The Big Pretense

Chapter 13

A/N: The image above does not belong to me. It belongs to the person who uploaded it on the internet.

Gulf's POV

When I saw how P'Mew reacted to the scenario where Art was about to kiss Sandy, I was not prepared for the painful tightening in my chest. I perceived it right away to be the physical reaction to jealousy.

It also had taken me by surprise that without thinking I stood up to volunteer to be Podd's partner for the scenario that was supposed to be acted out. I have to acknowledge of course that the impulsive action had been spurred by my need to get back at P'Mew for hurting my feelings.

But the most surprising thing, the one that I had least expected, was my reaction to Podd's kiss. Never in a million years had I expected to enjoy any one else's kiss except P'Mew's.

I could tell that Podd was an experienced kisser. I could tell by the way he caressed my lips with his lips, coaxing a response from me which I could not deny.

I found myself kissing him back and wanting for the kiss to keep going. I was breathless and very much turned on by the time he ended the kiss.

After Mr. Siripool declared Art to be the best actor of the day and after he dismissed all of us, I quickly stood up from my seat with the intention of keeping myself holed up in my room for the rest of the day.

I had almost reached the door of my room when I felt my wrist being grabbed from behind.

"We need to talk," said P'Mew in a very harsh and cold tone.

"You realize that if we talk right now we will just end up fighting, right?" I stalled for time.

"Better to fight than to leave things unsettled," he countered.

"I refuse to fight with you right now," I said in as a firm a voice as I could manage.

"Okay," he decided to give in, "but I want you to tell me one thing before we part ways. Are you ending things with me? Are we officially over?"

"Is that what you want to do?" I countered. "Do you want to be free to renew your relationship with Art?"

His face darkened with anger at my accusation.

"How about I ask you this," he said coldly, "do you want to be free to pursue a new relationship with Podd? Don't deny that you enjoyed his kisses earlier."

I felt guilty at hearing the catch in his voice close to the end of his sentence.

I decided that it was time to be open with him.

"P'Mew," I said, looking him squarely in the eye, "I did what I did earlier because it hurt me to see you reacting to Art's anticipated kiss with Sandy."

Suddenly P'Mew burst into tears. 

"It was something that I did without thinking and I am very sorry about it. It was not because I felt jealousy at seeing Art getting ready to kiss Sandy or anything. It was a reflex which on hindsight was totally wrong of me and which I deeply regret doing. I promise it won't happen again. I swear I have no feelings for Art any more. You are the one I love deeply and I will go crazy if you were ever to leave me."

P'Mew had buried his face in his hands the whole time that he was speaking to me.

I debated whether I should also ask for forgiveness for kissing Podd. And then again I decided that for as long as he did not mention it again, we would just both forget about the whole thing.

I took hold of P'Mew's wrists and pulled his hands away from his face.

"Look at me P'Mew," I said, cupping his face with my own hands, "I love you, too, and I would never dream of replacing you with anyone. How about we just forget everything that happened earlier and start over?"

In response, P'Mew hugged me so tight that I could hardly breathe. 

When he let go, he said, "Let me fix you some lunch. You must be hungry by now."

"I would love for you to do that," I replied happily. "I'm not just hungry. I'm starving."

P'Mew took me by the hand and with light and happy steps, we made our way to the kitchen.

We were one step away from the entrance when we froze and stood rooted to our spot.

From where we stood, we could see Preeda and Podd locked in a passionate embrace.