A Rose Amongst Thorns

Chapter Fourteen

"Achara, I want to break up."

Achara gasped and blinked several times at Kongpob.

"What did you just say?"

Kongpob bowed his head, sighed and repeated, "I want to break up."

Tears formed in her eyes as she tried to find the words, but her voice failed her. All she could do was shake her head in confusion. Kongpob reached out to her, but she slapped his hand away and stood up. He watched her walk to the kitchen and lean against the sink. Stunned, she didn't even bother to wipe her tears. Kongpob stayed on the couch with his head down and his hands folded in his lap.

"Why?"

Kongpob looked up went he heard her voice.

"What?"

"I asked you why. Why you do want to break up? I felt like over the last couple of months we were getting better. You made love to me Kongpob. Did that mean nothing to you?"

Kongpob reached for her hand and led her back to the couch. He looked at her and took a deep breath before he spoke.

"Achara, I love you. I have always loved you, but I've never loved you as a man should love a woman. The day you approached me in the canteen at uni, my mother had just let me know that my father was dying of cancer and I would need to step up to take over as head of the family. As my parents' only child, I had to carry on the Suthiluck name and all that it entails. I was young, and didn't want to disappoint my mother, so I accepted the first woman who came along. Unfortunately for you, I used you as a solution to a problem. I figured that if I could present you to my parents, they would approve, and things would be fine. I didn't love you immediately, but I thought the affection I had for you would suffice for a marriage. I was wrong. All I've done is make myself miserable and ruin your life in the process. I'm done hurting you and I'm done pretending. I need to live my life and I want to allow you to live yours as well. I'm so sorry Achara. I truly am. I won't ask for your forgiveness because I don't deserve it, but I just ask that you be happy and live a good life without me."

Hearing all that Kongpob had said, she put her hand on her still flat stomach and rubbed it. She wanted to tell Kongpob that he was about to be a father, but she didn't know how he would react. Would he be happy? Would he want the baby? She was heartbroken, but she now had another life that took precedence over her own. The baby needed her, so she would have to overcome her grief and endure.

Achara got up from the couch and headed upstairs to their bedroom. She took out a suitcase and began to pack. Kongpob followed soon after and stood in the doorway.

"What are you doing?"

"Packing. I am going to stay at my mother's house until I can find a place of my own. Once I do, I'll send for my things. If you could have everything packed up for me, I would appreciate it. I think after what you've said tonight, it's the least you can do. Don't you think?"

Achara tried to keep her voice even, but it dripped with sadness and disappointment.

"You don't have to leave tonight. Why don't you stay, and I'll go to a hotel?"

"You said you wanted me to live my life well, right? Well why wait? I'll start now. Without you."

She finished packing her bag and left the house without looking back.

He was napping on the couch when he heard a faint knock at the door. He grabbed his phone to see what time it was.

"9:00. Who could this be? I wasn't even supposed to be home tonight."

He opened the door to find her standing there in tears.

"Achara?"

"Phana."

"What...?"

She dropped her bag and fell into his arms. He held her close, stroking her hair and placed a kiss on her temple. Her tears broke way to sobs. He led her to an overstuffed chair and knelt in front of her, holding her face in his hands.

"Oh Phana. He broke up with me. We're over."

Phana wasn't sure how to feel. Over the last months, he and Achara had continued what they started, stealing moments whenever they could, making love. She felt guilty at first, but Kongpob's constant absence and his emotional neglect made it easier for her to move closer to Phana and further away from Kongpob. Phana had fallen in love with Achara, but despite the affection she had for him, she was clearly still in love with Kongpob. Now she was here in his arms and he was happy.

"Achara, I'm sorry."

"Are you Phana? Are you sorry? I know you've wanted this, but you know where my heart has been over these last months. I don't want to be a hypocrite. I still love Kongpob and I need things to work out, but I know deep down that they won't."

"Why do you need him Achara? He doesn't love you. I do. I can give you the life and the love you deserve. I am willing to give you all of me. You just have to give me a chance."

She placed her hand on his cheek and he covered her hand with his, while he leaned into her touch.

"Phana. My beautiful Phana. I know you love me, and I want to love you, but my heart is broken right now. There is someone else to consider, you know."

"Kongpob? He doesn't matter anymore."

"No. Not Kongpob."

She rubbed her stomach and looked at Phana. He watched her and saw a smile break out on her face.

"Are you...?"

She nodded slowly.

"I have to ask you. Is it mine?"

She hung her head and whispered.

"I don't know. Not long after we started seeing each other regularly, Kongpob and I made love. He didn't touch me again after that. It was only once, but the chance that the baby is his exists."

"I don't care. As far as I'm concerned, the baby is mine and I'm going to be his, or her, father."

"Phana you're living in la la land. Are you prepared to lose your best friend to gain a wife?"

"Yes. I lost Kongpob the minute we made love. I have always loved you. When you confessed to him in the canteen, my heart broke that day. I wanted to talk to you for two years before that, but I was scared."

Achara stared at Phana, unable to believe what she was hearing.

"What? Why? You were a campus moon, a heartthrob. Women are always throwing themselves at you. I'm honest with myself. I am not a beauty by any means. I was lucky to have Kongpob accept me."

Phana kissed her passionately until they pulled back to breathe.

"Don't speak that way about the mother of my child. I love you and as far as I'm concerned, you're the center of my universe. I may be a moon, but you are my world. Marry me Achara. Be my wife."

"Phana..."