Chapter 11: Big Catch

                                    

                                          


After closing his laptop, Kongpob also closes his eyes to rest them from doing his assignments. He decided to finish all of his assignments this Friday night so that he can enjoy the whole of his Saturday and allot his entire Sunday to Arthit.
                          
Their conversation last week went so smoothly that Kongpob felt like Arthit was really a different person. There were fewer times that he was shouted at, and it seemed like Arthit didn't curse at him at all. He wonders if the other's hot temper was just added by the curse.
                          
After washing up and visiting his parents' room to say good night, Kongpob tucks himself in bed. While waiting for sleep to come, he thinks about Arthit. He always thinks about him. He wonders how he sleeps. Does he sleep in the water, or does he do it on the rock he keeps on mentioning? 
                          
The following morning, Kongpob wakes up from the knocking on his bedroom's door.
                          
"Kongpob?"
                          
"Wait a minute, mae!" Kongpob whines. He rises up without opening his eyes and goes straight to his door.
                          
"Your por and I need to go somewhere. It's an emergency business trip. Do you want to come with us?"
                          
"What?" Kongpob asks while struggling to open his eyes. "Where?"
                          
"It's just in Ratchathewi, but we'll stay there for two nights. You can go straight to the university on Monday morning from there."
                          
"Uhm," Kongpob can't think properly. He blames it on being wakened up from his sleep too early, but really, he's thinking of someone whom he won't be able to meet if he would come with his parents. "Can I just stay here, mae? I still have a lot to do," he lies.
                          
"All right, I've also thought about that. Will you be okay if you're here alone? Why don't you invite M over so that you can do your assignments together?"
                          
Kongpob nods. "I'll think about it."
                          
"Okay," she ruffles her son's hair. "Get more sleep. We'll be heading out soon."
                          
Now, Kongpob feels like a child. "I will. Take care, mae."
                          
He lets his mother close his room's door as he goes back to bed, claiming back his sleep.
                          
When he wakes up again, he's already alone in their home. Feeling hungry, he goes straight to the kitchen and sees his mother cooked food for him that he can eat until later in the evening.
                          
"So, what should I do today?" Kongpob loudly thinks as he goes to his bathroom to wash his face.
                          
He eats his breakfast and does what young men do when they're alone at home. He takes his time that when he's done, it's already almost lunch time. After washing the dishes and taking a bath, he goes back to his room to play with his phone.
                          
But when he passes by his window, he sees a familiar face behind their back door's gate. He opens the window to make sure.
                          
"P'Arthit?!"
                          
From below, Arthit hushes him, afraid someone might hear Kongpob.
                          
"Don't worry, I'm alone today! Wait!"
                          
He quickly runs towards the stream, curious how Arthit got there. It's just Saturday, and they planned their meeting to be on Sundays.
                          
He starts his questions after catching his breath, "How did you get here?"
                          
"Swim?"
                          
"I know that, P'. I mean, I didn't call for you. Did you really swim from the gulf to here?" Kongpob can't believe it. By land, that place is four hours away from Bangkok.