Beautiful Dreamer

1. I'm Gay

With a noisy, fully packed cafeteria and cheerful chatter all around, this was the usual evening. It seemed like a weekend; Ari and Mun often met after work to welcome the bright evening.

"Who would have thought...!?"

"What?" Mun asked, following Ari's gaze. "What are we looking at?"

"I can't believe it!" Ari exclaimed. "It's him!"

"Him who?"

"Remember a couple of years ago I told you I met some random guy in college who seemed lost and was all cute and stuff?"

"Marshmallow head?"

"Yes! Wait... You remember that nickname?"

"We both stalked him for weeks before he threw that ugly white hat away. How could you not remember him and how you made me your accomplice?"

"Right... Anyway, look over there by the fast food lane. Isn't that him?" Ari pointed out, Mun following his gaze. "The tall guy in the white shirt, if you can see him..."

"It's him, alright. Don't tell me after eight years, you're still hung up on an old crush."

"Of course not! I-I just saw someone I didn't think I'd meet again." Turning to look back at Mun, Ari added defiantly, "Besides, he deferred in his first year. And he wasn't gay either."

"Right..." Mun agreed but wasn't convinced by his friend's response. He monitored Ari for a while, tempted to look at the familiar stranger, and recalled the old memories of how his friend had obsessed over that fresher. 'He hasn't changed much, I'd say, but he sure grew muscles and taller. His physic may not be Ari's type, but it's clear he still has some sentimental feelings lingering.'

Thankfully, Ari had his back facing where the guy was standing, so he didn't notice him looking around for an empty seat. Just then, Moon stood up, pulled an empty chair to their table, and began gesturing at the familiar stranger to approach them. He seemed lost at first, but after Mun's apparent attempts to grab his attention, he started walking towards where they sat.

"What the heck do you think you are doing, Mun?" Ari asked, almost gritting his teeth.

"I want to confirm something."

"What could you possibly want to do with someone we haven't seen in years?"

"Obviously, to establish if you still hold that century-old crush." Mun teased, then sat and gestured for the man to take the empty seat once he'd reached their table.

"I'm sorry. Do I know you?" He asked politely, on his hands a tray of items he'd just ordered.

Ari looked up at him, revealing a somewhat flushed face, then let out a nervous laugh before replying. "You look tall now that I see you up-close. Rey, is it not?"

"Have we met before?"

"I'm gay... I mean Rey... Ari... I meant Ari is my name..."

A long, uncomfortable silence followed after between the three as Mun did his best to avoid bursting into laughter. After a few silent, awkward seconds, the familiar stranger turned to leave without a word while Ari buried his face in his palms, cursing under his breath.

"What the hell was that dude?" Mun whispered in between his laughter. "That was humiliating!"

"Why would you call him to our table, you dumbass?"

"I knew you'd embarrass yourself, but not to this extent!"

Burying his face further, Ari wished for the world to split up and swallow him instantly. "Darn it! Now he thinks I'm a total loser."

"You got that right!" Mun guffawed, unable to hold back any longer. "Luckily, you won't have to meet him again, so thank your lucky stars."