Forget Me Not

Decisions in Doubt

After that uncanny incident, Sarawat and Tine strolled to another part of the park and saw children playing on the playground. Tine, finding them endearing, glanced at Sarawat. "Do you want kids?"

Sarawat, caught off guard by the sudden question, turned to Tine and saw his eager expression. "Right now? Because I'm not going to kidnap any of these kids off the street if that's what you're asking. Well, if you're really nice, I might..."

Tine laughed, adoring Sarawat and his silly antics. "That's exactly what I was asking!"

"Yeah, I do. I want everything with you," Sarawat replied, his smile genuine.

Tine smiled back, his cheeks flushing beneath the street lamp. Sarawat put his arm around him, and they continued walking. Suddenly, Sarawat remembered, "We can still make it to the concert?"

"Scrubb?"

Sarawat stared at him. "You betcha."

Tine was bemused and impressed. "Why are you so full of surprises?"

◇─◇──◇─◇

Sarawat was like a Jack-in-the-box; Tine never knew what to expect on their dates. It could be flirty banter, a hot make-out session, or a whirlwind adventure out of nowhere. Tine couldn't understand where Sarawat drew his inspiration, and he probably never would. Still, he never regretted giving their relationship a chance, a fact that became clear during a phone call with his brother one day.

Type was in another part of the city, sitting in a coffee shop with his phone to his ear, trying to maintain a poker face as his brother droned on about this "Sarawat" guy.

"I'm telling you he's nothing like Kyle," Tine argued, though Type hadn't said anything yet about the person he was dating. "He's spontaneous, witty, and so unexpected. You're going to love him, I swear!"

Type, understandably exhausted, sighed. "Didn't you say the same thing when you first met Kyle? All guys are the same at first. Live with them, and you'll be surprised at how much of a liar they can be."

"You talk like we're not guys..."

"I talk like this because we are guys and know exactly how it goes!"

Tine made a face on the other end of the line. "So, are you suggesting I live with him?"

Type almost choked on his mocha latte. "Oh, for heaven's sake! Just bring the guy this weekend, and I'll be the judge. Haven't you learned from experience? Why are you acting like you're knocking on something you've never experienced?"

"I wasn't knocking on anything! I just realized how much I missed in life after meeting Sarawat. I never felt this way with Kyle. Of course, I loved Kyle, but he was never this spontaneous or attentive to me. For years, I focused all my energy on him. Sarawat makes me feel like my needs matter. After he saved me from that mugger, we had an amazing night returning all the stolen things. I was ready to jump him, and he was so concerned about getting to the concert! Do you see what I'm saying?"

"Too good to be true," Type spat on the other end of the line. "This is why I must meet him at once. I don't trust your judgment."

"Dude! I made a mistake once," Tine countered. "Also, why are you trying to sound like some kind of expert or love guru? You told me yourself that you've never been in love. Every encounter you've had has been either dull or idiotic. Stop being such a mom!"

And that was how their conversation went. When it finally ended, Type was thankful yet still undecided about this person his younger brother was dating. He had known Tine to be a hopeless romantic, which probably had something to do with his love for regency romance and the Bridgerton series. But Type could no longer stay silent about his brother's dating shenanigans. Tine wasn't getting any younger, and if he wasted another moment of his life with a worthless guy, Type feared his brother would end up like him---a pilgrim!