Arthit

It has been two months and a week since accident. They visited P'Sam and P'Nat day before yesterday, they had stayed there only for fifteen minutes since Kong still couldn't walk or support himself in standing for more than minute.

Doctors has estimated three more weeks of hospital stay before he could be discharged, he will have to continue his physiotherapy and light exercises for approximately four more months.

" Kong, I'm going to college. Wisit will be here in fifteen minutes. " Arthit informed a half sleepy Kong, he kissed the sleeping male's forehead and slung his bag on his shoulder.

Arthit doesn't like Wisit anywhere near Kongpob. That kid is just too friendly and informal with Kongpob, he banters, teases, scolds Kong like he owns him. Relationship of Kong and Wisit doesn't look like student and tutor, not even a bit. And it irks Arthit, but he has no option than leaving Kong in Wisit's care.

P'Suzy visits Kong regularly but she can't stay with Kong for half the day, she has her job. His friend and him has classes. Wisit is free since he is preparing for entrance exam, he brings his books in hospital and study while staying beside Kongpob. Wisit says it's convenient because he can clear his doubts with Kong's help.

But that damn kid never asks doubts, instead he cracks jokes, makes Kongpob laugh and argues with him. He always distracts Kong from gloomy thoughts and Arthit is extremely jealous of that. Why didn't God grace him with good sense of humor too? What is the use of this handsome face and genius brain , if he can't distract Kong from his sad thoughts? And this Wisit fellow looks like he has his claws on Ai Kong.

These two months had been hectic on Arthit, he had returned to hostel only to take baths and change clothes in first week of Kong's hospital stay.

After a week when it was clear that Kong will survive and need to stay in hospital for a prolonged period for his recovery, Arthit had made hospital his temporary home. He ate, bathed, slept at hospital itself. Though there were people volunteering to look after Kong, he stayed by Kong's side himself for whole period of his recovery. He has every intention to stay by Kong's side for whatever remaining time he will spend in hospital. He doesn't trust Kong to anyone. Though Arthit had protested against his friends staying with him but one of his friend is always accompanies him, never leaving him alone. He is greatful for that.

No matter how much Arthit wanted to stay by Kong's side 24/7 , but he will have to complete 75% attendance if he wants to sit for second year final semester. And Kong too insisted he attend college. Arthit didn't want Kong feeling guilty so he obliged, he attends lectures but half his mind still resides in the hospital near Kong. Everyone who sees Arthit says , Arthit is looking deathly pale. Even proffesor Suda is not throwing chalks at Arthit when sometimes he isn't paying attention or sleeps in the lecture.

Since last two weeks Kong is more or less conscious and unsedated. And for last fourteen days, whenever they talk , they fall in to argument.Topic of  argument being Arthit's hospital stay. Kong doesn't want Arthit to stay nights at hospital and Arthit absolutely changes the topic whenever Kong raised his concern.

Arthit once again kissed Kong's forehead
" Bye, I'll be here at 3:00. I have only one afternoon lecture today" he whispered.

" Arthit" Kong mumbled.

Arthit held Kongpob's right hand in his own two hands. " Do you need something Ai Kong ? Are you afraid staying alone ? I'll stay till Wisit arrives."

Kong shook his head in refusal and turned his neck towards Arthit " I need you to take care of yourself. Stay at hostel at least today Arthit, you haven't seen a bed in two months. " Kong pleaded, his voice groggy from sleep.

" I sleep here on the bed " Arthit pointed his tiny hospital alloted bed in one corner of Kongpob's room.

" I know you haven't had a proper seven hour sleep since last two and a half months. You even have dark circles under your eyes now- "

Arthit instantly cut him off
" What dark circles ? It's just a nature's way of  highlighting my beautiful eyes."

" Arthit, you are looking paler day by day. You have lost weight too. Please rest na jaa. There are other people to care for me, I won't be alone. " Kong pleaded squeezing Arthit's hand in his grip.

" I am fine till I'm by your side Ai Kong. It's just three more weeks. " Arthit cajoled.

" Arthit , you know It won't be same , I won't magically heal after three weeks. It will take more time. I can't see you deteriorating day by day. Please stay in hostel at night so you can have enough sleep. There are proffesionals here to take care of me. " Kong chided in stern tone.

" Why do you want me out? Wisit and P'Mook stayed nights too, I don't see you trying to kick them out. " Arthit argued with puffed cheeks and fake angry tone.

" Arthit - "

" I know the reason why you are doing this. -" Arthit declared folding his hands on his chest.

" And what is the reason? " Kong asked , anger simmering under his tone.

As always, Arthit was totally oblivious of Kongpob's anger or he didn't fear his wrath at all . Standing up, Arthit declared in clear and firm voice
" You have crush on that cute nurse. And you don't want me to stay because she is on night duty this week - "

Anger forgotten instantly, Kong furrowed his brows in confusion
" Which cute nurse ? "

" That nurse with cute Bob cut and cute doe like eyes who helped you with shaving your beard when I wasn't here. I totally knew it, she is too cute -"

" It looks like it is actually you who has a crush on this so called too cute nurse " Kong air quoted the too cute part. " You clearly find her everything cute from her hairs to her eyes. "

" Is my baby jealous ? " Arthit asked chuckling .

" Ofcourse not, for your kind information your too cute nurse is banned from my room and this ward because she found me too cute to concentrate on her job of helping me shave my beard and cut me at three places. The cut on my chin didn't healed for a week."

" Oh - " Arthit smiled awkwardly.

" It was good attempt to change the topic Arthit but it won't work. Have you even looked at yourself in a mirror lately , you look like a zombie- " Arthit didn't let Kong complete whatever he was saying, instead Arthit folded his arms at his chest and glared at Kong

" you forgot the handsome part. I will be a handsome zombie even if I turn in to one some day. For now I'm just - "

" A vampire would have more colour in their cheeks than you." Kong retorted.

" Boring white colour of these white hospital walls are reflecting on my cheeks. That's why my face is looking whitish. You-  "

Arthit shut up as Kong raised his hand in universal sign to shut up.

" Nice try Arthit but I'm not letting you change the topic. You are to stay at hostel and visit in day time if your schedule allows, if not then we can FaceTime or Skype and there are always weekends. You can meet me then. "

"Kongpob, you have to shave your beard. Let's do that tonight and we will decide tomorrow- "

" My beard isn't a national problem. Any one can help me shave it. I don't want to see you in hospital today. " Kong declared in stern tone leaving no room to negotiate.

" Fine " Arthit huffed " I won't come. " Stomping his foot extra loud Arthit left the hospital room.

He met Wisit in the corridor outside of Kongpob's room. It looked like today Wisit had put extra efforts in choosing clothes. He looked especially good in black slim fitted jeans and Tee, his face was glowing too.

Arthit looked at his own reflection in the glass wall. Standing beside Wisit, he looked like a pauper beside rich man. An especially ugly pauper at that. His hair had lost its natural lusture, with sunken cheeks, empty eyes and a week's stubble, he looked like his own nightmare.

" P'Arthit, you look like a zombie. You can rest tonight, I'll stay with Kong." Wisit offered.

Arthit huffed " Even as a zombie am more handsome than you. "

What does it matter if he looks like Maruti Alto standing beside an Audi R8 right now ? Confidence is the key to beauty. And he is world's most beautiful person if you ask him.

" Wow, you are a high key narcissist" Wisit retorted.

Arthit just frowned at him. He knows he is looking awful, does everyone have to point that out ? Kong has even kicked him out because of that. Even when Kong himself can't sleep after waking up due to nightmare if Arthit isn't by his side.

In his sleep Kong still sometimes think Arthit is in mortal peril or worse he dreams Thaksirat or Chanagun has kidnapped Arthit or sometimes even killed him. Sometimes his mind conjures the incident of Sam's self designed car accident, the screams are scary to listen and Kong instantly becomes forlorn when he wakes up after such dreams. Though Kong is making his peace with what happened, his mind still isn't over it, they had long way ahead.  The first day Kong dreamt of Arthit being stabbed by Chanagun, he cried whole night. Despite Arthit's comforting and reassuring Kong wasn't ready to stop or let go of the incident. He was horrified at his own mind which would conjure such cruel scenarios of horror.

Seeing faraway look in Arthit's eyes and worry lines etched on his forehead, Wisit put his hand on Arthit's shoulder and spoke in a gentle tone

  " Don't worry P'Arthit, I know he get nightmares. I am a light sleeper, I wake up at smallest of sounds. I'll take good care of him. I won't let him cry.  " Wisit offered.

" Thank you. Help him shave, after the incident with that nurse he isn't ready to let nurses help him. I was supposed to help him but he kicked me out. " Arthit told him.

Wisit chuckled " I will help him and he won't be able to kick me out, I have thick skin "

" Kongpob is mine. Wisit is only helping me taking care of Kong. Kong is mine. I am more handsome and a genius, a scholarship student. Wisit is just a student. He doesn't think of Kong that way....... Even if he does , it doesn't matter because Kong loves me" Arthit chanted in his mind to reassure himself. His looks was giving him serious insecurities and top of that Kong kept pointing out how hideous he looks.

What Arthit didn't know was he was actually mumbling these things and Wisit was hearing everything.

Looking keenly at him, Wisit cleared his throat
" P'Arthit, are you sure P'Kong won't look at anyone apart from you ? He is in a vulnerable mindset right now and your relationship is only few months old. It isn't like you have spent years with each other. "

Arthit scowled at the prospect of being asked such question. The audacity of this kid ! Does it matter how old is their relationship ? The thing that matters is their feeling towards each other..

" Nong Wisit, Kongpob loves Arthit. Kongpob is Arthit's and no one else's and you will see that. Arthit challanges you to make Kong look your way if you have the guts and quality it takes to make his eyes turn to you."

Wisit smiled at Arthit, not at all ruffled by Arthit's aggressive stance
" Wisit can win whom he wants P'Arthit, you'll see today itself. "

" Sure " Arthit spat and turned to leave for the college.

____________________

" Arthit , you are late " Knot whispered the obvious when Arthit slid in his seat beside Knot.
Arthit nodded " Because of that irritating Nong. He is a great help to Kong and makes him laugh, otherwise I would have had him banned from kong's room ages ago. "

" Why are you angry at him? He's a great kid. " Knot whispered.

" Great, my ass. He just challenged me, says he can make Kong fall for him. Good luck with that mate ! " Arthit snorted.

" Oh, did he ? " Knot was surprised.

" Yeah . He said and I quote, Wisit can win whom he wants P'Arthit , you will see today itself." Arthit whisper imitated Wisit's low baritone.

"Well, he is a prodigy in math and physics with a great sense of humor which is a rare combo to find. He is caring and mature when needed. We have seen how he takes care of Ai Kong, basically Wisit is a catch if you ask me. " Knot remarked. Arthit threw him a weird look.

Whole day Arthit sulked, in lectures, at canteen, everywhere.

Now that Kong is out of danger and isn't moaning in pain majority of the time, Arthit has noticed other general problems have found their way in to his mind.
For example, he worries about his father, hadn't told the truth of him and Kong. Will his father accept their relationship?

Is Wisit really a threat to him? Arthit was pondering over this question for whole day. Wisit is indeed all the things Knot had said. Does Kong too thinks Wisit is a catch ?

Then Arthit's mind went to the fact Kong desperately needed a shave and he was happy to help. But Kongpob had to kick him out !

If Wisit nicks Kong's skin, Arthit vowed to kill him. Anyways he just nrrmmHe just needs a reason.

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A/N : It gets better in next chapter. A prolonged hospital stay is never easy but if you keep positivity, things work out.

I wanted to highlight both Arthit and Kongpob's concern towards each other. It gets better in next chapter 😄🤗