Strangers to Us: Vol. 2

Chapter 8: Inclusivity

"Have you checked the rumors about us? " Mew texted him back.

"Hmm... My followers have increased by a few hundreds. Some thinks I'll break your heart like Arkie did. "

"Seriously? Do you have to bring that up? "

"I don't have a choice. I hate that your name is attached with him all the time. It makes me jealous. "

Mew smiled again. He wanted someone to be jealous of him and Gulf was doing that. He was confirmed, that Gulf was nothing close to anyone he had been with before.

"Jealousy is sometimes good for relationship. " He wrote back.

"So, you're not going to do anything about the fact that I'm jealous? "

"Gulf, I love you.... " Mew froze. Did he just used the word, 'Love'? Was it not too fast? But it felt right and so good.

It took a while for Gulf to respond and Mew hesitated wondering what if he had scared his man away.

"Gulf? Are you still there? "

"Hmm... "

"Did I say something wrong? "

"No... "

"I am sorry if I said something wrong. "

"Is Mew Suppasit Losing confidence? "

"Gulf... "

"Relax, Suppasit. Tell me those exact words in my ears once you see me. Your text messages won't be accepted. "

"Stop teasing me. " He protested light-heartedly loving the direction of the conversation.

"Start trusting me"

"I do trust you, Gulf".

"That's why you freaked out when I didn't respond to your 'I Love You'? "

"Hmmm... "

" You didn't even respond when I told you from my mouth. Remember, how awkward I must have felt. "

Suddenly, Mew recalled. Had Gulf been in love with him all along? He wondered.

"Sorry, baby. I'll make it up to you. " wrote Mew, a little cynical about the usage of 'baby' but it felt so right and so good to call Gulf  'baby'.

"You better make it up.. Someone's knocking on my door. I gotta go. Bye. "

Mew went quiet rocking his chair. The more he thought about Gulf, the more he fell for him. There was something pure about Gulf. He admired his wit, intellectuality, honesty and the innocence. It was rare to find someone as good looking as Gulf who was as humble as him but with such strong- determined spirit.

With Gulf, he felt safe and sound.

****

Gulf opened the door of his room to meet his mother. He had been avoiding his family for a while after his sudden confession a couple of days ago.

The awkward silence and stare was something he never anticipated in his house. However, he realized, just like he struggled to accept himself, his parents needed the same time.

The process of coming out and getting accepted was not easy.

He wanted to leave the house but he decided to face it. He wanted to confront the truth about his family's stand on his sexuality.

Vagueness was something that left him restless. Hence, he continued to stay at his parent's place. He didn't want to run away.

But somehow, he felt guilty and was scared that he had been selfish. He felt guilty because he thought he had put his needs first rather than his family's well-being. And as a good son, he should have been more responsible.

But, he simply could not lie anymore. It was him and he expected his parents to accept him for who he is.

"Can I come in? " His mother tenderly asked but with hesitation. He opened the door wider and allowed her to enter.

He could feel the awkward tension in the room. His mother's eyes no longer glittered but looked as though she haven't slept well.

He followed after her and sat on the bed next to her. His heart pounded anxiously while he lost his voice. It became difficult to look his mother in the eyes.

"Are you disappointed in me, Maa? " Gulf finally broke the thickening silence in the room.

He hoped to receive an honest answer and was prepared to accept his fate.

"Of course, not" His mother gasped and quickly grabbed his hands. " I admit, your dad and I, including Grace is a little shock but it's not your fault. " Hearing those from his mother soothed every inch of his nerves.

He lifted his face and gazed into his mother's warm eyes.

"We are not disappointed, Gulf. You are our child and we love you. " His mother's words made him weak. It sounded like music to his ears.

"What about dad? He hasn't been talking with me for a while". He asked slowly.

"Your dad" His mother faintly laugh, "Gulf, your father being a medical doctor is logical enough to know how sexuality is natural and how we can't control whom we love. " His mother continued and his heart swelled in joy. "---but news like this affects the entire family. It takes time to process it and be okay with it. I hope you understand that. "

"Of course, I do, Maa. I do"

"How long have you known about this? "

"Not very long ago. I'd say, meeting Mew made me realize who I really was. I tried denying and overlooking it but I simply couldn't suppress myself, Maa. " He said.

"Gulf... I think it's brave of you to accept and embrace who you are. Thank you for being honest to us. Your dad and I are very proud of you".

Those words lifted his feet to the sky. It was surreal, too good to be true; but it was. His parents once again have lived up to his expectations and he became overjoyed.

"Thank you, Maa. I love you". He whispered diving into his mother's shoulder as tears of joy brimmed in his eyes. This was one reason why he was proud to be a Kanawut.

However, the joy didn't last long when he was interrupted by a phone call from Mark.

He realized he haven't been fair to his best-friend and even the pride community at large. Perhaps, it was his insecurity all along that enshrined prejudices in him.

***

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