Self Rival • Completed

xxxi. the hellfire

If Kongpob was already buried alive in his lies and pretentions, now, he's drowning in the hellfire of his lies before getting thrown in the ocean to be eaten by whale sharks and was resurrected to suffer in his lies. 

The reason was because he's currently eating with Arthit's parents who were both pampering him and had been nice to him since the moment he arrived. 

Kongpob didn't want to get to this point with Arthit still being hidden in the dark, not knowing that his boyfriend is a two-faced asshole. Kongpob didn't want to involve any other people especially Arthit's parents but he couldn't reject Arthit, now when the older asked him in earnest. 

"Kong?" 

"Yes, P'?"

"Would you," Arthit bowed his head and from his face, Kongpob could see he's having an internal battle. Then a few seconds later, he gave Kongpob a smile laced with fear. "Do you want to meet my parents?"

Fear that Kongpob's going to leave him again if Arthit asked him to take the next step in their relationship. Kongpob didn't have a plan on doing that anymore, he didn't want to take advantage of those times he's still with Arthit. In fact, he's maximizing the days he's with Arthit since he knew the older's going to do the leaving instead. 

However, Arthit took Kongpob's a few seconds of silence as a rejection so the older backtracked.

"It's fine if you didn't want to. I know this is a big step in a relationship and I didn't want to force you to meet them. Forget I said anything," Arthit smiled and turned to look to the other side. "I'll just tell them you're busy-"

"I'm going P'. I'll meet your parents." 

"Really?"

And the consequences he had to face and the fear he felt in involving Arthit's parents were all forgotten when Arthit smiled at him. 

"Yes P'. I'm glad you invited me and I'd be honored to meet them."

"Great because they've been asking me for you. They've been wanting to meet you since I mentioned you to them and they're annoying me everyday," Arthit reached for his hand. "Thank you for accepting my invitation," he caressed the back of Kongpob's hand. "You're not regretting it, are you?"

"No, P'. I'm all in with you in our relationship. I want this to happen too."

Kongpob didn't regret it at that time but now that he met Arthit's parents and they've been nice to him, Kongpob felt worse. No doubt that they're not going to talk to him once they learned the truth. 

No doubt they're going to protect Arthit from him just like Arthit's friends. 
He felt more painful twists in his chest when he realized Arthit's Mae cooked all his favorites. 

"Eat a lot, okay?" Mrs. Rojnapat told him with a soft smile. Kongpob held his tears and nodded. He hadn't remembered anymore what it felt like to have a mother because his Mae left them when he's only 5 but Mrs. Rojnapat made him feel that again. 

Kongpob felt a grip in his heart. He didn't deserve this kindness he's receiving because he's only deceiving them. 

"Kong, are you okay?" Arthit asked holding his hand upon seeing his expression. Arthit wouldn't understand of course since he knows Kong's mother is still alive. 

Kongpob nodded. "Yes, P'. I'm just really overwhelmed at all these foods... It's a lot." Arthit squeezed his hand.

"It's all for you, Kong. Arthit told us that you're a very hard-working kid so you deserve this," Mr. Rojnapat smiled at him, his eyes had the same kindness and softness his wife had. "If you suddenly crave for something, tell Arthit and we'll cook it for you."