Over and Beyond: Drowning(#2)

chapter 21

Author's Note: Thanks for patiently waiting for the final chapter. Some of you might want to end the story in the last chapter but this is the coverall loose ends and give you guys what you may secretly crave. Please enjoy the final chapter to the Over and Beyond series. Don't forget to vote and check out my new story which should be out.

Chapter 21

P'Arthit and I made plans to see a movie that evening but when my phone rang and I saw that it was him, I knew he was going to cancel on me again. No problem, I told him, I understand. I wasn't just saying that. It has been a month since Anya was finally sentenced to seven years imprisonment. The whole court case— which Anya, as usual, didn't let us win easily with the help of a crook and efficient lawyer— was a trying experience for all of us.

When P'Arthit had to testify, I saw how much he struggled and I kept reminding myself how this was all my fault, how I brought it on us. We survived it and finally, Anya was gone from our lives.

After that battle was over and P'Arthit and I sat down and talked. He told me he couldn't trust me anymore, didn't know who I was— and honestly neither did I because I didn't think I was the type of person who would lie and deceive the person I love until I had to. We both needed time, but I told myself it didn't mean we had to be apart. We should stay connected as much as possible, so that was why even though P'Arthit withdrew from me I kept coming back, kept putting myself in front of him even though he didn't want me there.

Of course, that was not fair to P'Arthit, he wasn't withdrawing just to withdraw, he was also busy pursuing a promotion to director and he needed to focus. After making another plan that I knew would also end up being canceled, I turned off my phone and fell face flat on my bed.

Not long after, I heard a light as a feather knock on my door. "Yes?" I turned around and it was my mother standing at the open door. She smiled a little, cautiously, and said,

"Can I talk with you, Kongpob?"

I sat up and nodded. My mother has apologized to me so much this last month that I was worried it was yet another apology. I don't know how many times I have to tell her it wasn't her fault, nothing was. It was all mine.

"You've been looking a little down lately, Kong. Mom wants to know if you are okay."

"I'm fine, mom."

"Are you sure?"

I shook my head in confusion, "why are you asking mom?"

She came over and sat next to me on the bed, "your dad said that your work has been... a little sluggish as of late and I noticed you aren't eating so well either. Tell mom if something is upsetting you."

I exhaled. It was another one of my failures. I'm pretty sure I am not cut out for working in my father's company but I have been trying to do my best. Now with my life in shambles, I couldn't find the energy to put in as much effort as before.

"I'm thinking of quitting mom," I admitted.

She pulled in a breath and I could almost hear the series of words she would let loose to scold me. "... well, why? Is there something else you want to do?"

I looked at her in amazement, tilted my head back and said, "Who are you and what have you done with my mother?"

She laughed, "I'm being serious, Kongpob, don't laugh at mom's sincerity."

"No, I'm probably too old to be having this kind of crisis."

"Don't say that you are not too old for anything. If your life isn't moving in the right direction, you still have time to set it right. Don't let your mind make you give up so easily."