Music To My Ears | 2gether Short Stories

I Prayed For You - Chapter 07

Over the next week, Tine seemed his usual self on the surface, but Wat knew he was troubled underneath.

And he hadn't told Wat why. He was so full of shame and regret, that for once he flat out refused to talk about it.

Father Dim - Tine's saviour, his most favourite person in the world, his father figure, the person who loved him first and the most - had been suffering in silence for years because of him.

Father Dim was well respected in his community, his compassion and wisdom were sought often and given freely.

He had raised hundreds of orphans like Tine, done his best to make them good humans first before good Christians.

His charges, his children, had gone out into the world as strong, capable, kind men and women, true assets to society. Many had attained high positions in industry and government over the years, many more had achieved laurels in academia, art and sport. They had spread all over the world, taking Father Dim's values with them.

He had always been proud of every one of his children regardless of their stature in society, never seeking favours or gains from them, never comparing, ever accepting.

But of all his children, Tine had been his favourite from the start. Father Dim had never done anything more or different for him, never treated anyone else less, but still Tine knew.

It was evident in the small things - a special smile or an extra pat reserved for Tine, a candy secretly occasionally slipped into a tiny hand (the hand grew larger over the years, but the candy would still find its way in it), sleepless nights watching over a sickly Tine, the long walks and conversations that shaped so many of Tine's philosophies and beliefs.

Now that he thought about it, Tine realized Father Dim had probably known he was gay well before Tine himself did. But that had never stopped Father Dim from helping Tine follow his desired path of priesthood.

For someone like Father Dim to have faced who knows what kind of judgement, ridicule, perhaps even penalties, from his peers and from the Church, it killed Tine.

Tine realized that over all his years of knowing him, Father Dim had remained where he was. He hadn't risen through the ranks, never been bestowed any recognition or elevation in the Church Order.

Tine couldn't get over the guilt and helplessness that clawed at him. It burned him inside constantly. He couldn't eat or sleep. He tried his best not to show his anguish outside, plastering a smile on his face and going about his routine as always. But he couldn't fool Wat.

Wat was at his wits' end. Seeing Tine so broken and his refusal to talk about it, made Wat feel useless.

He'd tried everything he could think of to cheer Tine up. He bought Tine all his favourite dishes, which went untouched most of the time, though always accompanied by a thank you and a smile that didn't quite reach Tine's eyes.

He showed him skateboard tricks and fell flat on his face a bunch of times, which made Man and Boss happy but Tine only got more worried because he thought Wat was getting hurt.

He booked the Movie Club's screening room for a whole evening and arranged an Ouran High Host Club marathon for Tine. It usually made Tine laugh, but he barely even looked at the screen, lost in his own tortured thoughts.

Wat even sang for Tine, something he hadn't done for anyone except First. Tine had clapped sweetly and thanked him for his performance. But the listlessness in Tine's eyes remained.

From everything Fong had told him, Wat assumed Tine was pining for Luke. As a last resort, Wat asked Fong for Luke's number, hoping Luke could talk to Tine or tell Wat what to do.