A few days later, Pim was in the middle of revising her project when her phone rang. She hardly glanced at the screen before answering, presuming who it was.
But the person on the other end wasn't discussing investments or marketing strategies—it was frantic, desperate.
Pim! It's Noon, Arthur's classmate," the girl's voice trembled. "Arthur's in the hospital. He collapsed during class. The doctors claimed it's from weariness and dehydration."
Pim's blood ran cold. "What? Where? Which hospital? "
"Siriraj," Noon responded. "I saw it happen. One minute he was listening to the lecture, and the next he just collapsed. The professor phoned an ambulance."
Pim didn't need to hear more. She grabbed her keys and ran out, hardly remembering to lock the door.
The drive to the hospital was a blur. Pim's mind raced as she recalled the last two weeks—Arthur had been distant, quieter than normal. He was usually fatigued, but he brushed it off. She had assumed he was just preoccupied with school, but deep inside, she knew otherwise.
It was Nick.
Arthur had been sliding ever since Nick left. Pim had tried to distract him, attempted to keep him busy, but it was apparent nothing could replace the vacuum.
When she arrived at the hospital, she rushed into the emergency department, her pulse hammering. She observed Noon waiting outside Arthur's chamber, her face pale with dread.
"How is he? Pim demanded.
"They moved him to a private room," Noon remarked, taking Pim along the hallway. "The doctor said he'll be okay, but he needs to rest. They placed him on IV fluids."
Pim took a long breath, steadying herself before pushing open the door.
Arthur lay on the hospital bed, appearing smaller than ever. His complexion was pale, his eyes sunken, and he barely had the strength to turn his head when Pim entered.
"Arthur," Pim murmured, sitting beside him. "What happened?
Arthur didn't answer. He just turned his head away, tears flowing down his face.
Pim clenched her hands. She hated seeing him like this—so shattered, so defeated.
"Arthur," she tried again. "Talk to me."
But he remained silent, his breathing unsteady.
Pim swallowed hard. She had never seen him this terrible before. And she knew exactly who was responsible.
Nick.
Arthur had been strong for so long, keeping everything in, pretending he was okay. But now his body had given out, pushing him to rest when he refused to.
Pim stretched his hand, squeezing it gently. "You don't have to do this alone, you know?
Arthur let out a nervous breath, but still, he didn't speak.
That was all the assurance Pim needed. If Arthur couldn't fight for himself anymore, she would fight for him.
She rose, pulling out her phone as she marched out of the room.
Nick needed to know what he had done.
The moment Pim came out of the hospital, she dialed Mai's number.
Mai picked up after a few rings. "Hey, Pim, what's up?
Pim didn't waste time. "Mai, we need to talk. It's about Nick and Arthur."
There was a pause. "What about them? What happened? Pim
"Arthur's in the hospital," Pim replied plainly. "He collapsed from exhaustion and dehydration."
Mai sucked in a breath. "What?
"He's not eating, not sleeping," Pim said, her voice quivering with frustration. "He's a mess, Mai. And it's because of Nick's dumb charade."
"I didn't know it was this bad," Mai remarked finally. "I thought it was just a way to make him jealous." And I warned Nick about this, but he wouldn't listen. He was hell-bent on his hurt.
"Well, it's destroying him," Pim snapped. "Arthur is falling apart. And Nick—" She exhaled sharply, trying to keep herself from screaming. "Nick is too busy playing his little games to see what he's doing to him." Gosh, he is so childish
Mai hesitated. "Pim…"
"No, listen to me," Pim interrupted. "You need to tell Nick. He needs to realize what he's done."
Mai was quiet for a long time. Then, finally, she sighed. "Okay. I'll tell him."
"Tonight," Pim insisted. "No excuses."
"…Tonight," Mai agreed.
Pim closed the phone and took a big breath.
She had done her part.
Now it was up to Nick.
Mai sat in her flat, staring at her phone. She had to inform Nick.
He needs to stop this entire nonsense act.
She had never seen Arthur as anything more than Nick's boyfriend, whom Nick wanted to teach a little lesson but still harbored feelings for. He is also suffering and hiding it. Now, hearing how much anguish Arthur was in, she felt something change inside her.
Had she been wrong? Had she also spoiled everything?
Taking a deep breath, she dialed Nick.
He answered pretty instantly, "Mai?
"We need to talk," she said. "It's important."
Nick was silent for a second. "Alright, where?
"My place."
"Give me ten minutes."
Mai hung up and glanced at the ceiling.
This wasn't going to be easy.
When Nick came, Mai didn't waste time.
"Arthur's in the hospital," she remarked the instant he walked through the door.
Nick froze. "What?
"He collapsed in class. The doctor indicated its weariness and dehydration."
Nick's face paled. "What—why? What happened to him
Mai crossed her arms. "You already know why."
Nick swallowed and looked away. "That doesn't make sense. Arthur's strong. He wouldn't—"
"He wouldn't? " Mai cut him off. "Nick, you think just because he doesn't show it, he's fine? He's been tearing apart ever since he found out about our charade. He confronted you, but you ignored all his calls and messages. You told him you have moved on. Why do you have to go to that length just because you are angry and hurt? You took this very far, Nick, and now see the result it has portrayed. I warned you, Nick, I did. I told you it would blow off your face.
Nick clenched his hands.
Mai softened her tone. Pim called me. She spotted him. He's not okay, Nick. And I suppose deep down, you already understood that."
Nick plopped down hard on the couch, raking a hand over his hair.
He had convinced himself Arthur would be fine—that the phony relationship with Mia was only a ploy to shield himself, to make Arthur experience even a fraction of the sorrow he had felt, and to make him jealous.
But he had never dreamed it would go this far.
He had never imagined Arthur collapsing.
"Where is he? Nick's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Siriraj Hospital," Mai said.
Nick didn't utter another word. He just stood up and grabbed his keys.
"Nick," Mai yelled after him.
He paused at the entrance but didn't turn around.
Mai hesitated. Then she warned, "Don't go there just to see him. Go there to mend it." Fix it Nick
Nick nodded once before stepping out.
For the first time in a long time, he felt like he had no control.
But one thing was clear.
He needed to see Arthur.
And he needed to fix what he had broken.