thirty four

Third Person's POV

"What????"

As soon as she heard the whole story, Mew's Mom can't seem to believe it. No, she doesn't want to.

"Did New do all this? I mean, to our poor Gulf?"

The revelation is too much for Mew's Mom that Mew got her a glass of water to calm herself. 

Mew finally did it. He finally told her mom what happened. It took him some time for he has to gather evidences and when he did, he went straight to the police.

"So, you're saying that my son is in jail right now? Oh my poor son. Oh my goodness. New, what have you done?"

She really can't believe what had happened to his son, New. She blames herself for turning her son into someone he shouldn't be. She felt accountable for the wrong path her son has taken.

And then she fainted.

Mew was quick to catch her mom and Gulf, who is just as shocked as her, pulled himself together to help Mew's Mom lay comfortably after passing out.

Mew has already told Gulf about his stepbrother and what he did. But it is just now when he heard that he is already sent to jail.

Gulf doesn't seem to know what should he feel at the moment. Should he be happy? Because after six months, the one who is responsible for all that had happened is now paying for what he did? Or should he be guilty because the son of the one who showed care for him is in jail because of him?

Gulf didn't noticed that his mind is flying somewhere else until Mew showed in front of him, kneeling before him.

"What are you thinking, Gulf? I know things got complicated but I want you to know that it is not your fault that New is in jail right now. It was his fault for doing things wrong, for hurting you."

He saw how Gulf's eyes looked so worried about his mom's reaction. That somehow he caused it but he actually did not. He held both his hands and said,

"Gulf, look me in the eyes. Please, look at me."

The other guy, still hesitant but managed to look at him.

"You are the victim here, Gulf. I made this far to protect you. Because if he's not there, we don't know what he'll do next. It's better this way, you get me?"

"But, P'...."

"Shh. I'll be at peace only if he's in there."

Mew leaned forward to hug the bothered Gulf. It is the only way he knows to comfort him. 

Later that night, Mew's Mom secretly wished to see Gulf in private. She didn't want Gulf to tell Mew about them meeting. What for? She didn't say. She just wanted to meet at the cafe near their village.

"Oh poor Gulf. I am so sorry for what my son had done. If there is someone to blame here, it is me. I thought if I gave him a complete family, he will be happier. But because of my greed, it turned out to be the opposite thing. I made him feel like I have forgotten about him. That I no longer care about him which is not true at all. I still care about him. It is just that, I thought I needed more time to get closer to Mew that's why he got jealous. I am such a bad mother. I should be awarded as the worst mom in the whole universe. For making my son feel like he's not loved. It is all my fault."

Tears started to fall down her cheeks. It kind of hurts seeing a mother blames herself for what her child has became. Like, they always blame themselves for it.

Gulf offered her a handkerchief to wipe her tears. He himself doesn't want to see her this hurt. If only he could do anything to help her.

"It's not your fault, Mom. In fact, you are a great  mother. Both Mew and I witnessed it." Gulf said while extending his hand to hold hers.

"That's how I failed as a mother. I made someone else feel loved but not my own son."

Right then, she held both Gulf's hands. With tight grip, at that. At first, Gulf was shook for her sudden moves.

"On behalf of my son, I am truly sorry for what he had done. Please forgive him. I promise I will be a better mother for him. Just please dismiss the case, nah? I know you're a good person. Please?"

Shook is so evident in Gulf's face. He didn't expect for her to beg like that. And he knows where she is coming from. No mother would want his son be thrown to jail. None at all. He's about the reply to her when suddenly a familiar voice was heard. And they both were surprised when they saw who it was.

"Mew, son."

"P-P'Mew, what are you doing here?"

Mew pulled Gulf from his seat. He couldn't react right because he felt like he was caught for doing something bad when he's actually not.

"No, Mom. I am very sorry but where seeing this through. We're not dismissing anything. I am sorry, I hope you understand us."

And they both left the cafe while his mother was left there crying. 

Deep inside, Mew didn't want to say those words he had said. But if they are speaking of Gulf's safety, that goes with no exemption, even if it is his stepmom who is so kind to him.

Mew dragged Gulf somewhere else. His tight grip is actually hurting Gulf but he didn't seem to notice it as he is busy dragging the poor guy.

"P'Mew."

"P'Mew, it hurts."

"P'MEW, I SAID IT HURTS."

Mew stopped. Only then he realizes that he is hurting Gulf. Immediately, he loosen his grip.

"I'm so sorry, Gulf. I didn't mean to."

"Why is everyone sorry? Why is everyone saying sorry to me? Why is everyone... I shouldn't have came back. I should've just stayed asleep if everyone's gonna be sorry like this."

Gulf with tears in his eyes left Mew there and went to who-knows-where. The only thing he knows is that he just want to get some fresh air.

It was as if Mew implanted a GPS tracker on Gulf because he easily found Gulf. He is sitting under a tree, almost impossible to tell if someone is there because it's already dark.

Mew sat opposite Gulf, with the tree in between them.

"The stars are so beautiful, aren't they?"

Even before Mew could even open his mouth and utter a word, the other guy already knew that Mew has found him. Like he always do.

Gulf also looked up in the night sky and yes, it is so beautiful.

"Are you still mad?" asked Mew.

But Gulf can never be mad at the guy who just asked with his sweet, soft voice. Seconds after being mad, it just fades away automatically.

"No." Gulf replied shortly.

"About earlier, if you want to dismiss it, I'll support you. It's just that I don't trust New. He already did this once. I bet he's willing to do more." 

"You see, some people are driven with something that's been eating them. I can't hate New for what he had done, to be honest. It's funny how I was able to sympathize with him, right? Maybe because I, too, lost my mother. The only difference is that, mine's gone forever while his is not. I just want him to be with his mother, I guess. There's always a second chance, right?"

Mew walked towards the sitting Gulf with a more pleasant looking face than before.

"I don't know what I did in my past life to be this lucky for having such a kind-hearted lover. But your wish is my command."

Just like what Gulf had decided, Mew supported him. Mew's mother was so happy upon hearing this news that he couldn't thank Gulf enough for forgiving his son, New.

On the other hand, New and his mother have already talked heart-to-heart. New had so many realizations in life now that he is behind bars. How immature he was and how unappreciative he was towards his mother's effort. Everything about being the bad guy, he regretted them all. They've also exchanged sorrys and have forgiven each other. 

On the day of New's release, he immediately looked for Gulf. He asked his mother to reach out for Gulf and there he learned that Gulf is living in their house temporarily. 

What is he going to say to Gulf? 

What is he planning to do?

No one knows.

Yet.

***

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