Love Stories Over A Cup Of Coffee

X. Opening Up

Mew ran as fast as he can to go to the University, but he was careful not to destroy the flowers he is holding. He knows that it's already late to show up but he still wanted to go to see Gulf who is graduating.

He has been busy all day shooting for a TV commercial that he almost forgot about Gulf's big event. Apple instructed him to do a big suprise, something that would wow the entire school. But Mew isn't up for things like that. He doesn't want to attract much attention.

But he blamed himself for not preparing enough. He only have with him a bouquet of flowers. He thought it's very lame. But also argued to himself that its better than nothing.

While waiting for the street light to turn green, he saw a man across the street, waving at him. He looked around him to be sure but he is the only person on the other side of the street at that time. When the light turned green, he continue on running but stopped when he realised who was waving at him, Prem.

Mew couldn't hide the smile on his face when he saw an old friend.

"P'Mew!!!" Prem greeted him with a hug. Mew hugged him back.

"What are you doing here?" Mew immediately asked Prem after releasing him from his hug.

"Today is my cousin's graduation, Phi. Actually I'm just waiting for him. We're going to the reception. Do you want to join us?" Prem asked.

Mew shook his head. "Thank you for the invitation but I have to meet someone."

Prem gave Mew a suspicious smile.

"It's not what you are thinking. It's a friend." Mew said in defense. Prem laughed.

"Ah, by the way, Phi, here." Prem handed Mew a red flash drive.

"What is this?"

"Well, since you were not able to attend the premier of my cousin's thesis, I begged him to give me a copy of it. I think you deserve to see it, after all, it's based on your story." Prem explained.

Mew was hesitant to accept it but Prem insisted. He was not able to do anything but to accept the flash drive.

"Aren't you going in?" Prem asked Mew when he noticed that Mew is taking some time staring at the flash drive.

Mew lookd at his watch and it's already 6 in the evening. He bid goodbye to Prem and hurridly ran towards the school's graduation hall.

When Mew opened the door, the hall is already dark and no one is in there.

"Ah, so I was late after all. I was not able to see him." He told himself while catching his breath.

When his breathing became stable, Mew decided to go deeper into the hall. He sat on one of the chairs and closed his eyes. He stayed like that for a while, trying to relax and tell himself that he can still meet and congratulate Gulf the next day.

Mew opened his eyes when he heard some noise. He looked around him but can't see anything as his eyes are still adjusting to the darkness.

"Phi, what are you doing here?" Mew heard someone say. It's Gulf. When his eyes finally adjusted to the dark, Mew saw Gulf on the aisle walking towards him, wearing his toga. 'He looks good' Mew thought to himself.

"Well, I came here to congratulate you." Mew said. He didn't know why but he felt a little bit shy. He stood up and handed Gulf the flowers.

Gulf was surprised. He did not expect Mew to give him something. He didn't expect him to be there. Or did he? Gulf knew for himseld thay he went back to the graduation just in case Mew will come and congratulate him. He did. And he is happy. Very happy to be exact.

"So, now that you graduated, what do you want to do?" Mew asked Gulf. They are now at the oval. Gulf said he doesn't have any graduation celebration that night because his parents are still abroad.

Mew decided to stay with him when he heard about it.

"Well, I don't know, Phi. I'm not yet certain as to what I really want to do in my life." A long pause. "But..."

Mew looked at Gulf, curious as to what he is about to say.

"But, right now, at this moment, I want to stay by your side." Gulf said with a smile.

Mew was shocked. 'There he goes again' he told himself.

"Well, you see, you were my first partner. I think that our partnership is great and that we should continue it for now." Gulf explained himself when he thinks that the silence between them started to become awkward.

Mew smiled. "I remember, you were the one who chose me."

Gulf just looked at Mew. Mew smiled.

"Nothing. Yes, we can still be partners even if the series has ended. We still have some couple events to do." Mew said.

Silence.

"I already said the reason why I chose you. And that will never change. And I will never exchange meeting you for anything." Gulf said out of the blue.

"Thank you, thank you for your kind words." Mew bit his lower lip. "And I'm sorry if there are time that...that..."

"You feel awkward?" Gulf finished his sentence. Mew nodded.

"No matter how I try not to, I always end up being awkward, especially after that interview." Mew explained. Gulf did not say a word. "I think, I haven't really moved on. It's really hard when scars aren't healed perfectly." Mew said, looking at the million of stars in the sky.

"You can always try, Phi. Don't worry. I'm patient and willing to wait until the day comes that you heal yourself." Gulf said, looking at the stars as well.

Mew smiled. He wanted to laugh because he knows that Gulf has the shortest patience among the people close to him.

"But," and then the smile faded instantly, "it's really hard. No matter what I do, I feel like I will be like this forever."

"You're just afraid, Phi." Mew looked at Gulf. "You're afraid that it might happen again."

Mew gave Gulf a sad smile. "I guess so."

Silence. Only the sound of insects and the shuffling leaves can be heard.

"But, I think your scars will never get healed of you continue on being afraid. You have to muster some courage and do it. If you become happy, isn't it good? And if you ended up being sad again, isn't it that nothing is permament?"

"You think so?" Mew asked Gulf. Mew may not see it, and Gulf may not have noticed but in Mew's face, there is only fodness for Gulf.

Gulf nodded. "I will be here, Phi. I may not be as good un acting as your previous partner, but I promise you, I will stay by your side as long as you want me to."

"As long as I want?" Mew asked, because this is new to him. He never heard this from anyone before.

Gulf nodded. "As long as you want me to be in yourlife, I will be there. Once the time comes that you don't want me anymore, I will leave but I will support you from afar."

"Why do you think like that?"

"Well, my rule of thumb is to respect other people's decisions in life. All I need is a good explanation." Gulf explained.

"You know what, I think, you think more maturely than I am." Mew said.

Gulf gave him the widest smile he cam give. "I think, being with someone who has been emotionally and psychologically traumatised helped me a lot to understand a lot of people better."

Mew couldn't helped himself, he reached out to Gulf's left cheek and caressed it. Gulf was a bit surprised but didn't moved. He just stared at Mew's face. When their eyes met, they both smiled at each other.

"Thank you, Gulf. Thank you for chosing me, thank you for waiting for me, and thank you for helping me to heal."