Silence fell over the room with Kong's words

"What the hell are you thinking, Kong? What about your Masters degree ??"

"I am planning to have my Master's degree on distance learning program Dad, I will come here for the submission of projects and for taking my exams, I will have my classes online....."

Kerkerai stared at him with stern and hurt eyes, Kong hasn't seen his dad this upset in a long time, all the same, Kong really wished he wouldn't disagree with him on this matter, because....

HE NEEDED TO BE CLOSE TO ARTHIT AT ANY COST

That was the only thought in Kong's mind

"I want you to be happy Kong, to have a future..."

Kerkerai spoke in a low shaking voice

Kong stopped him right there

"So you think my helping Arthit is throwing all that away ??"

Kerkerai looked at him with a mix of emotions, a bit of anger, but mostly sadness. He rose from his chair and placed his hand on Kong's shoulder

"Kong, I know you have feelings for this guy, but don't put all of your hopes into him...."

Kong and his dad has always had an amicable relationship. Very few times they had actually been really upset with each other, this was one of those times.

"I just want to know why ??"

Kerkerai asked heavily

"I don't know. I...I just...it feels right, in my heart "

Kong replied, his dad exhaled deeply. Kong knew his answer wasn't what he wanted to hear

"I just want what's best for you, son"

"What exactly are you trying to say, Dad ??"

Kerkerai has never been good with direct talks, and his discomfort was visible. His hand was no longer on Kong's shoulder, he was pacing back and forth, rubbing his temple with his thumb and index finger, his nervous habit

"I don't want to see you hurt, and I'm not blind Kong, You're falling hard for Arthit, and I don't know if he has the capacity to return that "

His words cut deep into Kong's heart, maybe because there was truth in them. Kong doesn't know what Arthit was emotionally capable of. He know Arthit has affection for him, but whether or not it will ever be more than as a care taker, Kong has no idea

But , Kong wished he could make his dad understand what he feels about Arthit......

Kong has always been a compliant person, never forcing his opinions or desires on anyone. This time was different. He won't just stand idly by and watch Arthit walk away from his life. He won't put that kind of hurt on Arthit, or on himself, for that matter

"Please understand, Dad. I need to do this. All my life I've read about people who've had that moment in their life where a big decision had to be made. I think this is my moment , my leap of faith. I'm going no matter what, but I'd really like it if you were on board "

"Sorry, Kong....I can't do this "

Kerkerai scrubbed his hand across his face before turning and walking away

Kong remain on the spot in stunned silence, the warm night air taking on a sudden chill.

************************

Roger and Charlie followed Kerkerai out in the garden

Roger stepped up and put his hand on his friends shoulder

"Do you want to talk about it ??"

"Talk about what ??"

"Please Kerkerai, You know exactly what I'm talking about"

Roger crossed his hands on his chest

"Not much to say, Kong is dead-set on going"

"And you're against him going?"

Charlie spoke this time, because he was against it too, as much as his brother

"Of course. he isn't thinking straight"

"What makes you say that ??"

Roger asked, honestly curious about his thoughts

He took a large gulp of air before answering

"I want him to join the business, and he barely knows Mrs. Rojanapat or Arthit. he isn't thinking logically. he's letting his emotions take over"

Kerkerai was worried and scared about his only son...

"Is that such a bad thing ??"

Roger asked with a raised brow

"I should have known you would take his side as always "

Kerkerai's words stung into Roger's heart, but he knew they are spoken out of anger and hurt and not malice

" I'm not taking sides, my friend"

"Then what are you trying to do ??"

Kerkerai's voice rose a few levels up

"I know it's not my place but can I have a say in this matter "

Maria cut in between

All three men turned towards her and Kerkerai nodded at her

" Do you guys have any idea the number of people I get in my office who are ridden with guilt from disagreements that have driven wedges between family members ??"

Kerkerai looked at her completely exasperated

"You don't understand Dr Maria, he's my son. I love him. I don't want him to make a mistake that could affect the rest of his life"

Maria looked at him with understanding, she witness this everyday, parents that struggle with letting their kids make their own choices.

"Sir, I don't have to be a parent to get to know how difficult it is to stand by and watch someone you love make choices that might hurt them. You need to let Kong make mistakes to let him grow. I know you love your son but, I think you're giving Kong and Arthit far too little credit. Kong is a smart boy. Following his heart is not equivalent to rash, and Arthit is making amazing progress. I think he'll surprise us all with what he can achieve"

Kerkerai fell quite after hearing Maria's thought

She hoped that Kong's dad will take it at face value and not read this as interference.

"You've given me some things to consider Dr.... Thanks"

************************

Rose was sitting infront of Charlie, in his office

"Do we really have to do this ??"

"I'm afraid so, Mrs. Rojanapat"

"Please, Officer Charles, Does it really matter if Arthit is reported found ?? I know he is, and I don't see how it matters to anyone else ??"

Rose spoke in a pleading tone, hoping it will sway him too

"I would love to not have to report this, but if you want to file any kind of insurance for him, if he wants to get a job some day, anything that requires documentation, he will need to be able to prove he's alive"

Tears welled up in her eyes, she'll forever regret her decision to have Arthit declared as dead. It was the day she had given up on searching for him, It had been six years, how could she possibly know he was still alive ??

"Do you have any idea what effect this will have on her punishment....??"

"I don't know. I've never heard of a case like this before, suspect confessed, refused legal counsel and seems perfectly content in her cell till now"

Rose nodded in acknowledgement, the memories of the officers and judge on the case bubbling to the surface of her mind. No one ever figured out the motive for the kidnapping and murder. She never said a word in her defense, just looked eerily pleased all the time.

"I'll let you know if I hear anything"

Charlie added

His tone made her feel dismissed, but Rose still have something she needed to say to him

"I know you must be feeling some animosity toward me right now because of your nephew, but I promise you I'll look out for Kong like he's my own."

Charlie looked around his computer, his brown eyes, serious

"I'll hold you to that"

Rose was taken aback by his cold tone, and she thought rather than try and plead her side, it's best to leave

She knew when she asked Kong, Kerkerai and Charlie would be upset, and she can see why they would blame her for that. Perhaps they will come around before Kong leaves. She would hate to be the cause of a rift between family members.

************************

(two days later)

"Come in"

Roger's voice carried easily through the closed door of his room

Cracking open the door, Rose poked her head in to see Roger browsing through a large book.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. I can come back later"

Roger jumped to his feet, sending books scattering to the floor

"No. I'm...please, Mrs. Rose, come in, I was just reading up on a few things, nothing important"

Stepping into his room, Rose felt suddenly nervous, wondering if she could actually go through with asking him, her intended question

"Is everything alright ??"

Roger asked, genuine concern on his face

"Oh, yes. I just have something I want to ask you"

Expectant silence falls in the room

"I would like to see the cave Arthit was found in"

Roger just stared at her, his mouth slightly agape

"Would you be willing to take me there ??"

After several moments of heavy silence Roger asked back

"Are you sure you want to see that ??"

"I'm sure I need to"

Roger looked at her up and down several times

"You ready to go now ??"

Now it was Rose's turn to be surprised. She figured she had a fifty percent chance he would consent to taking her there. She had no idea he would be willing to drop everything and take her this instant.

"Umm...sure. Let me change first"

"I'll let Kong know. Is fifteen minutes enough time ??"

Roger asked

Rose nodded and hurry out from his room

*************************

Even after the couple of hours it's been since they left the house, Rose was still thinking about the look on Kong's face. When Roger told him where they were going, He was shocked is an understatement, he clung tightly to Arthit's hand which was resting on his leg. His voice was barely above a whisper when he asked Rose, why in the world she would want to see that cave.

Rose tried to explain to him the best she could that she needed to see with her own eyes exactly where Arthit was living till now. To her complete astonishment, Kong had given her a fierce hug before they left. Arthit even shuffled to Kong's side and gripped Rose's fingers in his, warming her heart.

Rose felt fairly certain Kong doesn't really understand why she was doing that. She think only Roger can understand. She needed to see this cave, this place her son existed when he was dead to her or to the world.

Comfortable silence filled the car as they bounce along the packed dirt road, each of them seemingly lost in thought

When Roger finally stopped the car, Rose looked at him and he nodded his head, Rose exhaled deeply and stepped out of the car.

As they begin walking, it wasn't difficult to understand how Arthit remained hidden all those years. That area was completely covered with thick horde of trees and its hard to see around them, it also cleared why were walking by foot, because there was no way for a car ride into the forest from there.

After walking about an hour they reached to a Rocky path which made a steady climb, and Rose found herself heaving huge gulps of air. It's been awhile since the last time she did any type of hiking and she was feeling it's effect now.

Roger easily climbed up and over the rocks they were scaling, always mindful of her behind him, frequently offering her a helping hand, which she gladly took everytime

When Roger comes to a sudden stop, Rose ran right into him. He turned to her, his face etched with sympathy

"We're here"

Rose noticed a crevice in the rock wall. It looks barely big enough to fit through, and she felt nervous about squeezing inside. But then she remind herself that Roger, Kong and Arthit, all have fit through here, so clearly she can too

Roger flipped on the light of his headlamp before leading them into the cave

Crawling was the only way to make it through the narrow mouth of the cave and into the equally constricting passage inside

Roger was extremely patient, encouraging Rose along

It wasn't long until she felt the confines of the passageway open up and she find herself crawling into a small chamber

The first thing she noticed was the air, it's not as stagnant as she expected

Rose sat back, taking a moment to sip from the water bottle Roger has handed her, while he shines the light all around the cave

Rose was extremely proud of herself for holding up so well, no emotional break down so far. That was until Roger's head lamp catched something. Crawling across the floor, Rose made her way to where Roger has directed the light. In an alcove at the furthest part of the cave from the passage was a heap of dried grass

Emotions choked her immediately as she realised this must have been Arthit's makeshift bed, an indentation in the middle still marking where he would have been layin

She felt compelled to touch that spot, almost as though it were hallowed ground. She supposed in a way it was. Against all odds her son managed to survive, like a true miracle.

Her hand caressed the curve in the grass that held her son for untold years. She fought the images in her mind, Arthit scared and alone, huddled on this little bed of grass.
Gingerly, she layed down, fitting herself into the same spot Arthit once occupied. So many thoughts and emotions flooded her mind and heart, she soon found herself shaking with sobs.

Roger's arms lifted her gently from where she was laying, pulling her tightly to him where he kneeled on the stone floor, Rose's face pressed into the soft material of his shirt, soaked now with her tears. His touch was tender as he stroked her hair and patted her back.

"I hope these are your last tears of sadness"

Roger was right, Rose want nothing more then to let these be her last tears of mourning. It's time to let go of the sadness that has been her life for ten years. It's time to move forward.

When her tears were spent, She raised her head from Roger's chest to find his face inches from her's, She freezed to her spot

Roger's face moved closer to her's until his lips were gently brushing against her forehead tenderly

Rose felt a tingle starting, deep and warm in her chest, a new hope bloomed in her heart

Roger settled her head on his shoulder, and they both embraced the other. No words seem necessary, they both have lost their loved ones and can feel each other's pain and longing

Perhaps there was more in her future than a renewed relationship with her son

🌞🌜🌞🌜🌞🌜🌞🌛🌞🌛🌞🌛🌞

A/N - I know, it's a filler chapter of sorts..... but it was needed to tie the lose ends. Arthit was missing in this chapter but I promise, he will be back in next chapter. Thank you all for continuing to read and vote this story. please tell me what you think about this chapter too 💖💖