REMORSE (ENG)

chapter 2

"Arthit!" Shiena waved as Arthit just entered the door of the mall where they were about to meet. Arthit walked up to Shiena, and she hugged him tightly. 

"It's been a long time, Arthit!"

"How are you, Shiena?"

"I'm good. I didn't expect to feel at home here. I was skeptical at first when I was assigned to work so far away."

"Thank goodness."

"Alright, let's go find something to eat? The mall here isn't as big as the one in the city, but the food here is just as good."

It had been a long time since Arthit had seen Shiena. After graduating from university, Shiena immediately got a job that placed her far away, and they hadn't seen each other since. 

When Arthit was sent to this city for work, he immediately thought of Shiena and asked her to meet him.

Arthit and Shiena walked through the mall; they went to a restaurant recommended by Shiena, and the food was surprisingly good. Arthit's energy was instantly recharged after a long day at work.

After eating, Shiena asked Arthit to accompany her to buy a gift for her friend, Arthit just nodded and accompanied her. When they passed a bakery, the red velvet cake displayed in the showcase caught Shiena's attention. The girl pulled Arthit inside even though they had just finished eating. "There's always room in my stomach for dessert." she said.

"... can you believe it? He's really annoying, isn't he?" Shiena's babbling was interrupted when the waiter came with the order,

"Excuse me, your order."

"Thank you." Shiena replied without turning to the waiter.

"I don't know what should I do to make him believe me." 

After the waiter arrived, Arthit honestly doesn't listen to her babbling anymore. 

His gaze fell on a little boy walking behind the waiter. At first, Arthit thought the boy came with the waiter, but when the waiter left, the boy was still there, beside the dining table they were at. 

Shiena seemed unaware of the boy's presence as she was still busy talking, as did the little boy, who also seemed unaware of where his tiny feet were taking him.

Arthit followed the direction of the boy's gaze, which seemed to sparkle; it turned out that the little boy's gaze was drawn to the red velvet cake that had just been served. How adorable.

Arthit didn't see any adults around the little boy; did the boy get lost because he followed the cake? Arthit just chuckled. 

"Hey! What's so funny?! I'm getting pissed off!" Shiena complained.

"I'm sorry, Shiena. Actually, I've not been focusing on your story. You didn't realize there were other people at this table beside us?"

Shiena followed Arthit's gaze and was slightly surprised to find a little boy standing next to her. This child looked cute with round eyes, puffy cheeks, and a white stuffed bunny that he was holding.

Shiena, who said she was annoyed, was now smiling as she looked at the child, whose gaze never left the cake.

"Nong.." Shiena patted the boy's shoulder lightly. Because of the touch, the boy woke up and started glancing left and right, probably looking for his parent's whereabouts.

"Who did you come with? Where's your mom?" Shiena asked.

"Aunty, is that Aunty's cake?" The boy did not answer Shiena's question; his attention was not yet released from the cake, and Arthit was still chuckling at his cute behavior.

"Yes, you want some?" Arthit asked. 

The boy nodded enthusiastically. Shiena cut the cake into small portions and fed the boy gently.

"Emmh... delicious!" The boy smiled widely as he began to taste the flavor of the cake. 

His smile made his dimples appear. Arthit unconsciously reached out, intending to touch the boy's cheek, when someone suddenly came and picked up the boy.

"Arka, don't go carelessly. What if you get lost? Also, it is not good to disturb Aunty." 

That voice... 

Arthit didn't dare to look at the person who was speaking. Maybe he heard wrong; maybe it was just someone else who had a similar voice.

"Papa! Arka wants the cake that Aunty ordered!" 

So he's the boy's father. Thank God. Hopefully, the child's mother will come soon so that Arthit's prejudice will be proven wrong.

"We're sorry. Let me replace the cake."

Damn! Why did his voice sound so much like him? The tone was also similar. Arthit began to feel uneasy; he wanted to look at the face of the person in front of him, but his head felt very heavy.

"Oh.. you don't have to. I was the one who offered him."

"I'm so sorry for disturbing you."

Shit! Why didn't the child's mother come?

"It's okay. Nong is cute. I don't mind. In fact, I'd like to buy him a cake too."

"It's okay P', you don't have to. Thank you very much."

Damn! It looks like Arthit's hunch was right. Arthit would never forget the voice of the person he used to hear every day, who always bothered him every day. The voice of the person he hated so much, but also the voice that he missed.

Arthit boldly raised his face and looked at the owner of the voice,

"Kong..." He called out, and Arthit was a little surprised to hear his own voice, he didn't mean to say what was on his mind.

It turned out to be true. The person who was called now turned his attention to Arthit. As their eyes met, Arthit didn't know how to describe his feelings. 

He was ecstatic but, at the same time, also felt upset and angry.

The little boy who was now in Kongpob's arms.. the boy who was just chatting with him.. what was his name again? Ah Arka.. yes Arka.. is he...

"Eh? You guys knew each other?" Shiena's question made the two men take their eyes off each other.

"Papa know this uncle?"

Is there any chance that this kid...

Arthit was just about to open his mouth when Kongpob's next words silenced him.

"No honey, Papa doesn't know him."

His words really hurt Arthit. After all this time? After that person made his life a mess?

You can easily say you don't know me, Kongpob?

"Then we'll excuse ourselves. Sorry to disturb your meal once again."

Kongpob and Arka left. They really left. They left Arthit, again.

But on second thought, isn't this what Arthit wanted? Arthit should be happy, right? But why did he feel the opposite?

So.. does Kongpob hate him now? He must hate him; after what happened, there was no way Kongpob wouldn't hate him.

Unconsciously, a tear fell from the corner of Arthit's eye.