2 weeks later outside the Tharaporn Estate:
"I'll call you tonight." Nat said to Ran as they stood outside the mansion holding hands, "why can't I see you tomorrow?" Ran asked forming a pout on his lips.
Nat gently brushed his hair out of his face, "Because I have work, and I'll probably be busy the whole of next we so I'll call you whenever I get the chance to."
As Ran stepped inside the estate, the familiar scent of freshly brewed tea and flowers greeted him. He kicked off his shoes and wandered into the living room, only to find P'Sa and P'Akara lounging on the couch, both looking up at him with mischievous grins.
"You've got that dreamy, in-love face again," P'Sa teased, resting her chin on her hand. "Did you and P'Nat have another romantic goodbye scene outside?"
Ran groaned, walking past them to the kitchen, trying to ignore the heat rising to his cheeks. "Can't I come home without you two making comments?"
"Oh, come on," P'Akara said, following him into the kitchen. "Spill! Did he finally say he loves you? Or are you two still playing this 'undefined relationship' game?"
Ran opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, avoiding eye contact. "We're fine. And for your information, he's busy with work, so we won't see each other for a while."
P'Akara gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. "The audacity! Leaving you alone to pine for him. How dare he?"
"Stop being so dramatic," Ran muttered, sipping his water. "He said he'll call. It's not a big deal."
"It's always a big deal when you're in love," P'Sa said, entering the kitchen as well. "But you know, Ran, long-distance can be tough. Even if it's just for a week, you should keep yourself distracted."
Ran rolled his eyes, though he couldn't help but smile at their antics. "I'm not in some tragic romance novel. I'll be fine. Besides, I have plenty to do around here."
"Good," P'Sa said with a smirk. "Because if you start moping, we're dragging you out for a family outing."
"Please don't," Ran replied, his tone half-joking, half-serious.
As his siblings continued to tease him, Ran's phone buzzed in his pocket. He quickly pulled it out, his heart skipping a beat when he saw Nat's name on the screen.
Nat: I just got back to work. Miss you already.
Ran smiled, his earlier frustration melting away. He quickly typed back: Miss you too. Don't work too hard.
P'Akara peeked over his shoulder, grinning. "Texting him already? You've got it bad."
"Go away, P'Ka," Ran said, shoving him lightly before heading to his room. Despite his siblings' teasing, he couldn't help the warmth spreading in his chest as he closed the door behind him and settled onto his bed to text Nat.
For now, even with the distance, this was enough.
————————
A few days later at Nat's warehouse job:
"NATTAWUT!" His manager shouted out to him, "I'm so sorry sir, here's the package!" Nat runs out of the building with a heavy box in hand, he gently placed it into the truck. He was sweating from his hair down to his whole body, "why are you so slow today Nattawut?!" His manager asked.
"I'm sorry, I'll do better." He replied trying to catch his breath, "you look bad, I think you should head home I don't want you slowing things down." His manager told him.
"I'm perfectly fine sir, I just have 3 more hours left I can pull threw." He stated.
Nat wiped the sweat from his forehead and forced himself to stand upright, even though every muscle in his body ached. His manager sighed, clearly not convinced but too busy to argue further.
"Fine, but if you collapse on my watch, it's on you," his manager warned before turning away to bark orders at another worker.
Nat exhaled sharply, leaning against the loading dock wall for a brief moment to steady himself. His head pounded, and the heat radiating from his body felt unnatural — almost like a fever. He chalked it up to exhaustion from back-to-back shifts and lack of sleep.
He couldn't afford to miss work, not with bills piling up. He thought of Mali's upcoming school trip and the repairs Mae mentioned needing for the house. He couldn't be selfish, not when they were counting on him.
Summoning what little strength he had left, Nat pushed himself off the wall and got back to work. Box after box, load after load — his body moved on autopilot as time crawled forward.
Three hours later, the shift finally ended. Nat dragged himself to the locker room, his hands trembling as he struggled to unbutton his work shirt. His phone buzzed in his locker, and with shaky fingers, he unlocked the screen. It was a message from Ran.
Ran: Did you eat today? Don't work too hard! I miss you. 💛
Nat let out a weak laugh, his chest tightening. The simple message somehow made everything feel lighter. He typed back slowly, his vision slightly blurred.
Nat: Miss you too… Just finished my shift. Heading home now.
He hit send before stuffing the phone into his bag and leaving the warehouse. As the cool evening breeze hit his overheated skin, he let out a relieved sigh, grateful for the fresh air.
As he walked to the bus stop he could his head pound even harder, and his dizziness got worse but Nat couldn't just collapse in the middle of the road so he pushed threw and got on the bus. Once on the bus he decided to shut his eyes
The bus rocked gently as it moved through the quiet evening streets. Nat rested his head against the cool window, his eyes squeezed shut, hoping the pounding in his head would ease. His breathing felt shallow, and every muscle in his body ached from the grueling shift.
"Just hold on," he whispered to himself, clutching his bag tightly on his lap. "Almost home."
The dim hum of the bus engine and the distant chatter of passengers blended into a dull buzz in his head. His eyelids felt heavier with each passing second. He knew it was risky falling asleep on public transport, but exhaustion consumed him, dragging him into darkness despite his best efforts.
The screech of the brakes jolted Nat awake. His eyes fluttered open, disoriented. It took a few moments to realize the bus had stopped at his usual station. His vision swam as he staggered to his feet, gripping the seat for balance. The driver gave him a concerned look as he wobbled toward the door.
"Hey, you okay, kid?" the driver called out.
"I'm fine… thank you," Nat mumbled, forcing his legs to move as he stumbled out onto the dimly lit street.
The chilly night air hit him like a slap, doing little to clear the haze in his mind. His feet felt like lead as he slowly made his way toward home. His breathing was ragged, and sweat clung to his skin despite the cool breeze.
He wasn't even halfway there when his knees buckled. He stumbled, catching himself on a nearby fence. His vision blurred dangerously, and his legs trembled beneath him.
"Come on… just a little farther…" he rasped, pushing off the fence and forcing himself to walk again.
But his body had other plans. After a few shaky steps, his legs gave out completely, and he collapsed onto the cold pavement. His bag slipped from his grip, landing a few feet away as he gasped for air.
His mind fought to stay conscious, he couldn't pass out not right now. Mae and Mali were waiting for him to get home, he couldn't just leave them to worry. But at this moment his body has given up on him, it was telling him that it has reached its limits.
Seconds later his vision went completely dark, he was unconscious in the middle of a alley and no one was around to help.
The dim streetlight flickered, casting eerie shadows across the deserted alley where Nat lay motionless on the cold pavement. His shallow breaths were barely audible, his face pale and damp with sweat. The city buzzed in the distance, indifferent to the lone figure lost in the darkness.
Minutes passed, stretching into what felt like an eternity. The faint sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the alley's entrance, followed by the sharp click of boots against the cracked pavement. A figure emerged from the shadows, pausing abruptly when they noticed Nat's unmoving body.
"Hey!" the stranger called out, rushing forward. They knelt beside him, shaking his shoulder gently but firmly. "Hey, can you hear me?"
No response. His skin was clammy, and his pulse faint but steady. The stranger quickly pulled out a phone, fingers trembling as they dialed emergency services.
Meanwhile, back at Nat's home, Mae paced the small living room anxiously, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was well past the time Nat usually returned home. Mali sat curled up on the couch, hugging her favorite stuffed animal, her eyes filled with worry.
"Where is he?" Mae whispered, wringing her hands. She reached for her phone and dialed Nat's number for the third time that night. It rang, but still, no answer.
"Mae… is P'Nat coming home soon?" Mali's small voice broke the tense silence.
Mae forced a reassuring smile, though her heart pounded with dread. "He'll be home soon, Mali. Don't worry."
But deep down, Mae felt something was terribly wrong.
TBC