Between the lines

Part 2

Singto shrugged off Krist hold on his arms although unsuccessfully, "You're such an ass, Krist." and with a tilt his head Singto fixed Krist with a disapproving look and took a sip of his drink before finally leans heavily against the chair.

"I really thought that you've waited for me that long." he grumbles, hand massaging the back of his neck. "I will remember to cancel on you next time. Or worse, let you wait for hours end" Singto complains, fingers drums irritably on the table.

But truthfully, Krist had waited for Singto for almost an hour. Its no surprise there for him to be waiting, he had once waited for Singto close to 3 hours when Singto were busy in a con-call with a client. But it didn't matter for him, Krist even had came up with a routine - taking the MRT to a parking bay five stops away from his office, collect his car and even conveniently pick up their laundries (sometimes) before finally driving to Singto's office and he still will find himself to be waiting for the older man.

"Oh fine. I'm sorry" Krist says while pouting, " Please don't be angry at this child." He winked and earned himself another kick and a withering look from Singto. Krist simply scrunches his nose, eyes shining and heart fills with surges of affection.

Singto bit his lower lips lightly, "Dont get cheeky, Krist" and hits the side of Krist head gently but his eyes soften as he stares at this beautiful man in front of him and as easy as that tensions from the week long work bleeds out  from Singto.

They fell into comfortable silent as they ate, Krist had ordered a set of pork sukiyaki for Singto and Katsu Curry Rice for himself until they were interrupted by Singto colleagues. 

Now, its always been a sensitive matter for discussion, the status of their relationship but what really hits Krist was how Singto so easy and casually act as if they were merely friends from university just hanging out after work over dinner.

Maybe he was so tired that night; with work, the long traffic, the waiting for Singto to finally come down for dinner and just the constant waiting at his ends but he clearly remembered the contraction at his ribs and aches in his chest.

"It's not really a big deal, Krist" Singto said deadpanned and fixed him with an unreadable look, took a deep breath "- it's just a running joke in the office about me and the girl from finance".

"-and you just forget, did you now?" Krist interrupts him, "- to make it clear to them that you're actually seeing someone. 3 fucking years, Singto" comes out of Krist, in an almost strangle voice.

It just escalated and suddenly all the cracks in their relationship surfaces and they fought over the smallest of things and both of them, with wounded heart become careless with words and Krist had said something that he shouldn't, "- given that you've been screwing boys and girls in the past, god knows why did I chose you" and in that moment Krist swore he saw something shatter behind Singto eyes, but it was too late for him to take it back.

He quickly reached out to singto, but Singto had flinched away as if its physically hurts him to be around krist and gave him an ultimatum. "If that's what you think. let's call it quits then."

Singto didn't come home for a week now, scoffed and laughed bitterly while scrolling through 59 texts and 81 missed calls from Krist as he laid, on the king sized bed of some 5-stars hotel in the city centre. He ignores the pang in his chest, being in an unfamiliar room that is so silent without the whistling and humming of Krist favourite songs, random conversation in the bathroom as Krist took his shower while Singto brushes his teeth and just the presence of him. But what hits Singto is sleeping because the bed is so huge and so cold without that familiar weight draping across his back that have Singto decided to sleep on the couch instead.

Krist knew that Singto always come home, careful not to crosses their path since whenever he came back the smell of Singto sandalwood cologne still in the air and the still warm takeout on their dining table waiting for him with a post-it note to remind Krist to take care of himself and 'don't forget to eat your vegetables, child' - this just remind Krist of why he had fallen for Singto in the first place; his warmth, selflessness, and devotion and how content the older man makes him feel.

When Krist comes to, there were tears running down his face. He can't live without Singto.

Talking about self preservation, Singto only lasts for about 9 days before he caves in and return home. It was on a Sunday morning and when he turn the keys in and open the door to their apartment and found that everything in place with all their stuff still where he left them. He slowly padded across the living room towards the master bedroom, took a shuddering breath and pushes open the half closed door.

He stood frozen by the door as he stares wide eyed at Krist who is awake, with his back against the headboard and is eyeing Singto curiously with his tousled hair and red rimmed eyes. Its like finally being able to breath and everything moves in motion as he look at the man that he inexorably in love with.

Singto swallow the lumps in his throat, trying to string words that just simply dies at the tip of his tongue when Krist suddenly said " Can you please stop thinking and get in bed with me?".

He dropped his bag by the dresser, slipped into the bed and mold himself around Krist. Singto nosed krist's neck, arms snugged around his waist and his legs swung bodily around Krist.

Singto felt the quiver of his body, tightened his arms around krist and mumbles "I forgive you."