Always you (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 15: External Pressures

As Pond and Phuwin continued to build their life together, they faced a new set of challenges—this time from external pressures that neither of them had anticipated. Their relationship, though stronger and more resilient than ever, was about to be tested by the demands of their careers and social obligations, both of which began to intrude on the carefully cultivated balance they had worked so hard to achieve.

Pond had been offered a promotion at work, a position that came with increased responsibilities and a significant boost in status. It was an opportunity he had worked toward for years, and accepting it felt like the culmination of all his hard work. But with the promotion came long hours, frequent travel, and the pressure to perform at an even higher level. Pond found himself increasingly absorbed in his work, often bringing it home with him and spending late nights on his laptop, trying to keep up with the demands of his new role.

Phuwin, meanwhile, was experiencing a surge of success in his art career. A recent gallery show had attracted attention from influential critics and collectors, leading to a series of commissions and invitations to exhibit his work in prestigious venues. While Phuwin was thrilled by the recognition, the sudden influx of opportunities also brought its own set of challenges. He was constantly juggling deadlines, managing client expectations, and trying to keep up with the creative demands of his work.

The combination of their demanding schedules began to take a toll on their relationship. They found themselves spending less and less time together, their once leisurely dinners replaced by quick, distracted conversations as they both tried to keep up with their respective workloads. Weekends that had once been reserved for quality time together were now filled with meetings, work commitments, and social events that left them both feeling drained and disconnected.

Despite their best efforts to maintain the balance they had worked so hard to establish, the external pressures began to strain their relationship. Pond, who was already prone to anxiety, found himself increasingly stressed and irritable, snapping at Phuwin over small things and withdrawing into himself when the pressure became too much. Phuwin, who was usually calm and composed, began to feel overwhelmed by the demands of his career, struggling to find the time and energy to support Pond while also managing his own stress.

It wasn't long before the cracks in their relationship began to show. They argued more frequently, the tension between them simmering just below the surface. The easygoing camaraderie they had enjoyed for so long was replaced by a sense of frustration and distance, as if they were both trying to keep their heads above water in the midst of a storm.

One evening, after a particularly stressful day at work, Pond came home to find Phuwin deep in conversation on the phone with a client. Pond's frustration, already at a breaking point, spilled over. "Do you ever stop working?" he snapped, his voice harsher than he intended.

Phuwin looked up, startled by Pond's tone. He quickly ended the call, setting his phone down on the table. "What's going on, Pond?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "You've been on edge all week."

Pond sighed, running a hand through his hair as he tried to calm himself down. "I'm sorry, Phuwin," he said, his voice softer now. "It's just... everything feels like it's spiraling out of control. Work is overwhelming, and I feel like we're drifting apart."

Phuwin's heart ached at Pond's words. He had sensed the growing distance between them, but hearing Pond voice it aloud made it all the more real. "I've been feeling the same way," Phuwin admitted, his voice quiet. "It's like we're both so caught up in everything else that we're losing sight of what really matters."

The pressures from their careers were not the only challenges Pond and Phuwin faced. As their professional lives became more demanding, their social circles also expanded, bringing with them new dynamics that added to the strain. Social events, once a source of enjoyment and relaxation, began to feel like obligations—another item on a never-ending to-do list.