thirty one

"Technically, Gulf is unconscious but he is aware of his consciousness. How is that possible? Well, the brain is responsible for everything. Even when comatose, a lot of stuff is still going on in the patients' heads. It is like dreaming vividly that one can't tell if it's a dream or reality. In Gulf's case, his brain has been active which gave him visions that made him think he's living a normal life when he's actually sleeping here. There are things that could trigger these visions. Sometimes when he heard people around him talking, or he felt something. He couldn't respond physically that's why his brain made all these visions. We will run some tests to check if there isn't any other damage somewhere else."

After all the explanation, Gulf's doctor left. Everyone in the room, including Gulf himself, can't believe that it was possible. He's more confused. It's clearly written in his face.

"Gulf, are you okay?" His friend, Pete, noticed that Gulf is spacing out. It is just a natural reaction, of course. After learning that the world you wake up into is now a different one. That everything that had happened there is just a work of his imagination. His eyes immediately looked for Mew. He was so immersed in thinking that he forgot the person he's looking is just beside him, worrying.

"P'Mew, tell me. Are we really a thing or not? In my dreams we are. You know..." The other guy who is so worried on how Gulf would react after all that he has discovered laughed. He didn't expect that the first thing that he wanted to know after all the realization of him being in a fake world is, if they really are dating.

"Silly, Gulf. Of course, we are." The young man ruffled Gulf's hair. "You begged me to date you, don't tell me you forgot? He did, right?" He looked at Gulf's two friends who are just opposite him, also beside Gulf. 

"Yeah, you did."

"Uh huh."

The two replied in favor of Mew. They know very well that Gulf really didn't beg but they just want to tease him, riding Mew's words. 

"But in my dreams..." Gulf wanted to defend himself but he then realizes it was just useless. Besides, even if he's to tell, it is the same thing. He offered himself to both Pete and Top like he's some sort of on-sale products and that's how Mew made his move.

"Tell us about your dream. Quick, quick."

"Yeah, tell us about your dreams." Both Pete and Top get chair to sit on and is getting ready to hear stories from Gulf, just like how grandchildren wanted to hear amazing stories from their grandmas.

Mew on the other hand, thought that the two are being annoying but gets himself a chair, too. Waiting for Gulf's story. 

"N-no. It's nothing. Actually, I can't remember. Yeah, I can't remember." It's obvious that he's lying and the two still push him to spill the beans already. But Gulf is so embarrassed to disclose the matter that he had to divert the topic.

"Don't you want know how were you both in my dreams?" 

Mew was left disappointed as he wanted to know how did they started dating in Gulf's dreams.

"We are in your dreams, too? That's cool. So, how are we there? Am I handsome there just as how handsome I am in reality?" Top asked excitedly but there was a heavy energy around him.

"Hmm. I don't know about being handsome but you change girls like your changing clothes. That's how playboy you are in my dreams."

As soon as Gulf finishes his last sentence, Pete who looked normal earlier has now turned into a beast and threw punches at Top. 

"What?! Why are you hitting me!? It is just in Gulf's dreams. Hey, Gulf. Take back what you said. He's going to kill me if this continues. Huhu. Honey, Pete, believe me. I am not a womanizer. Gulf!!!!!!"

Top is now screaming. Mew laughs as he watch them quietly.

"What did you say? Honey? Pete and you? Are you two dating???" Gulf asked in disbelief.

Aside from waking up in a new world, this sure shocked the hell out of him. 

"Hehe. You see, there's a lot of  things that had happened while you were sleeping." Pete casually returned to his seat. But Top looked like he was massacred.

Gulf, who still can't believe what he heard, looked at Mew to confirm it and he just nodded yes.

"Waaah. I really did miss a lot while I was asleep, eh?" 

It is now Gulf and Mew left in the room. Pete and Top already went home since it's already late. Mew is going to watch over Gulf tonight. Plus the fact that he doesn't want to leave his boyfriend's side now that he is awake.

"Uhh~" 

But deep inside, he wants to blame himself for everything. He keeps blaming himself. If only he had accompanied him that day. If only he chose to absent. If only New didn't know about Gulf. There are so many ifs but the only if-question that bothers him the most is, if it is really New's, his stepbrother's doing, what will Gulf do? What will be his reaction? 

There are a lot of questions running in Mew's head that he didn't notice he had already fallen asleep while sitting. Gulf noticed him. He wanted to wake him up so he can sleep comfortably on the other bed but he didn't. He just looked at the sleeping face of the man next to him. There's no deny to it. This is the same face he's been looking at even in his dreams. The same brows, lashes, cheekbones, eyes, nose, lips, and everything. It is still him.

His thoughts suddenly interrupted him from staring at his lovely face.

If I was sleeping all this time, it means everything I have experienced and everything I did were all just part of the dream? Even the memories we both made together? The hugs and kisses we shared. The tears we shed. The jealousy we felt. The food we shared. Having a new roommate. Getting sick and injured. Him taking care of me. Living together with him. Meeting his mom. And the last part of my dream, camping. They're all just a dream?

Slowly, Gulf has accepted the truth. Even though they were all just part of his long dream, he can't deny that he's still thankful for having those. Why? Because he never felt alone. That even in his dreams, he has his friends and most importantly, he has Mew. 

You must have been so lonely while I was asleep, P'Mew. I wasn't there for you but you were there for me. All the time. Thank you for guarding me, may it be in dreams or in real world. 

"I love you, P'Mew." 

These three words and eight letters are the only thing he can utter. His heart is full of adoration for the guy. 

Right then, a small of amount of light caught Gulf's attention. It was his cellphone. The phone was awakened because of the warning saying it's already full charged.

Gulf was surprised to see that Mew is still keeping his phone alive even if the owner can't use it. He reached for his phone. As he was extending his arm to get the phone, he suddenly felt some cold piece of metal bouncing from his neck to his arm. It was the dog tag necklace that Mew gave him. He held the necklace that long before, he already wanted to have it around his neck. But as he feels the cold necklace in his hand, it brought him a sense of deja vu. 

He remembered. 

It was when he first saw Mew under the moonlight. It dropped and he picked it up. Not knowing that in real world, Mew is actually putting the necklace on him. 

He smiled. 

"In the end, I've really got the necklace."

His attention returned to the phone on his hand. He was blinded by its light so he lowered its brightness. When he got to explore again his phone, the 99+ notifications on his LINE surprised him.

"Who would send me this much?"

He opened his LINE only to see Mew's messages bombing his inbox. He opened them.

"Day 181. Hi, Gulf. Hi, love. I bought some new fresh flowers for you. I hope you like them. I picked them because they remind me of your smile. I miss you so much, please wake up already. I love you."

It was sent today. This morning. It was the latest message that Mew sent him. It also has a picture of the flowers he bought.

He scrolled up to the thread and there were messages that were sent everyday. He didn't miss a single day. His tears rushed down his face as he reads the messages. 

"Day 158. Hi, love. It was raining so hard today. I forgot my umbrella at home. It's just that when you're here, I don't need to worry about the umbrella because you always bring one. But don't worry, I will surely bring tomorrow. I miss you so much, please wake already. I love you."

It was followed with a photo of his hand feeling the rain as it falls.

"You must have caught a cold that day. I'm sorry, P'" 

His cry went louder just imagining his P' catching a cold but he had to keep it down or he'll wake Mew.

"Day 149. Hi, Gulf. Hi, love. I have good news for you. I have topped all my exams. Yehey. All of my profs praised me but yours is all that matters. I miss you so much, please wake up already so we can celebrate. I love you."

Again, there are photos attached. Mew holding all his exam papers.

"I am so proud of you, P'Mew. I am very proud." Gulf said in between his tears.

There are still a lot of messages for Gulf to read. Even the whole night isn't enough for him to finish them. 

But the guy on his chair suddenly jolted awake. Good thing, Gulf noticed it right away and he was able to wipe away his tears.

"I'm so sorry. I fell asleep. I should be watching you but it's the opposite. By the way, why are you still awake?" The guy who just woke up asked.

"No, P'. I am about to sleep, too. You should go back to sleep, as well. It's already late."

"Yes, let's sleep now. Good night, Gulf. I am so happy you're fine now." He planted a kiss on Gulf's forehead. He is now about to go to the other bed but Gulf pulled the hem of his shirt.

"Can you just sleep beside me, P'?"

***

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