Not So Ordinary Love

Part 7. I Like You Too

"Mew! I'm happy to see you. If your mother didn't call, you wouldn't visit me, don't you?"

Mew smiled at his Uncle, before hugging the older man. "Happy Birthday, Uncle. I would have come sooner to visit but I've been busy"

The old man shakes his head, laughing, "I know very well why you are in the country anyway". The man glances at the people beside Mew.

"Oh, my bad. Sorry. This is Grace and Gulf". Mew introduces. They are at his maternal uncle's birthday party. His mom called the other day remining him and then told him to bring Grace as a date, of course he also brings Gulf.

"Grace and Gulf. I've heard the names before. The children of your mom's best friend? It's nice meeting you two. I actually met your mom a couple of times, back when my sister and your mom are younger and used to stick around together. Oh, I'm blabbering. Go on, Mew let them settle and eat"

Mew nodded and gently guided the siblings inside.

Grace excused herself for a while to go to the bathroom when they entered.

"Mew!"

Mew looks back and sees Tul, his cousin.

"Tul!"

Tul, "Finally! When did you arrived?"

Mew, "Just a while ago"

Tul laughs, "That's not what I mean"

Mew laugh as well, "Been here a couple of months"

Tul, "I see, staying longer this time"

Mew, "By the way, this is Gulf. Grace's younger brother. Grace is actually here, she just went to the rest room". He glances at the younger man. Tul extends his hand for a handshake that Gulf accepted courteously. "This is Tul, my cousin"

"Grace? Officially introducing her? Is it...finally?", Tul asked teasingly.

Gulf suddenly felt uncomfortable, so all of Mew's family knew about Grace, a lump form on his throat on the sudden pang he felt.

Mew coolly just tittered, playfully slapping Tul on the shoulder, "Quit it! Mom is handful already, don't add to it"

"There must still be a chance after all these years. Auntie is still not giving up, look at you coming yearly to the country"

Mew, "She's like a sister to me"

Tul laughs, "A sister...that's something new. Drawing the line this time? You used to tell people she's a friend"

Gulf clear his throat and Mew immediately reached out to him. "Are you ok? Need some water?", Mew raised his hand trying to call the attention of one of the party's service crew.

"No need. I'll go get it myself. Excuse me", Gulf nodded at Tul and walks towards the buffet table.

Mew's eyes follow the younger man and Tul couldn't help but notice, he eyes Mew suspiciously, the way Mew looks at the guy who just left is different. He has seen that before, long time ago, when Mew was still with Kao during their university years. 

Grace came back from the washroom and Mew reintroduced the two, he is not sure if Grace remembers Tul, the two have met before when Grace was still in high school. Tul stayed with them most of the time during the evening.

When it is time to go home, Tul tugged Mew in a corner.

"Mew, are you sure?", Tul asked concerned.

Mew looked at Tul and chuckled. Tul is his closest cousin, they are of the same age and they went to school together. Tul must have observed him through the night and noticed. He still tried to be subtle about how he feels especially if there are people around him and Gulf, not that he wanted to hide, but he still can see Gulf's hesitation and he wanted no one's intervention in this growing affection between them.

Tul, "It will surely cause an uproar, especially on your father's side. You are an only son"

"I'm still trying to win him. Beautiful isn't he?", Mew smiled throwing a glance at Gulf, ignoring Tul's worry.

Tul choked and stare at his cousin. He sighs, Mew is someone who is always sure of what he wanted and he can see how much Mew likes Gulf.

"I know why you are worried", Mew smiled at Tul reassuringly. "It will be fine"

Gulf and Grace were having a courtesy talk with Mew's Uncle. Gulf glances at Mew and Mew smiled at him, the latter dragged his cousin back and say goodbye to his Uncle, promising to visit again.

***

It's another evening when they decided to go out of their way and have dinner.

Mew chuckled and reached for a tissue wiping the corner of the younger's mouth. Gulf looks at Mew, he is now used of Mew's little touches like this and he honestly found it pleasing and Mew has never gone overboard on his touches.

Mew, "How was it in the office? You are almost done with your internship"

Gulf, "I never thought that it will be so tedious to create a new model. We are still researching on so many things. I'll probably won't be able to see the actual car. But it's good, I'm learning a lot of things"

Mew, "I'm glad to hear that. Sometimes it will took a year or more. We also need to monitor the market and see when it is the best to launch, we also need timing on this"

"I'm going to miss driving with you to and from the office", Mew continue.

Gulf chuckled, "As if we are not living in the same house"

Mew looks at Gulf and smile ruefully, "I will need to move out soon"

"Why? Are you going back home?", Gulf asked frowning, a sudden anxiety creep on him.

Mew titter, "Not yet", he exhales deeply, "Gulf, we've been spending the evening sleeping together in one room, at times on the same bed. I know where I stand and I can be patient about it, but I don't know until when I can last"

Gulf was taken a back at the sudden confession. Blushing, "Mew...that's a bit...."

Mew laughs, "It's normal for me to want to do that but I can't even hold you in my sleep... even like this when we are out, not being able to touch you as much as I want, it's hard for me already"

Mew looks at Gulf intently. His feelings for Gulf is deepening so fast that he is also surprised. There is nothing more that he wanted than for Gulf to feel the same way, he sometimes feel that the younger do, but always with reservation. Gulf is still unsure and he knew it, he didn't want to push him so much. In as much that it is all new to him, it is more for Gulf, but sometimes, it takes all of his will power to control himself from reaching out to Gulf or to be physically close to him.

Gulf scoff, "Fine. Let's date"

Mew choked on this food.

Gulf laughs and looks at Mew, a smile on his lips, eyebrow raised.