We are...คือเรารักกัน (We are... we are in love)

Chapter 69: For You, For Love, For Us

[*This chapter hasn't been proofread.]

I hardly realized when I entered the room or how I ended up standing in front of Phum's parents. I can't even remember carrying all these things, feeling my fingers swollen and bloodied. My mind was racing, desperately searching for an explanation to answer the question of why I was in Phum's room at such a late hour. Seeing the bedroom door slightly ajar made me even more terrified, making me feel completely powerless. And just before I lost control, the man standing beside me brought my senses back. Phum gently tapped my back to let me know that I still had him here, by my side.

I looked up at Phum and tried to smile at him, but he was already gazing down at me. He offered a faint smile, even though his expression when he opened the door to face his parents was no less shocked than mine. But now Phum looked calm, his back straight like a mountain standing tall and steady.

"Don't walk with your head down. Don't slouch your shoulders. Keep your body upright. Good things will come when you walk with dignity. My grandpa used to tell me this."

I took a deep breath and held myself upright when I thought of the words Phum had told me. They actually help to make me feel better. Maybe his parents were just visiting, perhaps they missed him and came to surprise him without prior notice. I reassured myself in that way, despite the overwhelming fear in my heart and the almost non-existent chances of that being true.

"Good evening, Khun Por, Khun Mae." I said, bowing despite my arms still full and my chest tight.
I clenched my lips when only his mother returned the bow. His father's indifferent demeanor almost made me lose my strength to stand. His silence felt like a warning that what I feared was very close.

"Where have you two been, kids?" his mother asked in a shaky voice, offering me a warm smile. Seeing her caring smile gave me a slight sense of relief.

I decided to put the things down so Phum could talk to his parents. I didn't think much of his father not returning the bow; maybe he hadn't noticed. I placed everything on the dining table before preparing cold water for his parents.

I stood still, trying to calm myself down, trying to control my shaking. I secretly peeked out to observe the family. From this angle, I could only able to see the side of Phum. Seeing my beloved, suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind, "Why did I let Phum sit there alone? Why am I so cowardly that I ran away and left him to face an impending problem on his own?" It was a thought that gave me the courage to face what was happening.

We had promised each other that no matter what happened, we would hold hands and stay by each other's side.

"Phum went shopping with Peem. Mae and Por, why didn't you tell me before you came?" Phum asked his parents before turning to look at me as I brought out the water.

"Khun Por, Khun Mae, here's the water." I placed it in the table then sat down next to Phum. I cold feel his father's gaze on my every move.

"I have something important to discuss with you." Phum's father said.

At those words, Phum and I immediately locked eyes. The deep, dark eyes of his shook, just like mine.

His father's calm tone matched the neutrality in his face, which showed no emotion. Meanwhile, his mother looked back and forth between her son and husband, unsure what to do. Yet, she still smiled at me, although it seemed like she was about to cry at any moment. The feeling of dread I had feared all along grew stronger, shattering the confidence I had just built in an instant.

"Uh, then... I'll... I'll excuse myself..." I stammered, not sure if I should speak, walk, or where I should stand. I didn't even know which corner of the room I should be in.