The Bachelor

Chapter 17

Mew looked around for one more time and whispered with urgency clear in his voice, “Go!! Go back to the outhouse. I’ll see who it is.”
 
Gulf was visibly reluctant but he couldn’t do anything else, “Are you sure? Who can it be?” 
 
Mew squinted his eyes and tried to see if there was anyone visible from where they were sitting, “Must be one of the guys looking for some midnight snack or something. Don’t worry. It is alright even if anyone spots me here, but it will be a problem if anyone sees you here, so just go.”
 
Mew scanned his eyes through the whole area once again and when he looked at Gulf again, Gulf was still in the same position, his eyes casted down.
 
Mew sighed and held Gulf’s hand, “Why are you worrying baby? Nothing is wrong.”
 
Gulf nodded and stood up, still reluctant.
 
Mew was making sure no one was around and they could not be seen. Gulf had hardly taken only two steps when Mew tugged at Gulf’s hand. Gulf halted in his steps and lifted his face towards Mew. Mew framed Gulf’s face in both of his hands and leaned forward to place a gentle kiss on the younger’s forehead. Gulf closed his eyes as a reflex. 
 
Mew pulled back after placing a peck and Gulf opened his eyes, “Take care of yourself Krub.”
 
Mew nodded, “ Now Go!”
 
Gulf bobbed his head and ran in the direction of the outhouse and he was out of Mew’s sight in an instant.
 
°•○•°
 
Mew carefully entered the Mansion, looking around, trying to find out who opened the lights. The living room was empty and Mew was trying to decide whether to look for the person or just silently tip-toe to his room. He decided the latter and noiselessly reached the staircase and he had hardly stepped up one step when he heard the voice of someone clearing their throat as an announcement of their presence. Mew squeezed his eyes shut and then tried to adorn the most neutral expressions as he slowly turned around, a combination of lies already made up in his mind as to what he was going to say.  However, as he turned around, he saw Tul standing at the entrance of the Kitchen with an amused smile on his face and his arms crossed.
 
Mew let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding back all this while. Tul raised his brows at him and Mew gestured to him to go to their room.
 
Tul smiled at him, nodded his head and switched off the lights and then both of them went to their room silently.
 
Mew sat on his bed as Tul locked the door of their room. Tul smiled and sat on his bed, “Is that why you usually are up so early?”
 
Mew shook his head, “What are you talking about? It is just my habit. You both are usually sleeping here and I wake up early by default so I just go out to take in some fresh air.”
 
Tul chuckled, “Yeah Of course. Fresh Air.”
 
Mew glared at Tul playfully, because no way was he going to admit anything in front of this brat. He and Max would tease him to no end if they found out, “Why are you up though?”
 
Tul pouted at that, as he was reminded of his untimely hunger, “I was hungry.”
 
Mew chuckled, “I guessed so. Did you find anything to eat?”
 
Tul nodded, “Yep. I fed my tummy well.”
 
Mew also nodded , “Great, go sleep then. It is still very early.. You’ll be whining the whole day if your sleep will not be completed.”
 
Tul agreed and went to his bed. Tul did not want to force Mew to say anything but he smiled because he was glad that Mew and Gulf are doing what they can do for each other even in these circumstances. Both of them are two of the most genuine people he knows and he’s happy that they have got each other’s back.
 
°•○•°
 
All the seven guys who were supposed to go on the group date were ready and waiting in the living room for further instructions. It seems that the production team loves to keep them in the dark, because as they're sitting in the living room, none of them have any idea about the further proceedings. They're not even informed if Gulf will come to pick them up or if they'll meet him at the venue of the date only.
 
Another thing the producers love to do is to take their individual monologue interviews time and again. It has become such a routine as if a mother calling a son three times a day; after reaching work, before lunch, in the evening before going home. The only difference is that here the producers ask for these individual interviews double the times of a mother calling a son. These interview demands start when there is a date card, when it is revealed who is going on the date, a person going before the date, after the date.
 
Sometimes Mew wonders if they will even start asking for these interviews in the middle of the dates too. It is annoying yet amusing to Mew as well. Annoying for obvious reasons and amusing because some contestants' answers rile the producers up because they're not delivering answers worth spicing up the show. One of such contestants is Mew. Even though Mew does not have much choice but to sit for these annoying interviews where they're expected to open their heart out to the black lens of the cameras but still no one can restrict his freedom of speech. Mew makes sure that they know that he is not going to say anything according to their wish. He is not bound to answer on their terms. Although there have been instances where Mew has actually answered with his heartfelt words but that has been on his own will and terms and not because it is expected of him by the damn producers. Mew can never put enough emphasis on how eager he is to get out of the reins of this show which sometimes expects them to act like puppets.
 
Mew rolled his eyes as he thought about the time when one of the producers was directing James to answer a question very sweetly and giddily expressing his excitement of going on the date with Gulf. The producers' effort didn't surprise Mew, but James' obedience and his willingness to act according to the producers definitely surprised Mew. Mew didn't take James to be someone who would take orders from others but probably Mew didn't know him well enough to judge him on the basis of his mere observations.
 
After another half an hour of waiting and passing the time, Lily finally entered the living room. After gaining everyone's attention, she started speaking, "Guys, the car is ready. Go and settle down asap so that you can start on the road."
 
Which means that they would be meeting Gulf at the date only. Was that so difficult to tell simply? That was what Mew was thinking. They enjoy not telling simple things to the contestants.
 
Shaking his head, Mew stood up and walked out of the living room to the car, following Max and Tul. Apart from critiquing the producers and this show, Mew otherwise was in great zeal and good mood because he was excited to see Gulf. Well, when is he not excited to meet Gulf, to be honest? But that is besides the point. The point is that he had decided that he will just have a good time with the guys and Gulf as much as he can.