"Hey, have you seen a piece of paper? Around this size?" Gulf asked Mild as he gestures his hands to show him the size of the paper he is looking for.
"Nah. Why? I have plenty, I can give you if you want," said Mild who is about to get a paper on his bag and give it to Gulf.
"It's not just an ordinary paper, Mild. It's special." Gulf replied while still busy looking for it. Under the table, under the chair, beside, in front, above. Even if he use all the prepositions there are, still it is nowhere to be found.
"How come that this paper has become special when I am not? Is that paper more special than I am, Gulf? Answer me." He jumped in front of Gulf. It had Gulf stopped but he just nodded yes at Mild.
"What????" Disappointed, Mild went back to his seat and rests his head on his desk. "Hoping you don't find it. Hmp." Mild said and then closed his eyes.
"Are you looking for me?"
And then another guy jumps in front of Gulf. When Gulf has landed his eyes on him, he smiled like an idiot. But sorry to burst your bubble, dear, but you are not what Gulf is looking for.
It is the comic strip he's been working on since yesterday. He is about to finish it today but surprisingly, it was already gone.
"No," firmly Gulf said without even looking at Podd. Yes, it is Podd and he is following Gulf even if he is being avoided by him.
All he wants is to find his precious comic strip. But why is he given a guy who just knows nothing but to pester him?
Until Gulf gasps. His mouth was dropped open and Podd was so startled to see Gulf's reaction.
"Why? Why? Why? What happened, 1000 baht?" Podd immediately went to Gulf and asked why is he like that all of a sudden. But Gulf isn't answering him.
"Oh my goodness. What if P'Mew had already seen that comic strip? Surely, P'Mew will think I am such a weirdo. I will be a dead meat. Oh no no no no. This is so embarrassing. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"
Podd was just about to shake Gulf whose hands are both on his face trying to hide his embarrassed face when their next subject teacher came.
"Sawasdee krub. Okay, let us start our class."
Podd had to push Gulf to his seat because he is still stunned at the moment. Mew had also just arrived and that was the time when the imaginary block of ice surrounding Gulf broke.
"P'Mew uhm."
Gulf tried calling Mew while still facing front. He doesn't want to caught the attention of their teacher that's why. Mew just hummed to him but is also curious about why Gulf is calling him. He has an idea that it will be because of the comic strip that is now in his possession.
"Have you seen a paper... Uhm..." He is hesitant. How can he tell Mew that he is looking for a paper where the two of them are drawn on it? Of course he can't.
"N-Nothing. Nothing."
And with that, Mew is certain it is about the comic strip. He can't stop himself from smiling in his head. It is not because he is toying with Gulf but because he finds it cute when Gulf suddenly becomes so silent like that. Like, he's guilty of something or what.
"I guess I'll just keep this for you, Gulf." said Mew as he gropes for the comic strip in his pocket.
At last, the class for today has finished. But the anxious Gulf just couldn't stop thinking about his lost comic. He is now on his way home.
"If it is really lost, I just wish that it will be lost forever. And will never be found, again." and heaves a deep sigh.
"What's with the long face? You still haven't seen what you are looking for, huh?"
Gulf turned to where the voice is coming from.
"Oh it's you again, Podd."
At this point, Gulf loses all his strength to argue with Podd. And he also realizes that it's just unfair to be rude to him when all he does is be friendly with him.
"Yes. It's me, 1000 baht." Podd raised his hand and smiled at Gulf.
"Can I ask you something?" Gulf stopped walking. When Podd realized it, he returned to be on the same spot as Gulf.
"Anything."
"Why do keep calling me 1000 baht?"
"Because you are 1000 baht." Podd saw Gulf sighing as he surrenders to this naughty guy.
"Fine, call me whatever you want." And Gulf continued walking. Podd followed him.
"Are you mad, 1000 baht?"
Gulf stared at Podd for a second and shook his head. "No. I mean, I couldn't force you to call me by my name, right?" Podd being silly as ever, nodded. "Then, just call me where you are comfortable with." Gulf pulled up the corners of his lips and forced a smile.
"Cool." It was good news for Podd. He is so happy that Gulf has finally become friendly with him now.
"Yes! That's one step closer to you, 1000 baht," said Podd in his head. He was just about to call Gulf again but he heard a loud screaming. Both of them turned to the guy shouting Gulf's name. It was Mild.
"Why are you shouting, Mild? What happened?" asks Gulf when Mild finally reached them.
"P'Mew-- P'Mew is looking for you. He's waiting at the school gate."
"WHAT??? Why are you telling me this just now?
Uhm. Podd, I gotta go. P'Mew is waiting for me. And Mild, thanks for informing me. Byeeeee."
In a flash, Gulf is already gone. The books that Podd are holding even fell on the ground when he accidentally bumped into him.
Mild, still panting, helped Podd pick up his things. Even Mild is so amazed that Gulf could run fast like that. Mew really has a different effect on Gulf and there is no doubt to it.
"Here, Podd." Mild just gave Podd his books when he noticed that there was a piece of napkin underneath the books.
Good thing Podd saw it immediately and picked it up as fast as he could.
"Thanks by the way, Mild. I gotta go now," said Podd as he excused himself.
"Huh? Why would Podd keep a used napkin?" Mild asked himself but then just shrugged it off thinking it was just rather trivial and also left.
"Phew. That was close."
Podd smiled while checking the napkin that Gulf left on that ice cream parlor. He closes the notebook where he keeps the napkin and put it inside his bag. But his smile evaporated when he saw those two at the gate.
"P'Mew, I heard you are looking for me." Gulf who just arrived asked the guy who is already bored while waiting for him.
"Don't tell me you forgot?"
"Forgot what?-- Oh shia. We have an interview assignment, right? How did I forget that? I am so sorry, Phi."
Gulf is obviously slapping his forehead. He can't believe that he actually forgot about the task given to them as seatmates. But deep inside, Gulf he is so excited because it is another opportunity to have a quality time with his crush. He thinks that being classmates with Mew is totally not enough and that he didn't regret praying for him to become his seatmate. It is all worth it. If only one could see how his heart jumps in excitement.
"It's alright. So, let's go now."
"But before that, can we grab some snacks first? I am so hungry now, Phi. Nah? Nah?"
And because Gulf is being so firm in grabbing some snacks first, Mew just agreed and then they left.
Just by watching them from a distance, Podd couldn't explain why is he getting hurt. Not physically but something inside him- in his heart.
He couldn't do anything but just watch them as they leave. It hurts actually. This is not the first time he felt it that way. Until a thought suddenly crossed his mind. He immediately get his notebook in his bag.
"G heart M.
You mean,
Gulf heart Mew? Gulf loves Mew?"
***
Aww. Our poor Podd is broken-hearted. 💔
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