Unplanned Marriage

Chapter 18

"Before we start, I'd like to welcome everyone that confirmed their visit and travelled such a long way for this little celebration. You were told this is an engagement party we're hosting, but that isn't completely true." Kongpob's dad appeared on the stage at the front, talking formally to the mic.

Arthit with Kongpob were standing nearby, waiting to be called and introduced. Although Arthit was confident a minute ago, his palms started sweating from the nerves. The adrenaline he'd experienced while protecting his husband was almost gone, slowly hitting back reality. What if I ruined Kong's only chance to get back with her? I might be his husband now, but a year later? He thought angrily, noting he has to apologize properly afterwards.

"P', calm down. You were great just now. We're going to do this." Kong whispered to his ear, leaning closely. Even he could sense the shivers and nervousness from Arthit.

"I said celebration because there's a lot to celebrate, indeed. I'd like to now officially announce that my son, Kongpob Prachaya, is no longer Prachaya." A light mutter started in the huge hall, but he continued speaking. "Let me introduce you the newlyweds, Kongpob and Arthit Perawat."  The father's arm stretched out towards their direction, gesturing them to come up.

Arthit's head spun, making him to grip onto Kong's arm tightly, unable to let go. The whole hall was now echoing with muttering and general confusion spread around. Journalists looked at each other, quickly snapping pictures of everything and everyone. 

Meanwhile, they both made it up on the stage, Arthit still holding tightly Kong's arm. All sounds and talks stopped, everyone eagerly waiting for some explanation and more details.

"Hello, my name is Kongpob Perawat." Kong bowed down with his palms pressed together. "I understand how sudden and unexpected this situation is, but I'm still bold enough to ask you for acceptance and understanding."

"I'm Arthit Perawat, Kongpob's husband." Arthit introduced himself, following pattern Kong has showed him.

"They will now answer all your questions before we proceed to entertain ourselves." Kong's dad stepped in again, giving an opportunity to surprised guests and media get information they carved so much.

"When did you get married?"

"How long have you been in a relationship?"

"Why did you choose to go with the name Perawat?"

"What happened to Mr. Arthit's face? Did you fight by any chance?"

"Why did you keep it hidden for so long? Was being in a heterosexual relationship only coverage for this one?"

So many questions started to strike from every corner, making it hard to understand. They've tried to answer them the best they could while keeping order and their politeness, quickly understanding the impossibility of the task.

"Is this marriage legit? It seems like a prank!" Someone shouted over all the noise. Everyone got quiet, desperately waiting for an answer. Nobody had the guts to ask that, although everyone in the huge room thought the same. Was it real?

"Yes, we're registered partners. Would you like to see our marriage certificate as an evidence?" Kongpob asked calmly, expecting this kind of question to pop up.

"What if it isn't enough? Do you really love each other?" Who is asking all those questions? Arthit thought annoyed, searching in the huge crowd formed around them. He couldn't spot the person and nor could Kong, also trying to discover the problematic element.

Jane appeared in his mind, but it was a male's voice.

"Yes, we would not be married otherwise." Arthit answered this time, desperately wanting to move on. He would rather answer the question about his bruise than this. Nobody could confirm the truthfulness of their love-relationship. Even Kongpob's dad didn't step in this time, having his own doubts and waiting for the newlyweds to solve it on their own.

"Prove it." Somebody else, woman's voice, suggested.

"I'm not really sure what do you expect from us." Kongpob said feeling hopeless. This wasn't going in the direction he wished to. He had prepared a story about them meeting, getting together, details about pretending their heterosexual relationships, reasons for their secret and sudden marriage.

Arthit's brain was working at 200%. Kong was right, people weren't nice nor understanding as he imagined. He had to do something before ruining it all. An idea came to his mind that absolutely terrified him. Is the situation this hopeless? Should I use that trump card already?

Before having a chance to act up, Kongpob took over.

"We came here under impression to enjoy ourselves, share our happiness and luck. Having our love questioned wasn't on the list of things I was expecting. If all you can do is doubt us after we've taken the courage to speak up, you have your answer why has it taken so long to us to open. Anyone who's here, doubting us, you may leave. This is a wrong place for you to be, since I love my husband from the bottom of my heart. I love you, P'Arthit." Kong turned to Arthit, who was currently heating up and blushing.

The guilty atmosphere spreading around was so thick you would be able to cut it. Everyone felt so ashamed and regretful, including Kongpob's parents.

Only Arthit was still blushing, thanking god Kong has reacted faster than him. He'd just dodged of a disaster he decided to avoid at all cost.

"Since nobody seems to have any more questions, let's proceed with the celebrations." Kongpob's father finally appeared to save them.

"Stay close to me." Kong whispered to Arthit as they mixed in the crowd, holding his hand.

"I would even without you telling me." Arthit whispered back, parting their fingers together.

Time to act like a lovely couple. Kong thought determined, feeling the situation getting out of his hands. This wasn't the right time for reality to hit him.

When he felt Arthit's gesture and movement, his body relaxed a bit.

He wasn't alone.

I'm so tired 😴 damn, yet again sacrificing my sleep for you. I'm not happy about this chapter. Nothing much has happened, but the story cannot be only exciting. I always surprise myself when I write, changing everything at the last second, yet it still makes perfect sense. I feel like I'm also just a reader, not an author. 😂

Thank you for your constant support ❤️