Autumn is a second spring

107. Cousin

Prem let out a dramatic sigh, flopping against the park bench as he reached for Priya's bag. "Come on, Jie, just give it back already."

Priya smirked, holding the bag closer to her side. "No way, Bubbles. You are not getting your phone back until the end of the day. That is your punishment for making me wait for you for more than three whole hours. The staff there were looking at me so weirdly. It was so damn embarrassing!"

Prem groaned, tilting his head back in exasperation. "I already said I was sorry! I didn't mean to be late na, Jie. Bew called, and he was just so excited about his kindergarten's fest—I got caught up in the conversation and lost track of time."

"That is exactly why I am keeping your phone." Priya gave him a pointed look before reaching into her bag and switching off both of their phones. "No more distractions today. This is our phi-nong date, and I refuse to let you spend it glued to that screen."

With a deep, sulking sigh, Prem slumped next to her, crossing his arms like a petulant child. Priya giggled at his theatrics before dramatically sighing herself. "My Nong doesn't love me anymore."

Prem's head shot up, and in an instant, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. " That is not true, Jie! I love you very much na."

Priya laughed but pushed him away with a teasing grin. "You say that, but we both know you wouldn't be here listening to every word I say if I didn't have the rings with me."

Prem gave her a sheepish, toothy grin and then, without hesitation, laid his head down on her lap. "You are so shameless," Priya muttered, ruffling his hair.

"Only with you." He grinned up at her before sighing contently as she played with his hair. "So, what is next on your grand plan?"

"What do you mean?" Prem asked, confused.

"The proposal, dummy." She nudged his forehead lightly. "Now that you have gotten your hands on the rings, what is the plan?"

Prem let out a thoughtful hum. "I have a few ideas and references, but I haven't really decided how or when to do it. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Sorry I an anti-romantic," Priya sung. "I suck at romantic stuff."

He chuckled. "Me too. That's why I have been looking up references from the internet, movies, books... trying to find something that feels right."

Priya raised an eyebrow. "You are really going all out. Aren't you?"

He nodded, a soft smile gracing his lips. "I feel like it is worth it, Jie."

For a moment, Priya simply patted his head, letting the weight of his words settle between them. Then, almost hesitantly, she asked, "And what if Boun rejects you?"

The smile on Prem's face faltered for a brief second before he schooled his expression. 

Priya immediately realized how her words must have sounded and rushed to clarify. "I didn't mean it like that! I am not doubting Boun's love for you, but..." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I don't know him that well. We have only interacted a handful of times, so most of what I know about him is from you. And from what you have told me, he has some... commitment issues. So if he asks for more time or refuses to make it official instead of saying yes right away, what then? Have you thought of that probability? How will you react then?"

For a long moment, Prem was quiet, staring up at the sky as he processed her question. Then, in a composed but soft voice, he said, "I would be disappointed, obviously. But I can't say for sure how I would react. Maybe I would wait. Maybe I would decide to walk away. Surely, I would get a closure on where exactly our relationship is headed and figure out if we would have a future together. It would all depend on how he rejected me." 

Initially, he had all these fears controlling him from asking Boun to commit. But after talking to Fluke, he realized that if he waited for Boun to make a move instead of making a move himself, he might need to wait for a long time. 

He turned his head to look at Priya. "Either way, I am mentally prepared for it, Jie. I don't want to waste any more time wondering if Hia is serious about us or not."

Priya studied him, searching his face for any hint of hesitation. What she found instead was a quiet determination, an acceptance of all possible outcomes. But then, he let out a sigh. "The only person I am really worried about is Bew."

Priya tilted her head. "You really love that kid, don't you?"

Prem's expression softened instantly. "I do," he admitted without hesitation. "At first, I only took on the responsibility of raising him because of Hia. But then that little gremlin used his baby charm on me, and before I knew it, I was completely wrapped around his tiny fingers."

Priya smiled as Prem's entire demeanor changed. He started talking about Bew—about his antics, his little quirks, the way he giggled when he was excited, the way he pouted when he didn't get what he wanted. It was clear to her that this wasn't just about responsibility anymore. Bew was family to him.

She listened patiently, nodding along as he went on and on. When he finally stopped to take a breath, she chuckled. "I can't believe you are still the same Nong who used to hate kids so much. I still remember how you refused to come to parks with me because there would be children running around there. And now, look at you. You are raising a child of your own and you love that child as if he is you own. People do change in love."

Prem made a face. "I still hate kids, Jie."

Priya snorted. "Sure you do."

"I do!" He insisted. "Bew and Art are the only exceptions."

Priya just laughed, shaking her head. "You are hopeless."

Prem huffed, pouting slightly, but a small smile still tugged at the corner of his lips. Maybe he was hopeless. Maybe he was head over heels for the little family he had somehow built with Boun and Bew. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't as afraid of the future as he thought he'd be.