Court and Appeals (Sarawat x Tine)

Chapter II: Injunction

TINE

I rushed back into the hall even though my head felt loaded with all the alcohol. 

I've been here all night but I'm not missing this part of it. I mean come on, it took a long time for something from the greatest band ever – Scrubb. If you don't know them I urge you to give a listen. You won't regret it. Scrubb songs are the best. Even if it's just a cover, I'd hear the crap out of it. Somehow, if you listen to them you'll feel like you're being carried to the heavens. When you're in love, you'll be more in love. I'd be dishonest if I said that they didn't get me through hard times, especially during Law school and in my career. 

In fact, they were the ones who got me through every single heartbreak.

The band was pretty good. Not Scrubb-level good obviously but pretty good. I squinted and found Earn playing as part of the band. So this was her band then, CTRL+S was it? They were popular in campus then especially after making that music video, I remember. That time, Pear came to me tearfully. She could not take it anymore, and that day apologised to me. That was how I realised jealousy can sometimes get things done right, and of course get me autographs from Scrubb.

Anyhow, I heard from Earn that they still found time to play together despite their busy lives. Well, most of them, I guess. She mentioned before that the guy she got paired up with in the video worked outside the country. I think his name was Salawat? Sarawat? Something like that. He caused a lot of trouble, you know? Back then, girls I'm interested in would always end up looking at him. Not going to lie though, he's extremely good looking, and rather talented. I've seen him during my days as a cheerleader, and on stage with CTRL+S. The attention was honestly warranted. Too bad he's so detached from life and has pretty much declared war against human interaction. No Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. The only way to reach him apparently was to send an e-mail. I once almost did because of Ohm's crazy idea to get him to pretend to be my boyfriend but thankfully, we found P'Dim before that could happen. Things would have been such a mess.

As I was enjoying the song and run through memories, an amusing coincidence unfolds. I turn my gaze to the main guitarist. I haven't seen him in a while but I still recognise him from afar. He looked so tired, but he plays his instrument as skillful as ever. The song reached its finale, the audience asks for more. Instead of declining politely though, this guy starts to bend down and reach for the jack. Ah, he seemed like the cocky type anyway.

But for a second, his eyes meet mine then. In that instant, it seemed like all the fatigue melted from his face. He stares, gets up, and starts singing. My chest felt funny and my head, light. Joyful notes engulfed the hall. In the moment, it seemed like he was longing for me. A crazy thought, right? I blame the wine.

He alighted the stage to be met with fervor. I thought I should commend him. The playing was full of warmth and feeling. It got me fixated that I didn't even realise where my eyes lingered, until he was right in front of me.

It took a few beats to break my trance. 

Bluntly he said, "Keep looking at me like that, and I'll kiss you until you drop".

I was taken aback as this bastard left abruptly.

SARAWAT

Eleven years. Eleven maddening years since that day.

I was approaching him, with my chest rumbling so intensely. But again, unreadiness kept me at bay. I've introduced myself to dignitaries, heads of state, royals, you name it. And yet, my brain decides to stop functioning when I needed it the most.  At last after a decade and the first thing I say, out of the many things: "Keep looking at me like that, and I'll kiss you until you drop".

I panicked and left. FUCKING HELL WAT.

I fumbled out before I can embarrass myself further. I pick up my phone to make a call.

"I've found him!", I exclaim with glee.

"Huh? Who?", the barely awake voice on the other line says

"The one I like!"

"No way? You mean still the one from high school?"

"YES! EXACTLY! HIM. He's here at P'Dim's wedding!"

"Uhh... congratulations I guess?"

"But Man, I just told him I'll kiss him until he drops"

"Damn you, Ai'Wat! Years of refusing to talk to people unless it is work. See, this is exactly what I thought would have happened. Sometimes you just really- arghhh"

I groaned. He was right.

"Give me a break, Man"

"Huh. So now what will you do?"

"I'll tell Boss tomorrow. He has a match on tonight."

Truthfully, my mind was a blank slate. What will I do? I thought about it after hanging up my call. Maybe I should say sorry then? I didn't even mean what I said, although I would gladly do it if he let me. I walked back into the hall, with my eyes darting around to spot my band at a table. I sit in one of the empty chairs, beside this guy who clearly had more than he could take. Earn and Pear pull up beside him.

"Should we take a cab home then?", Earn asked

"I think so. But we can't leave this guy here. I mean, it's dangerous at this hour and he brought his car.", Pear responded in a worried tone.

"Hey Wat. Do you drive?", Earn directed to me

I raise my eyebrows and respond, "Yeah, why?"

"Our dumbass friend", she responded pointing to the passed out, obviously alcohol-laced guy with his head down on the table.

"Ah, you want me to take his car and get him home? Will he be fine with that?"

"It's good. This happened a lot before when we were in University. Years of being a lawyer and Tine can't even hold his drink"

Tine, a cute name, I thought. Too bad this guy is too pissed.

"Ah, such a nuisance", I say softly, "Why don't you just call his girlfriend?"

"Puh-lease. It's been years since he's had one."

I am knackered. I want to go to bed but Earn is not having any of it. Not her fault though, she just finished a project in Singapore so I guess she's just as exhausted as I am. Besides, it's been a few months since she last saw Pear, so I'd give it to her.

"Fine, but both of you owe me", I grumble as I give in.

She hands me his car keys, "Great! I'll send you his address. He drives a White Mercedes Benz. It's the only one parked right below the Mango tree."

I try to wake him up and he swats my hand away. Geez. Why is he making this hard? It's a good thing this fellow smells good, and not like alcohol or vomit like most drunk people do.

I shake his shoulder again, "Tine. I'm taking you home."

This time he looks up, "SARALEO!", and suddenly the world is in slow motion.

So. His name is Tine. Absolutely breathtaking.

He crashes onto my fluttering chest. Damn. So adorable. This night got a lot better. I pat his head, thread my fingers gently through his soft hair. It's embarrassing but this was my dreams, and in my fantasies. My fingers run through his spine and confirm it myself: it's real. He is here, with me.

And Earn, I owe you a big one.