11:45 | MewGulf Fanfic

eighteen

- Gulf -

The Sports Fest went off without a hitch. Our team won several matches and everybody is happy about that. There were also other activities to enjoy but I was not able to attend them, because you know who I was with the whole day.

"Congrats, team. Though this is not a main event, you all did your best. I hope for the upcoming Traditional Football Match, you will give your best of best, okay? We never know, they might choose someone from you who will get the chance to train in the National Training Center and be part of the National Team. Do you want to be part of the National Team?"

"YES!!!"

"Yes!"

"Of course!!!"

"And because of the successful event, this will be my treat!"

The whole team went wild upon hearing the word treat, gorging themselves on everything that this restaurant has to offer. 

"Gulf, when will you resume training?" asked Pete.

"You better get back already, you need to work on those rusting muscles of yours." said Top.

"Of course, maybe tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. And for your information, I am not slacking off. I do stretching before going to bed." and  tossed a napa cabbage on his face.

"You look like nothing but a big slacker to me, thanks to your injured knee."

"And thanks to the reason why I got this." and stared daggers at Pete who's pretending to hear nothing.

A clapping from someone interrupted the joyous feast we are having. By the looks of him, he looks like around the age of our coach, wearing almost the same jersey except for the print it has on it. He stood right next to our coach and started yapping. 

"Sawasdee krub. I am the coach of the Faculty of Architcture. Thank you for giving us a good match although we have lost but it doesn't matter. You really are the best players in our university, thanks to your expert coach. Susu krub." 

I noticed everybody was clapping lifelessly, wearing a bored face. I think  this has something to do with what these two said earlier.

"Dirty players. Tch."

"Good match, your ass."

Indistinct chatter was heard but he doesn't seem to be bothered by it.

"You don't mind joining tables with us, do you?" Being the insensitive man he is who can't read the situation, he looked at us and then looked at our coach who I think is already pretty annoyed, asking for our permissions. Our coach doesn't look like he's close friends with this weird-looking guy but had agreed awkwardly just so not to get some misunderstandings.

The other team lifted their table and joint theirs with ours.

"Everybody, eat to your heart's content, okay?" the weird-looking guy-slash-coach said with an energy taller than him.

"I think our coach likes your coach." Someone from the Faculty of Architecture whispered, enough for the people around the table to hear, as he points at us with his chopsticks. 

Just like how the saying goes, "Curiosity kills a cat.", series of questions were thrown at that guy who started the rumor.

"How did you say so?"

"Just look at him."

Everybody looked at that weird-looking guy who follows our coach like a leech as he gets extra meat for us.

"I also heard that our coach--" 

"This is the reason why many teenagers are depressed, lately. Unstoppable as the virus, rumors spread, run by dirty mouths of brainless people."

A deep voice cut what this guy is saying which made everybody looked at him. It's New.

Everyone went silent and continued eating as if nothing happened before he arrived. New tries to take a seat while struggling himself because of, obviously, his sprained ankle. 

I was suddenly reminded of what I heard at the infirmary earlier. He's right. I should not believe anything I just heard from someone unreliable. Besides, he looks just fine. I mean, a different person from what the rumor claims him to be.

New is sitting next to the person opposite me that's why I can see him eat while his eyes stuck on his plate, barely talking.

"Gulf, can you hand me that?" said Pete while pointing on the Thai condiment near me using his pouted lips.

I was about to get the condiment when another hand also reaches for it. When I traced whose hand it was, there I saw New.

"Sorry, go ahead."

"No, go ahead."

"No, my friend can wait."

As I move the condiment to him, he will also move it back to me. We continued being childish like that until the next thing that happened made us stop. The condiment spilled on his shirt. He wasn't shocked, rather stayed calm as he tries to look for a napkin to wipe himself. Because of panic, I rose to my feet and searched for a napkin which Top immediately gave me. I hand him the napkin and wipes himself.

"Sorry. Sorry, I didn't mean to."

"No, it's okay."

I tried to help him clean himself. Everybody looked at the scene that we just made but immediately return to their businesses.

"Hey, Gulf, your phone is ringing. It's your P'."

I returned to my seat and saw the screen flashing P'Mew's name. 

Right. I forgot to text P'.

I immediately answered the call but I was too late because it already ended. Instead, a text arrived.

["Why are you with New?!"]

I was shocked as to how did he know I was with New. But hey, I am with both the Faculty of Architecture and Sports Science, not just him alone.

I looked around to see if he's already here since I have mentioned it to him before going here but he's not here.

My jaw dropped when I saw the next message he sent. It was a photo of New and me while wiping off the stain on his shirt. 

Who the hell sent this to P'???

I looked around to find the man behind this and I am pretty sure he's right with us, hiding. But there's no suspicious one here.

"I hope P'Mew is alright. What do you think?" While busy looking around, I heard Pete's voice. Why is he talking about my P'Mew? There's no way he'll be alright after seeing this. I am good as a dead meat now. 

"I hope so." This time, I heard Top's voice.

"Hey, why are you suddenly talking about P'Mew? Did he see it? Please tell me no." 

Confused, Pete and Top looked at me like I am going nuts.

"What are you saying? We're not talking about your P'. We're talking about the new porno that this-- What's your name, again? Right. That this Dim sells. Shall I reserve you some? Just shhhh. Okay?"

I waited a few seconds to see if Top would take back what he said but I heard nothing. They are still doing some illegal business down there. 

Huh? Did I misheard them, again? Is there something wrong with my hearing lately?

The ringing of my phone broke my thoughts and immediately reminded me of P'Mew seeing that damn photo.

["Leave that damn place now. I'm here outside."]

"Sorry, guys. But I really have to go now. Thank you, coach, for the dinner." I heard them say good bye, too, but I already rushed out of the restaurant.

As soon as I reached outside, I saw P' leaning against his car, looking so serious.

"Let's go. We still have to buy your toiletries." P'Mew said coldly.

***

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