IN THE MATTER OF MONTHS

20. Man is the man

Tine lingered in front of Sarawat's building, he wanted to go in and speak to the man but he was nervous. It had been a week he had returned from Phuket, a week of realizing Cheryl wanted to be with Sarawat, a week of knowing Sarawat had said yes to the engagement. Tine so wanted to believe that he was doing it on a whim, to hurt Tine, but he knew Sarawat, he never does things he doesn't mean.

Sarawat had agreed to officially be with Tine's sister and he couldn't do a thing about it.

Tine chuckled at his own pathetic self, the irony of this whole thing being his idea hit him hard, what was so hard about letting this guy go. He goes with these feelings over and over. Deciding in his head to let Sarawat go but then holding as tightly as he could.

"Tine?"

His body stiffened, he pulled his hoodie over his face to cover it more properly and turned to walk away, he did not expect the man to sprint after him. As he was ready to get inside his car a hand grabbed his arm and turned him.

" It really is you, oh my god Tine, it's been ages I haven't seen you"

Man had not changed one bit, his features might be sharper and charming from his former self but his habit of never getting a hint had not changed a bit. Tine sighed reluctantly.

"Man"

"What are you doing here? Are you here to see Ai'Wat?"

"No!!"

"Then what were you doing lingering outside his apartment building from the past 30 minutes?"

Tine stared at him incredulously, cheeks heating up at being caught. Man always was like that, choosing between being perceptive and naïve according to his preference. He read through Tine like he was an open book, at first it had intimidated Tine but the sheer acceptance the guy showed towards him during college warmed him up to Man in no time. Sarawat may have fewer friends but the ones he had were complete gems.

" Well, if you knew, you should've come to say Hi! Sooner" Tine put his hands in his pocket out of anxiousness.

"How could I? I was waiting for you to man up, but you were busy kicking pebbles off the pavement"

The mirth in Man's eyes was not kind and Tine had an idea that he knew about the different ways he had hurt his dearest friend, The way Man and Boss were so protective of Sarawat was respectable. They guarded him like hawks, nobody tried to bother Sarawat because of them. They treated him more like a younger brother who needs protection than the aloof guy that he was. And Tine, He was always on their side of the line, in the list of people who wouldn't let anyone hurt Sarawat Gunthithanon.

When had things changed so drastically, that he was standing on the other side of the Line?

"I am sorry, Ai'Man"

Man stared at him for a few seconds before groaning and shaking his shoulders in pure frustration.

"This is so unfair, Ai'Tine, you always show me that genuinely sad face and it's obvious that you are just as much hurt as he is, if not more, and you look like a kicked puppy, how can I be mad at you?"

"Hey! I am not a puppy. And glad to know you have not lost your old flair"

"Still super funny?"

"Still in the delusion that you are funny."

"How mean Tine, you haven't changed at all"

The two men smiled softly and then Man reached out to hug the taller boy.

"We missed you Ai'Kratui"

"Yeah? I can still kick you in the balls"

"I am kidding, don't hurt me."