Brute

Part 19

Nine

I was delaying to go home. Not because there's an extra work to be done. Not because there's another meeting to attend. He had confessed last night. A confession that I could only reply with a smile and soothing rub to his hands. He had looked dejected for a bit, my silence on the matter must had made him felt rejected. Jay had already asked me to reconsider my decision to not have any attachment other than friendship with Joong. But, I knew how big a l lie was that, when all I want to do is to be with him; for better or for worse. Joong's attachment to me was borderline possessive. That's why in Uni my friends gave up to spend time together; because they knew that Joong would already wait for me every time. Did I feel trap? Not really. More than feeling trapped, I wanted to shower him with whatever soft touch lacking in his life; whenever he was with me. Maybe, my nurturing did play a part that made him become too attached. 

It was already two hours past the end of work time, I couldn't delay in going home anymore, the teacher who would close the gate, would come in a few minutes. I put my things in my bag and walked to the front gate. To my surprise, Joong was already there, sitting on a boulder under the hot sun. My mouth hung open. He stood up when he saw me, his face devoid of any emotion. 

"How...how long had you been waiting?", I asked feeling a little guilty.

"Two hours", Joong answered back, without any expression on his face.

"Why didn't you come in to ask anyone to call for me?", I asked, even when I could guess his answer. 

"Well, maybe I could tell when someone was avoiding me. It's not something new, right? Been there, experienced that when we were younger", he said without looking mad, but I  could really tell he was hurt. 

I moved closer and readily hugged him. Joong didn't hug me back. I closed my eyes in regret, and pulled back, "Joong, I am sorry. I'm not avoiding you, I needed a little space to think", I said carefully, wanted him to understand my predicament. Before he could answer, the teacher, P'Sam that supposed to lock the gate came by and greeted us. 

"Oh, you are here again...you managed to find his house yesterday; now you also came to bring him home. Oyyy, Nine, who is this gentleman, you must tell me...", P'Sam teased me. I looked at Joong, wanted to tell P'Sam that he was my friend, but then knowing how fragile his feeling was right now, that answer could only make him feel worse. 

"I'm his friend, P'. Now, I am on a  vacation leave, so I came here to see Nine", Joong answered on my behalf and smiled to P'Sam. 

"Vacation leave? Then what are you doing here instead of going to a tourist place, nong...err.. what should I call you?"

"Joong, P'".

"There's nothing special to see here, nong Joong...", suddenly, P'Sam eyes darted between both of us, "or, maybe...I am wrong...right, Nine?", P'Sam teasing only caused my face to blush. Joong on the other hand just smirked and looked happy.   

"Oh, Nine, since the school might be closing in two months , why don't you show the place to Joong. Take some pictures for memories too. Here...the key, make sure you lock it afterwards, and you could give the key back to me, tomorrow", P' Sam handed the key over to me and said his goodbye. I gulped and hoped that Joong missed hearing the words that was spoken just now. But, of course, he was too sharp for that to happen.

"The school is closing? You never mention that to me? Is that on purpose or what? Are you planning to keep it a secret to run away from me again?", Joong asked a string of questions, and his face showed the bud of an anger. He must had felt that I would leave him again, and this time, there's no excuses to justify the act too. I was hesitating on how to answer them, but my silence had caused him to misunderstand further. "How many times do I have to be the one who keep chasing you, Nine? Jay said I was selfish. That I should respect your decision. But, can't you show some respect to my feeling too? If you wanted to leave, then just say it directly to my face, rather than doing it when I don't even have a chance to say anything", Joong said so brokenly, and turned to leave. I grabbed his wrist tight and was almost dragged along when he pulled his hand off from my hold.