Always you (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 11: Living Apart

The first few days after Phuwin moved out were some of the hardest either of them had ever faced. The silence in the penthouse, once a sanctuary of their shared life, now felt oppressive to Pond. Every corner of the apartment reminded him of Phuwin—their laughter, their arguments, and the quiet moments they had spent together. The absence was a constant, gnawing ache, and Pond found himself struggling to adjust to this new reality.

Phuwin, on the other hand, moved in with a close friend who had offered him a spare room. The change of environment was jarring, but in some ways, it was also a relief. The distance from Pond allowed him the space to breathe, to think clearly without the constant undercurrent of tension that had marked their relationship in recent months. It was strange, though, to wake up in a bed that wasn't his own, to go about his day without the familiar rhythms of their life together.

In this new life apart, Phuwin threw himself into his work. His art became both a refuge and an outlet for the complex emotions swirling within him. He spent long hours in the studio, pouring his heart and soul into his projects, using creativity to process the pain and confusion of the separation. His friends, aware of the situation, rallied around him, offering support and encouragement. Their presence was a comfort, but it couldn't entirely fill the void that Pond had left behind.

Pond, meanwhile, struggled with the solitude. He continued his therapy sessions, now more determined than ever to confront the issues that had driven a wedge between him and Phuwin. His therapist helped him unpack the layers of fear and insecurity that had fueled his behavior, guiding him toward healthier ways of managing those emotions. But even as he made progress, there were moments when the loneliness threatened to overwhelm him.

Pond found himself reaching for his phone several times a day, tempted to text or call Phuwin just to hear his voice. But each time, he stopped himself, remembering the promise they had made to give each other space. It was a test of his resolve, a challenge to trust that this time apart was necessary, even though it hurt.

Phuwin, too, resisted the urge to reach out, though there were countless moments when he longed to hear from Pond. He missed the sound of his voice, the comfort of his presence, the way they had always been able to communicate without words. But he knew that they had made the right decision, that this time apart was giving them both the opportunity to grow and heal in ways they couldn't have done together.

As the days turned into weeks, Pond's struggle with the separation became more acute. He had always prided himself on being strong, on handling whatever life threw his way, but this was different. The absence of Phuwin wasn't just a gap in his daily routine—it was a constant reminder of his own shortcomings, of the ways he had failed to nurture their relationship. The emptiness of the penthouse seemed to mirror the emptiness he felt inside, and it was becoming harder to bear with each passing day.

Pond kept himself busy with work, trying to drown out the thoughts that plagued him. He attended meetings, met deadlines, and maintained the outward appearance of someone who had everything under control. But beneath the surface, he was struggling. His focus was scattered, his thoughts constantly drifting back to Phuwin, to the life they had shared and the life they were now living apart.

The nights were the hardest. Alone in the bed they had once shared, Pond found sleep elusive. He would lie awake for hours, staring at the ceiling, replaying their last conversation over and over in his mind. He kept wondering if they had made the right decision, if this time apart would bring them back together or drive them further apart. The uncertainty gnawed at him, feeding the anxiety that had always lurked in the background of his mind.

One night, unable to sleep, Pond got out of bed and wandered through the apartment, the quiet darkness amplifying his loneliness. He found himself in the living room, where he stopped in front of a framed photo of him and Phuwin. It was from a happier time, when they had taken a trip to the beach together, their smiles wide and carefree. Pond traced the outline of Phuwin's face with his finger, a wave of longing washing over him.