𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐞

Episode 33

Joong woke up that morning, a vibrant melody humming in his chest. Today was the day. The day he'd take Dunk on a date, finally proving his sincerity. He'd meticulously planned every detail, from the perfect bouquet of lilies to the scenic picnic spot overlooking the lake.

He dressed with care, a nervous flutter in his stomach. Grabbing the flowers, he hopped into his sleek Ferrari, excitement thrumming through him. Arriving at Dunk's dorm, he parked and dialed Dunk's number.

The phone rang, once, twice, then died into a voicemail. Frowning, Joong dialed again, the same result. He spotted Ethan strolling out of the building and flagged him down.

"Hey, Ethan," Joong called out. "Is Dunk awake?"

Ethan stopped, scratching his head. "Uh, no. Actually, neither Phuwin nor Dunk are in their room. No one saw them leave, and they haven't returned calls."

Joong's smile faltered. A knot of unease tightened in his stomach. "They didn't say where they were going?"

Ethan shook his head. "Nope."

With a murmured goodbye, Ethan hurried off to class, leaving Joong feeling lost. Where could Dunk have gone? Joong decided to wait, clinging to the memory of Dunk's promise for a date. There was no way Dunk would stand him up, right?

Hours crawled by. The cheerful morning sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the campus. Joong remained glued to the spot, a statue of unwavering hope. Yet, as dusk settled in, a wave of despair washed over him.

Elijah and Roy, his friends, found him in the twilight, their faces etched with concern.

"Joong," Elijah said gently, "This is enough. Come on, let's go back to the dorm. You've been standing here all day."

Joong, his voice hollow, started to stammer, "But… he promised…"

Roy, his voice firm, interjected. "Joong, maybe he doesn't feel the same way. Maybe this is his way of… rejecting you."

Joong felt a tear roll down his cheek. Roy's words stung, but a part of him couldn't help but agree. Was this all a cruel joke?

Dejected, he allowed his friends to take him back to their dorm. The weight of rejection settled upon him like a heavy cloak. Back in his room, the pain threatened to consume him. He reached for a bottle, the bitter sting of alcohol a temporary balm.

His friends, Elijah, Victoria, Natalie, Roy, and Marcus, surrounded him, concern etched on their faces. They tried to pull him back from the brink, but Steve, the quiet one of the group, stepped in.

"Let him," Steve said softly. "He needs this. He needs to feel it all. But know this, Joong," he continued, his voice firm, "we're here for you. Through thick and thin. And when you're ready to pick yourself up, we'll be right beside you."

As the liquor burned its way down his throat, Joong's thoughts swirled. He choked back a sob, muttering through tear-filled eyes, "I hate you, Dunk." The words tasted like ashes in his mouth, but for now, they were the only solace he could find.
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Meanwhile~

At the university, Pond squared his shoulders, rehearsing his apology in his head. He'd promised himself to fix things with Naomi, to clear the path for a future with Phuwin. With a deep breath, he parked his Lamborghini in the familiar spot and strode towards the hallway.

There she was, Naomi, surrounded by her friends, her laughter echoing down the hall. As she spotted him, her smile widened. "Pond, babe!" she chirped, rushing towards him. "Good morning!"

He offered a strained smile. "Naomi, hey. Can we talk… privately?"

Her smile faltered slightly, but she nodded, following him towards the deserted canteen. They settled at a secluded table, Naomi's playful demeanor tinged with a hint of curiosity.

Pond took a deep breath. "Naomi," he began, his voice laced with a nervousness he hated, "I… I think we should break up."

Naomi's eyes widened, a flicker of hurt crossing her features. "Break up? But… why?"

Pond hesitated, then blurted out, "I just… I don't feel the same way about you anymore. It's not fair to lead you on."

A tremor ran through Naomi's voice. "Can't we work on it, Pond? I… I really like you. I'll do anything…"

Pond's heart ached for her, but he knew he had to be honest. "I'm sorry, Naomi," he said gently, his voice firm. "It's over."

He rose from the table, leaving Naomi staring after him, tears welling in her eyes. He didn't turn back, the weight of his decision heavy on his chest. Finally, a sliver of hope flickered within him. Now that things were clear with Naomi, maybe Phuwin could finally see things his way.

The rest of the day was a blur. He attended his classes, but Phuwin's absence loomed large. After the final bell, he cornered Emily. "Hey, have you seen Phuwin or Dunk today?"

Emily shook her head, her brow furrowed. "No, not since yesterday morning. They just left and haven't come back. I tried calling them, but no answer."

A knot of worry tightened in Pond's stomach. Where could they have gone? Disappointment gnawed at him. He raced back to their dorm, hoping to find Phuwin there, but the room remained empty.

Defeated, he slumped into his dorm room, only to find his friends gathered there, their faces etched with concern. And then he saw him – Joong, sprawled on the couch, a half-empty bottle of liquor clutched in his hand, his eyes red-rimmed and glassy.

"What the…" Pond started, then Steve stepped forward, his voice low. "He's been like this since he waited for Dunk all day. Didn't eat, didn't drink water, just… waited."

Joong's head snapped up at the mention of Dunk's name. He fumbled with the bottle, sending it crashing against the floor. "Don't!" he slurred, his voice thick with anger. "No one says his name!"

Pond stared at his brother, a surge of anger mirroring Joong's own rising within him. He understood Joong's pain, the sting of rejection. But Phuwin running away from the problem, choosing silence over communication… it wasn't fair.

He grabbed a beer from the fridge, frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Yeah, Joong's right," he muttered, taking a swig. "These… these lowlifes…" He choked on the words, his voice laced with bitterness.

"Lowlifes?" Joong echoed, his voice rising. "They're not lowlifes, Pond! You just… you never understood!"

Pond slammed the beer can down on the table, his anger boiling over. "Understood what, Joong? Huh? That they can just walk all over us and we're supposed to take it? They don't even have the decency to talk things through!"

Joong let out a derisive laugh. "Talk? You think they care about talking, Pond? They just… they play with our feelings and then run away when things get tough!"

The room crackled with tension. Their friends exchanged worried glances, unsure how to intervene. Both brothers, fueled by alcohol and hurt, clung to their justifications, oblivious to the pain they were inflicting on each other.

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