-
“Hey Babe! You’re home! You could have told me so that we could order something to take out.” New gave him a smile.
“Daddy!” Pluem happily greeted and he scrunched his nose as his Dad ruffled his hair.
“Wash up now. Papa and I need to talk.”
New faced him and his smile soon faltered when he noticed his husband’s regretful face and fidgety stance. “What is it? Did something happen?”
The husband stared at New long and hard, as if searching for something. After a while he let out a deep sigh. “I’m leaving.”
“Oh. For how long this time? You know Pluem’s graduating from kindergarten soon, right?” New turned his back on his husband to hide his disappointed face. He was busy with preparing their dinner and almost dropped the plates when he heard the next words.
“For good.”
New stiffened and slowly turned to look at his husband – properly this time. He saw his disoriented look – tired body, unkempt hair but despite that he noticed the spark in his eyes. A spark which he hasn’t seen for a long time. He swallowed hard trying to process what’s happening but the more they stood there in silence, the more New kept glancing at their son’s room.
“Was it me?” New whispered, his eyes silently begging his husband to not do this.
The husband shook his head and bit his lip. “It’s never you. You’re perfect in every way. Too perfect. I-... I just fell out of love. I have for a long time now.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I tried but we both got busy and the timing wasn’t there. I don’t want to hurt you anymore New.” The husband took an envelope by the kitchen counter and he stood in front of New.
New stared at the envelope before looking up with questioning eyes. “What’s this?”
“Divorce papers.”
The silence of the room made the words all the more clearer.
DIVORCE.
It was said so sharp that it cuts through every breath, wind and space around New. Sure they’ve had their ups and downs from time to time. They even decided to have a child in hopes to become better. And it did, at least for a while.
But it was all for naught.
“Who is it? Do I know him/her?” New forced the words out of his mouth.
The husband only shook his head and took one of New’s hands and placed the envelope there. “Knowing won’t help any of us. I tried. I really did. I just… fell in love with someone else and I don’t want to keep on hurting you. Nothing happened between us.. yet. And I don’t want to cheat on you. I just want a clean break.”
Was New supposed to say thank you for that? What about their son?
“What about Pluem? Did-.. Did you even think of him? Never mind me. Our child…”
“He will understand in time New. I know with you here, he will turn out to be a fine man. I-.. I have to go. You can send the papers to my lawyer.” The husband slowly walked backwards before turning his back on New and grabbing his luggage. He moved towards the door when the sound of glass shattering made him look back.
New gasped as he saw Pluem standing by his doorway. “Pluem.”
“Daddy? Where are you going?”
The husband took a deep breath before turning to his son and knelt on one knee to be at his eye level. “Listen Pluem… Papa and Daddy are going to separate for a while. Daddy has to go and I won’t be back.”
Pluem’s eyes started welling up. “For how long?”
New looked at his husband, pleading to stay and try one more time but his breath caught in his throat when he saw his husband purse his lips and stand up.
“Not for a while. Be good to your Papa okay? I have to go.” The husband stood up and proceeded to leave. Pluem was quick to hug his leg, begging him not to go.
“Dad please stay.. Please! I’ll be good! I promise! I’ll be really good!” Tears were streaming down the little boys face.
New’s heart hurt. To be honest he expected the divorce soon with the way his husband rarely comes home. His heart was slightly prepared for it but what he didn’t expect is that their son blaming himself for their problems. An innocent boy shouldn’t be allowed to feel that. And his heart ached for his son.
He stepped in and forcefully tore Pluem away from his husband’s leg. Pluem struggled out of New’s embrace, crying out for his Daddy. By now New was a crying mess as both father and son was met with a solid back. He could only stare as his husbands retreating form as the door gently closed.
The little boy clung to New tightly, bawling his eyes out and he cooed his son, hoping to calm him down. “SShhh.. it’s okay Bud. We will be okay. It’s not your fault. We will be okay.”
---
“Uhm.. Hello? Can you repeat my order??” A girl stared at New who was blankly staring into space.
“New”
“NEW!”
New looked over to his side and was baffled to see Toptap’s worried face. “Huh?”
“Are you okay? You’ve been spacing a lot lately. Why don’t you take a rest? I’ll handle it from here.” Toptap sent the customer an apologetic smile.
New gasped at this and bowed profusely at the customer. “Oh no! I’m so sorry.” Toptap gently pushed him towards the back room. He sagged against the wall and let out a tired sigh. The memory from 6 months ago still very fresh from his mind.
Even now as he waits for the finalization of the divorce is torture; more so for his son who has developed anxiety and abandonment issues, no surprise there.
Everything happened so quickly for the boy.
It took months before he started playing and speaking again and New felt as if a huge rock was lifted off his back. He hated the fact that it almost broke Pleum and he promised himself that he would do everything in his power as to not let it happen again.
Speaking of his son. ‘Where is he? Wasn’t he just beside me earlier?’ New looked around but no sign of the boy. “Pleum?”
“Pleum!!!” New called out louder this time but there was no answer. “Shit shit!” He was just entertaining a customer one minute then the next his son wasn’t by his side anymore.
“Pleum!! Child!”
He’s going to go crazy soon. He was dead tired shuffling between managing the café, dealing with his shitty divorce and raising his son. He grabbed a fistful of his hair in frustration as he stood outside the café, searching fervently along the streets for any sign of his little boy.
Then he heard the familiar giggle. He looked to the left – not there – and then right until he saw the small familiar figure. “Pleum!!” He ran towards his jumping son.
“Pa! He’s showing me magic!! Magic!!”
New hugged his son tight and carried him in one swoop. He eyed the young… and handsome man with huge eyes before bowing slightly. “Um thank you for finding my son.”
The young man widely smiled and New swore his heart did a sudden flip when he saw that smile that dented the man’s cheek. “It’s okay! I was passing by when he was close to tears but he’s a good boy, this one.”
“I’m sorry for the trouble!” New bowed again, worry still evident on his face.
“No trouble I promise. Is the café yours?”
New nodded as he adjusted Pleum in his arms. For some odd reason, he wanted to know this man’s name. “Would… Can I treat you for coffee? Or any drink? Please.. As a thank you for finding my son.” The young man shyly smiled and stared at New for a moment before nodding. “I’m New by the way and this is little man over here, who almost gave me a heart attack.. is Pleum.”
“Cute!”
New proudly looked at Pleum. “Yes he is!”
“Well you both are.” The tall man gave him that hearty smile again and he could feel his legs slightly shaking. “My name is Tay. Nice to meet you.”
One would think that after a 5-year marriage, New would be used to flirting and making small talk but no, he suddenly found himself speechless. He didn’t need to confirm it but he’s pretty sure his cheeks were light pink in color.
‘Oh God.’ Was his last thought as a smiling Tay followed him in the café.
He guided him towards one of the table closest to the counter. Toptap gave New a puzzled look and he silently mouthed ‘Tell you later.’ To the younger. He set Pleum down and faced Tay. “Um… Is there anything you like?”
Tay looked around the café and kept nodding. “Simple and strong would be nice.”
“Café Americano it is.” New was about to leave but then he remembered what got him to this certain situation. He poked his son and gave him a reprimanding look. “Stay here and don’t go where I can’t see you.”
“It’s okay. I can look after him.”
New smiled guiltily. “I’m sorry I’ll be quick.”
The sides of Tay’s lips lifted slightly. “Take your time. I don’t mind. It gives me an excuse to watch you work – mostly just to watch you though.”
And never has New felt so nervous with just making an Americano until now.
+TBC+
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