Self Rival • Completed

xlvii. the third wheel

Arthit left the hospital looking like it's the end of the world. All the way to his house, his posture was slumped and he was just dragging his feet to walk. He decided to walk to his house to think of everything happening to him as if he's in a drama. 

Half an hour walking around, with his feet aching and exhaustion running in his body, Arthit walked straight to his room ignoring his worried parents who had been waiting for him. 

"Oon, what happened? Knot called us and he told us something happened to Kongpob. What happened?"

"Can we not talk about it tonight, Mae?" Arthit sighed, a bit guilty, but he really didn't feel like explaining everything that happened to him tonight– from being worried about Kongpob to seeing him getting mistreated by his father and to Kaofang. "I'm sorry, I'll tell you all later but I'm so exhausted."

"I understand. Go take a rest."

/

Since then, Kaofang became a staple in Kongpob's life. Where Kongpob was, she's there as well but not in the same way it was in the past. She was no longer bothering him, technically, she wasn't. Kongpob had to take care of her. Now, she's his responsibility, as if his responsibilities weren't consuming enough.

Arthit sighed and paused to walk when he saw Kongpob and Kaofang strolling around during their lunch break. Arthit knew it would hurt him so much, he's already feeling a painful twist and grip in his chest, but he still had to see how happy Kaofang was with Kongpob. 

Kaofang was all smiles as she giddily told stories and asked things about the company as per her gestures and bright expressions.

Kongpob looked like he'd rather be set on fire than hear Kaofang's colorful stories but he still gave her a polite response– ranging from a small nod to a little smile– but most of the times, he looked very distracted.

"Arthit?" His friends called, worry visible in their eyes seeing Arthit being a martyr as he continued to look at the unfriendly sight. 

Arthit didn't respond and continued to stare hoping Kongpob would look at his way but when he did, Arthit felt sadder. 

As if Arthit's not hurting already, Kongpob turned the wheel chair to the other side when he caught sight of Arthit. Kongpob didn't even acknowledge him even with a nod. 

Arthit bit his lower lip and forced a smile on his face as he looked back at his friends, continuing to talk with them. "Let's go."

His friends, as always, pretended that he didn't pity him. "I'll treat you your pink milk," Bright offered. 

"I won't buy you your daily dose of chocolate."

Bright chuckled. "You really know me."

/

If Kaofang became a staple in Kongpob's life, the two also became very relevant in Arthit's life, they're like a painful sight Arthit cannot escape from. No matter where Arthit was, Kongpob and Kaofang were there taunting him. They're always there, although it's only Kaofang who's visibly happy, it's still painful to see. 

Like at the shop his friends usually frequented in. 

Arthit was focused on his food when his ears caught the sound of Kaofang's gleeful voice and Kongpob's irritated tone. Arthit quietly groaned to himself. 

His friends, seeing the shift in his expression quickly looked behind them and groaned as well. 

"We should just leave," Tutah.

Arthit shook his head. "We haven't eaten yet and I don't think they'll see us here. It's fine."

"Kaofang, we should pick another shop, they don't have available table-"