"P'Mew, Miss Nan said we should meet her after class."
Kaownah said with an obvious shyness in him. He can't directly look into Mew's eyes. But when he tried looking because he still haven't heard a reply from him, he just saw Mew with eyebrows almost knitted to each other. He called him once again and thank goodness, he's now back to earth.
"Uh. Okay. Thanks, Kaownah." said Mew and forced a smile at him.
Kaownah felt shy when he saw Mew smiling at him. He returned to his seat with both cheeks heating up.
But the story behind Mew spacing out, is because of what he overheard earlier. He did become a little uneasy when he heard that the two have plans for later. He knows in himself that he usually don't mind other's business but when he learned about Gulf going with Podd, he just suddenly felt something. What could be this something? No one knows. Even himself, he doesn't know.
He's also aware that the two are getting close lately. Just like to him. And somewhat, he dislikes the idea.
The class for that day has finished and Kaownah came to remind him about Miss' favor of them. When they are about to leave the classroom, he saw both Podd and Gulf talking about something. He's sure that it is about their plans for later.
"So, we'll just see each other at the restaurant?" The happiness that can be seen in Podd's face is just unfathomable. Who would've thought that sulky guy earlier is now as happy as a child?
"Uh~ So, see ya later."
Gulf picked up his bag and motioned Mild to follow him. While making their way out, he saw Mew standing in front of the door. Looking at him. No, glaring at him.
"P'Mew, what's wrong?" confused, Gulf asked. Mew immediately avoided Gulf's eyes. He even left the place almost running while pulling Kaownah by his hand.
"Oooh. Didn't know P'Mew likes pulling someone like that. Isn't that romantic?"
Gulf glared daggers at Mild. And if they can kill a man, Mild would be long dead by now. Gulf doesn't like the thought. But from what he sees, he's getting more convinced that Mew only favors Kaownah.
"I called you both because I have a favor to ask and that is only if you both agree." Miss Nan looked at her students who just arrived at the faculty room, with high hopes in her eyes.
"No problem, Miss. Right, Phi?" Kaownah elbowed Mew to say his side. But Mew couldn't erase the conversation both Podd and Gulf had earlier. Not just that. Also the image he saw before he left the classroom.
"Why am I thinking about Gulf right now? This isn't right."
"Totally fine. We're glad to help."
Miss Nan was relieved upon hearing them. She instructed both of them to filter and rearrange the papers that were all mixed up earlier because of an accident. It was a lot of work for her that's why she's asking for their help.
"I couldn't be more thankful for both of you, Mew and Kaownah. Thank you so much and at the same time I'm sorry for asking you."
They both just smile at Ms. Nan and continued rearranging the papers.
Kaownah is so shy to approach Mew. And he can't totally make moves first because the other lad looks like drowning in his thoughts.
"Miss, Kaownah, I totally forgot. I have an important schedule for today. If you don't mind, I will get going now."
Before Miss Nan could even give him permission, Mew was already gone. And Kaownah who was so eager in rearranging the papers earlier is now annoyed. Well, the reason why he wants to do it has already left so there's no reason for him to stay as well.
"Uhm, Miss. I also forgot. I have somewhere else to go. I'm sorry, Miss."
And just like that, the two students who said they were willing to help are now gone.
"I thought they are glad to help but I guess I'll just do this myself, then." The teacher couldn't help but to scratch her nape for all the work she has to do.
While on the other hand, Mew is running here and there. He is checking every restaurant in the city with hopes of seeing Gulf and Podd. Why would he do that? He doesn't know. It's his feet which led him to where he is now. He has already checked a few restaurants but not even a single shadow of them is found.
"What are you doing, Mew? Are you out of your mind? What is it to you if Gulf and Podd are meeting tonight? Shouldn't you be at home now, resting? But why are you wasting your time looking for them?"
Mew is pulling his own hair in frustration. Even people around are looking at him, thinking he is crazy. He wanted to stop. He wanted to just go home. But his mind is telling him not to. Deep down inside him, he's wishing Gulf will not show up.
But right when Mew just turned around, there he saw Podd and Gulf. By the looks of it, they probably had just met. Mew quickly searched for a place to hide, with eyes still fixed on them.
"I was afraid I kept you waiting, Podd. But thank goodness, I did not."
"No. Not at all. I'm glad you came."
And Podd leads the way to the fancy restaurant where he made reservations with. He couldn't hide his excitement. It's all written in his face. And Gulf is aware of it.
"You know what, Gulf, you are the first person I celebrated my birthday with."
Podd was saying those while smiling.
"How about your parents?" Gulf is cutting his steak when he asked Podd. And when he heard what Podd said, the knife in his hand slipped. Podd immediately asked for another knife.
"555+ Why are you so shocked? I'm used to it though. Every year, I celebrate my birthday alone. I am no special to them, I guess. Work comes first. 555+" Podd was laughing but with dead souls in his eyes. Gulf looked at him- no. Pity him.
"I was the only one he invited yesterday and yet I didn't even make it. How heartless and useless am I?"
"About yesterda---"
"Forget it. What's important is, we're celebrating it now, right?" He smiled at Gulf and Gulf smiled back at him.
"Still, happy birthday, Podd."
"Thank you." Podd playfully said while putting his palms together as he bows, eyes closed.
"By the way, I have something to give you."
Gulf was surprised to see a box wrapped nicely. A gift, to be exact. He looked at Podd with questioning eyes.
"Why are you giving that to me? It isn't my birthday. In fact, it's yours but why?"
But instead of hearing anything from Podd, he just realized that the gift is now in his hands.
"I am just thankful for this night. And oh please, accept this. I accepted yours, so you should, too." He shows Gulf the perfume he got from him. Left with no choice, He just accepted the gift. When he opened it, a fancy cellphone case welcomed his eyes.
"I was just thinking of getting a new one since mine's already old. Thanks a lot, Podd." He took out his phone and replaced its case with the one Podd gave him.
"I'm glad you like it."
The truth is, he heard it when Gulf's talking to Mild, that he wanted a new case. That's where he got his idea of giving him a phone case. Plus, he will get to see Gulf using it everyday. It is more satisfying than ever, in his opinion.
On the other hand, Mew couldn't take what he is seeing right at that moment. He is standing right outside the restaurant, keeping himself hidden as he stalks them. Actually, he already had planned going but his feet are kept stuck from where he is standing. Like, he wanted to watch them until they decided to go home.
"Why are they still not going home? It's already dark. Wait, what am I saying? I should be minding my own business, not like this."
He was about to leave only to find himself dialing Gulf's number. At first attempt, it was not answered so he tried again. Until Gulf answered on the third attempt.
[Hello, Phi? Why did you call?]
To be honest, he didn't know why he suddenly called Gulf. He was silent for a few seconds.
"Think, Mew. Just think of anything."
[Phi? Ah~ Must have been accidentally dialed.]
Gulf was about to put the phone down when the other line speaks.
"Gulf, can you pick me up?
I need you.
I need your help. Someone snatched my wallet."
Right after hearing Mew asking for his help, he immediately told Podd about what happened to Mew.
"I am so sorry, Podd, but I think I have to go. P'Mew needs me right now."
"But---"
"Happy birthday again, Podd."
Gulf didn't even let Podd say another word and left already.
Podd was left dumbfounded. Again.
"But I need you, too. Right now."
***
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