In Every Lifetime

Chapter Ten

Kongpob sighed as he finished receiving birthday wishes from the daughter of the aunty of the other aunty of the uncle who lived down the street about two blocks away. This was exactly why he hated celebrating his birthday. There were always so many guests - many of which he did not recognise he might add, no thanks to his mother's over enthusiasm.

He understood her excitement over his birthdays as they each signified a year her son has survived but in reality, all he ever wanted was to have a quiet party, with just friends and family that mattered. However, being the ever thoughtful child he was, he never had the heart to reject his mother. Which basically brought him back to the same situation year after year, as he stood in his perfectly tailored suit, receiving and thanking guest after guest for coming to celebrate his birthday.

He sighed again as he shot a longing look towards Arthit who was now surrounded by both the gang and his own small handful of friends. He wanted nothing more than to glue himself to the elder's side but first, he had the polite birthday boy role to play.

As the last of the irrelevant guests trickled out of the house, Kongpob heaved a sigh of relief. He looked around at the crowd that remained and decided it was time to put his plan into action. Giving his parents a knowing look, he snuck up upon the unsuspecting Arthit and rounded him up in a back hug.

"Kongpob!" Arthit yelped, smacking his hands in a bid to get Kongpob to let go. They were surrounded by their closest friends who were now cheering and whooping, excited for the pair.

Kongpob grinned and whispered in Arthit's ear, "what's wrong Oon? Everyone here knows about us anyway."

"That isn't a reason to be so blatant!" Arthit hissed as he continued trying to wiggle his way out of Kongpob's arms.

"Oh but it is." Kongpob grinned, spinning the older boy around and planting a big wet kiss on his cheek. Before Arthit had the chance to yell his name again, Kongpob got down on knee in front of him.

"Wh-what are you doing Kong!" Arthit sputtered as he frantically tried to get the boy back on his feet. Master and Madam Sutthiluck and his father were watching them from the corner and there were people from the rest of the household all over the place. What was Kong thinking!

Kongpob jerked his head towards Bright and Tootah, who both grabbed Arthit by the arm each and held him still and trapped between them. Tootah even covered Arthit's mouth for good measure knowing that his dense friend was never going to get what was going on till the words were out of Kongpob's mouth.

"Oon, this was not how I saw my proposal going but you are truly infuriating sometimes." Kongpob started, earning a few sniggers from the small crowd around them. "I've known you since I was 5 and loved you ever since then. I was determined to make you my wife when I was 14 and was sure that I was in love with you since I was 15. You are my all, my everything and my everlasting sun. Like the moon that can't shine on its own without reflecting the light of the sun, my life has revolved around you ever since the moment I met you."

Kongpob took a deep breath before he continued. Arthit still looked as confused as ever. "I know I don't have much time left but I also know that as selfish as this may seem, I don't want to have lived this life without ever having the chance of calling you my other half. So I'm taking my shot now and praying that you love me as much as I know you do. Arthit Rojnapat, will you do me the honours of marrying me?"

Taking out the small box that had been burning a hole into his blazer's pocket the whole day every time he thought about it, he opened it to reveal two simple rings. With shaking hands he offered it up to the love of his life, trying to mask his nervousness by offering his trademark grin.