Sotus After Story

Chapter-13 Kongpob & Arthit

Kongpob
M was standing next to S and my father next to me. The discussion between us was still a secret that I couldn't dare to share with M, nor with Oak. It will be a secret until it was high time to announce something big. "Something big" that I've planned for so long. So long that I can't wait anymore.
We arrived four hours prior to his flight. He was finally leaving tonight. I could never guess how M felt, but he was still with S. Firmly holding his hand, supporting him with his greatest decision. My Dad seemed to overlook that, maybe, he was too concerned of S leaving that he didn't pay attention to that doubtful situation or maybe he was too cool to realize that it was okay for both of his son to be like that.
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I last talked with P'Arthit when I informed him about my Dad's consent. He didn't sound much excited, but I'm sure he was happy for us. Sometimes, it's just hard to get him. He's a little complicated & late in reaction. But that's okay with me as I'm used to such situation.
On our way back home from airport, I called P'Arthit. It's been two long days since we talked over the phone. He never called me again after that. I was too busy of my own to call him. Now that we both were out of touch, something didn't feel right.
All sorts of questions, especially, nasty & weird ones troubled me. "Was he alright?", "Did something happened to him?", "What could've happened?"

Allowing these questions bugging my mind would mean a mental torture. After dropping my Dad to his hotel, I got back to my condominium, there I parked my car and strode back to P'Arthit's condominium.
Unfortunately, his room was locked but idiotically I noticed it after knocking a couple of times.
"Where could he be?" I muttered under heavy breath.
He was not picking up my call, nor was he in his room. It did fret me. He was not the person to leave without at least informing me.
I couldn't think of anything else at that moment. I got back to my room with a helpless & miserable feeling storming inside me.
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I had to get back to office, starting from tomorrow. Or else, this 2days vacation could end up being a life time one.
In the evening, I got a call. I was busy typing the memorandum of my project when my phone beeped for once. Without taking a second I answered the oblivion number, which I assumed to be P'Arthit.
"P'-Where are you !!"
I said so fast that I couldn't take a breath in between it.
"Hey, Kongpob! It's me Bright."
"Oh P, I'm sorry....I thought.."
"It's okay, I called you tell you that Arthit has taken a few days off from the office."
It bothered me. There was not any reason to take off that too without telling me. Of course he has a life to decide of his own, but just letting me know won't have harm him. I always inform him in advance. In fact I take permission, I always did so. But why wouldn't he tell me something simple as that. Am I not important to him?
"Do you know the reason?"
I asked him to make sure what was wrong.
"Don't you know?"
"No P."
"Neither do I."
P Bright laughed.
"Thank you P for letting me know."
Then he cut the call.

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Arthit
Getting back to home was a nostalgic experience. Every step I took to get inside reminded me of my early memories that were built within the walls of this house.
Dad was still not well. He was discharged last night before I arrived here. Nobody was in the mood to talk. My dad was unconscious, while my mum remained mute like a dummy, & I wasn't capable of starting a conversation.
We only talked when she served the dinner. It didn't felt like before. She was barely eating, & I wasn't hungry at all. I just nibbled very small portions to serve my body . At least I needed to be strong to take care of my family in such a crisis.
Last night when I decided to leave, I could've only call Bright to seek for a few days off along with an application which I already sent to P'Max. I wanted to call Kongpob, but I didn't want to spoil his day by simply discussing a family problem. He was having his own happy & hard time with his family. He got back to his dad after so long & even S was leaving the very next day. So it could've been a burden on him. I didn't want him to worry about me.
"Arthit??"
Someone called me from back when I was lost in the dark night sky with just a few spare stars shining not so brightly as usual. I immediately recognized the voice to be of my mother. Finally, she called me. Finally, she remembered I'm his son Arthit. And I was alive.
"Yes."
I softly replied turning back to her, holding my tears from rolling down.
She seemed alright. It was hard, very hard, to judge my mother's expression as she was quite good at hiding her feelings. In fact, so good that she never felt the absence of her only son when his son was still missing her.
"I have something really important to discuss."
She added solemnly.
I was well aware of something very serious was about to be put forward but I stayed calm to learn what was it.
"Go forward."
I replied with a bit of fear covering my heart. After all she was not a person to discuss simple things.
"Get married!"
She said. Without pausing. Without adding anything with it. She just said to get married.
"You know I can't marry just anyone."
I don't know what was inside her mind. I replied what I felt right.
She took my hand in between her and looked at me full of hope as she added,
"I'll let you marry the person you like, but......"
"But what mom?"
I asked eagerly. Instantly, my world bloomed of flowers and my heart full of gaiety. But the word "but" stopped me from fantasizing any further.

I forgot to mention that my story was ranked #1 among the best Thai stories. I'm thankful to my readers who took out their precious time to read the story. Keep on voting and reading!! A lot more to go ! ❤️

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