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Oab was a force to be reckoned with in the Muay Thai arena. His reputation as one of the most formidable fighters in the sport was built on years of blood, sweat, and sacrifice. With lightning-fast kicks that could break bone and razor-sharp punches that landed with surgical precision, Oab had mastered his craft to perfection. His opponents often found themselves unable to keep up with his speed, his stamina, and his relentless drive to win. The roar of the crowd, the thrill of victory, and the hum of adrenaline were familiar companions in his world.
Yet, Oab's journey had not always been one of glory. There was a time when he was just another underdog, a young, eager fighter trying to make a name for himself in a crowded and fiercely competitive field. At first, no one took notice of him. He was just another hopeful, his dreams hidden beneath the weight of countless defeats.
But Oab’s spirit was unbreakable. He knew that talent alone wouldn’t be enough to make him a champion. So, he pushed himself to the limits of human endurance, spending hours in the gym, training under the harshest conditions, and sharpening his skills with an intensity that bordered on obsession. Slowly, painfully, he started to climb the ranks, earning respect from those who once dismissed him. With each victory, his confidence grew, and so did his following. Eventually, Oab’s name was synonymous with Muay Thai excellence.
But despite the applause, the cheers, and the adulation of the crowd, there was only one person Oab cared about: Plawan. His thoughts often wandered to his boyfriend, who always sat in the front row at every fight. Plawan's face was always filled with concern, his brow furrowed as he watched every blow Oab took. Oab could feel the weight of Plawan’s worry from across the ring, but he pushed it to the back of his mind. He couldn’t afford to let his emotions distract him during a fight.
After one particularly brutal match where Oab had taken several heavy blows, Plawan could no longer keep his fear to himself. He found Oab in his dressing room, the fighter sitting on a bench, his breath heavy from the exertion of the fight. There was blood on his knuckles, and a bruise beginning to form on his jaw, but to Plawan, he looked invincible.
"Why do you keep doing this phi?" Plawan’s voice trembled as he stood in front of Oab. His eyes were red from unshed tears, his face etched with anxiety. "Why can’t you just stop? You don’t need to fight anymore. I can’t stand watching you like this, P’Oab. It’s killing me."
Oab looked at him, his gaze softening. He could see the fear in Plawan’s eyes, the vulnerability that he so rarely allowed himself to show. He stood up slowly, his body stiff from the wear of the fight, but his presence commanding.
"I know it’s hard for you," Oab began, his voice quiet yet resolute. "But Muay Thai is my life. It's not just a career or a sport to me—it's who I am. I've worked incredibly hard to reach this point, and I can't just walk away from it. This is my passion, Wan. It's what I love."
“I never told you to stop modeling, even when I don’t want people staring at your body,” Oab continued a mix of frustration and understanding in his tone. “I didn’t want them looking at you like that, but I supported your choice.”
“That’s different, phi,” Plawan sighed, taking a step back, desperately trying to maintain his composure. The words felt like a blow to his chest. "I don’t want to lose you," he whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. "I can’t... I can’t watch you get hurt anymore."
Their story had begun long before Oab’s rise to fame, at a charity event that neither of them had expected to be life-changing. Plawan, a successful model with a smile that could melt anyone’s heart, had caught Oab’s attention across the crowded ballroom. Oab had never believed in love at first sight, but there was something about Plawan—the way his laughter echoed through the room, the way he moved with effortless grace—that drew Oab in like a magnet.
They had exchanged a few polite words, and from that moment, neither could deny the connection. It wasn’t long before they were inseparable. While Oab poured himself into the world of Muay Thai, Plawan thrived in the world of fashion, his face appearing on billboards and in glossy magazines. Yet despite their contrasting worlds, their bond was undeniable. Plawan was the calm to Oab’s storm, the gentle presence that kept him grounded.
But what the crowd didn’t see—the people who cheered Oab as he fought, the fans who revered him—was the quiet torment Plawan faced every time his boyfriend stepped into the ring. Every punch, every kick, every time Oab’s body took a blow, Plawan’s heart would tighten with fear. He would bite his lip, clenching his fists in silent agony, unable to do anything but watch as Oab pushed himself further into harm’s way.
After each fight, Plawan would rush to Oab’s side, his breath shaky with relief when he saw that Oab was, for the most part, still in one piece. He would tenderly clean Oab’s cuts, gently press ice to bruised knuckles, and hold his boyfriend close as they lay together in the quiet of their apartment, far away from the public eye but no matter how hard Plawan tried to mask it, his anxiety was ever-present. The worry in his eyes, the soft tremor in his voice whenever he spoke, couldn’t be hidden.
One evening, after a particularly brutal fight where Oab had taken a knee to the ribs, Plawan couldn’t keep it in any longer. They were sitting together on their couch, the dim light from the lamp casting a soft glow over the room. Oab, nursing his injuries, leaned back against the cushions, a slight wince on his face as he shifted to make himself more comfortable. The silence was thick, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.
Finally, Plawan broke the quiet with a broken sob.
"P’Oab," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "I don’t know how much more of this I can take." His hand shook as he reached out, touching Oab’s bruised face gently. "I love you so much, but every time I see you get hurt, it breaks me inside. I don’t want to watch you go through this anymore. Can’t you just…quit? Find a job that doesn’t put you in danger, that doesn’t make me feel like I’m going to lose you every time you step into the ring?"
Oab’s heart clenched at the raw vulnerability in Plawan’s voice. He knew how much his career tore at Plawan’s heart, how it filled him with dread. He cupped Plawan’s face in his hands, his own eyes softening with a mixture of understanding and pain.
"I know, Wan," he said quietly, his voice a soothing balm to the raw emotion in the room. "I know how much it hurts you to watch me fight but this is who I am. Muay Thai isn't just something I do. It’s a part of me. I’ve worked too hard and sacrificed too much to get here. I can’t walk away from it now."
Plawan’s tears were already spilling freely, his body shaking as he clung to Oab, his breath coming in short gasps. "But what about me?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. "What about us? Don’t you want a life where you don’t have to worry about getting hurt every single day?"
Oab sighed deeply, pulling Plawan into his arms. The warmth of his embrace was a comfort, but it didn’t erase the pain in his heart. "I want a simple life too, Wan. Believe me, I do…but I also want to stay true to myself. Right now, being a Muay Thai champion is my dream. It’s my purpose but I promise you this—I will be careful. I’ll do everything in my power to stay safe, so I can come back to you every time."
Plawan lifted his head, his eyes searching Oab’s face as if trying to find any sign that things could be different. "And what if you win the highest championship? Will you retire then? Will you stop, P’Oab? Will you choose me? Choose us?"
A soft smile tugged at Oab’s lips, his eyes glistening with love and determination. "When I win the highest championship, Wan, I promise I’ll retire. I’ll leave the ring behind and find something else. Something that doesn’t tear me apart every time I step into it. We’ll have the life you want, a life without the constant fear of me getting hurt but until then, I need you to stand by me. I need you to believe in me as I chase this dream."
Plawan’s chest tightened, but he nodded, wiping his eyes. "I’ll always believe in you, P’Oab. I’ll always support you." His voice faltered for a moment, but he smiled through his tears. "I just want you safe."
Months passed, and Oab’s star continued to rise. Each fight, each victory, brought him closer to the championship finals but Plawan’s worry never eased. He was always by Oab’s side, in the front row, watching every punch, every kick, every bruise. He’d learned to smile through his fear, to clap and cheer even as his heart raced in his chest.
And then, the day of the championship arrived. Oab stood in the ring, his body ready, his mind sharp. The opponent was formidable, a fighter with strength and agility that rivaled Oab’s own. The tension in the air was palpable, the crowd buzzing with anticipation but Oab’s focus was unshakable. He could hear Plawan’s voice in his mind, urging him to stay safe, to stay strong. He would win this—he would achieve his dream for both of them.
The fight was brutal. Every punch landed with a resounding thud, each blow making the crowd gasp. Oab’s body was a map of pain, bruises, and cuts marking his skin but his spirit was unwavering. With a final, crushing blow, Oab sent his opponent to the canvas, earning the victory.
As Oab stood in the center of the ring, arms raised in triumph, the crowd erupted into cheers but his eyes immediately searched for Plawan. When their gazes met across the arena, Oab saw the tears of joy streaming down Plawan’s face. The weight of the victory, the pain, the sacrifice, all of it had been worth it. He had done it. He had reached the top and now, he could finally begin a new chapter—a chapter with Plawan by his side.
Oab retired from Muay Thai not long after, his body aching from years of brutal training and combat. He and Plawan started fresh, leaving behind the world of blood and sweat for one filled with love, laughter, and peace. Oab found new passions—things that didn’t require him to fight for his life—and together, they built a future free from fear.
One evening, as they sat together on their couch, watching the sun dip below the horizon, Oab turned to Plawan, his heart full of gratitude. "I’m glad I did it," he said softly, his eyes meeting Plawan’s. "I’m glad I followed my dreams. And I’m even gladder that you’re here, by my side. You were worth every sacrifice."
Plawan smiled, his eyes twinkling with happiness. "I’m glad too, P’Oab. I’m glad you’re safe, and I’m glad we get to spend the rest of our lives together—without fear, without worries."
As they embraced, the weight of their journey fell away, leaving only the peace they had found in each other’s arms. Oab had found his true championship—not in a title or a trophy but in the love and devotion of the person who had always believed in him, even when the world didn’t.