Sotus: For One Last Time

Calling the Parents

KongPob POV

Friday 6:00pm

Nervously bouncing my leg up and down, P tries to calm me by placing his hand on my thigh.

Ding...Ding....Ding.

"Kong!" Mae says in a rush " I haven't heard from you since Tuesday afternoon. Do you know how worried I was getting? Bless Aim for keeping me updated on your condition. How are you feeling?"

"Sorry Mae, I am fine, don't worry. The last couple of days have just been crazy with me trying to catch up with my missed classes and also keeping up with my lab duties with Dr. Lydia" I answer her. "Pa also called. Give me one sec, I'll add him"

I then dial and call up my Pa who answers after two rings "Kong! You finally called back. Do you know how worried I was, hearing you were sick from Oak's dad." he complains in a brooding voice.

"Sorry, Pa. I am feeling better now, don't worry. By the way, mom is on the line." I add,

"Prija" he says testily.

"Aat" she greets, just as cold.

In the awkward, terrible silence that unfolds like always, while meeting P'Arthit's gaze, I nervously say "The reason I actually called the both of you right now is because...there's something important I need to tell you..."

"Oh god" Mae says.

"Nothing good ever happens when you start a phrase like that in that tone" dad adds

"I can't stand you or anything you say, but god forbid, you're right" mae adds to my incredulousness. "The last time he said that was three years ago when he attended that who knows what program in Austria. You still don't want to tell us what you were doing there, Kong?"

With P looking at me questionably, I stay silent, shaking my head, knowing that conversation is not for today...hopefully...not for a longtime...maybe... not even ever.

"I need a drink" Pa says at my silence followed by my sigh, and we can hear him actually get up and grab a bottle of liquid, which is promptly poured into a cup. After swallowing whatever it is down, "So...what is it? Go ahead" he says.

Inhaling, I open my mouth to try to formulate a response but nothing comes out. I just breathe into the phone.

"Oh god. What did you do?" Mae asks at my nervousness. "Actually STOP! Don't answer that, don't say anything...Aat, were you invited to the meeting in two weeks?"

"As a matter of fact yes. What a good idea!" Pa says, feeling suddenly better.

"Kong, in two weeks, there's going to be an important conference held at your school and we'll both be coming over. Since whatever it is seems so important, I rather we do this face to face, can it wait?" Mae asks.

Looking at P' Arthit, he nods at me.

"Okay, sounds good" I answer also in relief although I know that it's temporary. Suddenly, a scary thought surfaces "Wait dad! Will grandmother and grandfather attend?" I ask.

"It's a really important meeting not only affecting our companies but our entire nation, so yes they'll attend. And actually, Prija, we didn't talk about this but I think it's especially important for Kong to attend, no matter what he decides to do in the future"

Agreeing, Mae says "I'll take care of his invitation. It's the Saturday in two weeks Kong, make sure to clear your schedule"

To my earlier question, dad says "But don't worry about your grandparents, Kong. I'll make sure that whatever you say stays between us for as long as you need it"