Brick by Brick (Bxb)

Chapter 12: A Change of Situation

The rain during this time of the year resembled more of shallow drizzles than a shower. Droplets of rain felt like a spray of light mist, gently wafting along with the wind, making the early morning much colder than it already was.

The university had a park area that was recently built in an effort to bring the staff and students closer to nature. Apparently, it should serve to rejuvenate the spirits of students who were constantly plagued by the stressful nature of their studies. On normal days, the park would be a fantastic gathering place for couples.

In a small pavilion by the pond, Terry stood there, staring out at the water surface in silence. The look that Ming Kai gave him earlier was one of shock, but to Terry, it meant more than that. It indicated the lost of trust. He betrayed his trust. He betrayed their friendship. Why did things have to turn out like this?

The wind picked up, and sprays of water blew into the pavilion, soaking him. Terry paid little attention to it. He didn't know when it happened, but warm tears started flowing like an open floodgate, mingling with the cold rain as it streamed down his cheeks.

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

Terry's sudden departure left Ming Kai at a loss. He wasn't sure how he should deal with this, now that the situation has progressed this far. 

He thought Terry was straight and was simply fooling around like usual. He thought wrong. What Terry did destroyed any and all forms of assumption Ming Kai previously had. He touched his lips, recalling how warm and soft Terry's kiss was. 

It left him desperately yearning for more. And then, there was the issue with Chen Yu Lin.

"Shit..." he muttered to himself.

Pushing aside those thoughts, he hurried out the door, only to find that Terry had already taken the elevator down. Ming Kai cursed and impatiently punched the button. When he arrived at the lobby, Terry was nowhere to be seen.

He scoured the entirety of the lobby, but it didn't seem like Terry was anywhere within the building. 

Ming Kai hastily ran out to the campus park, buffeted by freezing sprays of rainwater. Unconcerned by it, he reached the pavilion by the pond. The park was devoid of people, save the person he was looking for.

Terry noticed his arrival, but quickly averted his gaze from him.

Ming Kai said nothing as he sat himself down beside Terry and stared silently at the rain. The underwater lamps in the pond left the surface of the water scintillating like fragmented glass pieces of translucent gold.

"Hey..." Ming Kai was first to break the silence.

"Do you...like me?"

Silence ensued. 

Ming Kai didn't fail to notice how Terry had his back turned to him, hands trembling ever so slightly as he clutched at himself. He wasn't sure if it was due to the cold or the anxiety he was feeling.

"...I don't know. I'm not even sure of what's happening myself," he managed, his voice barely audible in the rain.

"I know I shouldn't have...but --" Terry stammered through each word. "But...I don't know why I'm feeling this way."

"I'm sorry..."

Terry held his breath, not daring to look at Ming Kai, bracing himself for the inevitable.

"I like you. Much more than I should a friend..."

"Please don't hate me." 

Terry lips were quivering, his voice sounded strangled as it left his mouth. It sounded so much more than a confession. It was a heartfelt plea.