am not sure if she would want to see me, Kong."

"Well, you need to find a way because we only haveI am not sure if we can avoid the accident altogether if you don't talk to your mom.

"There must be some other way Kong. I really cant—"

"THERE ISNT ARTHIT! Even if I stop my dad from going out that day, your mom would still be out on the road drunk driving. She could hurt herself, or worse someone else. What if someone else gets injured in my dad's place?

And I realised that as long as your mom dies, you will too. It was the worst day of my life."

"What?"

"I believed that as long as I was by your side, I could protect you and save you with my love. But I was wrong. You—you looked so fragile and then suddenly there was so much blood.." Kongpob couldn't stop his tears from falling. His hands were shaking.

What exactly did he see today that made him so broken? I was too afraid to even ask.

"I dont ever want to relive that Arthit. I dont want to live in a world where there is no you. Please talk to your mother. If not for you, then for me. She is the only one who can save both my dad and you"

"Kong, I am so sorry you had to go through that." I hugged Kongpob tightly, hoping to ease his pain a little bit. He was still very visibly shaken.

"I'll try to reach out to her tomorrow. The last time I talked to her was when I left the house. So it might take me a while to get through to her"

Kongpob broke our hug, sat on the sofa, and held me tightly by my waist."Why—why did you leave?"

"A family friend outed me without my knowledge and told my parents I was gay.

My dad wanted me to convert into a hetero. And mom, well, she was just very hurt because her only son betrayed her and hid something as big as this."

"Was she angry with you?"

"I think she was just sad because I didnt end up becoming the kind of man she wanted me to be. I was always a good student, top of my class. The ideal son. She just expected me to find a good girl and settle down eventually."

"She is your mother Arthit. She loves you. I am sure she will come around"

"I dont know about that. But I know I should go and meet her. If I can save my mom, ."

I couldn't get any sleep that night. All I could think about was how I was going to meet mom and what I would say to her when we meet.

•••••

The next day, mom was still ignoring my calls. So, I decided to call the next best person.

"Hello Thipat uncle? Its Arthit!"

"Arthit, my dear. How are you? Are you doing okay? Where are you staying right now?

"I am doing okay uncle. I rented an apartment near college"

"The home is not the same without you, Arthit."

"Are you doing well, Uncle? I hope dad doesnt give you a hard time for talking to me.

Your dad couldnt even dare. I have been working for your family for 25 years now. He can threaten the other house staff all he wants to lose any contact with you, but not me. You are my boy Arthit, I have watched you grow up."

"Thank you Uncle. I actually, I just called to ask about mom. How is she doing? She is not drinking again, is she?"

"She has started drinking again, unfortunately. She has even stopped taking her medicines since you left. I have tried talking to her but she doesn't listen."

"What about dad?"

"He has been abroad for most of the time. Only comes home for a few days in a month."

"Uncle, could I.. could I come by the house to meet mom?"

"I am not sure if that would be a good idea Arthit. While I am always on your side, one of the other staff members could tell your dad about it and it would put everyone else's job in danger."

"Yeah.. you are probably right. I just really want to talk to her but she never picks up my calls."

"You know, she still goes to your favourite Magnolia Bakery a few times every week. May be you could meet her there? She usually goes in the evenings around 5pm."

"Okay I'll try to meet her there. Can you please let me know when she leaves the house?"

"Yes I will Arthit. I really hope things get resolved soon and you come back home. Take care, and let me know if you need anything"

"I will, Uncle. Goodbye"

••••

I decided to go to Magnolia Bakery anyway early in the evening even before Uncle called. I wore mom's favourite shirt that she bought me on my last birthday and even did my hair neatly, just as she liked it.

The bakery was a favourite place for both mom and I. Dad was always busy with his work, so mom would take me to the bakery after school and we would eat new flavours of cakes everyday.

Just as I was about to enter the bakery, someone called me from across the road.

"Arthit!!!"

"Kong?"

Kongob crossed the road and stood smiling in front of me like he always does.

"What—what are you doing here Kongpob?"

"I was in the ice cream parlor across the road when I saw you. Such a weird coincidence to run into you. I hardly ever come to this part of town."

"Why am I not surprised?"

There are no coincidences when it comes to us, Kongpob.

"What do you mean?"

DING

She left the house and should reach the bakery in about 10 minutes

I checked the message, sighing of relief.

Looking up, I finally answered Kongpob . "Nothing. I just came here to meet someone."

"Why are you so dressed up? And you even did your hair? You aren't going on a date with someone else, are you?" Kongpob chuckled, but I knew he was trying to hide his nervousness with his laugh.

"No. I am here to meet my mom. That is, if she decides to meet me" My face turned grim.

"Oh. I remember you told me you weren't very close to your family."

"I haven't seen my mom in 2 months"

"Are you nervous?"

I looked away from Kongpob. If I looked into his eyes for any longer, I might hug him and end up crying.

"Umm.. a little bit. I guess."

Kongpob intertwined our hands together. "Its going to be okay Arthit. I'll stay in the ice cream parlour and wait for you. So, no matter how it goes, we'll end the day with a good cup of ice cream, okay?"

"O-okay." I still couldn't look at Kongpob. I was nervous. This might be our only chance to change the future for good, and I didn't want to mess it up.

"Arthit, hey, look at me." Kongpob cupped my cheeks with his palms. "

"I know. Now go hide in the ice cream parlour, My mom will lose her mind if she sees me standing like this with a guy."

Kongpob laughed. "Yeah. I'll go and wait for you there"

I went inside the bakery and ordered my favourite buttercream cupcake and just as I was about to dig in, I saw mom enter through the doors.

----------------------------------

A/N: Special shoutout to @simigreg who correctly guessed why Arthit had a fall out with his family several chapters ago.

Do you think Arthit will be able to change the future after talking to his mom at the bakery?

More fluff and romance chapter incoming