The secret of our true love between us and everything in the middle

Chapter 28

    P'Arthit and KongPob staggered into their condo, both drugged with heavy sleep. They crashed onto the bed exhausted having been crammed in that tiny car for hours on end and just found freedom in the early morn. It was currently 7 am and KongPob only had a few hours of sleep before he clocked in for work later that Tuesday afternoon.
    “Hoiiii KongPob, I'm sooooo tired! That seat almlst broke my back.!! Damn Bright's car!! THAT cheap bastard won't have the seat fixed no matter how many times we tell him to!” P'Arthit complained as he stretched out his body in hopes that his back would get back in shape.
     “Then why did you change your seat P'Arthit krap. The back seats were much better.” KongPob reasoned back making Arthit sulk even further.
“KongPob, you know the reason why stop playing dumb! But that's besides the point.... At least we made it home alive and can rest for a while. Do you still have to go to work today?”
     “Mhhh.” KongPob replied though he wished it wasn't the case. He was tired as well and wanted some more sleep but he had a duty to perform and he couldn't miss more days. Besides, he had already called Trim and told her that he would be coming in and take over both their shifts since she had covered for him that weekend so even if he wanted to take a day off, he couldn't inconvenience Trim like that.
       A moment of silence enveloped the pair as P'Arthit slowly drifted to sleep whne KongPob began a series of whooping sneezes and coughs making Arthit look at him in worry.
“Eiii KongPob, are you feeling ok? You've been like this ever since yesterday and that cough of yours seems to be getting worse. Are you sure you're not sick?” P'Arthit asked worriedly as he sat up in bed.
   “Ohh P'Arthit, it's juts a few sneezes. I'm fine. I feel ok and there's nothing wrong with me. It must be the cold or dust around that is making me act up. I don't even have a fever at all.” KongPob replied as he turned his ejad towards P'Arthit.
     “Mmh, that's true. Your body is juts temperate. Ok, if you say so but you must warn me of you get the flu. You know I catch a cold easily and I don't want to get infected especially by you.” P'Arthit huffed as he gave KongPob a side eye.
     “Ohhhh P'Arthit, what do you take me for? You know I would never do anything to put you in harm's way. I like you tooo much to do so.” KongPob whispered his arms circling around P'Arthit's waist and gently pulled him towards himself.
“Oiiiii!” P'Arthit exclaimed slapping KongPob's wandering arms and retreated to the bathroom. KongPob needed to relax or else Arthit would take strict measures. KongPob simply smiled as he watched P'Arthit leave before he laid back down and rested himself. Arthit was sooo adorable.

The blaring alarm filled the air as P'Arthit groaned harshly, annoyed that he was being woken up already. KongPob trusted his arm out looking for his phone and switched off the alarm. It was twelve noon and KongPob had to prepare for work. At the moment, he wasn't particularly interested still in the head space of slumber but his conscious prompted him to wake up and get ready. He finally got up after 30 seconds of coming back to reality and went to the bathroom to wash up a bit. P'Arthit fell back to sleep, not bothered by the happenings around him.
  It was when KongPob got to the washroom that he began yo notice he felt a bit weird. His joints ached a bit and his chest hurt whenever he coughed. He looked in the mirror to see of there was anything different but nothing was wrong apart from those, he felt ok-ish and he looked fine. 'I must have slept too long on my chest and arms.' he reasoned as he got into the shower and washed himself clean.
It took him around 15 minutes to get ready and soon he was out of the door and on the way to the cafe. He had left a note for P'Arthit and taken a photo of his sleeping form before ehe left making him smile the whole way. He liked capturing P'Arthit in states where he wasn't aware of himself so that he could look at them fondly whenever he was alone or felt down. They cheered him up greatly. His  smile kept on thinking about the pic up until the front door of Starr and KongPob's facials neutralised. It seems as though he had temporarily forgotten about his adversary on his lityel trip away and now reality was sinking in.
    KongPob composed his thoughts and heart as slowly approached the door and prayed that for that day, he may have some respite. The familiar sound of the door bell rang out as KongPob stepped in and the cool air from the aircon blasted onto his head and back. Immediately hie eyes went to the counter to see who it was and he couldn't help but feel relieved that it was Trim's bubbly face instead of San's.
     “P'KONGPOB KA!!!!” the little girl called out as soon as they made eye contact. “P'KongPob oh my god!! It's been sooo looong! How was your trip? Thank god you came back at the right time, I was just about to call and ask where you were. You don't know how much I've suffered working with P'San all day and night! But never mind that, P'KongPob you look more handsome than ever!! That trip must have been wonderful, you're literally glowing!” Trim spat out as soon as KongPob was near enough for conversation.
      “Hoiii Trim, breathe please. I can't vene hear what you're saying let alone answer all your questions. One at a time please. My trip was good, we had a lot of fun and I owe you a special treat for taking my shifts. I'm sorry I didn't come earlier, we only arrived today in the morning and I took a bit of a rest to reenergize but I'm here now and I'll pay you back.” KongPob said as he changed into his apron and went to join Trim behind the counter.
     “Ohhh P'KongPob, it's fine ka. I'm glad you had fun. You needed it especially after all the bullshit drama that has been going on P'San spilt the beans about everything and that trip came at the right time for you to escape for a while. I feel so bad for you P'KongPob , P'San shouldn't ha e cornered you like that but I'm glad you are still here. I need at least one person I like working with.” Trim said as she smiled sweetly at KongPob.
    “It's fine Trim, don't worry about it. I already made it clear with him about where I stand and he understands. Anyway, why don't you go home. I can take over now and you can just leave.” KongPob suggested as he took the next order while Trim finished up the latte she was making.
     “Really P'KongPob? Oh thank you soo much I can finally have a break from seeing P'San's face every second and relax. You're the best P'KongPob! Thank you!!” Trim shrieked as she immediately left the scene and went to get her stuff. KongPob chuckled after her as he busied himself with completing the order and got into the normal routine of work.
    KongPob went on for about an hour and a half after Trim left and hadn't seen a trace of San. Trim had informed him earlier that San had been in the back office doing the monthly calculations for the cafe and would take a while. That seemed to work on KongPob's favour since he didn't want a confrontation anytime soon however he was bothered by the foreboding expectation that they would have to talk sooner or later. It disturbed his mind alot, that and the fact that he felt light headed.
      The pain in his chest and joints could be felt more clearly as he coughed and sneezed multiple times in a short span of time. In addition, his head was starting to pound and his vision blurred a bit. 'Eii maybe P'a3was right! I might be catching the flu.' KongPob thought to himself though he wasn't sure. He normally didn't get flus and  whenever he did all he got was a blocked nose, tiredness and lack of food taste. These symptoms he was having now was something he had never experienced before.
     He kept working deciding not to give it much thought and drank a warm cup of lemon tea with ginger and honey. He went on for another hour before San finally emerged rubbing his head gently since he had been staring at numbers the whole time and he fekt as though his brain would explode. He stopped in his tracks as soon as  he saw KongPob however and felt himself freeze up.
      KongPob was yet to notice San as he was currently dealing with an unknown force. The pain had doubled by then and his head was on fire. His body felt hot now and his vision was constantly blacking out. He was taking numerous breaks in between to get himself clear but it seemed as though he was being enveloped by a dense fog that he couldn't shake it off. San was about to speak when  KongPob turned all of a sudden and sped past him holding his mouth. San was surprised for a second before he decided to follow KongPob who was rushing to reach the bathroom.
     "KongPob, are you alright?” San quietly asked as he entered the men's room but was only met by the sound of KongPob retching out everything and the flush of the toilet. Now he was concerned. He tried to peak into the stall but KongPob came out staggering as he held his head in agony.
      “I don't...... I don't feel sooo goo.....” KongPob struggled to say before he succumbed to the force and dropped to the ground. San rushed to KongPob's side trying to wake him up, totally confused about what was happening. He shook KongPob's body over an over again but KongPob laid lifeless, his conscious drifting away into the third dimension.