Always you (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 4: Cracks in the Relationship

As the days turned into weeks, the tension between Pond and Phuwin continued to grow, leaving both of them feeling increasingly isolated in their own ways. Phuwin, who had always been open with his friends, found himself turning to them more and more as a source of comfort and guidance. He needed to talk to someone about the growing strain in his relationship, someone who could help him make sense of the confusion and fear that had taken root in his heart.

One afternoon, Phuwin met up with his close friend Winny at a quiet café. The two of them had been friends for years, and Phuwin knew he could trust Winny with anything. As they sipped their coffee, Phuwin hesitated, unsure of how to begin the conversation. He didn't want to paint Pond in a negative light, but he also couldn't keep pretending that everything was fine.

"I've been feeling... different lately," Phuwin began, his voice tentative as he tried to find the right words. "Things with Pond have been really tense, and I don't know how to handle it."

Winny looked at him with concern, his brow furrowing as he listened. "What's been going on?" he asked gently, giving Phuwin the space to open up.

Phuwin sighed, running a hand through his hair as he tried to articulate his thoughts. "Pond's been... possessive," he admitted, feeling a pang of guilt as he spoke the words aloud. "It's like he's always watching me, always questioning who I'm with or what I'm doing. I love him, but it's starting to feel suffocating."

Winny nodded, his expression serious. "That sounds really hard, Phuwin. Have you talked to him about how you're feeling?"

"I've tried," Phuwin replied, his voice heavy with frustration. "But every time I bring it up, he just gets defensive or brushes it off. I don't know how to get through to him."

Winny reached across the table and placed a comforting hand on Phuwin's. "You deserve to feel happy and free in your relationship," he said softly. "Maybe it's time to set some boundaries, to let him know that his behavior is hurting you."

Phuwin nodded, feeling a mix of relief and fear. He knew that Winny was right—something had to change—but the thought of confronting Pond filled him with anxiety. Still, he couldn't keep living like this, trapped in a relationship that was slowly unraveling.

As they continued to talk, Phuwin felt a weight lifting off his shoulders. Confiding in Winny helped him gain some clarity, and for the first time in weeks, he felt like he had a plan, a way forward. But little did he know, his attempt to seek advice would soon lead to an even bigger confrontation.

Unbeknownst to Phuwin, Pond had grown increasingly suspicious of his recent meetings with friends. The possessiveness that had been simmering beneath the surface now began to manifest as paranoia. Pond's mind was constantly racing, imagining scenarios where Phuwin might be slipping away from him, confiding in others about their relationship in ways that Pond couldn't control or monitor.

On the day Phuwin met with Winny, Pond decided to follow him. He knew it was wrong, that it was a violation of the trust they had built, but his fears overpowered his better judgment. He needed to know what Phuwin was saying about him, needed to hear for himself whether Phuwin was still committed to their relationship.

Pond arrived at the café shortly after Phuwin and Winny had sat down. He chose a table far enough away that he wouldn't be noticed, but close enough to catch snippets of their conversation. As he sat there, trying to remain inconspicuous, he could feel his heart pounding in his chest, the tension in his body building with each passing second.

It didn't take long for Pond to hear his name mentioned. Phuwin's voice, normally so calm and gentle, was tinged with frustration and sadness. Pond strained to hear every word, his mind racing to piece together the fragments of the conversation.