twenty three

- Gulf -

"Let's go." 

We just finished training. Yes, I am now back. The legendary Gulf Kanawut is back. 

"How about your P'Mew? Isn't he joining us for lunch?" asked Pete. If I know, you just want free lunch. Tch.

"He's not coming so let's go."

I saw them looked at each other, confused. P' has been busy with his duty in a community clinic. We haven't met since the past weekend. It's also hard to reach him. I don't know if he's eating well or getting enough sleep. I have literally no update from him, which honestly made me a little anxious. I know I shouldn't get in his way but shouldn't he at least tell me how's he doing?

"You had a fight?" as soon as we had ordered our food and returned to our seats, Top asked. He's a little worried, as well.

"No. We're good. He's just busy. Med student, you know."

"Any text?" asked Pete.

I shook my head to answer him.

A loud sound of slamming hands on the table startled me and when I turned, I saw Pete, brows knitted, teeth gritted, clenched fists.

"What if he got kidnapped? That's why you can't reach him at all? I saw it in movies, common reason why people suddenly disappears is because they really are kidnapped. Even in YouTube--- Ouch. What was that for?"

He lost his chance to finish his words because Top gifted him a good smack on his head. "Are you nuts? Of course, that's in movies. We're in reality, Pete. Try to be more rational, shall we?"

Pete sighed. "Then, let's hear yours. How can you explain this situation?"

These two really give me a big time headache. Do they think this is some sort of a guessing game? 

I saw Top heaved a deep sigh. "Okay, listen. What if, okay this is only what if. What if he fell into a manhole and he can't climb his way back? He was screaming for help but no one could hear him. Worst, the manhole was covered without knowing someone fell in there? Huh? What do you think? Shall we  report this to the police right away?"

 We were so immersed in listening to him that we even leaned closer only to hear this nonsense idea of his. If only I am in the mood, I have already beat him into a pulp. So, lucky he.

"Your worse than Pete than I thought. Another thing, stop talking nonsense or you'll jinx P'." and shoot daggers at them. They are not even helping. I know he's just busy, that's all. Just when I thought we'll get through this lunch peacefully, Top continued running his tongue and spitting nonsense. 

"What if he's just using that as an excuse and he's, in fact, cheating on you, Gulf?"

I dropped my spoon when I heard those. I didn't actually thought of that since P' already have my trust. I know he'll never do that.

"No, he's not." firmly I said.

"Will a cheater ever admit they cheated? Clearly, no."

Pete snapped his finger. "Maybe Top's right."

"NO! He will not cheat on me. I know him. Don't feed me with your gibberish ideas. Let's go back training."

I then left without waiting for them. I opened my phone and left a message for P'Mew.

[I've already had lunch. How about you? Don't skip your meals, okay? Text me back when you're not busy.]

When I scrolled up in our thread of conversation, there are more on my side than his. He really is not replying to any of my texts.

What if....

No.

Let's not think of anything stupid, Gulf, okay?

The direction I must take to get to the field is right ahead of me but I don't know why my feet drove me to the wrong direction. I heard Pete and Top shouted my name but I didn't bother to look back. I went to his faculty. This is where my feet brought me. I looked for the doctor from last time and luckily, I found him right away, no sweat.

"Oh I see. Nong Mew is already finished with his duty, didn't he tell you? It's been days already."

I was left dumbfounded when I actually came to know about the truth. If he's already done with his duty, then what is he doing? Why is he pretending to be busy when he's not? Why does he have to lie to me? Now my stupid mind wants to believe on that stupid idea of Top's. But...

I went to practice with my mind being so chaotic. I was hit by the ball multiple times but it had no affect to me at all. I am still floating in my thoughts.

Is it a girl?

Another guy?

“Aren't you going to gather yourself together and do it right, Gulf, or not!? You just returned and you're giving me this attitude? Are you giving up in joining the National Team!?”

“No, krub. I will do my best. I'm sorry.”

And the training went just like that. I was scolded many times for not focusing because of these thoughts in my mind.

*ring ring*

I heard my phone rang and immediately answer the call. It's P'Mew.

[I will come pick you up.]

A few minutes later, P' arrived with his car. He told me we are going to somewhere but he is not telling me where that is.

I just looked at P' while he's driving. He's not, right? He's not cheating on me, right?

“P', are you hiding something from me?”

He chuckles.

“Uhh~ I was planning to give this to you later but I guessed you already sensed it.”

He then gave me a pack of dried seaweed.

“That's not what I meant. Aish. Nevermind.”

Right. You won't do that, right?

He stopped the car in front of a building I am not really familiar with.

With his invite, we went inside.

“P'Mew--”

“We're here.”

That's when I realized that we're now in front of a door. Whose place is this, by the way? I have no clue.

When he opened the door, my jaw literally dropped. I looked at P' and inside the room and back to P'.

“Welcome to our new home!”

The walls are painted white but spiced up with those strings of LED lights where printed pictures are hanging. Lights are dancing. When I looked closely, they were all our photos, but mostly stolen shots of mine.

I turned to look at the bed, a king-sized bed. There are two big teddy bears wearing a shirt which has a letter M on it, and G on the other. Mew and Gulf? Wait, are those petals of roses? There were red stains on the bed which I think are roses. Some are spread, some formed a heart shape. And when I looked at the wall above the bed, there's a big writing on it,

“Mew for Gulf” I uttered as I read.

My eyes are now leaking. Unable to say a word. It was not because of what I suspected him of cheating but realizing how naive I was believing he's cheating on me.

“I-I t-thought. T-Top said. I k-knew y-you---”

“Shhhhh.”

I felt his big arms around me which immediately calmed me.

“Are you happy with our new home? Though it's literally just a room.”

He looked at me in the eyes and smiles.

“It is so lovely. So, you lied to me just so you can prepare this?”

“Wait, how did you know?”

“I went to your faculty and was told about everything. Why didn't you tell me?”

“It'll not be a surprise then. It was also hard for me though. I missed all your calls and messages just so I can find us a good place. You don't know how much I missed you.”

I rolled my eyes at him but he jumped in front of me holding a cake instead.

“Blow this lucky candle for a fresh start in our new home.” said P' while smiling, a blinding one.

Right after putting out the fire on that candle, my body went on its own. The cake was the witness of how the fire in me ignited as my lips were brushed into the lips of the man who's holding it.

“Thank you, P'. Thank you and I love you so much.”