twenty five

- Gulf -

"I didn't hear you cry last night, Gulf."

P'Mew welcomed me this morning with his smile, brighter than the morning sun. We moved the bed just as Mom suggested. I can say, it worked pretty well. 

"Wait. I think I did hear you." With knitted brows, eyes closed, index on his temple. "I hear you say, P'Mew, kiss me. Kiss me harder. I want you to put your hands on me, please. I beg you."

"P'Mew!!!!"

"Believe me, you did. I tried to cover your mouth but then you still--"

He wasn't able to finish his last sentence because I threw pillows at him. How dare is he to run his mouth like that!? Pervert, P'Mew!

"Let's go, Gulf."

I nodded at him and went before him as he is still to lock the door. We both have morning classes that's why the chase earlier was cut short but if we haven't, I swear I could have pulled every hair he has on his body. 

"Hey, Gulf. I got news."

I wasn't even able to put down my bag on my chair and there is Pete, already about to spill some tea. As I am a very curious cat, I quickly put down my back and faced him.

"What is it this time, Pete?"

He motioned Top to join the gathering. It looks like I am the only one left clueless about this one, huh?

"It's about New." said Pete.

It suddenly got my full attention but Top had interrupted.

"Wait. Before that, Gulf, are you hiding something from us?" Top raised his eye brow and that's the cue for telling them everything. Starting with a deep sigh, I confessed to them.

"Why didn't you tell us that you two are already living together? If we haven't planned crashing in your room, we wouldn't know that everybody has evacuated already." said Pete.

"What do you mean?" confused, I asked.

"Your roommate also left when you left. There's a post in front of the door. Why would he even move out if he's going to make that room all by himself? He's got lucky, to be frank. I' rather live alone than having a messy roommate like Pete." Pete glared at Top when he said those.

"Maybe he wants a roommate and moved in to a room with a single boarder." I said. Well, that's how I felt before; wanting to have a roommate, which I already have now. And it's P'Mew.

"Wait, you haven't still heard of the bigger news." 

"And that is?"

"I heard he moved in to the dorm.... same as yours."

I was surprised when I heard that. Like, seriously? Is he really following me? Now that we're on it, I remembered what I heard last Sports Fest. He is not, right? Why would he even follow me? 

The class has already started and my mind can't stop thinking about New. Right, he used to fix my bed before. I mean, whenever I went back home, my bed is already arranged. I used to leave them all messed up but when I returned, viola. Everything is in place. I once told him to just leave it be but he just said he can't stand the sight of a messy bed. 

Oh my god. 

Is he the one who stole my missing underwears, too? 

Oh shit. Shit.

What else? Let's stitch the pieces. Let's try to remember the things he did before, Gulf. This could lead us to the conclusion that he really is a stalker.

WHAT THE HELL AM I THINKING???????

NEW WOULD NEVER DO THAT. 

I DON'T HAVE A STALKER, OKAY?

Stop thinking bullshits, Gulf, shall we?

"Hey, you have to pay first before going!"

I didn't realize how the time passed by and the class ended just like that. I decided to grab some smoothie so I can cool my thoughts down. I was already sipping my drink and walking away from the stall where I bought it when I heard someone shouting. That's when I realized, I still haven't paid for my drink and just went my way.

"Khaw thoot. Here is for my smoothie." Khaw thoot means sorry

I was just about to give my money when someone blocked my hand and paid for it in my stead.

"Sawasdee krub." He smiled as he turned around. Now, I can see his face. Wait, is he...

"It's me, Bank. If you could still remember." He's waving his hand at me. "It's not how I wished to treat you but yeah, it's fine. Now, we're even."

Is he still thinking about that? What kind of memory does he have? If I were him, I'd probably must have forgotten about it by now.

"Uhh~" then I sipped again on my drink, turned around and left.

"Wait, can I ask you for an interview? It's a requirement for one of my elective subject, nah? It will be a brief interview of how you convinced yourself to become an athlete."

I sipped again on my drink. I looked at him with a blank face and said, 

"No."

I fished out my phone and put it against my ear to fake a call.

"Where are you, P'Mew? I am already here."

I think he already left because no one is following me now. Hays. Why do people love to mess with my peaceful life? There's this Bank, New and...

"P'Mew." he's the only person I will allow to mess with my life.

"Wait, are you calling me?"

He took out his phone from his pocket and checked if I did call him. 

With an awkward smile I say, "Hehe, I thought I had pushed the button but I guess, I didn't. Hehe."

He tousled my hair as a smile started to bloom on his face. Why are you getting more handsome each day, P'?

We decided to eat outside the university. He's a few steps ahead of me as we walk. I can't help but to smile to the thought of having him as my boyfriend. No one else in the world have the same P'Mew that I have, never they will. He's only mine. When he noticed that I am getting slower, he grabbed my hand, intertwined with it and pull me to his side. 

"Do you remember my old roommate? I've got something to tell you about him----"

"Aahhh~"

The next thing I knew, there was a deafening sound of a car horn. I couldn't understand the sudden flash of images in my head. There's a long road, a white car blinding my eyes with its light, a faceless man, and there's blood red as the wine. They are rapidly changing but repetitive. My breaths suddenly came in gasps and I feel like I will black out. My heart is hammering inside my chest. I can't breathe. The images in my head are changing faster and faster. My head is spinning and I squat on the ground as I try to stop them from getting out of control. Somebody help me.

"Gulf, are you alright? Hey, look at me. Look at me, please? Gulf. Gulf!"

I followed the same voice that saves me whenever I am in the middle of chaos. They vanished right away. I looked at him even though I cannot see him clearly for the tears had blurred the way. 

"P'M-Mew." 

It was the only word that I managed to say in between my sobs.

"It's alright. It's alright, I am here. Shhh now."

Even though I can see it crystal clear, I know he's crying. P'Mew is crying. And it is because of me. 

P'Mew, I am scared.

I don't know what to do. I don't know the meaning of what has just happened to me now.

It is the same with my nightmares.

The car.

It's chasing me.

There's blood.

There's blood all over the ground.

I am so scared.

P'Mew, I am scared, so scared.

***

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