Self Rival • Completed

xlviii. the comeback

Arthit didn't have to think much of what Kaofang meant by not letting go of Kongpob and making sure she got to keep him when one day after almost 2 weeks after their friendly conversation at the park, Arthit received an email for a company's event inviting him to attend the C.O.O.'s engagement party with Kaofang.

He's sure every employee was invited and it wasn't done to taunt him because he saw Knot giving him a worried glance. 

"Oon..." 

Arthit mentally sighed. That tone again, he hated that specific tone. It's that tone of worry mixed with pity and Arthit always had to endure that since that disaster with Kongpob. Don't get Arthit wrong, he appreciated that his friends were always worried for him but that tone made him sadder than he already was, it made him more regretful of his choices. It made everything worse for him. 

His eye twitched in annoyance when he felt the other people in their department giving him pitiful looks. He hated this. 

"It's fine," Arthit slumped on his seat. "Do you think we can eat at a new shop? I feel like trying a new food." Not. 

Arthit just wanted to be away from Kaofang and Kongpob. Since he let the two join them, Kaofang always begged Kongpob to join them and Arthit's sure Kaofang knew how awkward it was for them with her. Back then, Arthit thought Kaofang didn't have a great comprehension to read the room but now he knew she's doing everything intentionally to hurt Arthit.

If he saw them again today, he knew she's just going to boast their engagement to him so Arthit needed to be away from them today. 

Knot nodded at him but he glared at his screen like he's ready to punch it into pieces. 

All day, Arthit was busy enduring everyone giving him a side look. They looked like they pity him, were sad for him, and were mocking him. Of course, they all knew he and Kongpob had something there now they just thought of him as the poor bitter ex who had to watch his ex's engagement party. 

Arthit didn't mind because they're right, he's that. Arthit didn't also join his friends in fear of still seeing Kaofang and Kongpob no matter how much he tried to escape from them.

At night, Arthit decided to stay at the rooftop for a while to calm himself before he went home and have his parents worry for him again. His parents are always worried for him. 

He also wanted to thoroughly think because he needed to move on. Arthit didn't know if he could still chase after Kongpob and do some thing about their situation like doing something straight out of a drama series. 

But the fate had a funny way of showing how to move on when he saw Kongpob leaning on the railing. Arthit's eyes widened and he quickly walked closer to Kongpob. 

"Don't," Arthit stared at Kongpob. "Whatever you want to do, don't do it."

Kongpob looked at Arthit and smiled. "Just trying to relax myself," To calm Arthit down, Kongpob stood a little away from the railing. "What are you doing here, Arthit?"

"It's P'Arthit," Kongpob looked at Arthit in shock. "What? You're the same age with Aim, right? He's my junior back in the college. That means you're also my junior so call me that... If you like."

Kongpob's smile widened. That honorific alone meant a lot for the both of them. It's  Arthit letting Kongpob earn his trust again. It's a sign that he's not that mad anymore. It's a sign that Arthit wasn't reminded of Kong when he heard that from Kongpob, he's not in pain anymore. 

"I will, P'Arthit," Kongpob returned to lean on the railing. Arthit did as well and he smiled at Kongpob. "What are you doing here? It's past your shift."