Kong was so anxious from the morning, Roger and Arthit's Mom were going to reach there at any moment and Kong couldn't even sit straight at one spot.

"You should sit down, Kong, There is still a little bit of time before they get here"

Kong knew Maria meant well, but he was so worked up to calm down.

Roger called Maria and asked her to be here when he arrive with Arthit's mother. it never occurred to Kong that Arthit could be disturbed with his mother's presence, or how he will take her reaction of seeing him after a long gap.

Kong checked the window again before continuing with his pacing.

Arthit was watching cartoons, though not with his usual glee. Kong believe he knows something was going on.

Kong need to find something to do before he made a patch on Roger's carpet. Excusing himself, he headed for the kitchen, he will try working out his angst cleaning the oven.

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

The sound of the garage door opening send Kong into a state of panic.

Heading out to the living room, he saw Maria was looking at the door with anticipation

The television remaind on, but Arthit wasn't watching. His eyes dart back and forth between Maria and kong, his face showing concern. Kong was sure he was picking up the nervous vibes around him.

Kong joined him on the couch, trying his best to keep his inner sobbing lunatic under control. The world slowed around him, tension was thick in the air, it was the moment of facing the truth.

Kong strained to hear every possible sound, Roger's car pulling into the garage, the engine cutting, and the slam of car doors. Grabbing Arthit's hand, he steeled himself for, 'what's next'

The sound of the door opening and footsteps on the floorboards caused his breath to catch in his throat and his hand to grip Arthit's tighter.

"Try to stay calm, Kong....."

Maria's voice sound distant, and Kong merely nodded mutely in response.

Roger stepped into view first, he looked almost as nervous as Kong was feeling at the moment.

A few steps behind Roger was a woman, the same woman from the picture, Arthit's mother.

She was beautiful, despite her gray hair, her eyes expectant, full of hope, and fixed on Arthit.

Kong's eyes shifted to Arthit as he studied his mother with a curious look on his face.

Silence permeated in air, all of them collectively holding their breaths.

Arthit's mother stepped around Roger, trying to get a better look at her son. Tears now glistening in her eyes, one hand clutched her heart, the other beginning to stretch out toward Arthit.

Arthit shifted his body away from her, resting his head on Kong's shoulder and began to play with his fingers, not the reaction anyone expected. He was neither excited nor fearful. He appeared genuinely disinterested.

A strangled sob catched in his mother's throat, her entire posture sagged. Kong's heart went to her immediately, she looked so crushed. Kong glanced back and forth between Roger and Maria, desperation in his eyes. Roger shrugged. He looked as lost as kong felt at the moment. Maria, on the other hand, motioned toward the coffee table, an encouraging smile on her face. Kong's gaze traveled in the direction Maria indicated, falling on the picture Roger has printed of Arthit's mother. Maybe this will help him make the connection.

"Arthit...Mom..."

His eyes shifted from Kong's fingers to the picture of his mother.

"Arthit, this is your mom...."

Kong said, pointing toward his mother

His eyes followed the motion of Kong's hand until his gaze locked with his mother's. He only looked at her for a moment then back at the picture on the table, confusion clear on his face.

"No..."

Arthit grabbed the picture from the table, pressing it to his cheek.

"Mom..."

Pushing his fingers through Arthit's hair, kong waited for him to look at him. When he does, kong gently pulled the photograph from his face

"Arthit, this is a picture of your mom"

Kong said, pointing at the picture

"This is your mom....."

Arthit's eyes followed his extended arm as kong gestured toward Mrs. Rojanapat

He looked at her for a second before turning back to Kong, snatching the picture back from his hand and rubbing it against his face

"Mom....."

Crushing defeat crossed his mother's face, and kong wished he knew what to do to make Arthit understand.

Once again kong moved the photo from his face, trying to see what he was seeing. Kong looked closely at the photograph in Arthit's hand, and then turned his gaze to his mother.

Kong saw a woman who's sorrow has taken a toll on her. Gone were the golden caramel highlights, replaced by streaks of grays. Her once smooth skin now started to wrinkle around her eyes and mouth, and she must be at least twenty pounds thinner than the picture clutched in Arthit's hand.

Kong understood now. Arthit has preserved the memory of his mother as she was when he was a little boy, and her aging was something foreign to him as was the woman infront of him.

Kong let go of the picture, allowing Arthit to pull it to his face once again, and kong glanced up at his mother.

She was crying, her hands covering her face, her shoulders shaking. Roger stepped to her side, gently putting his arms around her trembling frame.

Guilt began to claw at Kong's insides. This poor woman has been through so much, and he should be doing everything in his power to help her rebuild a relationship with her son.

Arthit has gone back to draw invisible patterns on Kong's open palm with his fingers, the picture pressed to his cheek by his other hand, ignoring his mother completely.

An idea came to Kong's mind

"Mrs. Rojanapat, do you have a song you sang to Arthit when he was young ??"

She looks up at Kong, tears still making rivers down her face. their eyes locked for a beat and it's almost like she was seeing him for the first time, her mind has been too focused on Arthit all this while.

She straightened her posture, cleared her throat, and slowly began to sing in a quivering voice.....

"You are my sunshine.....
my only sunshine....
You make me happy,
when skies are gray......
You'll never know, my dear,
how much I love you.....love you...."

Her voice cracked on the last few words, but kong barely noticed it because he could hardly pull his attention from Arthit. His face was like the rising sun, bright and shining.

The photograph fell from his fingers when he turned to face his mother. His eyes widen, and he looked at her with wonder. She took a step toward him, leaving Roger stunned, and started to sing the song again.

Arthit's face broke into a brilliant smile, sending a new stream of tears cascading down Mrs. Rojanapat's face. She continued filling the room with her lovely voice, stepping ever closer to where Arthit and Kong sat on the couch.

Once she reached at the couch, she stopped singing, her fingers stretched out then retreating. It was clear she wanted to touch him.

Arthit, on the other hand, had no such desire. Now that she has stopped singing, he was eyeing her, a mixture of emotions on his face, equal parts fear and curiosity.

Keeping her eyes on Arthit, she lowered herself slowly to the couch.

Arthit's reaction was immediate, he scooted so close to kong. Who wasn't entirely sure he won't climb onto his lap. Arthit's eyes never left her as he huddled closer to Kong's side.

"Arthit, this is your mom."

"No!!!!"

Mrs. Rojanapat looked as though she has been doused in ice water, shock and intense hurt heavy on her face.

Kong moved himself from Arthit's grip with difficulty. Arthit was reluctant to let even the smallest amount of space between them. Once Kong has managed to wiggle his way to Arthit's other side, he was able to reach for Mrs. Rojanapat's hand. Her red, tear-filled eyes met Kong's at his touch.

"Mrs. Rojanapat, I'm Kong. It's nice to meet you"

A small appreciative smile crossed her lips

"I am Rose, dear. Just call me Rose"

Kong turned his attention back to Arthit, lacing the fingers of his other hand through Arthit's, brushing soothing strokes across his knuckles with his thumb.

"Arthit, this is your mom. She would like to hold your hand, is that okay with you ??"

He looked at their entangled fingers then back to Kong's face. Kong can see the apprehension in his eyes. Slowly Kong uncurled his index finger, forcing Arthit's to move with his and carefully, never taking his eyes from Arthit's, he lowered their joined hands towards Rose, lightly brushing Arthit's finger against the back of her hand.

Rose dragged in a ragged breath, and kong don't have to see her face to know she was having a hard time holding it together.

Arthit doesn't allow his skin to touch hers for very long before pulling his hand away.

"Arthit, it's okay..... This is your mom. She just wants to know you"

He looked down at the photo now sitting in Kong's lap

"Mom?"

He questioned

"Yes, Arthit... Mom...."

Turning his gaze to Rose, he asked

"Mom...??"

and Kong can see he was trying to understand

"That's right....She is your Mom..."

Kong told him, smiling widely

"Mom...??"

he asked again, still looking at Rose

Her returning smile was brilliant

"Yes, I'm your Mom...."

Slowly, Kong brought Rose's hand over Arthit's, easing both trembling hands together.

Kong slided his hands away and waited, breaths held. Rose was crying again, but her face shined with a different light this time, barely contained joy would be Kong's guess.

Arthit's face was a wonder to kong. He still looked a bit confused, but kong could recognise acceptance there too.

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

Before today,Rose had a textbook knowledge of what feral means. Now that she has seen Arthit, it has a whole new meaning.

Roger has told her that Arthit doesn't communicate, and she tried to prepare herself, but she felt that Roger was wrong. Arthit was communicating quite well. Not so much verbally, but his eyes were speaking volumes. His eyes spoke clearly when he first saw his mother, he had no idea who she was. It was salt in the already open wound of her heart. Though she doesn't blame him, there were days she barely recognise herself...so different from the woman he knew as his mom.

It was difficult for her to see someone else caring for her son, to see the way he clings to Kong. Though she found herself being oddly at ease with kong. he has a nice way about him, and she can see how much he truly cares for Arthit.

It was with great reluctance on her part, she released Arthit's hand. He seemed impatient, like he wanted to get up, and he does as soon as their hands separated.

She could have sat all day and held Arthit's hand and looked at his beautiful face. She wanted to pull him to her, touch his face, and hug him close, but regretfully She was unable to.

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

Rose had the most surreal day. She was not sure that she can wrap her head around everything.

It was odd to be standing in the doorway of a bedroom watching her grown up son, be lulled to sleep. She wanted to sing to Arthit when he went to bed, but he wanted only him, holding tightly to kong.

So she was standing there, watching Kong slide his fingers through her son's hair, his head in his lap, with a content smile on his face.

Turning from the door, she noticed Dr. Maria watching her. Other than introductions, they haven't really spoken.

"Would you like to talk ??"

Maria asked

Rose really wanted to talk with her, to hear her insights about Arthit.

Maria's eyes were sympathetic as Rose lowered herself into a chair, heaving a weary sigh.

"How are you holding up ??"

"I'm okay. I think. This is all so much for me to take at once"

Maria looked at Rose thoughtfully

"What has been the most surprising aspect of meeting Arthit ??"

Rose wasn't even sure where to began, everything has been surprising.

"Seeing how childlike he is....... I knew he couldn't speak, but I didn't expect this level. I don't understand how he forgot so much"

"He didn't forget, Mrs. Rojanapat, Everything Arthit knew is still there, just buried deep in his mind"

Maria replied

"I don't understand. Why is it buried ??"

"The mind has an amazing ability to protect itself. It also has an amazing ability to heal itself. The fact that Arthit is doing as well as he is, is a testament to that. My hypothesis about Arthit's memory is 'post traumatic stress-induced amnesia' That, coupled with extensive isolation, could easily put him in survival mode and lead him to a more animalistic state. Amnesia is a tricky thing...there isn't always rhyme or reason to what a person retains or what is blocked. It's different for everyone. Hopefully with your help, and Arthit's ever growing progress, we can start making sense of this puzzle"

" If it isn't too personal, do you know how long you are going to be here ??"

Maria asked looking at Rose

" When I got here this morning, I had every intention of leaving tomorrow with my son, but seeing all the care he needs... How can I possibly do all that on my own and run my business ??"

Rose cradled her head in her hands, trying to calm herself, she felt as though her head will explode

"Not to mention Arthit's attachment to Kong. What kind of mother would I be, if I just ripped all that away from him ?? So, to answer your question, Dr. Maria, I have no idea how long I will be here. I want my boy home with me as soon as possible, but I don't know how to be his mother anymore......."

Maria surprised Rose by reaching over and squeezing her knee

"You are going to need to re-learn how to be his mother. He isn't the little boy you knew, nor can you treat him like any other man. You need to get to know this Arthit, the man he is now...."

Rose looked up at her with confusion

"Any suggestions on how I should do that ??"

"Follow Kong's lead, he is extraordinary with Arthit"

They fell into silence for a few moments before Maria spoke again.

"You don't have to figure this out alone, we all care for Arthit and we want to help"

Rose smiled in what she hopes is an appreciative way. She has a lot of things to think about and a lot of decisions to make.

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A/N: Thank you all so much for reading and voting. Tell me what you think about this chapter 💖💖