It had been five days now; Mew had not returned. Gulf was too engrossed in his work in order to avoid thinking about Mew, nevertheless whenever he lifted his eyes off his computer, it would land upon the table next to his. He was used to of Mew's movements around him. He had often found Mew looking at him, he would just talk to him for no reason and go quiet. It was confusing to Gulf, but he was used to of it. Now that the chair was empty, he missed him more than often. Mew would call him often, sometimes late in the night too, but it would only be a short call.
Weekend had arrived and Gulf wondered if Mew would be back now. While lying thinking of him, he picked his phone to call Mew and find out if he had arrived. He dialed Mew's number and his heart skipped a beat when the call was received.
"Hello?" Mew asked.
"Mew?" Gulf called out. Mew's voice sounded shaken. Gulf could feel chills running down his spine.
"Baby, you called. I was beginning to think you had forgotten me." Mew sniffed.
"What's wrong Mew?" Gulf was concerned. It also felt that he was drunk.
"Baby, come outside. I am waiting for you." Mew said.
Gulf was shocked. It was almost 12 in the night. Why was he in front of his house?
Gulf opened the door, but there was no sign of someone there. Was Mew playing a prank on him? He walked up to the main door. On peeking through it, he found Mew's car parked opposite to his neighbor's gate. He unlocked his gate and ran up to him.
Mew was sitting in the driver seat and was dead drunk.
"Mew...did you drive in such a state?" Gulf was worried. He managed to unlock his door and dragged Mew out. Mew was crying. His eyes and nose were red. He was chocking and sniffing like a child. Gulf tried to hold him there, but Mew was quite heavy to be carried.
"Mew...you are too heavy; I can't carry you. Please help me." Gulf asked for help.
Having realized, Mew tried to control his body and leaned on the car door. He was reeking of alcohol.
"I don't want to stay alone tonight. Please take me with you." Mew request Gulf.
"I will. But you need to help. I cannot drag you on my own." Gulf pleaded.
Mew nodded and rested his one hand on Gulf's shoulder. Gulf held him from his waist and struggling walked him to his room. Luckily, his family was sleeping soundly, else it would have become a nuisance.
He lay him on his bed, removed his shoes and jackets. He brought in some of his lose clothes and asked Mew to change. Mew shook his head that he cannot. So Gulf brought some water in a basin, removed his clothes to clean him. When he reached for his undies, he was shocked at the size of his monster. Gulf sat there in shock. A sudden turn from Mew awakened him. He tried to avoid touching it and cleaned the rest of his body. Mew was feeling a tingling sensation when the cold cloth hit his skin. When it reached his pelvic area, he held on the hands that had the cloth. He looked up at Gulf who was looking back at him. A sudden fire burnt inside Mew, his eyes reflecting his desire. Gulf was scared. Mew sat up, his other hand cupped Gulf's jawline, drawing him closer. Gulf gulped at the sight. He was about to close his eyes, when Mew whispered.
"Don't play with fire, Gulf. I won't be able to forgive myself." Gulf immediately opened his eyes.
"I was only trying to change your clothes." Gulf answered. Mew moved his hands aside, and Gulf immediately retreated his.
"I know. Let's just leave it here. Give me those clothes." Mew asked Gulf, spreading his hands out. Gulf handed over the clothes and took the basin back to the washroom. He washed his face several times, trying to calm the heat that was engulfing him. By the time he was back, Mew was nowhere to be found. Gulf got worried, he called him out. He did not receive any answer. He walked to the balcony and Mew was sitting there, with his eyes closed. He wasn't sleeping, but just sat there still. Gulf walked up to and sat next to him with his hands rested on his bent knees. Mew placed his head on Gulf's shoulders.
"Why were you crying?" Gulf asked again.
Mew took Gulf's hands, entwined their fingers and sighed.
"It's my mom dad's anniversary today. The reason why I was born. I cannot wish either of them, coz they have moved on in their lives, leaving me alone." A tear tickled down from his face.
"I am sorry." Gulf clasped his hand. "You are not alone. I am with you." Gulf answered.
Mew smiled.
"Do you want to talk about your parents?" Gulf asked.
Mew nodded. "I was 10 years old when they separated. My father had been gay, but upon my grandpa's insistence, he had to get married. However, his affair with his boyfriend was not hidden. He had told mom earlier that he cannot have feelings for her. 12 years they remained in the marriage, when my mother fell in love with Panit Damiad, Saint's father. They talked to each other and decided to end their relationship. I was to leave with her, but my grandfather did not let that happen. He wanted an heir to his business. So, he forced my mom to abandon me."
Mew chuckled. "Funny, my mother did not even think about me and she just let me go. She is quite happy in her new family. I was forced upon them because of my grandfather's adamant attitude. They are both happy with their partners, and I was left alone. My grandfather was a disciplined man. He never showed any emotion towards me. None of my parents ever bothered to see how I was being brought up. The only happy time of my childhood was when I'd meet you."
Mew turned towards Gulf, who could not stop tears flowing from his eyes. Mew wiped his tears. "I missed you a lot. You were the only one, Gulf. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't met you at that time. Thank you for being with me."
Gulf sniffed. "I will always be with you na Mew. Always." He cried and hugged Mew. They remained so for some time. Mew smiled.
He moved away, turned towards Gulf, held his hands. "Will you promise to be mine, forever?" He asked him. Gulf nodded.
"Will you always listen to whining whenever I am low?" Mew asked again. Gulf nodded.
"Will you always smile and lighten my world whenever I am lost?" Mew asked. Gulf nodded.
"Will you always love me?" Mew asked. Gulf nodded.
"Will you marry me?" Mew asked. Gulf nodded. Suddenly, he realized what Mew had asked. Blood rushed to his face and he was flushed. He didn't know how to react. He thought Mew was making fun of him, but when he looked into his eyes, Mew was looking at him with so much love and longing.
"I...ah..I...Mew..." Gulf stammered.
"Shh...it's okay. I was just taking chance. You can take your time, Gulf. I will wait for you." Mew replied.
Gulf was tongue tied. He did not know what to say. Mew turned back, leaned on his shoulder. Gulf was sitting there dumb struck.
"I think we should go back to the room. It's a bit cold here." Mew said. Gulf got up and went first. He cleared his bed for Mew to lay down and when to lay futon on the floor for himself. Mew held him back. He back hugged him.
"Sleep with me. I don't want to be alone tonight." Mew whispered. It sent chills in Gulf's spine. He simply nodded. Mew picked him up in his arms and lay him on the bed. He pulled the blanket and hugged Gulf closer. Gulf could hear Mew's heart beating louder.
"When did you come back?" Gulf asked.
"This evening. I wanted to immediately come to meet you. I missed seeing you for such a long time. But, when I was going through some documents and saw the date, it struck me. I was at a loss. So, I went to the bar to drink. I didn't want you to see me in this state, but in the end, I drove to your house." Mew answered.
"You were in front of the neighbor's house." Gulf corrected him.
"I know. I didn't want to wake your parents up. So, I stopped my car before." Gulf nodded to his answer.
There was silence. Gulf could hear Mew's heartbeat and nothing was more sweater sound than the one he was hearing.
"Gulf?" Mew called him.
"Yes, Mew?" Gulf asked.
"Could you sing me a song?" Mew asked, holding him tighter.
Gulf nodded and sang for him.
There's a calm surrender
To the rush of day
When the heat of a rolling wave
Can be turned away
An enchanted moment
And it sees me through
It's enough for this restless warrior
Just to be with you
And can you feel the love tonight?
It is where we are
It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we've got this far
Mew was crying again. Gulf wiped his tears and sang for him.
Once the song was done, Gulf kissed his wet cheeks. Mew hugged him closer and drifted off to sleep. Gulf lay awake for a long time, hearing Mew's breathing sounds, watching his chest rising and falling, holding him tight. For a person, who's suffered so much, Mew contained a lot of love inside him. Only, he never had anyone to devour it upon. Gulf was the lucky one. But was he ready to accept his feelings for Mew? He wasn't sure.