Parallel Love

6.

“I told you this is not going to work. Look how he just behaved…..as if I was torturing him.”
Off took himself to his bedroom and fell down on his knees. His strength had left him not because he was physically exhausted by walking all the way back home but because he was mentally exhausted as he was struggling with his own mind.

“I’m sorry P’Off” Rome put his hand on Off’s shoulders as he didn’t know how to comfort him.

“Don’t apologize Rome.It’s not your fault” Off clasped Rome’s little hand in his own. 

He felt strange. Rome looked the same as Gun but he cared for him more than Gun did. But Off had entrusted his love to Gun and no matter how hard he tried he cannot love another even if the other was an exact copy of his lover.   Off knew he loved Gun, after whatever happened, he loved Gun still the more. 

After a few minutes of silence, Off’s maturity took over. “It’s funny in a way that I confessed to him just the way you wanted me to.”

“No you didn’t. You said you REALLY like him” Rome said getting on with the change of the tone of conversation. 

Off looked questioningly at him as he couldn’t understand the difference it made.

For Rome, it did make a difference. With all that happened, the way Off spoke not only with words but with actions so sincere, Rome understood what he had to do. He had to clear whatever that obscured Gun’s mind because he was pretty sure that Gun retreated not because he was incapable of loving Off but because he feared that possibility.

Rome was mischievous that it was almost impossible for him to not to meddle in OffGun affairs. He thought innocently that it was an absolute necessity.  That’s why he slowly slipped away with Off’s phone after Off had fallen asleep too tired to notice anything.

“When you need help, remember to call the vocalist” Rome whispered with a smug on his face. He dialed Off’s peng as he got used to Off calling Tay almost all the time as it was a must in his routine. Tay shuddered at the new voice talking with him from his Peng’s phone. Nevertheless, he drove to Off’s residence despite the odd hour  as he judged it was an emergency. It was not an emergency as the sort Tay imagined but he couldn’t help but gasp when he saw Gun’s look alike too casually explaining everything that happened.
   
“I can’t believe it. Off kept a secret from me…from me” In Tay’s eyes Off had committed grave sin and that was irredeemable.
  “P’Tay, focus” Poor Rome was jumping up and down to get Tay’s attention. He even had to stop Tay from walking to Off’s room, wake him up and demand an apology that seemed necessary to preserve their friendship.

“P’Tay, I need your help. Please listen” Rome dragged the sleeve of Tay’s tshirt. This time Tay calmed down a bit.

“We need to help P’Off and Gun. P’Off is head over heels for Gun. And I don’t think Mark can be trusted.” Rome went on to explain with bits and pieces of information and he himself was uncertain that Tay would really help him.

“ I don’t think Mark can be trusted either.” Rome was surprised to listen to those words uttered by Tay.

Tay was observant, though he seemed to entertain others with silly jokes all the time, he was a shrewd person. He hated the way Mark bossed around everyone and especially with Gun. He could see an inexplicable hatred in the eyes of Mark towards Off that every time Off was around, Mark would go on to make spiteful remarks. He knew very well that Off endured that treatment only because of Gun.  He also guessed why Off was so lenient towards Gun.

Tay listened patiently to what Rome had in mind.
“I’ll do what I can. Let’s hope this turns out well” Tay said with seriousness. 

“Thank you P’Tay” Rome felt grateful as he found another person who can be trusted. As Tay took his leave, Rome was having one of his nostalgic episodes.

“I’m sorry P’Pete” Rome murmured to Tay’s leaving figure.  This was one of the things left unspoken and Rome regretted it deeply. 

Flashback

“You’re all the same. You want to justify his wrongful behavior.” Rome accusingly pointed his finger at Pete. He was in rage. He didn’t want to listen to Pete’s explanations.

“Can you just listen to me for a while? Pick can never ever think of doing that. He loves you too much to even think about doing such a thing.” Pete confronted Rome, obstructing his way as soon as he felt Rome wanted to walk away.

“He loves me? Don’t make me laugh.” Rome’s mocking tone angered Pete but he didn’t want to lose his composure for the sake of his friend.

“Yeah, he loves you too dearly. If you can just open your eyes, you will see it yourself.” 

Rome pushed Pete away as he felt Pete was being annoying and walked away without listening to Pete’s desperate entreats.

Flashback End