Part 23: You Are Not Alone

Zayden's POV:

Zayden: WHY YOU DIDN'T TOLD ME EARLIER, MATTHEW ?! IS IT THAT HARD TO TELL ME ABOUT THIS?

(Zayden look at Matthew, he's angry)

Matthew: I just want you to focus on the tournament, Zayden. This evening is our chance to be on the final list. If I told you yesterday, you might decide to go back to Bangkok yesterday.

Zayden: OF COURSE, I'LL GO BACK TO BANGKOK.

Matthew: Why? Huh?

Zayden: BECAUSE HE'S ALONE THERE, MATTHEW. HE'S ALONE. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

Matthew: You can't be like this. I didn't want you to waste all the effort you did until you came to this stage, Zayden. Your dream is to become one of the international player, right?

Zayden in silent. It's true that he really want to become one of the international player but he was very sad when he heard the news about Nathan's parents death.

Zayden: I'll go back to Bangkok right now.

Zayden was about to go but suddenly he stop when Matthew grab his hand.

Matthew: ARE YOU CRAZY, ZAYDEN? (Matthew look at his friend)

Matthew: In a few hours the tournament will start.

Zayden sit on the chair and he look at the floor. He start to cry. He was very worried about Nathan's condition right now. He know his boyfriend is alone there without anyone.

Zayden: His parents just died, Matthew. He really need me. He is alone there. I don't want want him to cry on his own. He need me. He need my hug, Matthew. What should I do right now?

Matthew approached his friend and he stand right in front of Zayden.

Matthew: Zayden, if both of you really love each other, you must believe that he can face the problem by himself. You need to believe that he's the strongest person in the world. Don't worry. I already told Nolio to stay by his side and Nat said he's okay.

Zayden: Are you sure?

Matthew nodded his head.

Matthew: Now, you need to focus on the tournament first. Don't worry about him. I'm sure he's okay. Nolio is with him.

Zayden nodded.

Nami: Be patient, Zayden. Everything will be okay. I know Nathan is the most strongest person in the world. (Nami caressed Zayden's back)

Suddenly, his coach calling all the players to gather at their camp.

Nami: Let's go. Our coach is calling us.

Zayden nodded.

'I'm sorry, Ian. I'll be back soon.'

Nathan's POV:

That morning many people came to visit the temple near his house. Yesterday the bodies of both his parents arrived in Bangkok at 12 o'clock at night. All matters concerning the death of his parents have been resolved.

Nathan was sitting on a long bench facing the corpse of his parents. He thought to himself that he did not think that his parents had left him forever.

Tee: Nathan...

Nathan turn his head as he heard someone was calling him.

Nathan: Yes, Tee?

Tee: I'll be taking care of things over there.

Nathan: Alright, Tee. Thank you so much, phi.

Tee: You can just sit here. (While put his hand on Nathan's shoulder)

Nathan: Alright.

Tee leave and he walk to the back of the temple. Everyone were there except Zayden, Matthew and Nami because they are still at Chiang Mai for their basketball tournament.

Javy: What actually happened to his parents? I just told to come here without knowing anything.

Nolio: They were died when the taxi they are riding was hit by a big lorry. They were went to Phuket for a holiday but...it's turn out like this.

Javy: Ah, I see. He must be really sad.

Nolio: That's right. He was really closed to his parents. He even never part away from his parents but they already left him when that is the first time.

All of them now look at Nathan who still sit on the chair. Seems like he really doesn't have any energy. He might look fine among the crowds but he's actually pretending to be numb with his smile.

Tee: Nat, I think you need to stay by his side for the time being. He need someone right now.

Nolio: Alright, phi.

Nolio then stepped closer to Nathan. He sat next to Nathan.

Nolio: Nathan...

Nathan: Hmmm?

Nolio: Did you have your dinner yet?

Nathan: Not yet. I don't feel like I want to eat.

Nolio: But at least you drink this water, Nathan. (He give Nathan a bottle of mineral water)

Nathan: Thank you, Nolio.

Nolio look at his best friend. He look so messed up. He never see Nathan like that before this.

Nolio: Nathan

Nathan: ....

Nolio: Please let your parents rest in peace ...You need to accept the fact that they are already leave you forever. God love them more, Nathan.

Nathan: ....

Nolio: Although you cannot hear their voice or see their smile, they always walks beside you just like they did before. They listens to your stories and wipes away your tears. It's just they aren't visible to see with human's eye but you still can talk to them in silence and their spirit will reply. You still can feel the love they gave you, Nathan. They left their human body but your souls never part.

Nathan look at Nat. He smile to his best friend.

Nathan: Thank you, Nolio because you always stay by my side since yesterday. (He hug Nolio)

Nolio: You are welcome, Nathan. I will always stay by your side because Zayden told me to do so.

Nathan: Hia?

Nolio nodded his head.

Nolio: Yesterday, Matthew called me after saw the news last night. He didn't wan to tell Zayden because he didn't want him to worry. This evening, they will have a tournament and this is the chance for them to be on the final list. If he told Zayden about this, Zayden might go back to Bangkok right away and he didn't join the tournament.

Nathan: ...

Nolio: So, don't mad at him. He worried about your condition. It's just he need to finish his tournament first.

Nathan: I just need him right now because I only have him, Nolio.

Nolio: Who said? You have me, Tee, Javy, right?

Nathan look at his friend again and smile.

Nolio: Be strong, Nathan.

Before the cremation ceremony...

Nathan stepped forward to say something before the cremation ceremony. He took the mic and brought it close to his lips. He looked at the situation in the temple. He tried to smile even though it was a little bitter.

Nathan: Sawadeekrub, everyone. Thank you so much for coming today.

Nathan take a deep breath.

Nathan: Before mom and dad left, they both said something to me. They say that they are very lucky to have a good child like me. They are grateful because I was born into this world and it was my mother who gave birth to me in this world.

Nathan stop for a while.

Nathan: Ma... Pa...(He started to cry)

Nathan: Do you know that I am also lucky to have parents like you? You are the best parents for me. You have a sincere and kind heart. You never scold me you are always there if I need you and most importantly you never forget to be grateful for having a child like me.

Nathan: Be happy. No matter how cruel the world is towards you, you need to face them because you are strong. This is the last thing my father told me. He told me to stay strong but how can I be strong when my number 1 supporter left me?

Nathan was crying out loud. He can't control himself anymore.

Nathan: If Ma was still with me here and comforted me, she would say, "Even though I'm no longer here with you, the love you have for me will last forever."

Nathan wipes his tear. He turn his back and look at his parents picture at the back.

Nathan: Ma...Pa... I hope we will meet again. Maybe in another universe? I hope that both of you will always stay together and be happy there. Don't worry about me. I am strong like what Pa said to me before.

After that, finally the cremation ceremony was held. Before that, a prayer ceremony was also performed. Nathan looked at the smoke from the cremation of both his parents.

Without him realizing his tears came out. He cried his heart out when he saw the smoke. He hugged his mother's and father's photo frames tightly while leaning on Nolio's shoulder.

Nathan: Goodbye, Ma...Pa...I love you forever....always...

After 3 days....

Nathan stepped out of his car. The flower that was in the back seat then he took it. Then, he stepped towards the cemetery wall of his mother and father. He placed the flowers he brought earlier on the photo frame of his parents. After that, he prayed for both his parents.

After he finished praying, he look at his parents' picture then he smiling.

Nathan: Sawadeekrub, Ma...Pa...

Nathan: How are you Ma...Pa...? Are you happy there? Did you have a good time? Today is the third day you left me ...I really miss both of you. When I'm home, I don't know what should I do. I'm alone and it's so lonely. Hia haven't back yet from the tournament. He was still at Chiang Mai. So, I'm alone, Ma...Pa...

Nathan sighed.

Nathan: I miss you so much Ma...Pa... This is hurt so much. I really never expected this would be happened. It's too earlier for me. I still want to share my story with you, then laughing together. I miss you when you always teased me too, Ma...I miss everything about Pa and Ma. Can you just bring me together? Hmm?

Nathan was crying so hard. This is just too hard for him. Everything happened just in a blink of eyes. It's gone !

Nathan wipes his eyes then he take a deep breath.

Nathan: I'll go now, Ma...Pa... Take care. If you have a free time, please come into my dream naa.

Am I a fool if I say like that?

Nathan: Bye, I love you. (he smiling to them)

Zayden's POV:

As soon as Zayden landed, he immediately drove his car towards Nathan's house. It was 10 pm at night. Since yesterday, he was busy thinking about his boyfriend. He is worried. He must see Nathan's face as soon as possible. It took him 1 hour to arrive at Nathan's house.

When he arrived, he parked his car in Nathan's garage. He got out of the car. The house looked quiet. It's not as bright as it used to be. There is no sound too.

Zayden then stepped towards the main door. He rang the doorbell several times but no one came to open the door. he tried again, empty. No one was in the house at the time.

Zayden took out his phone from his pocket. he tried to dialed Nathan's number. The first try was failed. He tried again and Nathan still didn't pick up the call. He started to worried. Nathan was not even reply to his chat from this morning.

Zayden: Don't make Hia worry, Ian. Where are you right now? (while trying to call Nathan)

Suddenly he think of one place. His condo ! He told Nathan that if Nathan miss him, he can go to his condo. Maybe Nathan is there right now. Without waiting anymore, Zayden drive to his condo that only take an hour from Nathan's house.

As soon as he arrived at his condo, he immediately took the lift and go to his room. He press the password on the door.

Zayden: Ian ! Ian ! Ian !

Zayden saw there was no one at the living room. Then, he go checked at the kitchen, no one also. Finally, he walk to his bedroom. He opened the door slowly and he was surprised as soon as he saw Nathan's body was on the bed.

He was relieved when he saw it was really Nathan. He take a step closer to the bed. He was fast asleep. He look at Nathan's face. That's the face he's been missing for the past two weeks. It was that face that made him reluctant to leave Bangkok. Finally today he could look at that face. Zayden smiled as his eyes focused on Nathan's face.

Zayden: Ian, I'm already here. Now you are not alone anymore.

He don't know why but suddenly he was crying when he remembered about what happened to Nathan 3 days ago. He lift up his hand and he caressed Nathan's cheek.

Zayden: I'm sorry, Ian. It must be so hard for you. It's okay, Ian. Hia will never leave you again after this. I promised. (He kiss Nathan's forehead gently)