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

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

"Ahhhhhh!"

Arthit pushed as far back into his seat as possible seeing the face looking back at him. He looked to his left, and to his right. He is still inside a taxi, and it is still bright outside.

"Hahaha. Missed me?"

"Past, what are you doing here?" Arthit asked while frowning, and clutching onto the seat belt tightly.

"We needed to make sure you've changed your ways. Otherwise, it would have been a complete waste of our time. So far, you have passed our tests."

"Tests? When?" Arthit asked curiously.

"The pregnant lady was Present, and the old man was Future." Past answered.

"What? That was them? What about you?" Arthit was annoyed beyond belief.

"I'm the one diverting all the taxis to another place. Cool, right?" Past laughed.

"No. It's not cool at all. I'm running late, and I look and feel gross."

"No worries about being late. I'm a great driver. I will get you there in no time." Past said proudly.

"Can't you teleport me there or something? Don't you have magic?"

"Sorry dude. As the Spirit of The Past, I can only take your spirit to the past."

"What about Present and Future?" Arthit asked leaning forward with sudden interest.

"They probably can, but you will only be there in spirit, and not there physically. So, just sit tight. I will get you there." Past said as he stepped on the gas pedal, and slipped between two cars going across.

"Ahhhhhh!" Arthit held onto the 'oh shit!' bar inside the car for his dear life.

"Do you have a license to drive?" Arthit asked with his eyes closed.

Past had cut in front of a large truck with barely inches of space behind him. Arthit had already braced himself for impact. The truck behind them honked repeatedly blaring behind Arthit's ears.

"I'm a spirit. I just beam around. Why would I need to drive? Of course I don't have a license. But I'm a natural, I tell you. Just look at me. This is a piece of cake." Past stated matter of factly.

"At this rate, I'm going to become a spirit real soon too." Arthit said with his eyes closed again. He prayed that he will make it to the airport alive.

"Please, at least let me take my parents to their check-ups, and make sure they are fine."

"Please let whatever that my mother have go away."

"Please let me see my Kong before I die."

"Please let me kiss him one more time."

"Please at least let him know that I have tried."

"Please let him find the gears on my body."

"Please let him know I have and always will love him."

"Please let him be happy even when I'm gone."

Arthit continued to mumble a lot of prayers under his breath for the next thirty minutes. He felt the car sway to the left, then to the right, jerking forward, jerking back, sudden stops, and sudden go's. He doesn't know anything as he kept his eyes closed. He can only hear cars honking and swearing at them.
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"Ta da! We are here!" Past announced.

Arthit opened his eyes. "How? How did we get here so fast?"

"I told you I'm a great driver. It's now all in your hands. Now, go get your man!" Past smiled, and pointed to the airport entrance.

Arthit didn't need to be told twice as he practically jumped out of the death trap.

Swinging his backpack over his shoulder, he ran across the walkway, and then into the airport. He looked at his watch, and panicked.

There's only five minutes until the gates close for check-in.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Arthit had to check the screen to find out which counter to check-in.

"J, where's J?" Arthit looked around, and saw it was two aisles down. He mad dashed over to the counter. He saw the lady behind the counter was about to walk away.

"Excuse me....ha...ha... please. I need...to... check in...for... Chiang Mai." Arthit said while trying to catch his breath.

"I'm sorry sir, but the check-in time for Chiang Mai is closed now. The next flight is at 6:20 p.m. Would you like to rebook your ticket?" The lady named Namtan according to her name tag asked.

Arthit looked at his watch. He was four minutes late. "Please. I beg you. I have to get on this flight. My love is waiting for me on this flight. If I don't get on this flight, I may lose him forever." Arthit pleaded.

"I'm sorry sir, but even if I break the rules, and let you check in, you will still need to go through security. So, by the time you get through security, the flight would already be ready to take off."

"He has waited for me for eight years, and I still failed him." Arthit said with a single tear falling down his cheek. He pulled out the ring box, and hit his forehead with it. Why did he let things come to this?

"Eight years? Were you going to propose?" The lady eyed the box, and looked at Arthit sympathetically.

Arthit nodded without looking up. He is thinking if he got on the next flight, would Kongpob be willing to forgive him. He doesn't even know where Kongpob will be staying in Chiang Mai. Kongpob didn't pickup, or respond to any of his calls or messages earlier. He probably doesn't want to hear any of Arthit's excuses for not coming.

"Sir. We are not actually allowed to do this, but I'm going to help you just this once. It is Christmas after all. Just give me a minute."

Arthit immediately looked up at the lady that has now picked up a phone to make a call.

"Hello. This is Namtan at guest check-in. There's an emergency. Please hold the flight to Chiang Mai. A guest needs to propose to his love on the flight. Yes, on the flight. Yes, I understand. Just ten minutes. Okay. Thank you."

Namtan hung up the phone. "Sir, give me your ticket. I need to process it quickly."

Arthit quickly handed over all his documents, and Namtan typed with flying fingers.

"Okay, you are checked in. Now, I will personally take you to the gate so you can skip the passenger security line. Now, come with me." Namtan said as she jumped over the luggage scale in her heels, and pulled on Arthit's sleeve to follow her.

"Thank you so much! You don't know how much this means to me." Arthit said as he ran behind Namtan.

Namtan led Arthit through the crew security line quickly, and then she stopped a man driving an airport buggy with two flight attendants in it.

"Hey Fiat, I need a ride to gate 62. The gate is about to close, and this man needs to propose to his love on the flight." Namtan flashed her badge, and pointed her thumb to Arthit.

The two flight attendants squealed in their seats. "Hop on then. What are you waiting for?" Fiat said with a great big smile.

Arthit nodded his head vigorously. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I really appreciate it." Arthit and Namtan hopped on.

Arthit really wasn't planning on proposing on the flight, but he also didn't really have a plan yet. So, proposing on a flight is just as good as anywhere else. There's no turning back now.

They zoomed across the terminal. Fiat swerved around people, and honked whoever was in the way. People were jumping and hopping to get out of their way.

"Gate 62! Go catch your love." Fiat said with a great big smile.

Arthit and Namtan quickly got off the buggy.

"Good luck!" One flight attendant on the buggy said.

"Yeah, good luck!" The other flight attendant said.

"Thank you!" Arthit replied, and quickly turned to follow Namtan to the gate.

Namtan ran up to the boarding gate agent. "Mook, he is here."

Arthit pulled out his ticket.

"Namtan, I'm so glad you made it in time. We would be in so much trouble if you guys came any later."

"I'm so sorry for the trouble. Thank you both for helping me." Arthit said bowing his head in a wai.

"Just quickly get in. Everyone is already inside, but they are still settling in." Mook said.

"Good luck!" Namtan added waving her hand and jumping.

Arthit waved his hand at both ladies, and quickly entered the gangway to the plane.

Upon entering the plane, a flight attendant named Apple stopped him, and pulled him inside the service galley.

"Are you the one we are waiting for? The one who wants to propose? Apple asked with sparkly eyes.

Arthit blushed, but nodded.

"It's so romantic to propose on Christmas." Apple clapped her hands together in excitement.

"Can I ask you for a favor?" Arthit asked nervously.

"Anything. How can I help?" Apple asked enthusiastically.

"Can you ask Kongpob Suthilak to stand up?" Arthit asked while he looked around the plane.

"No problem. I will ask the Captain to announce it. You wait here. After the Captain makes the announcement, and your boyfriend gets up, you can then approach him. It's going to be so sweet."

"Okay. I'll wait here." Arthit doesn't know how sweet or romantic it really is or not. He is just a nervous wreck.

Apple went into the cockpit, and came back out a few minutes later beaming.

"Get ready. Here, take this. It's from the captain. He bought a dozen for his wife, but he wants to give you one." Apple handed Arthit a single red rose.

"Thanks. I really appreciate everything everyone is doing for me." Arthit took the rose anxiously.

Arthit has never given the idea of proposing much thought. In the past, he didn't even really think it was necessary for Kongpob and him to get married. But right now, he wants nothing more than to lock Kongpob down. He doesn't want Kongpob to ever think about leaving him again. There's nobody else for him, and he needs Kongpob to know that right now.

PA: "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. This is the Captain speaking. My name is Nammon. Today's destination is Chiang Mai. We will be taking off shortly. Meanwhile, may I ask passenger Kongpob Suthilak to please stand up. Kongpob Suthilak, please stand up."

Apple crooked a finger at Arthit to let him know to come out. Arthit slowly peeked out of the galley. Kongpob was in 22B, an aisle seat. He saw Kongpob get up from his seat. He was looking around confused with a slight frown on his face.

Arthit came out of the galley, and started walking down the aisle. And almost instantly their eyes met. Kongpob stared at Arthit in disbelief. He can't believe what he is seeing.

Kongpob was frozen in his spot. He had prepared himself all night for the disappointment of today. He was the last to board the plane despite the fact that he was ready to face the end of their relationship. Kongpob couldn't help himself from having hope that Arthit would change his mind. And now, Arthit is really here. Kongpob's eyes start getting misty seeing Arthit approach him with a smile, and a single rose in his hand.

Arthit walked up to Kongpob with a shy smile. All eyes were on them at the moment, but Arthit didn't care.

"Kongpob, I'm sorry I'm late, but I made it." Arthit said looking straight into Kongpob's eyes.

"I'm glad you made it P'Arthit." Kongpob said smiling. He is nervous with all the people watching them.

"Here's your Christmas present." Arthit handed the rose with his gear wrapped around it to Kongpob.

Kongpob took it with a soft smile. "Thank you. But P'Arthit, I didn't get you anything."

"All I want for Christmas is you. Kongpob, will you marry me, and give me the rest of your days?" Arthit got on one knee, and presented a ring to Kongpob.

"Oh my god." Kongpob quickly pulled Arthit up from the floor, and hugged him tightly with happy tears falling. He wiped his tears with Arthit's shoulder.

"So, is that a 'yes'?" Arthit smiled, and kissed the shell of Kongpob's ear.

"Yes! Always yes!" Kongpob said as he pulled away to look at Arthit who was smiling and blushing from embarrassment. Arthit slipped  the ring onto Kongpob's finger.

The two men smiled at each other, and then leaned in for a gentle kiss.

All the passengers nearby clapped loudly cheering, and congratulating the two men.

PA: "Merry Christmas to all."

The End.

~~~~~~
AN: Christmas epilogue to follow. 🎄