I changed for you

14

The university campus was full of posters, lights and all sorts of decoration. The most awaited time of the year, the summer fest was finally here. Chay worked backstage on lighting. He had begged his seniors to keep him free during Kim's performance. He couldn't miss the main event. He couldn't miss his boyfriend's stage.

"Chay." Kim pouted, sitting on a box full of decorations and costumes backstage. He had come to meet Chay while waiting for his performance.
"What is it P'Kim?" Chay said without even looking up. He was busy sorting some props for a play.
"I feel nervous." Kim said making Chay scoff. How could Wik be nervous? He had performed at far bigger events.
"Take a deep breath." Chay inhaled, demonstrating. He turned up to see a pouting Kim, in need for attention. A big smile formed on his face. He ruffled Kim's hair, something he won't have done earlier. Now it was just normal, he knew how much that big baby Kim loved it.

How the tables had turned. When Chay had first confessed to Kim, the former had been the only one to initiate affectionate moments. But today, Kim leaned in for a hug. He engulfed his small boyfriend in his arms. swaying his body a little, smelling Chay's shampoo.

"P'Kim, I've got work to do."
"Two minutes."
"I'll be late, P'Kim."
"Shhh."
They just held each other for a minute. Then Kim let go, smiling.
"I'm ready to rule the world." He joked making Chay scoff again. He loved goofing around Chay, the reactions made his heart flutter.

"PORCHAY!" The art club manager yelled from behind. Chay quickly got back to work wishing Kim luck.
Kim collected his guitar and headed towards an empty corner. He checked if the guitar was tuned and then left it there. He decided to roam around and watch other performances waiting for his own.

"P'WIK!!" A bunch of fans screamed as he neared the food stalls. He waved a little, failing to avoid the crowd. He knew it wasn't just college students this time, there were people from outside who had come to see him. He had become more famous somehow. People stood and clicked pictures, asked him for selfies and gave him all sorts of gifts for appreciation. Flowers, chocolates, cards piled up in his arms. He didn't have a manager but he was now considering hiring one.

"Thank you." He smiled and slowly headed towards the nearest food stall. It was a lemonade station. He placed all the stuff he held in his arms on a vacant corner.
"Can I keep this here for a bit?" The one managing the stall didn't bother. He gave Kim a lemonade as Kim drank it, still being surrounded by an excited crowd. He felt awkward being judged by everyone. Being famous was exhausting at times. He was glad his university didn't allow anyone to enter the campus on regular days because he would've cried if this happened everyday.

"Back off! Give him some privacy! He's  human too!" A familiar voice was heard from the crowd. Fortunately a lot of people agreed and soon most of them had cleared out. Kim turned around in relief  to be greeted by Macau.

"Brother!" He held his hand out for a fist bump.
"Macau, how are you here?" Kim asked, reciprocating the fist bump.
"Your boyfriend invited me. Isn't he the sweetest?" Macau said quietly making sure no one heard him.
"No doubt he is." Kim smiled.
"Wanna get some food?" Macau asked.
"Sure, lets check out these stalls." Kim and Macau walked together. Somehow, because of Chay, Macau and Kim had started enjoying each other's company. They were cousins after all and could relate to the family drama.

Soon Kim got a call from Chay asking him to head backstage. It was time for his performance.
"I'll be cheering from the front row." Macau told him as he left to get ready.

"P'Kim, I'll be heading out, my duty is over. I'm gonna watch you from the audience. Good luck!" Chay told him as he got his guitar and fixed his hair.
After the anchor announced his name he got on stage. He never felt stage fright, he had performed at so many places. He got on stage introduced himself and quickly scanned the crowd to find Chay. He started playing his song hoping that Chay was just late and would be here any minute. Macau was recording from the front row, he smiled in that direction and continued singing.

First song got over. Then the second. Then the third. There was no sign of Chay. The crowd screamed and applauded Kim's vocals and that kept Kim going. He was enjoying this but he wanted it to be complete with Chay. Where was he?

The performance got over. Kim received a lot of applause and praise. He thanked the crowd and went backstage. He searched for Chay only to be surrounded by a group of fans who had entered the backstage even though only the staff was allowed.
A guard was pushing them away from Kim but in midst of all this confusion Kim was thrown out along with the crowd. He was surround by fans without any escape. He acted polite greeting all fans calmly. That's what he had to do now. No matter how much he wanted everyone to back away and give him time to find his boyfriend. He hope Macau would rescue him again but that did not happen.
He excused himself out of the crowd only with help of a few supporting fans that realised he needed some rest after the performance. He thanked them and headed towards to restroom. He locked the door behind him as soon as he entered to keep everyone outside. He needed a minute alone.

An angered Porchay was standing silently in front of the mirror.
"Chay? I was looking for you everywhere. What happened?" He asked, worried by the expression Chay had.
"They didn't let me see your performance." Chay spoke, his voice filled with anger.
"What? Who?"
"All the people on the managing team ditched work to see your performance and then we were short on staff. I had to handle the lighting all the time. Fuck them so much. I wanted to see the performance too! I did everything they told me, even worked over time to ensure I get to see you sing! And this is what I get? Get aside P'Kim. I'm gonna "talk" to those bitches." Chay's eyes burned with rage.
"No no no no, Chay, stop." Kim had to physically block the exit because he knew how aggressive Chay can get.
"It's no big deal, it's alright. Please just let them be." Kim pleaded.

Chay saw how serious Kim was about this, he didn't want to spoil anything for him. He sighed.
"Alright. If you say so. But I tell you, if they cross my path again I will not let them go easily."
"I hope they don't." Kim stepped closer, cupping Chay's face in his hands.
"God, I missed you." He said looking at Chay like he was watching some galaxy full of stars.

"And we just missed the greatest fight, the hottest tea tonight because you want to calm your boyfriend down." Macau got out from a cubical with the sound of water flushing behind me.

"How long has he been here?" Kim asked Chay, still holding his face.
"Since forever. There was something extremely bad in the fish fruit bowl." Macau answered, washing his hands.

"What the actual fuck is a fish fruit bowl."