Chapter Text
The night was deepening, a quiet stillness hanging over the city as Pond leaned back in his swivel chair. The soft glow of the radio booth’s neon lights gave off a warm, intimate atmosphere, while the hum of equipment and the low chatter of his colleagues were the only sounds filling the space.
Pond had been an RJ for years, hosting a late-night show called “Midnight Conversations”. He’d grown used to the routine—the calls, the messages, the random shout-outs from fans. The show was a haven for people who couldn’t sleep, who needed someone to talk to, or perhaps, someone to listen to. Pond’s voice, warm and inviting, was his trademark. It was his gift, his way of connecting with people.
Tonight, however, was different. He could feel it in the air, something had shifted. The phone line had been unusually quiet for the last hour. Usually, that meant the night would be spent with him talking about random topics—music, life, the usual stuff. But tonight, his fingers itched to hear something more than just casual banter.
He was adjusting his mic when the phone rang, its shrill tone breaking the silence.
"Midnight Conversations, this is RJ Pond. Who’s on the line?” Pond’s voice was smooth, calm—like a cool breeze on a hot summer night.
A moment of silence stretched before a soft, hesitant voice responded, barely above a whisper, “Uh… Hi. It’s… it’s Phuwin.”
Pond sat up straighter, intrigued by the name. It wasn’t one he recognized from the usual crowd of callers.
“Phuwin,” he repeated, savoring the name. “Nice to meet you, Phuwin. What’s on your mind tonight?”
The caller hesitated again, and Pond could almost feel the uncertainty emanating through the phone line. This was different.
“I, uh… I’m not really sure,” Phuwin’s voice trailed off. “I just… I listen to your show every night, and… sometimes, it’s like you’re speaking to me, you know? Like, you get what I’m thinking even when I can’t say it out loud.”
Pond raised an eyebrow, surprised. Usually, people called in for advice or to talk about something specific, but Phuwin’s words were thoughtful, almost too deep for a typical radio conversation. He couldn’t help but feel curious.
“Well, I’m glad to hear you’re connecting with the show,” Pond said, his voice softening, his curiosity piqued. “But I’m guessing something’s on your mind, Phuwin. What’s going on?”
There was another pause, and for a moment, Pond almost thought the line had gone dead. But then Phuwin spoke again, his voice barely audible.
“I… I’ve been feeling kind of lost lately,” Phuwin admitted. “Like, everything is just... floating around me, but I can’t seem to hold onto anything, you know? Work’s been tough, and… I don’t know. I just feel like I’m not where I’m supposed to be. And I hear you talking, and it’s like—like you’re the one person who can make sense of it all. Like, you know what I’m going through.”
Pond was taken aback. He didn’t expect such honesty—especially from someone who had only just called in. Usually, people hid behind jokes or small talk, but Phuwin’s words were raw, vulnerable, and Pond felt a surprising pang of empathy.
“I get that,” Pond said, his voice growing softer, more sincere. “Life can feel like that sometimes. Like everything’s out of focus, and you’re just trying to find your way. It’s okay to feel lost. I think we all do, at some point.”
Phuwin didn’t respond immediately, and Pond could sense that the weight of his words had landed. There was a moment of silence before Phuwin spoke again, his voice a little stronger.
“You make it sound like it’s okay to feel like that,” Phuwin said. “Like, maybe it’s not the end of the world.”
“Well,” Pond replied, “it’s definitely not the end of the world. You just have to let yourself feel what you’re feeling. It’s okay to be a little lost sometimes. It’s just part of the journey.”
Phuwin let out a long breath, and Pond could almost hear him letting go of the tension in his shoulders. It felt like Phuwin needed someone to say it was okay to be vulnerable—to not have everything figured out. The quiet between them was filled with a kind of unspoken understanding, and for a moment, Pond almost forgot he was on air.
“You’re… you’re right,” Phuwin finally said, his voice quieter now, but still carrying a sense of relief. “I guess I just needed someone to remind me of that. Thanks, Pond.”
“No problem,” Pond replied, smiling at the sincerity in Phuwin’s voice. “Anytime, Phuwin. You’re not alone in this.”
Phuwin let out a soft laugh, and Pond felt a small flicker of warmth. It was the kind of laugh that made Pond’s heart tug in a way he hadn’t expected. There was something in Phuwin’s tone, something that made Pond want to hear more.
“So,” Pond began, trying to keep the conversation light, “what’s your favorite song? I’ll play it for you tonight, on air. I’ll dedicate it to you.”
Phuwin chuckled nervously. “Uh, actually, I—well, it’s kind of embarrassing, but… I really like this old ballad. ‘The Night We Met.’ It’s kind of cheesy, but it always makes me feel something.”
Pond smiled, a soft laugh escaping him. “I like cheesy. Don’t worry, I’ll play it for you. This one’s for Phuwin, folks. If you’re out there listening, know you’re not alone. We all have our nights. Here’s ‘The Night We Met.’ Enjoy.”
Pond pressed a button, the sound of the music filling the airwaves. The soothing melody of the ballad washed over him, and he leaned back in his chair, letting the music play out. But even as the song drifted through the air, his mind kept returning to the caller—Phuwin. There was something about him, something in the way he spoke, that lingered with Pond.
It was strange. He didn’t normally get this caught up in his listeners. But Phuwin’s vulnerability… It had struck a chord deep within him.
As the song continued, Pond found himself thinking about Phuwin more than he should. There was a quiet, almost magnetic pull between them, despite the distance. Something that made him wonder… who exactly was Phuwin, and why did it feel like they’d shared something more than just a brief radio conversation?
The song ended, and Pond moved back into his usual rhythm, but the night felt different. The conversation with Phuwin kept playing on repeat in his mind. And his mind kept racing as he quickly typed in Phuwin’s number on his phone and clicked on ‘Save’.
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The next day, after the show ended, Pond couldn’t help himself. He found himself replaying the call in his head, his curiosity about Phuwin growing with each passing minute. He thought about sending a message, just to check in—nothing major, just a casual “Hey, how are you? It’s Pond. The RJ that you called yesterday.” to keep the connection alive.
But he hesitated. It wasn’t like Pond to blur the lines between his professional persona and personal life. Yet, something about Phuwin—his quiet sincerity, his honesty—made it impossible to ignore.
A few hours later, as Pond was finishing up some work, he got a text notification.
It was from Phuwin.
“Hey, Pond. Thanks again for everything last night. I guess I just needed someone to talk to. You made me feel like I wasn’t alone. I really appreciate it.”
Pond smiled as he read the message, a warmth blooming in his chest. He quickly typed a response.
“You’re welcome. Anytime, Phuwin. And hey, if you ever need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here.”
He hit send, feeling a strange excitement in his chest. He didn’t know where this was going, but he had a feeling that Phuwin wasn’t just another listener.
And, for the first time in a long while, Pond was eager to see what came next.
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The night air was crisp, a slight chill settling over the city as Pond stepped out of the radio station. His shift had just ended, and the quiet hum of the streets was soothing after a long night of broadcasting. He loved these late-night walks—his time to unwind, to think. But tonight, his thoughts weren’t on the usual mundane stuff. They kept circling back to Phuwin.
The call from last night had stayed with him, longer than he expected. The way Phuwin had spoken, his hesitant voice, the raw honesty… it felt different than any of the other calls he had ever received. Pond found himself thinking about him in a way he couldn’t quite explain.
As he walked, Pond’s phone buzzed in his pocket, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was a message from Phuwin.
“Hey, Pond. I know we don’t really know each other, but… I wanted to say thanks for everything. I’m going to your station’s event tomorrow night. I’ll be there.”
Pond paused mid-step, staring at the message. His heart skipped a beat. The station was hosting a casual event the next evening for listeners to meet the RJs. He knew Phuwin had mentioned that he was a regular, but this felt different. He hadn’t expected him to actually show up.
“Are you sure? It’s not exactly a big deal, just a meet-and-greet. But if you want to come, it’d be great to meet you in person.”
The message sent, Pond stared at the screen for a moment. He wasn’t sure what he expected from Phuwin. He had only heard his voice—he had no idea what he looked like or what he’d be like in person. But something about him felt… magnetic. Pond couldn’t shake the feeling that they were on the cusp of something.
The next evening, Pond arrived at the event early, as usual. The station had set up a small room with drinks, some snacks, and a few tables for fans to chat with the RJs. The familiar sound of light chatter filled the space as Pond wandered around, greeting the regular listeners who had shown up.
He wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but his eyes kept darting around the room, scanning for someone who might fit Phuwin’s voice. Someone quiet, maybe a little shy but with an intensity that wasn’t easily overlooked.
As the evening wore on, Pond’s hope of seeing him dwindled. Maybe Phuwin had decided against it, maybe he had gotten cold feet.
But then, just as he was heading back to the refreshments table, a figure appeared in the doorway.
Phuwin.
He knew him from the photo Phuwin had sent of himself. Pond had made the excuse of how he would recognize him when they met each other at the meet and greet. Hence, on whim, both had agreed to share their photos.
Pond froze for a moment, unsure of what to do. The man standing in the entrance wasn’t what he had expected—not at all. Phuwin was tall, with dark, wavy hair that fell just above his collar. His clothes were simple—dark jeans, a fitted shirt, and a jacket—but he wore it effortlessly. His posture was a little stiff, like he wasn’t sure how to blend in with the crowd. But his eyes—the way he scanned the room, as if looking for something but not sure what—told Pond everything he needed to know. Phuwin was just as nervous as he had been on the phone.
And yet, there was something in his presence that made Pond’s heart beat a little faster. He wasn’t the kind of guy to get caught up in his listeners—he had always kept things professional, never blurring the lines between on-air personality and real-life connection. But with Phuwin, he felt an undeniable pull.
Pond swallowed and took a step forward.
“Phuwin?”
Phuwin’s eyes snapped to him, a flicker of recognition passing through his gaze. He froze for a second, then slowly walked toward Pond with an unsure smile.
“Hey,” Phuwin said, his voice slightly more guarded than it had been on the phone. “I, uh… I wasn’t sure if I should come, but then I thought, well, why not?”
Pond smiled, a little more at ease. “I’m really glad you did. It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”
Phuwin shifted slightly, glancing around the room before meeting Pond’s gaze again. “I didn’t expect it to be so… crowded,” he said with a small laugh, his tone light but tinged with the same nervous energy.
Pond chuckled. “Yeah, it can get overwhelming. But hey, there’s always some space to escape the madness. Want to grab a drink?”
Phuwin nodded, following Pond to the refreshment table. They stood together, both of them slightly unsure, as they picked out something to drink. The air between them was different now that they were face-to-face—familiar, yet filled with that awkwardness that always comes with meeting someone you’ve only ever known through a screen or a voice.
“So, uh,” Pond said as they moved away from the table, “how’s life been since our chat last night? Any… breakthroughs?”
Phuwin chuckled quietly. “I’m not sure about breakthroughs. But I’ve been thinking about what you said. About feeling lost. It’s like you just put words to something I’ve been feeling for a long time.”
Pond smiled, feeling that familiar warmth again. “I’m glad I could help, even if just a little.” He hesitated, then added, “But, honestly, Phuwin… I didn’t expect you to show up tonight. I wasn’t sure if you were the type to come to these events.”
Phuwin looked up at him, his eyes soft, but there was a spark in them—a hint of something deeper, something unspoken. “I wasn’t sure either,” he admitted. “But… I wanted to meet you. I don’t know why. I just felt like I had to.”
Pond’s heart skipped again. There was something about that honesty—about the way Phuwin spoke—that made him feel like they were already closer than they had any right to be. It was just a simple meet-and-greet, yet in the way they looked at each other, there was an unspoken understanding.
“So,” Pond said after a beat, trying to lighten the mood, “now that we’re both here, what do you think? Was it worth it?”
Phuwin laughed, a little louder this time, the nervous edge softening. “I don’t know yet. I’m still deciding.”
They both chuckled, and for the first time since they had met, the air between them felt less tense. It felt… easier.
As they continued to talk, the conversation flowed naturally. They discussed everything from music to their favorite shows, to what they did for fun when they weren’t consumed by their work. For Pond, it felt like they were slipping into a rhythm, like they had known each other for much longer than just a few short conversations.
But the more they talked, the more Pond found himself stealing glances at Phuwin—at the way his eyes lit up when he got passionate about something, or the way his lips curled into a small smile when he was teasing Pond. It was all so captivating.
Before long, the evening was winding down, and the crowd had started to thin. Pond found himself standing beside Phuwin again, a little distance from the main group. The two of them stood there in a quiet moment, both of them unsure of what to say next.
“I… I should probably get going,” Phuwin said quietly, glancing around at the people starting to leave. “It was nice meeting you, Pond. I… I’m really glad I came.”
Pond smiled, a little sad that the night was ending so soon. “Yeah, me too. It was good to finally put a face to the voice. And hey, if you want to talk more, you know where to find me. You’ve got my number now.”
Phuwin nodded, his eyes softening as he looked at Pond. “Yeah… I think I might just take you up on that.” He hesitated for a moment before adding, “Goodnight, Pond. Thanks for making tonight easier.”
“Anytime, Phuwin,” Pond replied, watching as Phuwin turned to leave. But just as he reached the door, Phuwin paused and looked back at him.
“I’ll be listening to your show again tomorrow,” Phuwin said with a small smile. “I’ll be there.”
And with that, he disappeared into the night, leaving Pond standing there, a quiet warmth spreading in his chest.
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