"I told you, there's nothing!"
Vee had the sudden urge to punch each one of them. His friends kept asking about his relationship status with Mark. When he told them there's nothing, they wouldn't believe him and kept on insisting that their friend's just lying.
He's not lying though.
They're just...more than friends...but less than lovers? Vee's not so sure with Mark's feelings, but he's sure with his.
"Liar!"
Vee sighed for the nth time, "Why do you keep insisting that there's something?"
Before Nuea could answer, his phone vibrated. He immediately opened it, it was a text from Mark.
From: Masa_Mark
Are you busy?
He immediately typed a reply.
To: Masa_Mark
Nope. Why? Is there something wrong?
After a minute, Mark replied.
From: Masa_Mark
Can you come here tonight? I have something important to tell you.
His smile grew wider after reading the text. He then replied with a sure.
"There's nothing. There's really nothing," Nuea mimicked him, making him look at him with daggers. Nuea raise an eyebrow, "What? You kept saying that there's nothing going on between the two of you. If only you could see your face in the mirror, Vivis. Tsk."
"What do you mean by that? What's wrong?"
Bar is the one who took the honor to answer, "You look like a dog smiling from ear to ear. If you're a dog, you're probably wagging your tail by now."
Vee's other friends started laughing.
He rolled his eyes before taking his car keys, "I need to go somewhere. Don't make a mess on my place, or else," he threatened before he left.
His friends' eyes followed him until he was out of sight.
They exchanged meaningful looks before shaking their heads.
***
Vee arrived at Mark's place. He immediately went inside but he didn't see Mark inside so he decided to call him.
"Where are you?" he asked the other.
"Old ship."
"Okay. Wait for me there." his excitement faded.
Whenever something's bothering Mark, he would choose to stay at that old ship not far from his place.
Vee immediately went there, and a frowning Mark greeted him the moment he entered.
"What's with that face?" he asked, a little nervous but he managed to smile.
Mark patted his side so Vee sat beside him, eyes are fixed on Mark.
"What's the matter? Something happened?"
Mark nodded his head then sigh.
"What is it?"
Silence.
Vee decided to shut his mouth when he didn't get any reply from him. He kept tapping his leg.
What's wrong with Mark? Did some——
"I had a talk with my dad this morning," Mark finally decided to break the silence.
"And....? Didn't it end up well?"
Mark gave him a small smile, "It did. We actually had a heart-to-heart talk. I don't know what's gotten into him, but I'm happy with his sudden change of heart."
Vee's face lit up, "Really? And then? What? What happened next?"
Mark laughed at Vee who's obviously excited.
"What are you laughing at?"
Mark shook his head, "You're so nosy."
Vee rolled his eyes, still smiling, "I'm not. I just wanted to know what happened. Spill it all!"
Mark took a deep breath before he told him what happened.
Mark had a talk with his father, and his father told him that he'll support him (financially and emotionally) with his passion and love for painting. He told him that he'll support him if he decided to finally study what he really love.
"Then why are you frowning when I arrived? Isn't that a good news? He's finally supporting you!" Vee beamed.
Isn't that something that Mark should be happy about?
If I were him, I would be jumping like a kangaroo in front of other people.
[Thankfully, he's not like you, Vee hahahahh]
"He found a good school for me. I thought he was lying when he told me he'll support me. He's really true with his words, he's sincerely supporting me."
Vee's lips almost ripped up because of how wide his smile is now.
He's happy for Mark. He truly is.
"But it's on Auckland."
Bang!
Vee's smile slipped.
The happiness he felt awhile ago fades away just because of those four words from Mark's mouth.
He swallowed a lump on his throat before he spoke, "I-Isn't that good?"
He managed to force a smile in front of Mark. Mark didn't answer.
Yes, his dad already gave him his support. But he needs to give up and left everything here to study in Auckland.
"I don't wanna accept his offer. I don't wanna be away from here. It's gonna take up to three years. That's too long."
Vee couldn't help but face-palmed with what Mark said.
To be honest, Vee's quite happy with Mark said. But isn't it too selfish?
"Accept his offer, Mark," he said, making the other frown. He pinched Mark's cheeks before he continue, "You waited for this to happen, didn't you? It's finally happening, why hesitate?"
"But it's three years, Vee..."
Vee swallowed hard. He faked a cough before he manage to find the courage to speak again.
"Yes, I know. But isn't this what you've always wanted? It's a bit long, but it's worth it you know. It's your time to achieve your dreams."
Mark pouted, "But it's far. And it's a place foreign to me. I don't know anyone who lives on that place. I... I want to stay here."
"Are you that scared?" Vee asked.
Mark's forehead creased at his question. But there's no sign of joke on Vee's face.
Mark slowly nodded his head, not saying anything.
Vee messed his hair, "Then do it."
"What?"
Vee laughed at his reaction, "Haven't you heard of that saying?" Mark stared at him with questioning eyes. "Do one thing every day that scares you."
"You're scared to accept it because you're afraid to disappoint your parents, am I right?" Mark couldn't help but nod, eyes fixed at this guy who knew him too well. "How sure are you that you're gonna disappoint them if you're not willing to try? Don't let your doubts stop you from showing the best in you, Mark."
"But..."
"I know it's easier said than done. But trust me, the more you face your fears, the stronger and braver you become."
"But..."
"Mark, look at me," gently patting his head. "Moment they gave you this chance, it already shows that they trust on your ability."
"And hey...you're just gonna study there. You're not gonna compete in a competition ot olympics," he added jokingly.
Mark rolled his eyes. Vee's right though.
"And...wouldn't it disappoint them more if you decline this offer?"
Mark grew silent. Everything Vee said made sense, but he's still hesitant.
He didn't want to leave everything behind. Especially this guy beside him.
He held Mark's hand and drew circles on it. Mark just stared at his hand that's now on Vee's.
"Prove that you can make it, Mark. Not for your parents, for other people or for us. Prove it...for yourself."
If you're gonna ask Vee, of course he wouldn't want him to leave, but it's for Mark's happiness.
=========
"Vee...I'm leaving..."
Vee ruffled Mark's hair, "I know. We're already at the airport."
Mark pursed his lips, while Vee only gave him a half-smile.
One week ago. It was exactly a week ago when Mark informed Vee about his plan to study abroad.
Vee expected that Mark informed him first but the latter admitted that he doesn't actually had any plans on telling Vee.
He was hesitant at first, but Vee managed to convince him.
This is it.
His parents are gonna support his dream, him. He waited for this to happen, so who is Vee to stop him?
On that day, Vee actually planned to confess his feelings towards Mark because he thought...well, it's just wrong assumptions. But the latter's news made him not to.
It's too ironic. If there's someone who would never want Mark to leave, it is Vee. But look at what happened.
It was also him to convince Mark to leave.
And the time has come.
"I'm scared..." Mark suddenly confessed, fighting back his tears.
"Why?"
"What if I ended up being a disappointment? What if they ends up regretting giving me a chance to do what I love? Maybe I shouldn't go. Maybe I should stay. Maybe I'll just stay on m——
Vee cut his rambles, "Calm down, okay? Don't let this opportunity pass just because of your doubts."
"But...w-what are you doing?"
"Sshh..."
To say that he is surprise in an understatement.
Right now, Vee is hugging Mark. He kept on caressing Mark's back, hoping that it'll calm him down.
"Mark," Vee called
"Hmm...?"
He waited for Vee to speak, but he didn't.
"What do——
"I love you."
Mark froze. Vee suppressed a smile when he felt Mark stopped moving.
"W-what?"
He was about to break the hug and face Vee but the latter tightened the hug.
"Let me speak first," Vee took his silence as a cue to continue. "I love you. I'm not saying this to stop you from going. I just really want to tell you about it."
He sighed, "To be honest, I didn't have any idea when it started or for how long, I just knew I felt something for you. And I just want to you to know that I'm willing to wait for you."
This time, Vee let go of Mark, and then he faced him. He couldn't help but laugh at Mark's reddened cheeks.
"W-why are you laughing?"
"I didn't know you were that shy, Mon amour," Vee teased.
His smile grew wider when Mark's eyes widened.
"Y-you...you!"
"You don't need to be too shy. It's just me, Vee, Mon amour."
"Shut up!" Mark's nostrils flared, his face reddened whether out of anger or embarrassment, Vee didn't know, and he didn't really cared.
"Before you cursed me, I just wanted you to know that you need to go now. You don't wanna miss your flight, right?"
Mark frowned. He didn't know whether he should be happy that Vee told him he love Mark, or he should be sad because the first time Vee said it, he needs to go.
"Hey!" he snapped his fingers.
"Huh?" he asked absentmindedly
"I know I'm that handsome, but please focus, you'll miss your flight," Vee teased.
Mark made a face before he grabbed his luggage, "What a thick-faced creature."
Vee shrugged, "Maybe. But you should remember that you love this thick-faced creature."
Mark glared at him, "Shut up!"
"Mon amour, don't be like that."
"I said shut up!"
Mark gritted his teeth.
Now he's starting to hate that word.
He made a mental note not to confess to someone even when he's drunk.
Yes, he confessed.
And he regretted it. To the core.
Mark is a bit startled when Vee pushed him, "Go. I don't want you to miss my flight. I'd rather..."
"You'd rather...what?" Mark asked curiously, but he immediately regretted asking after seeing Vee's grinning face.
"I don't want you to miss your flight. I'd rather...you, miss me."
Mark rolled his eyes then he gave him a disgusted expression, "Disgusting! I'm having goosebumps, you know?"
"Really? But your face's color says otherwise."
Mark always threw his baggage on Vee's smirking face.
"Go!"
"Okay!"
"Faster!"
"Die, Ai Vee!"
After their nonsense exchanges, Mark turned his back against Vee and started walking away, slowly.
After Vee's effortless confession, he was actually hoping for Vee to stop him. If he did, he'll immediately cancel his flight.
"Mark!"
His heartbeat skipped.
He slowly looked at Vee.
"What?"
Vee smiled then he shook his head, "None. I just wanna call you."
Mark glared at him before he started walking when Vee called him again.
Don't you dare joke around, Vivis.
"What?" he asked, slowly turning his head.
"None. I just wanna pissed you."
He gritted his teeth.
"Curse you, Vee Vivis..." he mumbled.
"Mark!"
He let out an annoyed sigh before turning his head again, "What is it this time, you idiot?!"
Vee beamed. Seeing that, Mark thought he wasn't gonna say anything so he turned his back.
But he was wrong.
"I'll wait for you! No matter how long it'll take!" he heard Vee said.
This time, his mouth curved a smile.
He thought Vee was done, but Vee called out his name again.
"Wha——" his eyes widened when he felt a soft lips landed on his for a split second. "—t?"
"Sorry about that. I couldn't help it. It'll be three years you know?"
Mark heard him, but he was still glued on his place, he didn't know what to do.
"I know you're too in love with me. But seriously, you don't need to blush like that, Mon amour."
Thankfully, his shock state didn't last long because of Vee's words. He then smacked Vee's head before he glared at him.
"Make sure you're gonna wait for me, you idiot. Or else I'm gonna curse you and your whole family," he threatened
"Yes, Mon amour," Vee teased. "Go now."
He pulled Vee's ear first then he stole a peck before he started running away. And as soon as he stepped inside, he shifted from running to walking. He walked away, this time, there's no turning back.
"Make sure you'll keep your promise Vivis," he mumbled to himself, the tears he's been holding back since they arrived here ran down his cheeks. But the difference is that this time, it's out of happiness.
.....
Vee stared at Mark's figure. His eyes followed him until he was already out of sight.
"Be happy..." he said, happy tears filled his eyes.