Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Pond’s POV

I was on my way to my dad’s office, my mind occupied with thoughts of Phuwin. I had just dropped him off near his house, and the image of his smile lingered with me. But as soon as I stepped into the office, reality hit hard.

The atmosphere was tense, and my dad’s face was a clear indication of trouble. “We’ve got a serious issue,” he said grimly. The company’s system had been hacked, and it would take at least two or three days to fix the damage. My heart sank. I knew this meant sleepless nights and no time for Phuwin. I sighed, rolling up my sleeves and diving into the work ahead.

---

Phuwin’s POV

“Phuwin, how is Star? Do you like her?” my mom asked, her tone laced with excitement.

Her question startled me, pulling me out of my thoughts. Her face was glowing, a wide smile spread across her lips. For a brief moment, I wondered, Would she ever look this happy if she knew about Pond?

“Phuwin? Phuwin?” My mom waved her hand in front of my face, breaking me out of my daze.

“Uh… yeah, she’s nice,” I said, forcing a smile.

“That’s so nice to hear!” she said, her excitement only growing. “Then tomorrow, we’ll go out with Star, okay?”

“Why, Mom?” I asked, irritation creeping into my voice. “Let’s just stay home.”

“I already spoke to Star,” she said firmly, ignoring my protests. “She’s so excited to meet you again. So, we’re going.”

---

Later – Phuwin’s POV

I went to my room and immediately called Pond. The line rang, but he didn’t pick up. He always answers my calls. A strange feeling settled in my chest, but I tried to shake it off. Maybe he was busy.

I called him a few more times, but each attempt was met with silence. Frustrated, I left him a message and decided to take a shower.

When I came back, I checked my phone again. Still nothing. No reply. No missed calls. This isn’t like him… I thought, worry beginning to creep in. Just as I was about to send him another message, my mom’s voice echoed through the house.

“Phuwin, get dressed and come down quickly!”

Confused, I hurried downstairs. She was already dressed, looking ready to head out.

“What’s going on, Mom? Are we going somewhere?” I asked.

“Yes! To the mall,” she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me along.

---

An Hour Later

The mall was bustling with life, but I barely noticed. My mom was dragging me from one shop to another, intent on buying something for Star. I wasn’t in the mood, my mind still on Pond.

As we were walking, I froze. There, just a few steps ahead of me, was Pond with a girl I didn’t recognize.

I knew all of Pond’s friends. I’d met every single one of them. But this girl… she was a stranger. My chest tightened as I watched him smile and talk to her. The way he laughed, the way he looked so comfortable it was a sight I’d never seen him share with anyone else but me.

My heart ached, but I forced myself to stay calm. He loves me, I reminded myself. I trust him.

But then, it happened.

As we walked closer, the girl threw her arms around Pond, hugging him tightly. My heart shattered. The scene played over and over in my mind. My hands trembled, and I didn’t even notice my mom’s concerned glance.

Did he see me? I wondered. Does he even care that I’m here?

I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t. The pain was unbearable, and yet I stood there, unable to move, unable to breathe.

[A Few Hours Ago]

“Pond, Pond!” his dad called out, running toward him. Pond, curious and a bit concerned, looked up from his work.

“What’s wrong, Dad?” he asked, setting aside the papers he was reviewing.

“Oh, it’s nothing bad. Your sister, Lina, is arriving today. She’ll be at the airport in 30 minutes. Go and pick her up!”

Pond froze in surprise. “Lina’s coming? She didn’t even tell me!” His voice was a mix of frustration and shock.

“She wanted to surprise us. Now, go quickly!” his dad insisted, dismissing Pond’s protests about the work he was handling.

“Fine,” Pond grumbled, pouting slightly. “But this is unfair.”

“I’ll get someone else to handle it. You just go!” his dad said with a smile.

Reluctantly, Pond grabbed his keys and drove to the airport.

---

After a 40-minute drive, Pond arrived at the terminal. His eyes scanned the crowd until he spotted Lina waving at him enthusiastically. He waved back but couldn’t shake off his annoyance.

“Hiiii! Oh my god, you’ve grown so much!” Lina exclaimed as she walked over, her expression a mix of shock and delight.

“Because I can’t stay 15 forever,” Pond replied in a dry, sarcastic tone, already walking toward the car.

Lina, unfazed, rolled her eyes and followed him. “You’re still the same, huh?” she muttered, sliding into the passenger seat.

As Pond started driving, she glanced at him. “Let’s stop by the mall. I need to buy a few things,” she said casually.

Pond sighed but didn’t argue, changing the route without a word.

---

At the mall, Lina’s energy was infectious. She chattered endlessly about her life abroad, recounting every little detail with excitement. Pond’s initial annoyance melted away as he listened to her stories. Her happiness was contagious, and before he knew it, he found himself smiling.

But then, as they strolled through the mall, Pond noticed someone familiar. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Phuwin with his mom. He instinctively looked away, unsure of how to react. With Phuwin’s mother around, he couldn’t approach him or even acknowledge him properly.

Before he could process the situation, Lina suddenly screamed, startling Pond. She threw her arms around him in a tight hug.

“What’s wrong?” Pond asked in alarm, his voice laced with panic. He quickly glanced toward Phuwin, worried about what he might think.

“Nothing,” Lina replied cryptically, already walking away with an amused grin.

“Lina!” Pond called after her, exasperated. “What was that about?”

“Don’t ask! I don’t have time to explain,” she said, dismissing him with a wave of her hand.

Pond shook his head, half amused and half annoyed. “Her mood swings,” he muttered under his breath, glancing back toward where Phuwin was.

-To be continued▪︎

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