"No....no...no...no. It can't be like this. I don't want to be like this. No...." Arthit cried.

"Please save me." Arthit begged covering himself with his arms on the floor.

"The only one that can save you is yourself." Future said loudly with echoes following.

"No.... Kong, where are you? No. Koooong....hoohoohoo."

Arthit continued to cry. How did he let his life turn into this? How did he let all those people that love him down? How did he let the love of his life walk away? He might as well be dead. There's no reason to live when his life is empty, and he will die alone on a cold hard floor. What is there to live for?

Arthit continued to sob into the crook of his arm. He shouldn't have wasted his life away for things that didn't matter at the end. He shouldn't have let his parents down. He shouldn't have let his one and only love leave him.

"Kong....hoohoohoo."

Then he heard his alarm chiming between his sobs. He finally lifted his head to look up, and only then did he realize that he was already back in his own room. He looked around for Future, but she was no longer there.

Wait! If his alarm went off, then that means it's only 7 a.m. Arthit got off the floor, and picked up his phone from the ground he had thrown earlier. He turned off the alarm, and checked the calendar. Today is Christmas. He hasn't missed it yet. He walked over to the mirror, and he is still the same. He doesn't have gray hair, and ashy skin. His eyes are swollen from all his crying, but he is still handsome nonetheless.

Arthit quickly called his office, and told them that he needed a day off. No one questioned it, but he could hear a coworker in the background sounding surprised saying that the slave driver is finally out. Arthit rolled his eyes at the ungrateful bunch. What was he thinking? All this time, working so hard to get the bonus for his team. They clearly don't appreciate it.

Arthit got ready for the day, and that means coffee. He needed a strong cup to fuel him for the day to come.

He researched the best hospital in the area, and called to make two appointments for a full body check-up, inside and out. He wasn't going to take any chances.

First order of business, call dad.

Ring Ring Ring

Arthit's dad: Arthit? Hello? Son, is everything okay?

Arthit had to hold back tears. He was so happy to hear his father call him son with a voice laced with concern.

Arthit's dad: Son, are you okay?

Arthit snapped out of it. He realized he must've been quiet for too long.

Arthit: Eh, good morning dad. How are you?

Arthit's dad: Good morning Oon. I hope everything is all right. You don't usually call....well, at least not this early.

Arthit: Sorry, I'm always busy. I will try to make time. Listen, I think it's about time you and mom get full body check-ups. I've scheduled one for both of you next week.

Arthit's dad: What are you talking about son? Your mom and I are healthy as an ox. Your mom dances everyday with her friends, and I take walks around the park daily. You don't have to worry.

Arthit: It's just a check-up. I'm taking both of you next week, and that's final. No more arguments.

Arthit's dad: You are so busy, are you sure?

Arthit: Yes. I'm positive.

Arthit's dad: Okay, son. I'm just so happy to hear from you. Your mom and I miss you so much. Your mom is going to be so happy to see you that she won't even complain about all the needles next week. Hahaha.

Arthit: Hahaha. I hope that's the case. Mom usually turns into a whiny baby when it comes to needles.

Arthit's dad: Yes, that's why it's so hard to get her to see a doctor whenever she is sick. But you are her weakness. She will listen to anything you say as long as she gets to see you.

Arthit: I'll be moving closer dad. You will see me around a lot more.

Arthit's dad: Moving? To where? Back home?

Arthit: No. Not back home. My boyfriend lives two blocks from home. I plan to move in with him.

Arthit's dad: Boyfriend? You mean boyfriend like the kissy type, or boyfriend like video games type?

Arthit: I'm not some teenager, but it's definitely the kissy type.

..........

Arthit: Dad? Are you still there?

Arthit's dad: Yeah. I'm still here. Oon, this is a lot to process so early.

Arthit: Well, get some coffee. That usually helps. I'm counting on you to help me spill it to mom. After all, you are the most open-minded, and loving dad I know.

Arthit's dad: I am? I never knew you thought so highly of me. I....uh....I will try my best to talk to your mom. But how serious are you? I mean with your boyfriend.

Arthit: Very. It's been eight years, and the rest of my life. You will meet him soon. Dad, I have to go now. I'll talk to you later.

Arthit's dad: Okay son. I'm glad you called. I love you no matter what.

Arthit: I love you too dad. Tell mom I will call her later. Goodbye.

Arthit's dad: Goodbye Oon.

Well, that wasn't so bad. Arthit thought to himself. How's that for charm, Dan?

Arthit smiled, and looked at his watch. He quickly packed his backpack with a few sets of clothes. He can always buy more later.

He needs to go to the mall right when they open. He checked his ticket, and his flight is at 2 p.m., so he needs to make sure he gets to the airport with ample time.

Arthit grabbed his wallet, phone, and keys. He had his backpack over his shoulder, and he looked around the apartment. What is he missing?

AH HA! Gears! How can he go win a heart back when he leaves them at home? Arthit shakes his head at himself. He quickly pocketed the two gears, and dashed out the door.

Apparently, he's not the only one who wants to go to the mall. There's a freaking line to get in the mall. He looked at his watch, and there's still twenty minutes before the doors open. He couldn't understand what's all the commotion about. Christmas is not really a holiday in Thailand. So, why are there so many people here instead of being at work?

It was only when Arthit reached the front of the line did find out what the whole ordeal was. Apparently, the first one hundred people here received a free copy of the new hit single by some artist named Krist Perawat, and a teddy bear holding a signed mini Polaroid photo by Singto Prachaya. Arthit vaguely remembers Kongpob liking these artists. It says the official release date for the single is New Year 2020. So, nobody except those with these copies will get to hear it before then. Score!

Arthit walked into the first jewelry store he saw. And with the help of the sales lady that was fawning over their love story, Arthit got what he needed to bag his man.

He left the mall to hail a taxi for the airport. He waited a long time, but all the taxis were occupied. Arthit was getting anxious, and it was freaking hot outside. The sun was beaming right over his head. He wanted to look his best, but he is now a sweaty mess. Why was it 30C yesterday, but freaking 36C today? He could feel his slimy gel melting down the side of his face. Two giant sweat stains now under his armpits. Arthit cursed under his breath.

Then a very pregnant lady carrying a lot of shopping bags came, and stood next to Arthit. She smiled at Arthit, and Arthit politely smiled back. After watching over fifteen taxis pass by, an available taxi finally pulled over. Arthit looked at the pregnant lady that was also sweaty, and has now dropped all her bags on the ground because they were too heavy with a little smile. He looked at his watch, and there was still a little wiggle room, so he let the lady take it. He even helped her pickup all the bags, and put them in the taxi for her. The pregnant lady couldn't thank him enough.

Arthit prayed that the next taxi would come right away. However, that didn't happen. He originally had ten minutes to spare before he absolutely needed to be on the road, but fifteen minutes has passed, and still no taxi was available.

Then just went a taxi was heading towards him, an old couple came over. The old man was supporting his wife as they came over, and asked Arthit if he can take the taxi first as he wanted to take his wife to the hospital because she was feeling ill. Arthit reluctantly nodded. He couldn't live with himself if anything happened to the old granny.

So, there he was. He was officially on a time crunch. Arthit couldn't wait at the same spot anymore. He ran down the street hoping to have more luck around the corner. And luckily, he saw someone just getting out of a taxi, so he quickly jumped right in.

"To the airport please. I'm in a hurry." Arthit said as he tried to catch his breath. He was a soaking mess, but there's no time to fix that now.

"There's terrible traffic and road closures ahead." The taxi driver replied.

Arthit looked to the taxi driver through the rear view mirror.

"Ahhhhhh!"

~~~~~~
AN: Almost done. I had a date night with my hubby, but I'm still updating. 😜

What do you think will happen next?