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Farewell

Part 13

If anyone told me that I would be sitting in a chair next to Arthit, gazing at his sleeping profile and feeling the concern fill my heart, I would have laughed my head off and recommended that he get his head examined. Yet, this is precisely the situation that I am finding myself in. I sighed to myself... Well someone up there has a great sense of humor.

"How is he, doctor?" I recalled asking the doctor a trifle anxiously when they wheeled him out of the emergency ward.

"It's appendicitis, however, it's not that serious and he doesn't need an operation. We have given him some painkillers to alleviate the pain, and he will be fine now."

I looked at the clock — I could still make it to the exam in spite of the delay if I caught a cab and rushed. However, I really didn't want to take the exam and decided to stay with Arthit this time. I continued to sit by the bedside, looking at Arthit's calm face. He had such pale skin with puffy cheeks and very plump lips that made him look like a cute chipmunk whenever he ate with us. I had begun to stare at him during breakfast and dinner when he wasn't looking and smiling to myself when he looked so damn cute again.

Aww...damnit.

After a while, he started to shift a little, finally waking up again.

"Kongpob Suthiluck..." I walked up to his bedside, thinking that he was awake. His face was a little flush and even paler than usual, but it was obvious that he was still out of this world.

"Kongpob Suthiluck, hurry up and go for your exam. Go for your exam... Quick go for your exam." He muttered as he moved his head rather restlessly. Even in his sleep, I was still in his foremost thoughts and he was still worried about me.

I stood beside him silently, hearing him call out my name and asking me to go for the exam. For a moment, my iron resolve faltered.

Should I really go? Yet...yet...

I didn't want to leave him alone.

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When I opened my eyes, I found Dad and Mrs Suthiluck staring anxiously at me.

"Dad, Auntie..." Strange, that weak groggy voice didn't sound like me at all. "Where am I? Why are you all here?"

"You had a bad stomach pain and Kongpob brought you to the hospital. He called us and we rushed here." Mrs Suthiluck explained gently.

"So he's gone for the exams already then?" I asked happily and felt a great sense of relief. I didn't mess up his university exam day after all.

"Yup, he wasn't around when we came in." Auntie replied with a smile and squeezed my hand gently, but just then, the door opened and three pairs of eyes widened simultaneously, followed by three jaws falling wide open.

Kongpob was standing at the doorway holding a can of soda and looking quite unfazed.

"Kongpob what are you doing here?" Mrs Suthiluck actually forgot where she was and sufficiently raised her voice in an almost shriek.

"Kongpob, why aren't you at the exam?" My dad asked just as shocked.

0_0

I couldn't say a single word and my eyes almost popped out of my sockets as I continued staring at him as if he were an apparition. Please let this be a bad dream...

He simply shrugged at his mum's and my dad's questions. I looked at my watch and realized that he had missed the entire exam and once again it was my fault!

I had ruined his entire future!

Oh why did he have the misfortune of knowing me? If it wasn't for me and my stupid stomach pains, he would have completed his exam and been on his way home. That was the end of his parent's (well, his dad's) dream of him going to SK University.

And in that moment, it was all just too much to handle, the sudden shock and guilt hurt me deeply and I broke down, bursting into tears.

I think I was near hysteria and I can't really remember what exactly I said in between sobs, but it was something in line with my previous thoughts of "How I had ruined Kongpob's life and I should've never met him".

I kept blaming myself for ruining his future as I proceeded to cry my heart out in front of everyone.

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I saw Arthit's eyes widen in horror when I stepped into the room.

In a way, I was rather relieved to see that he had regain consciousness.

But then, without warning, he burst into tears. His slender shoulders shook with the violence of his sobs and within moments, his puffy cheeks and big eyes were reddened with tears.

Oh no...

Although he wasn't totally coherent, I could grasp sufficient broken words to decipher that he was blaming himself for being the "ruin of me".

Strangely enough, I didn't feel the usual irritation that arises from him being so dramatic. Instead, I felt rather peculiar — helpless, a bit taken aback and slightly guilty.

I could have easily gone for the exam, but I didn't want to...My decision had nothing to do with him. Or maybe just a little cause I was worried for him.

Yet there he was, crying his heart out and blaming himself on my behalf.

He looked every bit of broken and I felt...for the first time in a long while... vulnerable — and I didn't like the feeling.

As I gazed at his forlorn figure, I almost had the impulse to go up to his and try to comfort him. In a way, thank goodness our parents were around, cause I managed to quell this wayward feeling and stood there helplessly, staring at him crying.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry that my troublesome son has brought such trouble into your household." Arthit's dad was apologizing to my father.

"It's fine, don't beat yourself for that. I know Kongpob too well. The reason why he didn't go for the exam is because he doesn't want to get into SK University. And that is the only reason." My father replied calmly and for a second, I started directly at Dad. I never realized that he knew me so well. I have really underestimated him...

"But guys, this is truly fantastic!!!" Mama was literally clapping her hands in delight as we all stared at her as if she had suddenly sprouted a cabbage for a head. "Now Kongpob and Arthit will be going to the same university!"

I silently groaned — she and her never-ending matchmaking plans — I should have know better. I glanced at that baka, expecting him to be all shy, embarrassed yet with a delighted smile on his face just like he always did when mama teased him about me.

To my surprise, he simply lowered his head even further and continued to sniffle quietly. A slight frown ceased my forehead. There was something wrong — very wrong and I didn't like this feeling.

I was pretty sure that baka was going to do something stupid.

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Later that night, I was sitting in the living room reading a book. The rest of the family had retired to bed. However, I had made it to the most interesting portion of the story and I couldn't put the book down although it was already very late. Actually, I believed that my choice of a reading location had something to do with my worried thoughts about Arthit.

However, I didn't really realize or didn't want to admit to myself that the other reason existed, so I brushed it away and focused on my book.

Suddenly, I heard soft footsteps coming down the stairs and I knew instinctively that it was Arthit and that I had been subconsciously expecting this since dinner.

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After creating such havoc in Kongpob Suthiluck's life, I resolved to move out of his house.

How could I face him or his parents again? I have ruined his chance of studying in SK University and I know that his dad was really hoping that he would.

So, late at night, I had packed a few essentials into my bag and left the rest of my stuff where they were. Dad could always complete my task. I didn't want to take too long to remove all traces of me from this room — I was afraid that my resolution to leave would have wavered.

I heaved my backpack onto my shoulders and took a last look at this pretty bedroom that Auntie had painstakingly decorated for me.

"Goodbye, my dear room," I whispered softly, close to tears and quickly ran out before I could change my mind. I walked silently along the corridor and down the stairs, not wanting to wake anyone up. I tiptoed past the living room, making for the door.

"Hey!"

A low voice from the sofa made me jump in fright and I nearly screamed. I swung around to see Kongpob Suthiluck sitting on the sofa with a book opened on his lap. "What are you doing?" He stood up and strolled towards me.

I was totally not ready for this. I had successfully avoided Kongpob since we left the hospital, but now...this, no, I can't let my resolve weaken now. I just need to avoid him and get out of here.

"I—... I'm leaving ..." I said softly, intentionally not looking at him.

"Why? My mum would be devastated."

"How could I stay here any longer after what I've done?" I burst out, biting into my bottom lip to hold back the tears already glistening in my eyes.

"And what do you think you have done?" Kongpob asked me calmly and I stared at him in disbelief as he coolly raised an eyebrow at me.

"SK University—"

"That wasn't your fault." He cut me off. "I didn't want to go to SK University, so I decided not to go to the exam. Don't flatter yourself and do try be less of an idiot than you already are." He sounded irritated suddenly as I continued to look at him in disbelief. "If I really wanted to go to SK, do you think I would let missing an exam stop me? I could always explain the reason for me missing the test and ask for a re-test. Don't forget that I topped the first exam. It's okay."

I stood there silently, trying to process what I'd just heared.

Was Kongpob actually...

"Look, get yourself back to your room and go unpack whatever you've packed okay? I don't want to have to deal with my mum's hysterics in the morning. And, try not to wake anyone up okay?" He sounded tired and slightly irritated.

However, a warm feeling was blooming in my heart.

For someone who claims to hate my presence in his house and who has blamed me for messing up his life, Kongpob Suthiluck is indeed behaving very strangely — isn't this his way of trying to stop me from leaving?

I looked at him wide-eyed as he turned back to the sofa and commenced reading again.

A strand of his thick black hair had fallen over one of his eyes and he flicked it back with a familiar gesture that made me go weak in the knees.

Just for Kongpob Suthiluck, just for this I will stay and nobody could drive me away.

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Only after his footsteps died away did I get up and stretched. Stifling a yawn I glanced at my wristwatch — goodness it was already 2am. I'd better get some sleep or I will be too tired tomorrow.

From the looks of it, I have successfully convinced that baka to stay — and judging by that huge bright smile on his face, he wouldn't be trying to sneak away any time too soon.

That's a relief to know...

I wouldn't want to be the one trying to calm my mum down if she finds out that Arthit has disappeared.

Yes, that was the only reason why a small smile crept up my lips before I finally headed to bed.

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"Happy...happy Valentine's day, Kongpob Suthiluck!"

I heard Arthit's voice behind me and as I turned around, a beautifully wrapped box was held out to me.

Immediately, a slight frown appeared on my face as I glanced at Arthit, noting that he was blushing furiously and unable to meet my eyes.

However, undaunted by my expressionless reaction, he continued to stutter.

"I... I ... ... likeyouverymuchKongpobSuthiluck."

The last part of the sentence came out in such a rush that I almost couldn't decipher what he was trying to say.

Almost...

Why was my heart racing suddenly?

"I didn't hear what you were saying and I don't want to know." I said coolly and coughed to break the silence.

I saw him flinch at my cold words, but the box of chocolates was still held out to me, although his hands were slightly trembling. Before he could spill whatever it was over me, I reached out and took the box from him.

"Okay, okay, I'll take this — whatever it is. You can go now."

A bright grin illuminated his beautiful face and he walked away, humming a little song happily.

Again, I couldn't help but stare at his disappearing back.

Remaining so cheerful in the face of such discouragement?

That baka is indeed weird — I don't think I'd ever be able to understand him...

.

.

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Wait, did I just think of him as beautiful?

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