Against the Tide

Chapter 24: Ripples in the Water

The days following Daou’s encounter with Phayu were filled with an unspoken tension. Despite his attempts to keep things normal, Offroad could sense the strain in Daou’s demeanor. The city of Bangkok buzzed around them with its usual energy, but inside their cozy apartment, a storm was brewing.

Daou hadn’t yet decided whether he would meet Phayu to discuss their unresolved past. The thought of seeing Phayu again, of delving into the emotions he’d long buried, left him torn. He knew that talking to Phayu might provide closure, but he also feared the impact it could have on his relationship with Offroad.

One evening, after a long day at work, Daou came home to find Offroad cooking dinner. The smell of his favorite dish filled the air, and normally, it would’ve been a comforting sight. But tonight, Daou’s thoughts were elsewhere.

“Hey,” Offroad greeted him with a smile, but there was a hint of apprehension in his eyes. “How was your day?”

Daou forced a smile, walking over to the kitchen and wrapping his arms around Offroad from behind. “It was okay. Just a lot on my mind.”

Offroad leaned back into Daou’s embrace, enjoying the moment of closeness. “Want to talk about it?”

Daou hesitated. He knew he needed to be honest, but he didn’t want to burden Offroad with his internal conflict. “I’ve been thinking about Phayu,” he admitted quietly.

Offroad turned around to face him, his expression gentle but serious. “I figured you might be. Have you decided if you’re going to meet him?”

Daou let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. Part of me thinks I should, just to get it over with. But another part of me is worried about what it might stir up.”

Offroad nodded, understanding Daou’s dilemma. “It’s a tough situation, Daou. But whatever you decide, I’m here for you. We’ll get through this together.”

Daou felt a wave of gratitude for Offroad’s unwavering support. He knew how lucky he was to have someone who understood him so well. “Thank you,” Daou said softly. “I don’t want anything to come between us.”

Offroad smiled and kissed Daou gently on the lips. “Nothing will. I trust you, and I trust what we have. But if talking to Phayu will give you peace of mind, then I think you should do it.”

Daou nodded, feeling a bit more resolved. “Maybe you’re right. I’ll message him and set up a meeting. Just to get some closure.”

Offroad squeezed his hand, offering a reassuring smile. “Good. And if you need to talk about it afterward, I’ll be here.”

That night, after dinner, Daou sat down with his phone and stared at the message he had composed to Phayu. It was simple—just a request to meet at a nearby café. He hesitated for a moment, then hit send, feeling a mixture of anxiety and determination.

The next day, Daou received a reply from Phayu, agreeing to meet that evening. As the time approached, Daou’s nerves grew. He hadn’t seen Phayu in years, and he wasn’t sure what to expect. But he knew that this was something he needed to do, for both himself and his relationship with Offroad.

When Daou arrived at the café, Phayu was already there, sitting at a table by the window. He looked up as Daou walked in, a small smile playing on his lips. Daou took a deep breath and walked over, determined to face whatever was about to unfold.

“Daou,” Phayu greeted as Daou sat down. “Thank you for meeting me.”

Daou nodded, his expression guarded. “I thought it was best to talk, like you said. Get some closure.”

Phayu’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. “I know I brought up a lot of old memories when we ran into each other. I didn’t mean to make things difficult for you.”

Daou appreciated the sentiment, but he still felt a sense of unease. “It’s not your fault. I just… I’ve moved on, Phayu. I’m with someone else now, and I don’t want the past to interfere with that.”

Phayu looked down at his cup of tea, his fingers tracing the rim. “I understand. And I don’t want to cause problems for you and Offroad. But there’s something I need to tell you, something I’ve kept to myself for a long time.”

Daou’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected this, and suddenly, the air between them felt charged with anticipation. “What is it?”

Phayu looked up, his eyes filled with a vulnerability Daou hadn’t seen before. “When we were together, I wasn’t completely honest with you. There was something I was dealing with, something I didn’t know how to tell you.”

Daou’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Phayu took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage. “I found out I was pregnant just before we broke up. But I… I lost the baby. I didn’t know how to tell you then, and after we split, it felt too late. But I’ve carried that guilt with me ever since.”

Daou was stunned. The revelation hit him like a tidal wave, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to react. He had never imagined that Phayu had gone through something so profound without telling him.

“Phayu… I had no idea,” Daou finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m so sorry you went through that alone.”

Phayu nodded, tears welling up in his eyes. “It’s something I’ve tried to move past, but it’s been hard. I guess I just needed to tell you, to let go of that part of our past.”

Daou felt a mixture of emotions—sadness, guilt, and a deep empathy for Phayu’s pain. He reached across the table and took Phayu’s hand, offering what little comfort he could. “Thank you for telling me. I wish I could’ve been there for you.”

Phayu squeezed his hand, a tear slipping down his cheek. “I know. But it’s in the past now. I just needed you to know.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the revelation hanging between them. Daou realized that this conversation had given him the closure he needed, and perhaps it had done the same for Phayu.

“I think we both needed this,” Daou said softly. “To finally let go of the past.”

Phayu nodded, wiping away his tears. “I agree. I’m glad we talked, Daou.”

As they finished their conversation, Daou felt a sense of peace he hadn’t expected. The ghosts of his past had finally been laid to rest, and he could now move forward with Offroad without the shadow of what once was.

When Daou returned home that evening, Offroad was waiting for him, concern etched on his face. Daou walked over and hugged him tightly, feeling the warmth and security of his embrace.

“How did it go?” Offroad asked softly.

“It was tough,” Daou admitted, “but I think it was what I needed. We talked, and I feel like I can finally put the past behind me.”

Offroad pulled back slightly, looking into Daou’s eyes. “I’m glad, Daou. I’m here for you, whatever you need.”

Daou smiled, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for Offroad’s unwavering support. “Thank you. I couldn’t have gotten through this without you.”

As they sat together that night, Daou realized that their love had grown even stronger through this ordeal. With the past finally resolved, they were free to focus on their future—a future that Daou knew was bright with possibilities.