2013
(K19, A18)

Jars and jars of sauce and spices laid out all over. Vegetable peels in mounds and piles on the counter. Used knives and cleavers on top of multiple chopping boards laid next to one another. Dishes filled the sink almost up to its brim. What was once a spotless kitchen, now looks like a war zone.

Ding Dong. Ding Dong.

Kongpob quickly puts down the colander in his hands, and dried his hands with a towel before running to the door. He has the beef already sliced, and the rice already in the pot cooking. It was fifteen past eleven, so it must be Arthit at the door.

"Hey!" Kongpob opened the door with a big smile. However, the smile quickly disappeared.

"Hello, please sign for this package." A delivery man handed over a package to Kongpob.

Kongpob shut the door, and placed the package aside. His mother must have ordered more random things from those TV infomercials again. Their whole house is filled with the most random objects because of his mother's late night compulsive shopping habit. Who needs sauna pants? Especially in Thailand. Who even thought of such a ridiculous thing? Thank goodness his dad came home in time to stop her.

Back in the kitchen, Kongpob picks up the colander again.

Ding Dong. Ding Dong.

Kongpob rolls his eyes, and places the colander down once again. Just how many things did his mother order. He rushes to the door nonetheless. He doesn't want to waste anymore time.

"Kongpob!" Arthit rushes in to hug Kongpob around the waist. Kongpob chuckled, placing one arm around his rather ecstatic boyfriend, while the other hand held the door.

"Arthit, come inside first so I can close the door."

Arthit pulls back letting Kongpob go, and happily enters the house. He holds up the white little plastic bag in his hand to show Kongpob.

"Look! I bought caramel puddings from 7Eleven. We can eat them later."

"Sure. We can have it after lunch. I just need to stir-fry the dish. It will be ready very quickly. Just give me fifteen minutes." Kongpob said, feeling a little embarrassed that the food wasn't ready yet. He quickly turned to head back into the kitchen.

"I'll help you." Arthit said following behind Kongpob.

Kongpob ran the veggies under the water for a rinse before cooking. He shakes off the excess water, and heats up the wok with a bit of oil.

"What can I do? Tell me." Arthit said standing next to his boyfriend, and tugging the hem of his shirt. He was eager to help even though he had no idea what was what in the kitchen. His mom has never let any of them lift a finger in the house.

"Actually, you should probably stand back a little. Just in case the oil splatters."

"Okay." Arthit quickly moved to the side, using a pot's lid as his shield. This is what he and Krystal do at home when their mom is cooking, and they have to go around her to get to the refrigerator.

"Hahaha... it's not that scary." Kongpob dumps the sliced beef in wok. Oil splatters and sizzles causing him to jump back a few steps aiming the metal spatula at the wok.

"Oh, what happened to, 'it's not that scary,' huh?" Arthit mocked and laughed.

Kongpob playfully stuck his tongue out at Arthit. Then he carefully and slowly got closer to the wok once the sizzling died down a little. Using the spatula, he stir-fries the sliced beef a few times before he dumped the veggies in the wok too.

Arthit can't tell if Kongpob is doing it correctly or not, but he finds Kongpob cooking highly amusing. Kongpob kept wrinkling his nose at the wok with his outstretched arms turning the food over. He tossed sauces and seasoning in the wok like the food would try to bite him. Kongpob waved his other hand in the air around him to clear the invisible smoke in his face. Arthit can't help but find Kongpob comical and adorable.

Finally, after what looked more like a hard battle than cooking a simple dish, the food was finally ready. Kongpob's battle with the wok was victorious. The dish came out looking pretty decent, and Kongpob was very proud of his handiwork.

Arthit took a bite of the beef stir-fry, and nodded in approval. He really had no complaints. The dish tasted pretty good. It's definitely better than anything he can make. They sat quietly next to each other eating. Each stealing shy glances at the other when they thought the other wasn't looking.

"It's very good, Kong. Thanks for cooking." Arthit says before stuffing a big spoonful in his mouth.

"Thanks. Eat more if you like." Kongpob smiled proudly.

"Who taught you how to cook?"

"My mom. Since I'm going away for studies, she wanted me to know the basics. That way I won't have to survive on instant noodles." Kongpob chuckled. He's not sure it's worth all the trouble to cook for himself though.

Arthit hummed to that. But the reminder of their inevitable separation had cast a gloom over Arthit's mood. Now, there's only twenty nine days left before his boyfriend leaves for two years. Who knows what's going to happen to them? They haven't even discussed how they will continue their relationship. His cousin and his girlfriend broke up within three months after separating. They had been together for over three years, and they still couldn't make it. So, how will Kongpob and him survive separation? They've only been together for three days, but it feels like they've missed each other all their lives. Why is life so unfair?

Kongpob can sense the mood change in Arthit, and he can pretty much figure out why. This is exactly the reason why he didn't think starting a relationship would be a good idea before going abroad. Is it too late to just be friends again? He wouldn't want to lose Arthit. If they can just be friends, then there won't be so much expectations and heartaches. And when he returns from his studies, they can try again if Arthit would still be interested. But that very logical thought made his heart ache right now. They really shouldn't have started at all. Now, it's already too painful to think about separating.
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"Hey, what movie did you want to watch? I have The Hunger Games, The Amazing Spiderman, or The Dark Knight Rises. If you don't like any of these, we can probably find something else online." Kongpob held up the few bootleg DVDs his mother picked up for him. The rest of the DVDs on the shelves were his mother's favorite lakorn series. Kongpob turned to look at Arthit sitting on the couch.

Arthit looked at his bag sitting on the floor next to him. He had brought four DVDs with him too. Two of them are really his sister's, but she insisted that he watch one of them on their date.

Flashback

"So, watch do you guys plan to watch at P'Heng's house?" Krystal asked while she sat on her brother's bed with her back against the headboard. She was flipping through one of Arthit's current obsessed mangas.

"I don't know. I have Transformers or The Rise of The Planet of The Apes. Maybe he has something we can watch at his house. I'll just bring those two with me just in case." Arthit didn't really put too much thought into it. The point was to spend time with his boyfriend. Any movie would be fine.

"Wait! Don't you guys plan to make out or something?" Krytal grinned with a glint in her eyes.

Arthit's face instantly flushed red, and he throws his pillow at his sister. How can she ask such a personal and private thing? Oh yeah, his sister has never heard of privacy. "That's none of your business."

"Come on. If you guys watch those action movies, then how will you guys get in the mood? You guys should watch something romantic." Krystal said seriously.

"You mean one of those chick flicks? Those are so lame and boring. I'm not trying to scare Kongpob away now." Arthit rolls his eyes and shakes his head at the thought of those cheesy movies Krystal makes the whole family watch.

"Well, what's the chances of P'Heng paying attention to you when there's robots fighting or monkey wars on TV?" Krystal cocked a challenging eyebrow at her twin brother. She knows she is right. She can already see her twin wavering by the way he is biting his lip, and looking from side to side.

"Well, are there any that's not super cheesy? I don't want to watch some high school chick chasing some jock that's always too dumb to realize the right girl for him has been right in front of him all along. Those are so cliché, I don't even know why they keep making them."

"Hey, those are fun, and boys are idiots like that. It's true! But fine. I have two classics that are really good. Try..."

"Classics? I don't want any black and white movies now. We might fall asleep. Because I know I would." Arthit takes his pillow back from Krystal, and puts it back behind him.

Krystal rolls her eyes. Why are boys so dumb? Cross that. Why is her brother so dumb? "Classics doesn't have to mean ancient, and there are some great movies in black and white too. You uncultured swine. But anyway, the two I'm talking about are not in black and white. One is The Notebook and the other one is The Vow."

"The Vow? That already sounds cheesy. I don't want to watch any movie about weddings." The last thing he wants to watch is some lovesick people writing vows for their wedding. It sounds boring and lame.

"It's not boring at all. It's very sad and romantic. But if you don't want that one, then watch The Notebook. It is my favorite. You won't regret it."

"Are you sure? I don't want Kongpob to think I'm dumb for bringing some chick flicks." Arthit really doesn't want Kongpob to think or treat him like a girl now. Because he is definitely not a girl.

"P'Heng is not like that. He is handsome, sensitive, caring, gentle...mnmmasjskdjj" Krytal had to stop her brother from smothering her with his pillow.

"Stop talking about my boyfriend."

"Aish. I'm just trying to say that P'Heng knows how to appreciate these types of movies. Just trust me. Watch one of them."

End of flashback

"Uhm, I brought a few too. Maybe you might like them, but it is okay if you don't." Arthit fumbled a bit inside his bag. He was debating if he should just take out his two movies, and leave out Krystal's. But after going back and forth with himself, he hesitantly pulled out all four DVDs, and laid them on the coffee table.

Kongpob walked over to take a look at the DVDs. "Oh, this one is Krystal's favorite. The Notebook."

"How do you know?" Arthit asked, surprised that Kongpob would know his sister's favorite movie when he didn't.

"Krystal has mentioned it a few times throughout the years. It was on a replay at a local repertory cinema last year I think. I had asked Krystal if she wanted to go see it, but she said she has the DVD." Kongpob turned the DVD over to look at the back cover.

Arthit immediately frowned hearing that. Did his boyfriend just say he had asked his sister out before? "Wait! You asked Krystal out?" Arthit couldn't help it. He needs to know. It's not in his nature to hold back his tongue or curiosity. And especially not when it comes to his boyfriend.

"Yeah. It was her turn to pick a movie in our group. I saw it during a movie search, so I suggested it. Aim was so glad that she said no though, but I was kind of curious. Do you want to watch it?" Kongpob answered, completely unaware of Arthit's underlying question. He looked up, and saw Arthit smiling at him for an odd reason.

"Well, if you were curious about it, then let's watch it. Krystal did highly recommend it." Arthit said, biting his lip with a blush. He is so glad it wasn't what he thought it was. Now, come to think of it, if 'P'Heng,' whatever, had asked his sister out, she would have died already. Pfff.
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"Why didn't you write to me? Why? It wasn't over for me! I waited for you. I waited for seven years, but now it's too late! Why?"

" I wrote 365 letters. I wrote every day for a year to you."

"You wrote?"

"It wasn't over for me, and it still isn't."

Noah and Allie kisses dramatically on the screen. Arthit silently wipes away an escaped tear with the back of his hand. He fights back from sniffling because he doesn't want Kongpob to notice that he is crying over a dumb movie. No, it's so tragically stupid and romantic. He is going to get Krystal back for this. How can she do this to him? What would Kongpob think if he noticed him crying over a movie? Stupid Krystal!

Then all the sudden Arthit can hear a sniffling sound next to him. He turned around to see Kongpob with tears streaming down his face. They weren't sitting particularly close to each other for the movie. And he was so absorbed into the movie that he didn't even notice Kongpob's reaction till now. Kongpob looked at him, and then grabbed a tissue to wipe away his tears.

Kongpob smiled softly at Arthit. The movie is so sad, yet beautiful. The love that didn't die even after seven years, but the lost time between the lovers was so painful.

Arthit moved closer, twisting to his side, he laid his head on Kongpob's shoulder. Then he wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's waist. He can't help thinking about their impending separation. Is he Allie in their love story? Arthit starts crying too.

Kongpob wrapped one arm around Arthit, and kissed the top of Arthit's head. He gives Arthit a tissue too. The movie is indeed very heart wrenching. No wonder it's Krystal's favorite movie. It's a good recommendation. He should ask her for more good ones he thought to himself.

"Kongpob, do you think that will be us?" Arthit asked, hugging Kongpob tighter.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Kongpob tilted his head forward, and tried to look at Arthit's face.

"Well, we are going to separate too. Do you think our...our...you know... our...feelings...will stay the same?" Arthit fumbled a bit. He didn't know if he could call what they have 'love' yet. He doesn't want to scare Kongpob with the 'L' word even if he felt that way.

"Arthit, I knew I loved you before I met you. I don't think an ocean or two years will change that. The only regret I have is the fact that I'll be making you sad." Kongpob placed a kiss on Arthit's forehead.

Arthit's heart ached and melted at the same time. Kongpob said he loved him. So, he's not the only one that feels this way. This overwhelming feeling that consumes all of his waking hours and haunts his nights. Kongpob has been on his mind for years before he even knew what this feeling was, and before there was a name to Kongpob's face.

Arthit reached up, grabbed the back of Kongpob's neck, and smashed their lips together. He wanted Kongpob to know he feels the same too. It's like he dreamed Kongpob into his life. He poured his emotions into their passionate kiss. Their lips melded together, and their tongues dived deep into each other's caverns.

Kongpob cups the side of Arthit's face to gain some control. His heart is pounding as he can feel Arthit's other hand now on his back underneath his shirt. Should he do the same?

Arthit doesn't know what he is doing, but he wants to be with Kongpob. That's all he knows. He wants to touch him. He wants to be closer, and he wants Kongpob to love him the same. Arthit pulls away from Kongpob's lips, and kisses his neck. Arthit doesn't know if he is doing it correctly, but that's what they do in movies and on TV.

"Ngm... Arthit, what are you doing?" Kongpob managed to ask with his eyes closed. It feels good, and strange at the same time. His heart is pounding even harder now, and butterflies are going wild. He slowly pushed up Arthit's shirt, and slipped his hand inside as well.

"I don't know, but do you like it...does it feel good?" Arthit asked above a whisper  in between sucking on the crook of Kongpob's neck.

"Mmm...yes. Let me try it on you too." Kongpob said before he kissed and licked the back of Arthit's ear. It was the only part he could reach with Arthit's face buried in his neck.

"Ngm...ahh." Arthit moaned softly. A shiver courses through his body. He has never felt a touch like this. He has never known this sensation. Kongpob's soft lips and warm tongue against his sensitive skin felt amazing. He wanted more even though his heart was threatening to jump out of his chest. His hand touched everywhere it could underneath Kongpob's shirt. More soft moans escaped as Kongpob kissed further down his neck. With his arm still around Kongpob's back, he pulled Kongpob down as he leaned back.

Boom!

"I have a fiancé waiting for me out of a hotel that's gonna be crushed when..."

"So you make love to me, and then you go back to your husband? Was that your plan? Was that a test I didn't pass? I'm tired..."

"I made a promise to a man. He gave me a ring, and I gave him my word..."

"Your word is shot to hell now, don't you think?..."

"I don't know. I'll find out when I talk to him..."

"This is not about keeping your promise, and it's not about following your heart. This is about security..."

"What's that supposed to mean?..."

"Money! He's got a lot of money!..."

"Now I hate you!..."

"If you leave here, I hate you..."

The loud fight between Noah and Allie was loud enough to draw the two boy's attention. Kongpob looked at the loud fight on the screen, and then back at Arthit. He was currently hovering over Arthit's body. Arthit's shirt has been pushed all the way up to his chest, revealing his smooth and milky white skin. Kongpob felt so embarrassed and awkward. With a shy smile, he quickly got off Arthit, and sat up straight facing the TV again.

Arthit felt flushed, and he knew he must resemble a tomato right now, but he doesn't regret it. His heart was still racing as he sat up. He scooted closer, and leaned his head on Kongpob's shoulder again. They watched the rest of the movie with their hands laced together. Both of them hope that their love will be as strong as Noah and Allie's, and they will be able to find strength in each other to overcome any challenges ahead.

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AN: Sweets, I'm sorry for the late update. My emotions are all over the place. This chapter is probably the same. It's also the longest chapter of this story. I hope you still enjoyed it.

The Notebook is hands down my favorite romantic movie ever. Have you seen it? What's a romantic movie that you recommend? Also, I love caramel pudding. I can eat them every day. These are just little things about me. ☺️

Facts: Krist doesn't like KFC that much. This came as a shock to me. So, does that mean the person that really likes KFC is actually Singto? And Krist just eats it because he misses his P'Sing? 🤭

Love you lots,
Lana ❤️