2013
(K19, A18)

Kongpob looks around the crowd of people rushing in and out through the doors. Some people were crying of joy and some were crying of sadness. He acknowledges that he feels more of the latter. When he first got accepted to the prestigious IBEX program, he had imagined this day to be the most exciting. The day he embarks on a new adventure. A day that would go down in the history of his life as the first time he leaves his country and alone for that matter. This is a monumental moment for a nineteen years old boy like him.

Kongpob had two goals in mind for the past seven years. One was to fulfill his grandpa's promise and the other was to study abroad on a full scholarship. His parents are willing to pay for his studies abroad if he wanted, but he didn't want them to spend their hard-earned money on him. It was either he earns it himself or he doesn't go at all. Through his hard work, he's been given the opportunity to achieve both his goals at once. He's beyond grateful and happy for the chance of a lifetime. He really thought he couldn't ask for more. At least he shouldn't because that would be too greedy of him. Yet he can't help but be greedy just for once. Just for this one time, he wants more. Kongpob wants to keep a promise of his own. He loops the tip of his finger in his promise ring that's hanging on its chain. He can't help but look towards the doorways of the terminal even when he's not supposed to. He's already said all his goodbyes yesterday.

Yesterday all his friends had come to his house for a going away party. Kongpob and Arthit had agreed to keep their relationship a secret from their friends since it's so new and Kongpob is already leaving. Krystal told everyone that she invited her brother to join them since he had nothing to do at home. And since Arthit had hung out with the group before no one questioned why Arthit would come along. So Arthit and Kongpob tried to keep their distance in front of their friends. The keyword being 'tried' here. Everyone pitched in to help set up for the BBQ in the yard. Arthit was assigned to skewer all the prawns on a bamboo stick. Every time Arthit poked his fingers with either the sticks or by the prawns he would yelp and Kongpob would come running. While Krystal rolled her eyes and assured everyone that her brother will live to see tomorrow. And in every group picture, Arthit would conveniently slip in between whomever to be right next to Kongpob, especially if it was Jane. And every time Kongpob went back inside the house to get something, Arthit would also go missing too.

It didn't take long for Kongpob's friends to sense something suspicious. What with all the staring they were doing when they thought no one was looking. And the oh so obvious brushing of hands in the passing. It really didn't take much to figure something was up with the two. They were practically in their own world without knowing it. Tew lost count how many times he had to snap Kongpob out of it to get his attention.

Yet no one was sure enough to say anything. Especially when one of the suspects is Kongpob, the one that never even had a crush. That is until Aim walked right in on them making out in the kitchen when he was sent to get more chili sauce. Arthit was sitting on top of the kitchen counter with his arms and legs wrapped around Kongpob like a koala. Aim's eyes went wide seeing the boys kiss passionately with soft moans escaping. Aim quietly snuck back outside without the couple noticing.

Later, Tew had to use the bathroom, and the guest bathroom downstairs was already occupied. Knowing that he couldn't hold it any longer he made his way to the bathroom upstairs. On his way back downstairs, he passes by Kongpob's bedroom only to hear someone inside. The voices belonged to none other than Kongpob and Arthit. Tew knows eavesdropping isn't nice, but he got too curious. When did Kongpob and Arthit get this acquainted? Upon listening for a couple of minutes he had to cover his mouth in shock. Arthit was sulking and complaining that Kongpob was standing too close with Jane. He thinks Kongpob is giving Jane mixed signals. While Kongpob assured Arthit in a soothing soft voice that Jane is only a friend and he only feels this way with Arthit. Tew almost tripped down the stairs with the new revelation.

Aim and Tew each tried to hold their tongues. It's almost too shocking. No, it is too shocking. It's so shocking that probably no one would believe them without hard evidence. They wouldn't believe it either if they didn't see it with their own eyes. Neither knew what to do with this newfound information. It was awkward. They can't just burst out saying their friends are together when they are both boys. Maybe they aren't ready to come out.

Then it happened. The couple slipped out of character. Not that they were actually fooling anyone before but this was clearly a fail. Sitting together to eat at the patio table the two started sharing a can of soda subconsciously. Kongpob would take a sip of his Coke and then put it down and a few seconds later Arthit would pick up the same can for a sip too. The weird thing was that there were extra cans of soda right in front of the boys.

Then Oak's curiosity and stupidity finally got the best of him. He simply couldn't make sense of why the boys had to share a can after another can. He opened a can of Coke and placed it in front of Arthit's face saying there's plenty and there's no need to share with Kongpob. Kongpob looked up like a deer caught in headlights. Arthit instantly blushed into a tomato. Tew eyes immediately went wide looking at Kongpob and Arthit's face. Aim would have kicked Oak if he hadn't been sitting on the opposite side of the table.

Then Wad simply pointed it out that that's what couples do without even looking up from his plate. Everyone was dead silent and then Wad looked up to see everyone's stunned faces. He shook his head and simply pointed out the fact that the boys are wearing matching rings on their necklaces. Everyone's eyes quickly shifted to the said rings for verification and indeed they were a match. The couple's tomato red faces and shy smiles looking away from each other was all the confirmation the gang needed to start their teasing.

Krystal and Jane just kept eating with a smile like nothing was happening. Jane had known the truth a while ago since Krystal as her best friend didn't want to lie to her. Krystal was initially worried about Jane's reaction to the news, but honestly, Jane had already moved on from those feelings and treasures their group's friendship instead. So she was happy that P'Heng had found his happiness even if it's not with her.

Towards the end of the night, as everyone said their goodbyes and well wishes, Arthit stayed back a little longer. He wanted a private moment to say goodbye to his boyfriend. Arthit told Kongpob that he had decided to not go to the airport the next day because he's afraid that it would be too hard to watch Kongpob leave. Arthit didn't tell Kongpob this, but he's also afraid that he might end up crying in public and in front of Kongpob's parents. So he chose to say goodbye the night before. Kongpob understood what Arthit had meant, and he was sad and glad at the same time. Sad that they couldn't see each other on his very last day, but glad because he knew it would be really hard for him to leave Arthit at the airport too. They wiped each other's tears and recited their promise again. They kissed more, hugged more, and then kissed more and hugged more again. Neither wanted the night to end but Arthit's father had come to pick Arthit up since it was already past midnight. With another kiss and another hug while reciting their promise again, they finally said goodbye.

"Kongpob, you're all checked in. Do you have your sweater in your backpack? Sometimes it can get chilly on the airplane." Kongpob's dad asks.

"He does. I've made sure to put one in there earlier. There are also wet napkins to wipe down your seating area. Make sure you do that. There are lot of germs on airplanes. I've packed some pain relievers in your backpack too. Just in case. Honey, do you need to use the restroom before security? The line for security looks really long." Kongpob's mom fusses over her baby. He has never been so far away from her. No one knows but she cries even when he goes camping for more than three days, and she is fighting back tears with all her might at the moment.

"No mom, I don't need to use the bathroom." Kongpob looks at his watch. There's still two hours before his flight, so there's still a bit of time left before he has to get to his gate.

"There's still some time son. Do you want to get anything from the store? Perhaps, some snacks?" Kongpob's dad points to a snack and souvenirs shop on the other side of the terminal. He wants to spend every last minute possible with his son. His demanding job takes him away from his family more than he would like but he has no other choice. However, every time he came back home, Kongpob was there with a great big smile waiting for him. Now, he won't be able to see that smile for the next two years.

Kongpob reluctantly follows his parents to the snack shop. He pulls his phone out to check for messages but there weren't any new ones. Arthit had already sent him 'goodbye and have a safe flight' early this morning but nothing else since then. Kongpob doesn't know what more to expect, but something just feels missing. With a bit of disappointment, he pockets his phone back.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

Kongpob immediately pulls his phone out and smiles seeing it's Arthit calling. He waves his hand to let his parents know to go ahead to the store without him and he'll be right there.

"Kongpob! Have you checked in yet?" Arthit asks, sounding a bit out of breath.

"Arthit, I'm glad you called. I've checked in already."

"Oh. Then I missed you then." Arthit silently sheds a tear. He feels so stupid for saying he wasn't going to come last night. So stupid.

"Missed me? Where are you?"

"Oh, I just got to your house." Arthit lies as he looks out to a sea of people at the terminal through teary eyes. He doesn't want Kongpob to feel bad that he came all the way to the airport.

"Oh, my flight is in about two hours. So we had left already. I thought you knew." Kongpob's shoulders slump. If only he had reminded Arthit again last night then maybe he would have been able to see him today.

"ANA NH 806 CHECK-IN COUNTER J"

Kongpob hears the announcement overhead and the same echo through his phone. Wait! How is that possible? "Arthit, you're at the airport! Where exactly are you? I'll come to you."

"I'm sorry Kongpob. I didn't mean to get here so late. You've already checked in so you can't come back out. I'm really sorry I missed you."

Kongpob looks around the terminal. There are so many people coming and going. Scanning through the crowd and then there he is. Arthit is standing there looking up at the flight information board with a phone in his hand.

"Arthit, just don't move. I'm coming." Kongpob tries to jog to Arthit while dodging all the people in his path.

"Really? Will they let you do that? Do you have enough time?" Arthit looks at Kongpob's flight time again. He's worried that he might cause Kongpob to miss it if Kongpob comes back out. "Kongpob, I don't think it's a good idea. What if you miss your flight?"

Kongpob ends the call. "It's a great idea."

Arthit turns to the voice and he's astonished. "Kongpob!"

The two boys embrace tightly, twisting and rocking each other. They didn't miss their last day after all. Arthit sniffles and wipes his tears on Kongpob's shoulder. It's embarrassing but it's too late now.

"I'm so glad you're here. I really want to see you. I know I said it would be okay, but I don't know. I miss you so much already." Kongpob finally admits. This whole time they've been together he has tried to be strong so that their separation would feel less painful. But it's too hard to keep lying to himself. He already misses Arthit so much that it hurts just thinking about tomorrow.

"Me too! But I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels this way."

They pull apart to get a better look at each other.

"Of course not."

"I have something for you. I was debating if I should give you this or not. I was afraid that you might think it's too cheesy so I didn't give it to you yesterday. But I thought about it again and I decided to give it to you after all. I'm so glad I still made it. Here, open it." Arthit hands over a gift bag to Kongpob.

"Thank you." Kongpob opens the bag and takes out a grey leather-bound notebook with the script letter 'K' pressed on the lower right corner.

"It's a diary. Only, I want you to write to me. I know we won't get to talk to each other every day like we've been doing. And sometimes when things past you will forget or don't bother to say it by the time we talk. Also, I know some things are easier written on paper than spoken. So, please write in this diary every day like you have been sharing with me the past thirty-two days. You don't have to write a lot. Just a bit every day will be good. And when you come back, you can exchange it for mine. I'll be writing to you every day too."

Kongpob smiles and hugs Arthit again. His heart feels so heavy yet so full. "I love you, Arthit. I promise to return to you. I promise."

"I love you too."

~~~~~~
AN: Sweets, sorry for the late update. I needed to gather my thoughts for this. And here it is. I've sent Kongpob off. Distance is not for the faint of heart. So how will they grow together yet separate?

Fun Facts: As you may or may not know (of course you know) that Singto is finally getting his college degree after 8 (4 in Economics and 4 in Communications) grueling years of studies. But his graduation is actually scheduled for next year since he didn't make the cut off for this year's ceremony. When asked if he regrets his 4 years in Economics, he says he doesn't because of the friends he's made and the career path it has led him. It was during those years where he was a hazer for the Economics Faculty that made him the actor that he is today. You may never know what will change your life.

🎈🎉Happy 26th Birthday Singto!🎉🎈

Curtsy,
Lana ❤️