Roundabout Way to You

25. Lies

Ayut narrowed his eyes as he stared at his little brother who was cuddling with him. "So, you are saying that you offered to help Sarth by acting as his boyfriend in front of his parents?"

Anwit nodded his head vigorously.

"Just because he was at your place when his mother came over to visit him?"

"Khrab, Phi. P' Sa was really pitiful then na. His mom was forcing him to go on blind dates. He just had a very bad heartbreak, and they are like this." Anwit was mixing truth with lies. 

If he told Ayut that Sarth had used both of them to avoid blind dates, then, his plans wouldn't go as he wanted. He was feeling really guilty for lying to his brother. He had never lied to his brother before. This was the first time.

But he consoled himself saying that it was just a white lie meant for a good cause.

"Really? And why was he in your apartment in the first place?" Ayut questioned again. As far as he remembered his little brother was not very fond of Sarth who had a bit of unruliness that hadn't gone away even though he was a grown-ass adult. 

It was really suspicious that Anwit was not only fond of Sarth but also taking his side. Some things weren't just adding up at all. Especially the part where Anwit agreed to be Sarth's fake boyfriend. Ayut smelled something fishy. 

"That, Phi, P' Hit was working overtime and P' Sa couldn't enter his apartment." Anwit had his fingers crossed as he spoke to Ayut. He was hoping that his brother would buy his story and stop asking questions.

"Alright. But why did you have to call him your boyfriend in our party? Almost all of our colleagues were there na." Ayut was worried about those people talking badly about Anwit and Sarth. "A lot of them know that Sarth was Kitty's boyfriend and now you, announcing that you are dating him..."

"That's exactly why I announced it like that, Phi." Anwit lied again. "I didn't want him to feel awkward throughout the party because of Kitty."

"Aww, my baby ish sho shweet. Sho considerate." Ayut cooed as he pinched his little brother's cheeks.

"P' Yut, please stop baby talking to me. I am not a baby anymore," Anwit complained externally but really liked being babied by his brother like this.

"Really? Ish my baby a biwg boi now?" Ayut cooed again, finding his little brother's pouty face absolutely adorable.

"P' Yut, stop it na," Anwit whined.

"Okay. Okay. Phi will stop." Ayut gave in not wanting to upset his Nong.  "My baby is a big boy now. He even has a boyfriend now."

"P' Yut, please don't tease me na," Anwit whined again. "I told you that we are just faking it in front of others. We are not dating in real."

Ayut sighed, "I would have been happier to hear that you two are actually dating."

"Au? I thought you didn't like that he would be my boyfriend from the way you were glaring at him all night." Anwit asked in confusion.

"I don't dislike the idea of you guys starting to date each other. In fact, I like Sarth. Even though he can be a bit goofy at times, he is a very responsible and considerate guy. I would certainly love to have him to be your boyfriend."

"Then why were you so mad when I said that he is my boyfriend. Because of you, he couldn't even enjoy the party."

"Isn't that good? Or else, you would have had to carry him back once he got wasted."

"P' Yut,"

"Alright. I wasn't mad. I was just worried."

"Worried? Worried about what? Didn't you just say you like P' Sarth?"

"I do. But, Wit, Sarth just got out of a relationship. A relationship he had been in for years. It hadn't been long since they broke up and you are announcing that you are dating..." Ayut paused. "I was worried that he was taking you as a rebound, Wit."

Ayut massaged his temples. "I know break up hurts like hell. Especially one that had lasted for so long. I know Sarth and I know how much of a sentimental person he is. I know for sure that the breakup hurt him a lot more than he showed us. And when things start to hurt na, the people will find ways to make the hurt go away. One of the methods the majority of those heartbroken people take is to find someone to play a substitute and get into rebound relationships."

He cupped Anwit's cheeks with a hand. "I don't want you to end up being just a rebound. Not even for someone like Sarth. This is your first relationship, and I am worried that you might get hurt if you don't choose the right partner. I am really worried."

Ayut continued after a deep breath. "You and Sarth hadn't known each other for much. I just felt that you two had rushed into everything when you made the announcement. I want you to take time and get to know your partner before getting into a relationship. The commitment in a relationship is a double-edged sword, baby. You have to be very careful when you weld that sword."

"Don't worry, Phi. I have no intention of touching that sword. I am not going to date anyone at all. Then I wouldn't get hurt, no?" Anwit beamed proudly as he made the declaration.

Ayut gave his brother a playful smack. "Do you want to die alone then?" It was not that he didn't know that his little brother was not even willing to try being in a relationship. But he got his hopes up after seeing his brother standing next to Sarth, looking like a lovely couple.

"Phi, we all are born alone, and we all die alone. All the relations we make when we live on the face of the earth are just fickle things that are not meant to last forever," Anwit preached like a saint.

Ayut grabbed Anwit's hand that was wrapped around his waist and threw it away before turning to the side with a huff.

"Ho, P' Yut, don't be mad at your baby na," Anwit made puppy eyes, a non-destructible weapon in front of which his brother's anger always knelt.

"I just want you to be happy, Wit," Ayut didn't turn around. He knew his brother. He knew that if he turned, his anger would fly away.

"I am happy, phi."

Ayut couldn't hold it and he turned around.

"Stop giving me that look, Phi."

"What look?"

"That look you always give me before telling the story of how dad decided to remarry after your mom died. I have heard that story more than a hundred times from you."

"Still, there is no change in your mentality."

"P' Yut. I am going to my room. Good night."

"Hey, didn't you say that you wanted to cuddle tonight?" Ayut asked as his brother got up from the bed.

"I don't want to anymore since you want to lecture me about the need for a relationship."

"I didn't lecture!"

"You will, if I stay here any longer. So, bye. Good night." Anwit blew his brother a kiss before skipping out of the room.