Chapter Text
Five Years Later
Today was the day that Phuwin was graduating with his PhD. He was 32, sitting nervously in the auditorium, eyes shifting to search for Pond constantly in the audience.
Their relationship had grown into something beautiful of their own.
Pond was now 42. Aging like a fine wine. He dropped Phuwin at universities, picked up Phuwin from national libraries, and tried staying up late at night whenever Phuwin pulled an all-nighter. He held Phuwin through all the crises he had over the years.
He introduced Phuwin to his late wife’s grave. They visited her on her birthday’s, anniversaries and every other important occasion. Pond would always leave a flower at her grave on valentine’s day. There lingered no jealousy within Phuwin, he wasn’t competing with her ever. He simply built something beautiful alongside. They built their own routine.
Phuwin made friends of his own. He had the opportunity to travel abroad for research, finding his own footing in this big world.
And then there were both their parents. Pond slowly reconciled with his parents. There were no apologies or tears involved. But the meals started feeling a lot more like family quality time rather than the suffocating silence that used to be present. There is no more hostility in the air, the warmth slowly is replacing it. Phuwin didn’t really speak much with his own parents. They didn’t really connect with him either. The most they would meet is in public events, but that would be the best it goes. No one pushed him to connect more. Not Pond, not his in-laws.
And then there were date nights. Be it taking Phuwin to a shopping mall or simply pulling up to a park for a morning run after a gruelling week. They took random showers together. Going to the gym together, shopping, simply trying to cook. Slowly every single thing that they did previously became a two person activity. Phuwin would sometimes explain his research, Pond would pretend that he understood, but in reality he was someone so far far away from the world of math.
And then there was sex. Both of them were always careful whenever they engaged in sex. Which became more and more frequent as the time made them more comfortable with each other. Always using protection and birth control. Pond didn’t want a pregnancy to derail Phuwin’s graduation. He was on a track to finish it early, so he ensured that, in no way shape or form, there was hindrance to any of that.
Now, it was time for Phuwin to graduate. His long dreams are finally awaiting him. Phuwin’s name was eventually called out. Pond clapped the loudest. This was one of the proudest moments of his life.
Pond wanted to go all in and celebrate.
But, Phuwin deeply insisted on not going out tonight.
Pond settled. They resorted to a small celebration within the comfort of their own home. Phuwin had arranged for their chef to cook some of his and Pond’s favorites.
The dinner was a happy affair. Congratulations filled the air. His in-laws enquired him about his future career plans.
Five years ago, he would have never imagined that their questioning would even want to make him answer. But, here they were not pestering about a child, but rather his career. He was happy to answer.
Pond and Phuwin eventually retreated back to the comfort of their own room.
Phuwin remembered something. Something he wanted to say out loud to Pond for a while now.
The night he had defended his PhD thesis and the committee gave him a green light, they went reckless. A few too many drinks in the name of celebration and the overwhelming emotions in the air. Though it was no more a night of mistakes.
Phuwin was carrying their child. He was joyful to find out this news. He had a small being to call his own. He had found out the news two days right before his graduation. But he wanted to wait a few more days to actually tell the news to Pond. His graduation fell on the right day.
Pond entered the room with two wine glasses and a bottle of Merlot. He settled them on the small coffee table beside the couch, a new addition to their room, ever since Phuwin started working inside the room instead of a home office that Pond had gotten for him.
Phuwin felt dread. He wanted to avoid wine, the main reason he chose not to go outside, because he knew they would get drunk. But, here was Pond, pulling up with stuff to celebrate.
“Pond wait. Before you start filling either of the glasses, I have something to say.” The sentence rolled out faster than Phuwin intended. It was a messy rush of words that clumped together.
Pond abruptly paused his actions waiting for Phuwin to complete saying his thing.
“I am pregnant.” Phuwin blurted it out as fast as he could. He breathed a sigh of relief when he got out the sentence.
“You are WHAT?”