2013 (K19, A18)

Tonight, there's many clouds scattered all over the sky, making it impossible for the moon to shine. Upon looking at the sky, a farmer would say there's imminent rain to come. Those roaming the streets should seek shelter, and precious goods should be covered. The air was still and heavy, while the heavens waited to pour. One house was trembling with a roar.

"As long as you live under my roof, you obey my rules!"

"I hate you!"

Arthit ran upstairs as fast as his feet would carry him. He slammed his room door so hard that the sound of the wood cracking by the hinges could be heard. He stomped over to his bed and threw himself over it, face planting into the mattress, letting the cotton sheets underneath absorb the tears pouring out of his eyes. He grunted in anger, the feeling of injustice, rage and fury overcame him. He pounds his fist against the mattress, and grabs a fistful of his blanket. He twisted as hard as possible, wanting to shred them into millions of pieces. He found no relief in his frustrated misery. How can his father do this to him? How can he ground him in such a crucial time in his life?

There's only thirty one days left until Kongpob leaves. He can't be stuck home for a whole week. He can't waste his limited time with Kongpob. How will he even tell Kongpob about this? His father had taken his phone away. Arthit doesn't get why it's such a big deal. He was home until passed two in the morning last night. Can't they just see it as he left the house extremely early? And what's with the accusation that he snuck out of the house? He was not under the impression that he wasn't allowed to leave in the first place. And so what, he didn't come home by dinner time. He never promised he would, and he did reply saying he would be home late. He is already eighteen. He is not a kid anymore. They should stop treating him like one. This is all bogus. He hates his father for being so unreasonable, and his mother for being such a soft pushover. Nobody understands him. Nobody. He feels like a prisoner in his own home.

Arthit flipped himself over, now facing the bamboo leaf looking ceiling fan in his room. A random thought crossed his mind. He really hates that tacky ceiling fan. It barely even works.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Go away! I'm not speaking to any of you!" Arthit shouted from his bed, placing an arm over his eyes.

"Arthit, it's me." The voice was low.

Arthit glanced at the door. He wasn't sure he wanted to talk to his sister at the moment. Krystal was sent to her room the moment he stepped foot into the house. Right before their father started his absurd lecture, and cruel punishment. He sighed. Krystal is his sister, his twin, and his built-in best friend. She was probably crying in her room too. That's how they have always been. No matter which one of them gets hurt or becomes sad, the other one feels it too.

Arthit finally gets up from his bed, and walks over to the door. He tentatively opened the door with his arms stretched out. The moment the door opened enough to reveal Krystal, she stepped right into Arthit's embrace with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Oon." Krystal looked at her brother's red teary eyes, and then buried her face in the crook of his neck. She can't stand knowing her brother is in any pain, that's why their parents sent her to her room. However, she could still hear the fighting and shouting through the walls.

Arthit quickly shut the door, and wrapped his arms around his sister. As much as he is upset, it's not his sister's fault. He hates seeing his sister cry too. He runs his hand up and down her back to comfort her. He wants to say that he is okay, but he can't get the words out, because he is not okay. And there's no point in lying about the way he feels because Krystal can read him like an open book.

After a little while, Krystal calmed down. They were both feeling a little better after the tears ran dry. She pulled away from her brother, and Arthit let her go. Krystal reached into her back pocket. "Oon, look. I got this for you. It was blinking on dad's nightstand. You should check it quickly. I'll go put it back before dad finishes his shower. Hurry." Krystal pulled out Arthit's phone.

"Krystal, you're going to get into so much trouble." Arthit said, but he quickly clicked on his phone, and went to check his messages. There were four messages, and they were all from Kongpob.

Messages

Kongpob: Arthit, I'm home.
10:32 pm

Kongpob: Thank you for today. I had a nice time, really. I know you said you wanted to spend all my days left together, but Granny Suay just asked me to help her move some stuff tomorrow. So, I don't know what time I'll be back. I'm sorry.
10:57 pm

Kongpob: Are you upset? I'm really sorry, but Granny Suay is very old. She doesn't have anyone to help her.
11:10 pm

Kongpob: Arthit, I'm getting ready for bed. Goodnight.
11:40 pm

Arthit stared at his messages. He doesn't want Kongpob to think he is upset with him. He doesn't even know if he should be relieved that Kongpob doesn't have time tomorrow. However, he also still wants to see Kongpob tomorrow. How can he not see his boyfriend that's about to leave for two years for a whole week?

Arthit quickly dialed Kongpob's number. He doesn't want to risk sending a message that the latter might not read till the next day.

Krystal saw all the messages from P'Heng. She is a little confused. When have they become so close? She has known P'Heng for ten years now, and he has never sent her messages before going to bed. This is so weird. And did P'Heng say her brother wants to spend all his days left together? Krystal gasps in realization. She watched closely as Arthit dialed Kongpob's number.

Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Hello? Arthit?" Kongpob raspy voice came on the line. He was clearly asleep already.

"Kongpob, I'm sorry for waking you."

"That's okay. Are you all right? Are you upset?" Kongpob looked at his alarm clock for the time. It was 12:02 am. He had tried to stay awake as long as possible already waiting for Arthit to respond, but he was just too tired today.

"No! Of course I'm not upset. Where does Granny Suay live? And what time are you going? Can I come? I can lend a hand." Arthit asked, pursing his lips together nervously. He really wants Kongpob to say yes even though he has no idea how he can go. How would he even leave the house?

"Sure. You can come if you want to. I'm sure Granny Suay would like you. I'm going at ten thirty tomorrow morning." Kongpob stopped for a moment to yawn. "Can you meet me at the Thong Lo station? We can take the bus together from there to Suankularb Wittayalai School. I can bring you breakfast."

Arthit smiled into the phone hearing that. "Okay, I will meet you there at ten thirty. See you tomorrow. Goodnight Kongpob."

"Go to sleep soon. Goodnight Arthit." Kongpob ended the call with a smile on his face. He is glad Arthit was not mad at him. He tried to think of something they can do tomorrow that won't be boring for a date, but before he can come up with anything, he had already drifted off to dreamland. Maybe something will come up in his dreams instead.

Arthit smiled, staring at his phone in his hand. Kongpob wants to see him too, and will bring him breakfast. What should he do? He needs to find a way to get out of the house. He can't wait to see him again.

"Arthit, why are you blushing so hard? Even your ears are red. What's going on? You and P'Heng... I mean, are you two...are you..." Krystal didn't quite know how to ask. She looked at her brother, hoping he would supply the rest.

Krystal's question brought Arthit out of his reverie. He quickly tried to cover his ear with his hand. "Uhm, you can take this phone back to dad's nightstand before he gets out of the shower. Thanks."

"Dad won't come out for a while. Arthit, tell me what is going on? You're about to sneak out tomorrow. If you get caught, you're going to be in more trouble." Krystal is really worried about Arthit. This is not his normal self. Even though Arthit is not exactly docile, he has never been rebellious.

Arthit can see that his sister is very concerned. She looked like she was on the verge of crying again. He really wasn't planning on telling anyone about him and Kongpob dating yet, but this is his sister, his twin, and practically his living diary. There's not much he can really keep from her. She always finds out sooner or later.

Arthit met his sister's searching eyes, and he took a deep breath, "Kongpob and I are dating." Arthit blurted, and shyly looked away from her.

Krystal's eye went wide, raising her brows before frowning, and then the words sank in. "You... You two are dating? Dating. Oh, my God. You two are dating!" Krystal wraps her arms around Arthit, pulling him in for a hug again. "Arthit you are dating!" She chants again. It's the first time Arthit is dating. Her brother has turned down countless confessions and admirers in the past few years. People have started calling him the "Stone Prince," describing him as cold and conceited. Unlike Kongpob, Arthit's rejections were flat and emotionless.

Arthit stood there letting his sister hang off of him. "Krystal, can you not tell anyone. We just started, and we don't know anything yet. We are really just hanging out. Please don't tell mom and dad. You know, since Kongpob is a boy. I don't know how they would feel about it."

Krystal pulled away from her brother, and she saw the uncertainties in his eyes. "Arthit, they will love you no matter what. And I will always love you too. But don't worry. I won't say anything. I promise."

"I love you too. Will you help me then? Kongpob is leaving soon, and I really want to spend as much time as possible with him." Arthit looked at his twin with his puffy pleading puppy eyes.

"Is this how you scored P'Heng?" Krystal teased.

"Krytal...help me na... na na na... please." Arthit whined.

"Okay. Okay. Tomorrow when dad is off to work, I'll ask mom to take me to shop for supplies, and maybe get a haircut. But I really don't think I can stall her for more than four hours. You'll have to be back before we get home. I'll try to convince mom to give you your phone back tomorrow. Okay?"

Arthit grabbed Krystal's arm, and bounced with glee. "Yes! You're the best. By the way, you really don't have the hots for my boyfriend anymore, right?"

"Arthit!"

~~~~~~
AN: Hi Sweets, here's another late update. I hope you liked this one. It really reminds me of my own teenage years. I can't say I was ever really rebellious, but I had my moments of defiance. I too tried to find myself and dared to challenge those who tried to define me. I remember days of not speaking to my parents who threatened to disown me. What about you?

Facts: Both Singto and Krist are filial sons. Singto's goal is to buy his father a big house, and let his father retire. He wants to bring his father to travel the world. Krist's motto has always been "up to mom and dad." Krist is not only a good son, but he is also a caring and protective brother to his sister Kat. He has bought a condo for his sister to live closer to school. KristSingto are wonderful children. ☺️

Love you lots,
Lana ❤️