"I love my mother more than anything else in the world Kong, but I don't even know if she will pick up my call right now."

"Why not? Did something happen?"

"I—I don't want to talk about it right now. I'll try to reach out to her and see if she wants to see me."

Kongpob put his arms around my waist and hugged me tightly. "Okay. If you say so.

And Arthit?"

"Hmmm"

"I love you. I couldn't understand at first why all of this was happening to us. But now I do —

"I am not sure if we can Kong. I am really scared."

"Me too. But we need to try Arthit."

That night, Kong and I slept hugging other as tightly as we could. We didn't know how our lives would change and we didn't know how much time we had together.

The next morning, Kong left to investigate all the other changes and I decided to invite the other Kong in my life for lunch.

Can I make it up to you for yesterday with an early lunch?

Only we you are free

No pressure at all. You can say no if you want

YES!

Where should I meet you?

*Location Shared*

Lets meet there at 12?

Done! But don't you dare ditch me this time

I don't know what would happen this time when I met Kongpob— whether things would change for good or bad. All I knew was that I had to meet him. There was just no other way.

I arrived at the restaurant earlier than our decided time to still my mind and think about what I wanted to say to Kongpob. Every action had a direct reaction in the future and I didn't want to mess things up anymore for me or for him.

I was so out in my thoughts that I didn't even realise when Kongpob came in and sat on the chair opposite to mine.

"I came 15 minutes early to make sure I wasn't late, but turns out you are already here and I am definitely late."

He was smiling at me and his eyes were shinning brightly. I wish I had more normal days like this — just eating lunch with Kong and not worrying about anything else.

"You are not late Kong. I was in the area so I came by early

And again, I am very sorry for yesterday"

"I am not going to lie Arthit, for a second, I thought I really scared you by showing up at your house in the morning"

"You didn't scare me at all. I loved the waffles"

"Does—does that mean I can come by your house again? Surprise you with more food?"

I chuckled. "Yes you can. You can come anytime Kong.

Just-just make sure to call me before you come"

Or I will end up confusing the two Kongpobs in my life. 2017 was supposed to be my year and here I am two-timing on the same guy.

"How are your SOTUS meetings going?"

"They are going well. We are planning all the activities for the new freshman batch. I think its going to turn out well"

"What does SOTUS even mean? I have heard a lot of people talk about it, but I never knew it was so important"

So, I sat there talking all about SOTUS for the next hour as we had our food. That was the thing with Kongpob, time always flew by whenever I was with him. But my time with him was always short, whether it was the Kong from this timeline or the other.

I knew that much, but I was too afraid to even say it, knowing that it could have big repercussions in the future. So, I chose to bite my tongue instead and just stare at the boy I loved. Taking in every moment I had with him.

"Should we leave Arthit?" We finished our lunch and left the restaurant.

"Yes. Let's leave. I need to catch the bus to college. I have another SOTUS meeting at 3."

Like last time, Kong decided to walk with me. But unlike last time, he was holding my hand all through the way.

"Kong, I can cross the road on my own, you know? You don't have to hold my hand"

"I know. I just want to" We were smiling and giggling like some stupid teenagers and I loved every part of it.

We were almost at the bus stop and I knew I had to ask Kong the question. I was already short on time.

"Hey Kong?"

"Yes?"

"I know we have only known each other for a few days, but I wanted to ask you something. You can so no if you want to, you know ---."

"Arthit, I don't think I can ever say no when it comes to you. What is it?"

"Umm.. Would you promise to always pick up my calls and answer my texts? Even if something bad happens? Something very, very bad.

I couldn't tell Kongpob the whole truth or even a part of the truth. Not right now at least.

Kongpob chuckled. "That's it? You scared me for a second, Arthit. I promise I will always be there for you when you need me."

Why are things always this easy with Kongpob? Why does he always agree to everything I say? I need to start walking or I'll definitely kiss him again

"Good talk. Okay. I'll leave."

"Wait a second" Kong pulled me by my waist and kissed me. I felt his lips on mine and while I wanted to hold him closer and kiss him harder, I stood frozen in my spot.

"

"Stop being cheesy Kong. I am leaving."

"Wait Arthit, when can I see you again?"

"Soon. Hopefully. If time's at our side."

"I have no idea what that means. Is that code for 'lets have breakfast tomorrow?'"

This flirt. I swear to god he never changes.

"No Kong. Not tomorrow. I'll text you. I promise. Go now. Bye"

"Okay, but you better not break your promise."

Kong finally left and I took the bus.

The next step was meeting Prem and Bright to convince them to follow up on me if I go MIA an year later.

"What's wrong, Arthit?," asked Prem

"Why do you automatically assume something is wrong? I just came by to meet you and Bright"

"Stop lying. You bought us Pink Milk. You never share it with anyone. So, tell me what's wrong?

Did you something happen at your new house?"

"Don't tell me there is really a ghost at the house?" asked Bright.

"No guys. There is absolutely no ghost at the house. Trust me. Its just--"

"Then what is it?"

"You guys know the whole situation at home and why I had to leave, right?

Bright's eyes were welling up. "I told you not to live in that big haunted apartment on your own."

He hugged me so tight I couldn't even breath. "You are living with me from today and that's final."

"Br—Bright. Let me go. I can't breath. I am seriously okay right now and I absolutely don't want to live in your smelly room."

"My room is not smelly and I am not letting you go out of my sight anymore."

Prem finally asked. "Arthit, have you been feeling anxious or depressive lately? Is that why you are telling is this?"

"No. All I am saying is. A few months or year from now, I might suddenly disappear or I might stop responding to your calls. Just please don't give up on me or think I am ignoring you guys — Find me, wherever I am because I might be in need of help."

"We'll always be here for you, Arthit. You already know that, But are you seriously okay right now?"

"Yes. I am okay right now I swear. And Bright please stop crying. Your attempt of hiding your tears isn't really working"

"I—I am not crying"

Prem put his hand on my shoulder. "How about all of us have dinner together at Arthit's new apartment? What do you say Bright?"

"WHAT? NO PREM! YOU CAN'T"

"Wow defensive much?"

"No its just — I already have dinner plans, so we definitely can't eat at my apartment tonight"

"Who are you having dinner with Arthit? You don't have any friends apart from us.

Wait.. are you going on a date?"

I swear sometimes I hate Bright so much

"No, its just a dinner with an old friends. You guys don't know him. He's just an old-old friend"

"So its a 'HE.' I knew it"

"Shut up Bright. I am leaving."

I took my pink milk and ran out of the college. It was only 5pm. I had three hours till Kongpob would come back to the apartment. So, I decided to take a long nap. When I woke up, it was already 9.30pm and Kong still wasn't here.

Was he late or was he not coming at all? Did we finally change the future and he didn't have access to the apartment at all?

I didn't know what to think. So I did the only thing I could do — Wait.

It was around 2am when I finally heard Kong come in.

"ARTHIT! Are you okay?"

"Yes, of course I am okay Kong. I have been waiting for you. Where have you been?"

"I-I was on the outskirts of the city. It took me a while to drive down here. I am sorry. Are you-are you really okay?

"Yes Kong. What happened?"

Kong moved forward and checked my wrists. "Thank god you are okay." He engulfed me in a bear hug and refused to let go.

"Did something bad happen, Kong?"

--------

How do you think Arthit changed the future this time by meeting Kong? Any guesses? Actually, some of the readers have made some pretty accurate guesses about the story. I will start tagging them as more things get revealed.

Its Day 60 of quarantine for me and honestly, I haven't been feeling that great. I hope all of you are safe and healthy, wherever you are