Here All Along

chapter - 26

A/n: Adam told me to tell y'all he's thankful for your overwhelming love and those who want to date him, wait to see if he becomes single again. Thank you khub 🫂

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Chirang, over the course of time, had turned greyer and quieter like a painter's gloomiest creation. There were more people, lesser empty spaces to fill with yet more people and all the passivity it always held in its bosom. Mom came to pick us up at the airport because that's what a normal parent would do, some colleague had told her. She hugged me, easy and tight, a wetness landing on my shoulder before she wiped her eyes. I did not point it out to her that it was dramatic to cry for the son she rarely even talked to on phone. It would have been a cruel, selfish thing to say especially when i myself wasn't really the great son one would expect anyone to be. Win and mom hugged awkwardly and before they could dwell into an even more awkward formalities, i proposed we should go home as i was very hungry.

"Where is Win's bed?" I asked mom slowly after putting our luggage in my room.

"I forgot to arrange it in your room" mom said, not even bothering to cook up a good lie.

"Mom i told you.." i hissed lowly when Win came out of the washroom. I glared at mom who smiled stiffly at Win before asking him if he'd fine sleeping in the guest room.

"He won't have to. I'll have the other bed arranged in mine.."

"It's okay" Win interrupted me knowingly, "i can manage."

Mom nodded at him, not sparing me a glance and walked out. There was no point making an argument with her.

"We can share one it's not a problem" i said.

"It's fine Bright" Win sighed tiredly, grabbing his bag, "I'll sleep in the guest room."

"You are not a guest" I said firmly, "you've always stayed in my room"

"Well, things change, don't they?" He snapped curtly. He did not budge nor he tried to unhook his hand from mine but simply stared at me with an unwavering conviction.

I sighed, "fine. Then you sleep here. I'll go in guest room."

"Bright-"

I let go of his hand before storming out of my room.

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I shifted uncomfortably in the small sized bed in the guest room. It was cold and i could not turn the ac off with the broken remote, nor could i go back to my room and fetch a blanket. Win was already pissed of at me for God knew what. I repulsed the idea of seeing him until he was cooled down. I hated to rile him up. An eternity of turning left and right later, I heard a small creak of the door.

"Not now mom" i said, my eyes closed.

"Hey..it's me."

My eyes shot open and i jostled up from the bed. Win was standing against the door, his hands fumbling together like they did when he was conflicting with something in his mind. Despite the darkness, I could discern the sharp contour of his face, his well built body that was trembling slightly from the coldness in the room. I switched the lampshade on and saw his eyes shrink like the corners of a leaf on flame.

"Were you planning to lay cold and dead here till the morning?" He asked.

I did not answer, just stared at the lamp before glancing at him.

He pursed his lower lips dejectedly and sank next to me.

"For someone who's so mature, it was childish of you to pull this" he said, "I'm not a kid, Bright. I could sleep here. You don't have to fight with your mom over petty things. I can make my own descisions too."