In Every Lifetime

Chapter Twenty

The gang soon noticed Arthit had begun perking up a few days after the night of his wedding - which was strange. They had expected a gradual pick up and most definitely not an immediate change in mood like this. While he avoided saying Kongpob's name, he seemed almost terrifyingly stable for someone who had just lost the love of his life.

It had been almost like he had moved on.

Which was scary because it was totally unlike Arthit. And they were worried. But none of them knew how to bring up the matter, least they triggered the false front to come crashing down. But while Arthit seemed okay emotionally, they were ever more concerned with his health.

The bags under Arthit's eyes were darkening by the day, a clear indication that he was not getting enough rest. They feared that their friend might eventually collapse at the rate this was going.

"Hey, my parents are going to be out of town this weekend! You guys should come. We could grill some moo-ping, chill and have a sleepover!" Bright announced during lunch.

It was a little scheme they had devised to try to help Arthit sleep better. They figured that if they surrounded him, he might get a good night's sleep. Either that or tire him out enough that he crashes. They weren't picky. Anything to help their friend.

Arthit's eyes widened in surprise. He didn't want to go. What if he couldn't meet Kongpob tonight? They still didn't know how it worked. Did he have to be in Kongpob's room? What were the factors involved? Whatever it was, he most definitely didn't want to risk it. Being able to see Kongpob at night was the only thing keeping him sane.

But he couldn't tell anyone about it. How was a guy supposed to just come out and say that 'oh by the way, I meet my dead husband in the land of souls which is why I'm still functioning like a normal human'. This wasn't a normal dinner topic he could just bring up so easily.

"Erm," Arthit started, his brain whirring around madly, trying to come up with an excuse. "I can't er.. No, I have this thing.."

"Nope, you're not getting out of hanging out with us." Tootah announced with finality, giving him a look that effectively shut him up.

Knott patted him on the shoulder, "Arthit, you need to get out more often. You can't just coop yourself up at home."

Arthit sighed. He knew his friends were bound to intervene one way or another and he wanted to tell the others about what was going on with him. However, he feared their reactions. A relationship like that was unlikely to get the blessings of others, regardless of who they were to each other when Kongpob was alive.

He nodded soundlessly, wishing that the weekend would never come.

"What if I can't meet you that night, Kong?" Arthit whined, throwing himself into his husband's arms the minute he had arrived in the room that night.

Kongpob laughed, squeezing Arthit tight. "It's just one night Oon, you should go enjoy yourself."

"I don't want to if it's without you," the sulking continued.

"You used to whine that you couldn't go anywhere without me," Kongpob teased. "Now you're the one who doesn't want to be without me."

"That was different."

"Oon, that's exactly why you should go. Because it's different now. I may not be here forever." Kongpob said quietly, patting his back.

Arthit pulled back in panic, looking at him. "Why? Why won't you be here forever? Where are you going?" His questions came like rapid fire at the flustered soul.

"I don't know Oon, I'm just saying. We don't know how this works. I may not be here anymore tomorrow either. Every night I have here with you is a blessing that I don't want to take for granted." Kongpob sighed.