Always you (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 16: Friends' Intervention

As Pond and Phuwin worked to maintain the balance in their relationship amidst growing external pressures, their close friends, Winny and Fourth, began to notice the subtle signs of strain that had started to creep in. Both couples had been through their fair share of ups and downs, and Winny and Fourth knew how easy it was to let the demands of life overshadow what truly mattered. They decided it was time to step in and offer some support before things became more difficult for Pond and Phuwin.

One evening, Winny invited Pond and Phuwin over for dinner. It was a casual invitation, framed as just a simple get-together, but both Winny and Fourth had a plan in mind. They wanted to create a space where Pond and Phuwin could relax, unwind, and open up about what was really going on in their lives.

As the four of them sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and shared memories. But as the night went on, Winny noticed that Pond seemed quieter than usual, his mind elsewhere, while Phuwin's smile didn't quite reach his eyes. After dessert, when they were all sitting in the living room with cups of tea, Winny decided it was time to address the elephant in the room.

"So, how are you two really doing?" Winny asked, his tone gentle but direct. "We've all been so busy lately, and I know that can make it hard to stay connected."

Pond and Phuwin exchanged a glance, both of them sensing the concern behind Winny's question. Phuwin was the first to speak, his voice thoughtful. "We're doing our best," he said, choosing his words carefully. "But it's been challenging. Our work schedules have been pretty intense, and we've had to work hard to make time for each other."

Pond nodded in agreement. "It's just that sometimes it feels like there's so much going on that we barely have time to breathe, let alone really connect," he added, his voice tinged with frustration.

Fourth leaned forward, his expression sympathetic. "That's completely understandable," he said. "But it's important to remember that you're not alone in this. We've all been there, and it's okay to ask for help when things get tough."

Winny nodded, his gaze warm and encouraging. "We care about you both, and we want to make sure you're taking care of yourselves and each other. Maybe we can help lighten the load—whether that's taking some work off your plate, helping with errands, or even just making sure you have more time to spend together."

Phuwin and Pond were touched by their friends' offer. They had been so focused on keeping up with their responsibilities that they hadn't even considered asking for help. The realization that they didn't have to navigate everything on their own brought a sense of relief.

"Thank you," Phuwin said, his voice sincere. "We really appreciate that. It's easy to forget that we don't have to do it all ourselves."

Pond nodded, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. "You're right," he said. "We could definitely use some help, and it means a lot to know you're here for us."

With the ice broken, the conversation shifted to a more introspective tone. Winny and Fourth began sharing their own experiences of navigating the complexities of life while maintaining a strong relationship, offering practical advice and emotional support to Pond and Phuwin.

"I remember a time when Fourth and I were both so busy with work that we barely saw each other," Winny began, his tone reflective. "We were like ships passing in the night, and it started to take a toll on us. It wasn't until we sat down and really talked about what we were feeling that we realized we needed to make some changes."

Fourth nodded, picking up where Winny left off. "We made a point of setting aside time just for us, no matter how busy we were. Sometimes that meant saying no to other commitments, or even taking a day off work to spend together. It wasn't always easy, but it made a huge difference."