He didn’t recognize the car as it stopped in front of him, neither could he see inside the tinted glass. It was a white BMW, making Gulf wonder how long he had to work to earn enough money to buy a car like this. All of this felt so surreal. Relief flooded through him when he opened the door and recognized Mew behind the steering wheel. Just now he had quickly said goodbye to the confused N’Art, who promised him she wouldn’t tell anyone about his next drama project. The click the seatbelt made as he seated himself reminded him of the sound of his heart which was rapidly beating at the moment.
“Let’s hope nobody took any pictures or videos of us”, were the first words that left Mew’s mouth. Gulf nodded. He didn’t understand much of this reality yet but understood how that could be bad. Mew was a celebrity and… Gulf was his husband… Who was also a celebrity? He was also married, to a guy? It was still a bit much for him.
The car left the parking space and Gulf took this time to stare at Mew. He was gripping the wheel a little too hard, Gulf couldn’t help but notice the veins which adorned the man – his husbands’ hands. His face was stoic as he concentrated on the road in front of him.
Earlier Gulf had already made up his mind about what he should do, but he could also not pretend to know a husband he had never met, so he decided to choose the middle way.
“You know,” the younger’s voice was soft, “I’m really not joking with you.”
The car stopped abruptly as the light turned orange. Mew sighed, teeth clenching.
“If this is a way to avoid us talking about our marriage, this is very low, Gulf”, the Nong was left omitted, making it sound harsh. But the Nong himself shook his head. He understood the husband – his husband, but still felt hurt at the clear tone of irritation underlined in his voice.
“Why can’t you believe what I’m saying… Listen, I’m not your Gulf. N’Art mentioned how-” he got interrupted as the driver raised his voice. “You literally left to visit an old girl friend as I tried to talk to you, how do you expect me to listen to anything you say when you don’t even listen to me?!”
“She’s not a girlfriend, I never dated her!” Gulf retorted, confused but Mew shook his head. “That’s not what I mean, and you know it. If the media saw you coming out of a girl’s apartment, do you know what bullshit I’d have to deal with?!” Mew met Gulf’s eyes for a moment, his eyebrows were knit together and mouth in a scowl. Gulf felt scared for a second. He swallowed.
“No, I don’t.”
Mew had no answer for that.
“I swear, I’m not the Gulf you know and married. N’Art explained it like… that the me, right now, is Gulf from another dimension. One where I never met you and never became an actor. So, I wouldn’t know what bullshit you would have to deal with.” He explained. After reading the online articles about the two of them, he could kind of imagine though.
Mew sighed again; his shoulder slumped as he used one hand to massage his brow. “Let’s pretend I believe you, be it because you are speaking the truth,” his tone clearly showed he himself didn’t buy it, “or that you are avoiding our marriage talk. What kind of dimension did you come from?”
Gulf gave a half-smile, even if the other didn’t believe him, he still listened to him. He respected that in the man. “A dimension not much different. I have the same name, age, body and oh! I work at a local television channel”, he tried to remember what he googled earlier, “I never became an actor or model, so I never met you in that drama you played in.”
You played in. The other Gulf acted in. Not me .
The husband nodded. He concentrated on the road as he took a left turn, driving up a large underground parking space. “Yet you’re still the same person? Your name is Gulf?”
“Yes. ”
“Well Gulf of another dimension,” the car stopped, and they locked eyes. “I need you to quickly give back my Gulf, since we are supposed to do an interview right now.” He opened the car door and left, leaving Gulf stunned for a second. He wanted to stay seated, but Mew had already walked over to his side to open his door. Standing up, he was briefly startled as he felt an arm place itself around his waist. He looked up to the – his husband who had so easily attached himself to him. The husband smiled at him as their eyes met, and Gulf was shocked by the difference from his demeanour just now. He leaned over to his ear, “Smile,” he whispered, “They’re filming.”
He could feel the elder’s breath as he spoke, and Gulf couldn’t help but blush a little. Indeed, looking around there were people standing further away with camera and phone’s out.
Right, this Gulf is famous in this dimension.
I should smile.
Easier said than done. The two navigated their way out of the parking into the building, Gulf tried to smile as they walked. He was vastly aware of the arm around his waist and how Mew walked as if all this didn’t faze him. For Gulf, this all felt too much. They just arrived in a car and walked into some random building, what’s with all these people filming them? Mew gave some nods here and there, and Gulf smiled at the people as he waved to them. This is what is expected of a celebrity… right?
He had no idea how to act as a celebrity. He desperately needed help. Mew’s hand squeezed his side as they entered the elevator, turning around to wave as the doors closed behind them. They weren’t alone in the elevator, but the people around them kept a respectable distance from the couple. Mew even said hi to them. Gulf just nodded and looked down, feeling rather shy and helpless.
Mew leaned closer to Gulf, “Are you okay?” he asked, genuinely sounding a little worried. Gulf wanted to shake his head, but Mew’s face was so close he was scared they would collide. “I don’t know how to act,” he sounded desperate. The other didn’t react at first. Then, slowly rotating Gulf they were back to chest, Mew’s arms closed around the man, hands tied over his belly. Their cheeks touched.
“They love you being shy like this,” the older mumbled in his ear, making him blush even harder than before. Indeed, the people standing around them seemed to find their behaviour adorable.
Gulf wondered how much himself and the other Gulf were alike. If acting like this was expected of him, then maybe he should continue following his gut? He was so scared to do something wrong, act like the wrong person, and he didn’t even know why. If it came to it and his façade was actually uncovered, what would happen?
Lost in his thought, he didn’t notice the ping of the elevator as they arrived at their floor. The hands around his waist pushed slightly, leading him forward into the room.
“Finally, you’ve arrived!” a tall man approached the two, greeting them. Gulf replied with a slight wai, still stuck between his husband’s arms.
“P’Bosser,” Mew greeted, “I’m sorry for being late. Yai nong had trouble waking up this morning.”
The tall man rolled his eyes. “Are you sure it isn’t because you two just didn’t want to leave the bed?” he said conspiringly. “Suddenly texting your manager you were driving on your own, you just wanted N’Gulf all for yourself!”
Mew laughed out loud, raising his hands briefly. “Busted!”
If this conversation continues any longer, Gulf thought, his face was going to turn red like a tomato. Is this how they always are? He was stunned by the advances Mew so blatantly made, not even denying accusations like that. If this is normal banter for them, what would this interview bring?
Right, an interview. Oh god, an interview! He wasn’t this universe’s Gulf; he had no idea what happened here! He won’t be able to answer anything! Panic flooded through him.
“It’s all fine, it’s your second wedding anniversary after all,” the manager smiled at the two, sheepishly. “I’m sorry you guys even have an appointment today. I know N'Gulf asked P’Best for this day off, but the magazine paid a lot.”
Mew shook his head as if to say it’s fine, and Gulf shrugged to answer something. Mew’s hands felt hot around him, preventing him freaking out. Only after they were led to a separate dressing room, he finally released him. People filled the room and before Gulf knew it clothes were shoved in his hands and he was ordered to change. The whole thing went quick, and he was forced to sit down so they could prepare his hair and make-up. 3 people he didn’t recognize began touching his face and hair, he didn’t like the feeling. He found himself longing for Mew’s touch again, only because it was now familiar and soothing. Could it be that his body remembered the man, even though his soul didn’t?
A phone he recognized as his own was shoved into his hands, a video was already playing. The video showed Mew and himself – well, the other himself – standing outside in tuxedos. The two were smiling at each other as they held hands, speaking their vows. Gulf recognized their clothes from the wedding articles he’d read earlier. Mew probably showed it to him as an example how the two acted.
Has he started believing my story?
He hated to admit it, but they looked cute. The wedding was held outside and the scenery indicated they were not in Thailand. Instead, they were on a beach that seemed to be on an island, surrounded by a beautiful blue ocean. Gulf recognized it from all the pictures he’d looked up before. He had always wanted to visit the Maldives. Mew and the other Gulf presented their wedding vows, explaining the crazy coincidence how they met and chose one another, both as a co-actor, and eventually as a lifelong partner. Small innuendos passed between the two as they spoke, like telling a secret they only knew. Gulf felt like he was intruding something just by watching them. Their kiss was met with cheers from many people, Gulf recognized his own family and even some faces from his phone background.
He felt a little sick in his stomach. He was here now instead of the other Gulf, ruining a marriage which looked so perfect from the outside.
Mew leaned over, switching to another video. This one showed the behind the scenes of a photoshoot. Gulf was in awe as the two posed like models would. They looked very professional, handsomely posing, mixed with an intimacy which gave a whole other mood to the shoot. Was this what was expected from him later? He kept watching videos of the two of them, letting the staff prepare his make-up and hair.
Soon they had to move to another studio and were told to sit on a cosy sofa-chair. A camera was directed at him, staff walking around to finish the last preparations. The interviewer sat next to them out of frame, explaining the interview wouldn’t be filmed but some pictures would be taken instead. Later on, they would have a bigger photoshoot.
“So then, let’s start the interview, shall we!” the interviewer announced. The whole room grew silent as they all focused on Mew and Gulf. Gulf’s heart was beating fast in his chest. Mew grabbed his hand, stroking over its back with his thumb. Don’t worry, it seemed to say. Then he smiled at Gulf, silently telling him to smile as well, before turning back to the interviewer. Gulf tried to copy the heartfelt smile Mew gave him, and nodded as well, still staring at the husband.
“First of all, congratulations on your second anniversary! Honestly, it feels only yesterday you two announced the wedding!”
The older nodded, agreeing. “Time really seems to have flown since that day.” He squeezed in his nong’s palm, indicating he should as well.
Right, I need to answer. What do I say? Should I just agree? If this Gulf really is similar to me, what would I say? Something that sounds remotely truthful?
It left his mouth before he knew it.
“Me too, it feels as if I only woke up today to realize I was married.”
… Maybe that was a little too much of the truth.