Sotus Short Stories

December Special 6-6 Ending

Kongpob

Being back home felt like a breath of fresh air. For the past year he had been able to truly breathe. He had worked hard and pushed himself so that he could come home to his sun earlier than expected. That had always been his plan. He hadn't planned a meeting with friends. He'd made a promise to himself that the person he would seek out first; other than his family, would be his P'Arthit. 

His parents had picked him up that morning. 

"So what are you planning to do?" His father questioned. 

"I've kept in touch with my friends. Wad says that Arthit went to visit his parents for the end of the year celebrations." 

"Are you planning on seeing him there?" His mother questioned. 

"What will you say to his parents?" His father questioned. 

"I'm not sure." He replied. But he was prepared to be hit, insulted, pushed away all from Arthit. He had hardened his heart just a bit and tried to mentally prepare. 

"When do you leave?" His mother questioned. 

"In about an hour. I should be there by this afternoon." Kongpob replied. His mother enveloped him in a hug. 

"You keep yourself safe. I know he loves you very much and will forgive you." His mother said to him. Nodding Kongpob heard the honk of the car letting him know that the driver was ready. 

"Call us as soon as things have settled." She said to him. He really didn't unpack but instead took his luggage. When he got in his car his thoughts remained on the man that he had missed so much. 

He wondered just how much Arthit had changed. Had he missed him? Did he hate him? Was there a possibility that he still loved him? That was what worried Kongpob the most. He knew that he had caused him a great amount of pain. Tears welled in his eyes and despite how much he had wanted to further his studies and do what he loved he would have never gone away if he knew this was what would happen. 

He continued to live in his mind for the duration of the trip. Part of him wondered, playing out scenarios that could happen. When he arrived at the Rojnapat household there was a wafting smell of home cooking. The air felt warm and he could hear plenty of laughter from the inside. He wondered if this was the warmth that had raised his P'Arthit. He imagined his smiles, running around as a child. Growing up here. With a deep breath, he walked towards the door and knocked. 

A man answered the door. The look in his eyes went from surprise to anger and at that moment Kongpob knew that this was his P'Arthit's father. He offered a polite wait to the man before speaking. 

"Is P'Arthit here? I would like to speak with him." The man scowled and before long the door had closed. Stunned for a second, Kongpob wondered if he should wait or knock again. In the end, the thought to wait. First five, then ten, fifteen minutes went by. Before he could even knock the door was opened once more. This time by a woman. Her face resembled his lover the most, with her fair skin, dark hair, and kind face. But it was those piercing eyes that Kongpob had loved from Arthit the most. 

"He's not here. He's on a date." There was a sinking feeling at the pit of his stomach and he felt as though the wind had been knocked out of him. 

"Date?" His voice was barely above a whisper. His heart began to race and he felt a level of uncertainty and insecurity more than he had been for the past couple of months. 

"I don't mean to be rude. And my husband... is protective of our son. Especially after how heartbroken he was when he went to visit you. He spent months preparing for that trip, making arrangements, and even took some lessons so that he would be able to speak the language when he went to visit you but you-"