Kongpob sat in his office in his comfy extra padded swiveling chair but he was not at all comfortable. In every five minutes the sad face of merman popped up in his mind.

" Arthit will be lonely, human " Merman's grim voice rang in his ear.

Indeed !

He can understand plight of the merman. Previously, he had whole ocean to himself to play and hunt and do whatever he wanted. All of a sudden he was thrown in this 10 by 10 bath tub... No, dry pond. Kongpob chuckled, that's what the merman calls the bathtub. He doesn't have anything to entertain himself with.

Kongpob smiled remembering how happy Arthit was to hear that he will get to meet a parrot - correction, a talking bird😄. He checked time in his wrist watch. 3:00 PM. Still three hours to go.

Hmm...

Everyday, he works his ass off to the point that people are saying he is married to his work. He can take a break once in a while, right ?

Right. He answered himself.

" Suzy, please cancel my schedule. " He told his secretary and just like that, Kongpob - the workoholic president was off to his home. No extra hours today.

Now, the million dollar question was - Where will he find a parrot on such a short notice? Sure, he can buy one but it needs to be pre-booked and he should meet it twice or thrice...

He doesn't have time for that. Also, he doesn't know how many days that merman will be here. What if some day he suddenly vanished in puff of air, just like he appeared out of nowhere !

If something like this happens then he will be left with a pet he cannot give time to. It will not be justificable to the parrot. What should he do ?

P'Bright ... Yes.

Kongpob called Bright , immediately.

" P'Bright ... Can you give me Babo for a week ? "

" How can you ask for my soulmate , Kongpob?" Bright cried in disbelief, Kongpob instantly held the phone away from his ear " How will I live without my Babo- she is love of my life,my business partner ,my partner in crime.."

" Phi I'm asking for your parrot Babo, not your girlfriend."

" Babo is my parrot Kongpob..."

"Great! Please let her live at my place for few days. I just need her for a week na Phi. Three days will do too. "

" Absolutely not. "

" I'll treat her right na phi... Don't worry."

" No... Babi is everyone's favourite in the bar...my sales will plummate like crazy..."

" Come on phi... People go to bar to drink wine not to see a talking parrot.."

" You don't know Babo, Kongpob. She is my business partner..."

" I'll send you the box of chocolate... One I sent last year." Kongpob bargained.

" Switzerland one ? " Bright asked curiously.

Kongpob nodded " yes, phi. "

" Make it two and I might consider. "

" Okay, Phi. I'll send it to you, tomorrow. "

" Good, I'll be eagerly waiting for my four boxes."

" But, we agreed on two na phi? "

" No, Nong. I agreed only on thinking about lending you my soulmate. So, two for thinking and two for giving it makes four boxes. "

Kongpob chuckled " okay, phi. I hope your bird is nothing like you..."

" One warning though ... Don't call her 'Babo', Kongpob. "

" Why? "

" It will cost you one more box, this knowledge doesn't cover in four box scheme.."

" Why do I feel like asking for your bird was a mistake ? "

Bright laughed "It will be best mistake of your life. "

********

" Arthit ..." Kongpob hollered from the door itself, he was excited to show the bird to Arthit. Bright had an African grey whom he had named ' Babo' ( fool) but the bird never responded to the name. Call her 'Babo' and she will bite the heck out of you. As if the bird understood meaning of her name.

" Arthit ..." Kongpob yelled again.

" Yes , human... I am not deaf you know. " Arthit yell-responded.

" That's what I was saying ... " The bird chirped up.

Getting rid of his shoes and socks, Kongpob ran towards the bathroom with cage in his hands. Mini swing perch in Babo's cage swayed dangerously, destabilising the bird's perch.

" Put me down you moron. " The bird yelled.
Kongpob ignored her. " I said, put me down." The bird yelled again.

" Wait a minute plz," Kongpob requested panting " I will not harm you Babo. "

Hearing the word 'Babo' , bird spread its tail wings and glared at Kongpob " You are a Babo ( fool) , you dick head. "

Kongpob look at the bird wide-eyed. " Who the fuck taught you such foul words? "

" Who the fuck taught you such foul words?" Bird asked back.

"Why am I already thinking that bringing you was greatest mistake? " Kongpob asked the bird.

" Because you are smart..." The bird replied.

" Kongpob" Arthit yelled from inside .

" Coming .... One sec" Kongpob replied.

" Tsk...tak...whipped " the bird mocked.

Ignoring the bird, Kongpob slipped his feet in bathroom sleepers and swung the bathroom door open.

" Arthit ... See , what did I bring for you ? " Excited, Kongpob swung the cage lightly.

Arthit clapped his hand " Wow, talking bird " his tail suddenly perked up that caused water to spill out of bathtub.

" Yes..." Kongpob grinned seeing Arthit's astonished expressions.

Seeing Arthit, bird cocked its head , moving it from side to side and whistled " what do we have here?"

" Babo, this is Arthit ." Kongpob introduced.

Bird jerked it's neck towards Kongpob " Out of my sight, Potter. "

" No...no , talking bird. He is Kongpob not a Potter...he is a busy man. " Arthit scratched his head " Arthit forgot the word... He is something busy .... It's like a trader."

The bird turned his attention towards Arthit
" I have never seen something like you my dear "

" Me too... You are a smart bird , talking bird. It took Arthit ten earth cycles to learn basic human language. I've heard you learn it in three- four moon cycles."

The bird preened it's feathers " You are a smart human..."

" No, talking bird, Arthit is a merman. " Arthit corrected.

" Did someone forget me already ? " Kongpob asked pouting.

" No human... " Arthit shook his head " Arthit is greatful to you for bringing Arthit a companion. Arthit grants you free access in water, whenever you will go in to any part of ocean that belongs to North Kingdom, no sea creature will harm you. "

" Amen." The bird yelled.

" Look at you, bestowing me a boon. " Kongpob chuckled "Are you a demigod now, Arthit ? "

Arthit furrowed his brows in confusion
" Arthit told you that he is a mer-prince , human."

Kongpob waved a hand in dismissal " Leave it. Let me introduce you two - Birdie this is Arthit " Kongpob turned to Arthit " Arthit this is birdie "

Arthit waved at the bird " Hello... Talking bird. I am Arthit ... Third prince of North oceans. What is your name? " He asked, his scales shined brightly which indicated he was immensely happy.

" I am Bright bird, prince Athit." The parrot spoke then she turned her neck towards Kongpob and shrieked " Put me down you Dunderhead "

Startled, Kongpob instantly placed the cage in the floor.

"Bright bird. " Arthit called and the bird tilted her neck, discerning Arthit with her beady eyes. " He is Kongpob not a Dunderhead"

" Arthit ..beautiful " Bird chirped up.

Arthit blushed" You are beautiful too, Bright bird. " Arthit told her. In all the excitement of meeting a new friend, Arthit had not noticed the cage the bird was in " Kongpob, did you kidnap her? 😱" Arthit asked horrified " Her Mae and por will miss her, Kongpob. If bright bird didn't want to meet Arthit then Arthit understands. You didn't have to Kidnap her. "

" Where did you get the idea that I kidnapped her? She is one of my senior's pet bird, I asked him to let me take her home to meet you. "

" Humans have pet too! Like Arthit have pet sharks. That's great - I have one more information. " Arthit clapped his hand.

Next second, his excitement faded " But, this talking bird is so small ! " Arthit mused, he tilted his head towards the parrot " Bright bird, you look too small . How do you attack your owner's enemies ? 🤔. Aren't pet for the protection of owners ? "

" No, Arthit. " Kongpob crouched down and squatted , he chuckled looking at Arthit's confused face " Where do you find such wild theories ? Pets in human world are different okay ? Pets are like family members, we take care of them, their food, health, share a house with them. In turn , they love us unconditionally. "

" Pet doesn't attack enemies? 😯"

Kongpob smiled and nodded " They do. But, they are not raised as a purpose for protection. They protect and take care of their owner because they love their owner. It's just like living with a family member. Do you understand now ? "

Arthit nodded excitedly " Yes, human 😇"

" Good... Did you like the bird? " Kongpob asked .

" Very much, human. Talking bird is so smart. "

"Prince Arthit , very beautiful " the bird chirped.

" See, Kongpob. She even knows I am most beautiful." Arthit gazed at the bird adoringly.

Kongpob felt a tad bit jealousy. It's been only a little more than one whole day but he had become habitual to Merman's insistent questioning and unwavering curiousity. Now that the bird was here, Kongpob was ignored whole heartedly.

" Humans have pet like a family member " Arthit mused, commuting the new information in his brain.

" Kongpob " Arthit turned his head away from the bird and towards the human

" Yes, Arthit. " Kongpob instantly perked up at the attention.

" Does that mean Arthit is your pet ? " Arthit asked.

" What " Kongpob choked on dry air. " You will cause me cardiac arrest merman. "

"Arthit can make you get arrested ? 😱😵" The merman asked horrified. " Arthit will go back😔, Arthit doesn't want you to get arrested, human 😞"

"Not that arrest , Arthit 🤦. Cardiac arrest means heart stops working. "

" Oh! " Arthit pursed his lip.

" Why are you sad, my beautiful ? " The bird chirped out of nowhere.

" You are so sweet, talking bird. " Arthit gushed.

Kongpob frowned at rapid growing friendship
She is a nuisance. I regret bringing her now.

Arthit looked at Kongpob who was squatted beside his bathtub, stilled, not even moving an inch.

Kongpob said, Arthit can cause his heart to stop 😫. Kongpob is not moving, just like his pet crab.... No 😢😢.

" Kongpob is your heart stopped functioning 😭😭😭?" Arthit wailed " I'm sorry Kongpob 😭, Arthit didn't mean to make you doe. Little mermaid 😭😭. Why ?🤧🤧"

" You stupid Merman ! Why are you crying? " Kongpob chided at Arthit who stopped wailing but his mouth was still slacked in an ' O'.

Kongpob took Arthit's hand and placed it in his face " I am alive...see, I'm still warm. Humans go cold when they die "

" Arthit is happy, human " Arthit wiped his tears.

" Good." Kongpob praised " Don't ever cry, you turn gray. I don't like that " Arthit smiled at him. " To answer your question, no . You are not my pet."

" But, you saved Arthit from drying out means you cared for Arthit's health. You also shared your home with Arthit. You brought talking bird to meet because Arthit was lonely, means you care for Arthit... Oh! Arthit understand the reason now. You didn't give Arthit food -"

" Barbaric -" the bird yelled.

Kongpob clasped his palm over his mouth " Oh My God! I'm so sorry, Arthit. I didn't realise- "

" Why are you still here Potter ? Back to your table - " the bird chirped.

Arthit laughed " He is a trader not a Potter, bright bird. " He corrected the parrot.

" Arthit, I will bring you food right away..."Kongpob ran out of the bathroom.

" Peanut for me too- " The bird yelled her order.

💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫
* A glance in next chapter *

Kongpob you are nincoop no poop ... "

" Huh ? "

" Bright bird, tell him which poop he is ? "

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🤦❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

A/N: Okay. Would you like for me to unpublish it , develop a plotline and then publish it. Or it's fine as it is ?