell in the complexities of long distance relationships, as a result of which they broke up.

It was not one of the good news I mentioned about earlier but nonetheless, the news of his break up felt nice. Not that I told him so.

"Are you okay?" I asked him once when there was hardly a week left before his arrival to Chirang. The plan was that he'd stay with us for a few days until his university dorms opened and then, he'd move out.

I heard him breathing sharply on the other side of the otherworldly space that we were in, whenever we'd talk on phone.

"I don't know. You know how much I liked him."

I knew it, unfortunately.

"When did you see him last?"

I asked out of curiosity but immediately regretted when he spoke.

"Yesterday" he chuckled bitterly, "we met for a break up sex."

My fingers clawed on the phone tightly and I tried to find something to stare at outside the window.

"You don't have to give me all the details" I tried to joke weakly.

"But I never keep anything from you" he pointed out.

It was exactly the reason of my agony.

"Why don't you?" I asked.

"You want me to?"

I thought for a moment while my eyes traced the outline of the tall buildings standing against the night sky.

"No" I said honestly, "I do not want you to hide things from me."

...even if they caused me agony.

I could hear him grinning satisfactorily on the other side.

"Good. And you better not hide things from me too."

"I don't" I lied easily.

There were things that I needed to keep in the deepest parts of my mind where nobody could reach. Not even Win. Especially not Win.

"Anyways, I am soooo excited to see you againnnn" said he in his signature lyrical, sweet voice which would always work like a healing potion on the wounds of my heart.

I smiled, "I am so excited to see you again too."

It was getting difficult to live one more night without having Win say his goodnights to me in person. We two were finally going to unite but only as friends. Perhaps, i wondered, we were always fated to unite as two friends who loved each other more than just friends ever could and only one of them realised it.

But what could I do except stand firm on the promise I made to myself?

A promise that I will take whatever he gives.

We talked for some more time until he had to go for dinner and we cut the call.

That night, I slept in content, knowing that this town was about to feel alive again.

And so was I.

//End of part 2 //

A/n: not everyone having a hard time imagining win kavin together lol😂

Anyways, the part 3 of this au is perhaps the one with the most twists and turns. New characters are arriving. BrightWin's long distance friendship is coming to an end.

In Naurburi, they were kids. In Chirang, they will grow up together in the adulting shit now. In Naurburi, aunt Irin adored Bright. In Chirang, Bright's mom may or may not warm up to Win. And most importantly, now that they'll see each other almost daily, how are their dispositions going to be. Bright has been running away from his feelings till now. But it's a different thing when that person is literally living under the same roof, isn't it?

Also, someone asked if there's a Win's pov coming later. About that, I'm not giving any spoiler. But I'd suggest to read into his parts closely because there lies so much to know about his character. It's easy to see into B's perspective since this is his narrative but for understanding Win's side, rely on everything that he does or says. Something like that...

I'm so excited for your reactions to the chapters in part 3. How you liking it so far?