The Pain of Silence
The apartment was still exactly as they had left it before going camping. Shoes by the door, Klao's neatly lined up next to his. Coffee mugs in the sink. Warich dropped his keys on the counter and stood in the kitchen longer than necessary. His bag was still slung over one shoulder, and he hadn't taken off his jacket yet. His phone buzzed with some group chat notification, but he just ignored it.
He didn't know what to do with his hands and ended up making tea. For two. Out of habit.
Klao didn't come down the hall. Didn't complain that the kettle was too loud. Didn't steal a sip from Warich's mug.
Warich left one cup on the table anyway.
💔
It had been four days.
Four days since the proposal.
Three days since Yotha told him Klao left.
Two days since he'd been home.
One day since he finally tried calling.
He'd waited at first, giving space. Told himself that Klao just needed time. But now, the silence felt intentional.
He picked up his phone again. Tapped on Klao's name. The last message Warich sent was short. "Call me when you're ready." It was still marked "Delivered." Not read. Not replied to. He tried calling again, more out of desperation than hope.
Ringing.
Then voicemail.
Not even a decline. Just... no answer.
"Hi, you've reached Klao. Leave a message." Beep.
Warich stared at the wall, phone pressed to his ear. He didn't say anything. Couldn't say anything. Just listened to the silence for longer than necessary until the voicemail beeped due to the time limit.
💔
He couldn't sleep that night. He sat on the edge of the bed, back against the headboard, staring outside the large windows where Klao used to stand and smoke before he quit.
The ring was still in the drawer. He hadn't looked at it since he'd been home. He didn't want to. He kept thinking of that look on Klao's face. When he stood up. When he left the tent. When he walked away.
It hadn't been anger or sadness.
It had been final.