18

Seeing a message from Wayu, Phana perked up. He instantly clicked the link wayu has sent. It led him to student forum of his own college. 

"The victim or a Homme fatale ?" the post read. Arthit's kohl lined eyes stared at him from the photo.

"What the fuck?" Phana shouted, looking at the bright painted lip in horror. pleated skirt and matching red shirt knotted in front, Just below his chest, baring most of Arthit's flat stomach to viewer's eyes. Arthit looked more of a backstreet unmentionable than a bright and upright student he knew. 

" Where did you get this?" He asked Wayu. 

"I came to meet Kong, this photo was all over the dorm walls. Then aim showed me the article. Phi Dear and P'Tum are trying their best to deal with it. But, you know them. Whole engineering department is a hothead, their ancient rivalry with agriculture dept. doesnt help the situation either.  If it reach Kong, he would flip, so I sent this to you. I know you will handle it responsibly."

" You did right. Thank you" Phana replied, suddenly too morose to even think about asking for the date, that he was trying so hard to score.

" Solve this, before Sunday." Wayu replied.

" What's on sunday?"

" There is this Art exhibition, I wanted to go with you?" 

" with me?"

"Yeah." wayu shrugged and flashed his dimpled smile" I have already spent my monthly allowance. So, I need you to buy me that painting, I am buying"

"What makes you think, I am gonna buy that for you?" 

" I can always ask P'Forth-"

" no..no. I will buy you that damn painting,"

" Thank you. By the way I was just going to ask P,forth for money, My date to art exhibition was you only"

" Date?"

"Sunday, bye." Saying this Wayu cut the call.

After the call with Wayu, he gave agricultural department, a one day ultimatum to find the culprit who had photoshopped Arthit,s picture to degrade him. This was a cheap move even for Teenathat's standards.

....................

Engeenirng Dorm

The students furiously tore down each and every poster of Arthit from each and every dormitory wall.

" I think agriculture department needs another reminder of what happens when they mess with engineering" Prem growled. " I knew they were cheapskate but this is too much."

"Let us complain to Deen na Ai Prem." Aim advised.

" You think they are gonna listen to us?" Prem fumed. " Didn't you hear what went down in The administrative level meeting?" 

" Still, " Aim argued " By engaging again in fight with Agriculture department we are only going to hurt Arthit,s case. We need to keep our calm na oi" 

" I think we should prove that its photoshopped." Tew suggested.

"Yeah" said Wad" If we prove that Those Agriculture students are doing these kind of things to slander Arthit's character and image, Arthit can even book a case against them."

"Right" Prem clenched his jaw, he strode towards his room " Just see how I knock them down their stupid asses"

.................

Prem sat stunned before his laptop. " Hey" Wad called his attention " Any issue?" 

"Are the modifications encrypted or what?" Tew asked.

Prem didn't care to reply.

"Prem" Wad shook him gently" Why are you shocked?"

"This image is not photoshopped" Prem said, " it has been resized ofcourse, but it does not look tampered with."

"What?" many voices echoed at once.

Dear almost squashed the soda can he was drinking from " You mean there is a possibility that Arthit had voluntarily participated or had been subjected to this"

" Yeah" Wad replied " That does not change the scenario that he was assaulted and harassed" 

" Harassed is quite strong word for someone who dresses like this voluntarily" someone from the assembled engineering students retorted in a small voice.

" Who knows if he was threatened? He does look afraid and anxious in the picture."

" Agris (Agricultural students) are saying that they had paid him for that." Rez , one of Arthit's classmates said.

" Was the video not proof enough for you?" Aim glared. " Did you not see how they hit him and tried taking advantage?" 

" There was no sound, Ai Aim. We don't know what was being said" another one retorted. " What if they were enraged because he did not deliver what they paid him for.

" How can you say this, Som " Tew argued " Aren't you a scholarship studeent too? shouldn't you stand with him ?"

" I am not against him, Ai Aim. I just don't want our fight to be for nothing. I don't want our department's name to be dragged through mud. If Arthit has really done that, we are going to be object of ridicule. Don't forget that if this fight goes out, our uni's reputation will be damaged and that means no reputation for its graduates as well. ... no one will hire us ? What will be the use of ohr hard work then ?"

" You will not have to fight for jobs, but we have to na oi " Rez said . " And let's face the truth. Arthit's  record hasn't been spotless.  The guy does everything and anything for money. "

" He must have had his reasons Rez " May argued.

" Let his past be bygone. " A girl said " But, why did he not complained against them? Why does he not want to take it to administration? He even stops us from fighting for it. It is not looking in Arthit's favour."

" I know I am being the bad one by saying this. But everyone present here has doubt that Arthit is not a completely innocent party in this."  Raz said.

" What do you mean to say?" Dear asked.

" We want to know the truth " Rez said. " If we are going to support him, We deserve to know the truth of what happened between them ? Was Khun Time Teenathat really his boyfriend whom he cheated upon ? Or he took money for physical favors as Agris are saying?"

" Silence " Tum thundered "How many of you think we should ask Arthit these questions before proceeding with our protest against administration ?" Tum asked .

half of the present students raised their hands,

" Get out" Tum yelled.

" But we deserve to know the truth phi..." Som and Rez stood their ground.

" You don't deserve to know shit" Dear shouted. " You aren't trying to find the truth. You are already implicating Arthit did all that he is being accused for.
A friend, a sotus partner who trusts outsiders words, doesn't get to know shit . Get out. Arthit doesn't deserve to be mud thrown uoon..."

" Phi..."

" Get lost. And don't let me see your faces" Tum yelled. Seeing the scary head hazer enraged, The naysayers quietly walked away.

"And keep your murk in your mind, if I see any of you Saying same shit outside, I will deal with that person personally." Dear threatened. 

......................................................

While Kong was awake whole night, Arthit had slept like a baby- worry free as if a big burden slid down his shoulders. The fear of rejection had made it impossible for kong to stay still, he paced and paced the room till he felt dizzy. he desperately wanted to break a glass but he had promised not to do so. He couldn't even beat his hanger against the bed to relese his frustration,since Arthit was sleeping on it.

Sensing his warm breathing pillow gone, Arthit stirred awake. " What time is it?" He asked yawning.

" Eleven" Kong answered, still pacing, clenching and unclenching his fist.

" I still have one more hour to sleep. I promised myself, I will sleep till twelve. Come here..."

Kong glanced at his adorable boyfriend whose eyes were opened just a slit and hair stuck out in all directions. Arthit looked cute and well rested, it warmed his heart that he was able to provide that little peace to Arthit. " I don't think I can sit or lay still beside you right now.." Kong replied, fiddling with his fingers.

" And why is that ? "

" I am worried. "

" Why? "

" How can I not be ? " Kong turned to Arthit. "After that crazy move, every body is talking about those posters only. They are slandering you like anything. There even are some lewd messages on your mobile. I want to wring each of their necks— " Kong stopped abruptly " But doing violence is not good. I must refrain from such thoughts. I should meditate but i am not able to concentrate right now. I should chant —"

" You should come here. " Arthit encouraged, patting the space besides him " I will help you collect your thoughts " . After much reluctance Kong followed him.

" I don't want to talk to you right now. In my head, I am having thoughts of kidnapping you and take you to our vacation villa. It's  on a remote island so you won't be able to get out and do reckless things , without me or one of mines. Internet connectivity is also very bad there, so you won't be able to put yourself in danger neither can someone else slander you. "

" Burying our heads in sand doesn't make the world blind, Kongpob." Arthit said solemnly.

" I know . That is why aborted that plan. Right now I am trying to convince my brain that hiding you away won't do any good."

" They had always held those pictures and papers as sword on my head Ai Kong. They would use that in hearings too and they would have convinced the board that I was paid for physical Service to Teenathat and his evil bunch. It was necessary to get the surprise factor out of way. We still have six days till next meeting"

" I know.... but the rationality of the decision isn't giving me any hope. Public opinion too is important. Even our own department has reservations about you. I am worried, Thit. It looks like your decision to out those pictures is spectacularly backfiring on you. "

" I know. But this was a chance I had to take. Something tells me Teenathat was going to public these evidences sometime in the future. So, I decided to do it now. I am already labelled a money slut, I have nothing to loose. The only way this picture can affect my public image is to uplift it, I am already at rock bottom.  Now, I am waiting for the dust to settle down. "

Kong squeezed Arthit's hand in assurance " Everything will fall back in place I have 99% trust in you. "

" 99%" Arthit chuckled, amused " not 100? "

" It's stupid to have 100% trust . There's always at least 1%  probability of things not going according to plan. But, I assure you, even if it does not go as you expect, you will still have me by your side."

" You know what to say to win a guy's heart."

"I do?" Kongpob's brows jumped high in surprise " Doesn't look like people much appreciate or desire to listen my input"

" Okay..."Arthit smiled. "You know how to win my heart."

 Kong beamed at Arthit "I will star mark this week's diary entry so I can actually pinpoint what did I say to win your heart. i will do that everyday. Because I never want to loose your heart.".  

.................................................................................

A/N : I am not much confident about this chapter. Its been so long since I wrote this story. This chapter has taken me thrice the amount of time I expected it to take. this is  more of a filler. I promise, next chapter is more long and more happening.  

We are nearing end of story (couple of chapters left). 

To all those readers who are still waiting on this story, Thank you very much. 



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Phana called meeting of all representatives of Engineering and Agriculture








































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