SOTUS 143

Chapter 3 FB: Time

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The sun had already set and the moon was rising when Kongpob finished his exam in Macroeconomics. Looking at his phone, he saw that Arthit left a message for him.

"Kong, I need you."

Kongpob smiled.

To be fair, he thought that this was just Arthit's way of being sweet to him. Little did he know that this was Arthit's call for help.

"I need you too P'Arthit" Kongpob replied.

Waiting on the other line was Arthit. Once he saw that Kongpob replied to him, he quickly called his boyfriend to break the unfortunate news to him.

"Hello P'Arthit. How are you?" Kongpob greeted.

"Kong..." Arthit said with softness in his voice.

At that point Kongpob knew that the message earlier was not about Arthit being sweet. That voice calling him by his name felt emotional.

"P'Arthit, what's wrong?"

"Kongpob, my mom passed away."

At the mention of those words, Arthit burst out into tears.

"P'Arthit..." Kongpob was taken by surprise by Arthit's heartbreaking news.

For a few moments, Arthit's cry took over their conversation.

Kongpob for the first time didn't know what to say. He was fortunate enough to not have experienced yet the loss of a parent. He cannot imagine what Arthit was going through and that inability to empathize left him speechless.

"I need you Kongpob." Arthit struggled to complete the sentence, needing to say the words in between sobs. He needed Kongpob, needed him badly.

"I'm sorry P'Arthit, I don't know what to say. I love you so much."

Kongpob was at the verge of tears. It pained him to hear Arthit hurting. And it pained him even more that he was not beside him while going through this ordeal.

"I love you too Kong. Sorry if I don't say it everyday." Arthit said, still crying. This was him feeling sorry for not having said "I love you" enough to his mom.

"I feel it P'Arthit. And I know your mom knows it too." Kongpob knew exactly what Arthit was alluding to.

"Do you think so?" Arthit asked. He needed to be assured that his mother knew that he loved her even in her last moments.

"Yes P'Arthit. Where are you right now? Is there someone with you?" If he can't be, at least someone should be there with Arthit.

"I'm at the hospital. My dad is working on the papers, so we can take mom home." Going back to his hometown, Arthit went straight to the hospital to meet up with his father.

"P'Arthit..."

"Yes Kongpob?"

"Sorry I can't be there with you right now." Kongpob apologized.

"It's okay Kongpob. Sorry to disturb you. How are your exams?" Arthit knew Kongpob was taking his exams but he just needed to hear Kongpob, hear his voice that always puts the calm into him.

"P'Arthit, please don't be sorry. Thank you for letting me know."

"I miss you." Arthit deafitingly said. He knew he wouldn't be able to see Kongpob for quite a while.

"P' Arthit. I'll always be here for you."

"Kongpob, go back to studying." Arthit ordered Kongpob.