Cosmos Loved Him...

Part 4

"Thank you," said Tine fidgeting with his ice cream in his hand. They were currently enjoying the ice cream on a serene night and the cold breeze. Tine hasn't spoken a single word after they left the restaurant. The surgeon also didn't want to invade his privacy so he gave Tine his space.

"What for?" asked Sarawat tilting his head towards the sad boy and honestly, he didn't like the face.

"For not trying to be my hero," said Tine still looking down and not able to meet the surgeon's gaze. He just couldn't.

Sarawat just shook his head to Tine looking back straight, "Why should I be? I mean, what are you? A damsel in distress? I think you are capable enough to handle your own fights, you don't need me or anyone to fight them for you,"

Tine for the first time looked up tilting his head to the surgeon and the surgeon looked back. Their eyes met and the knot in Tine's stomach untangled a little, there was no pity or sorry, there was just... concern and something else which he couldn't point out but something tugged at Tine's heart on what the surgeon said.

People in Tine's life either gave him tears or tried to lecture him or tried to protect him like he was a child who needed direction. Honestly, Tine was expecting the same from the surgeon too, but he surprised him, for the first time someone made Tine feel like he was enough, he was capable, he was strong and he could handle things life throws at him. Was Cosmos really that happy with Tine that they sent the surgeon to him?

"Thank you," mumbled Tine, and Sarawat this time didn't ask 'what for', because somewhere he knew what it was for. They didn't talk much after that, Sarawat just wanted Tine to know that he was here, and would always be from now onwards. They just had their ice cream in a comfortable silence and Sarawat noticed from the corner of his eyes, that he saw Tine's lips curling upwards changing into a smile in the end and that was enough for him.

He dropped Tine home, they exchanged their numbers and yes, that wasn't just the dinner, they met again and again and again, getting to know each other better. Tine didn't realize when his crush turned into liking the Surgeon or maybe more, maybe it was love, but it did. And when it dawned on Tine it was too late to turn back.

------------

"So, when are you planning to tell him?" Asked Earn. They were in Tine's condo working on a new song.

"Umm, how about... never?" said Tine in a serious tone and Pear looked at him and then at her girlfriend who was also confused.

"What do you mean by never," asked Pear trying to understand what was going on in Tine's mind.

"I don't want to spoil what's between us, I'm happy whatever it is," said Tine trying to work on the notes.

"But you like him, don't you?" asked Earn and Tine smiled, The surgeon's handsome face flashed in front of his eyes and he looked on dreamily.

"Like? I'm way ahead than that, girls," said Tine. The girls looked at each other with their eyes wide open when the realization hit them.

"Tine?" said Pear in a sweet and a low voice understanding where Tine is coming from.

"It's okay, I'm fine, I'm happy and content wherever our friendship or whatever we can call this... my crush?" said Tine shaking his head with a smile. "You want me to confess and push him away? The one thing I have, where I can go whenever without being judged?"

"But what if, he likes you too? We have seen the way he looks at you," said Pear to make him understand that his feelings were not one-sided.

"Now you are bluffing," said Tine not believing her. Honestly, he believed her, but being in denial is what helped him protect his heart from breaking.