When Worlds Collide (Taynew)

episode ✍️ 69

Tay quietly removed New’s shirt and pants, then returned with a damp towel to clean him up. After wiping him down, Tay dressed him in fresh clothes and laid down beside him. New mumbled in his sleep, “Tar, there's snow everywhere.” Tay smiled and whispered, “Dreaming of mountains, huh?” He gently rubbed New’s head, kissed his forehead, and wrapped his arms around him.

The next morning, everyone gathered in the dining room. Arm spoke up with a grin, “Dad, Uncle, Rose and I decided... I mean, we’ve decided to get married next week.”

New's mom blinked in surprise. “What? Next week? Why so suddenly? We need time to prepare! Why the rush?”

Arm scratched his head and explained, “Rose has to go abroad two weeks after, and she’ll be gone for a while. So we thought it’s best to marry fast. After that, she’ll go, and I’ll visit her sometimes. Once her work is done, she’ll come back.”

Arm dad nodded thoughtfully. “We support your decision, son, but what about the separation after marriage? Are you sure it will be okay?”

Arm smiled reassuringly. “It’s not really a separation, Dad. I’ll visit her abroad from time to time for work, and it’s only temporary. She’ll come back in five or six months, and then we’ll be together again.”

New's mom let out a deep breath. “Well you both decide, we’ll support it. But that means we’ve got a lot of preparing to do! Shopping, organizing... I’m excited but we’ll need to work hard!”

As everyone smiled, New sat quietly, clearly unhappy. Arm noticed and asked, “Newwie, what’s wrong with you? Why the mood?”

Everyone looked at New. He pouted and asked, “Are you not going to love me anymore after you get married?”

The room erupted in smiles. Arm laughed and said, “Who told you that? Just because I’m getting married doesn’t mean I won’t love you anymore.”

New crossed his arms. “But you said you’re going abroad with her. That means you’ll love her more than me.”

Tay chuckled, shaking his head. Sometimes, Tay would get a little jealous of the bond between New and Arm, especially when it was so playful.

Arm walked over and ruffled New’s hair. “Oh, Newwie, no one’s taking your place. You’ll always be my cute little brother, and I’ll love you for the rest of my life. That’s never going to change. But I think you don’t love me like before, now that you have Tay.”

New quickly protested, “That’s not true!”

Arm teased him, “Oh really? You don’t nag me to take you shopping anymore, or to college or anywhere. You always bring Tay. You didn’t even ask me to go with you your friend wedding. Feels like you stopped loving your brother.”

New, still pouting, turned to his mom. “Ma, see, he’s teasing me! I didn’t do anything wrong! when ever i asked him to go with me some where, he always says he’s busy, and Tar doesn’t always have time to bring me home or drive me to university. You used to drive me, don’t lie!”

The whole family burst into laughter again, while Tay sighed, clearly getting a little bored with the ongoing brotherly banter.

New’s mom smiled and said, “Oh, you two stop it now and eat. We’ve got so much work to do .”

New grinned mischievously. “I’m going to buy a lot of outfits and look way more handsome than you at your wedding. You’ll see!”

Arm raised an eyebrow, amused. “Oh, so you’re not upset anymore?”

New shook his head, his playful mood returning. “Nope! Besides, my sister-in-law loves me more than you! She always buys me chocolate, unlike you and Tar, who not let me eat any sweets.”