Parallel Love

14.

The morning was much colourful in the beach resort.  The drizzle had swept away all the worries and troubles New had in his heart. He was suddenly feeling hopeful for some unknown reason.

All this while he was under an impression that love was something  he didn't need in his life, it didn't spark his interest.  It didn't force him to plunge into dangerous sea waves like erratic madmen who didn't give a damn about the future. Yet he had seen Off and Gun do exactly that. It thrilled his heart and he laughed at how exciting that scene looked.
These people were breaking all the walls he built around him for the past years and he wasn't complaining at all.

He was surveying the few occupied rooms in hope of finding his friends either idling or stuffing themselves with food.

But to his surprise, New discovered the love couples arguing over something in the beach. 

"Why aren't there enough people in this place?I just want to play beach volleyball'' Gun said as soon as he saw New approaching. 

"Let's play if you want to.'' New went to look for the ball and he started giving instructions.

"Arthit and Gun in my team. Off and Kongpob on the other.''

"That's not fair.'' Kongpob complained and New decidedly ignored it. He was the owner and he made the rules.

As it turned out, their team clearly struggled at playing the upper hand in this game. New's team was lagging behind as the other team despite the shortage of a player played remarkably well.

Off and Kongpob moved swiftly without letting the ball land on their side. They were athletic and determined unlike New's own team mates who loved bragging about how amazing their respective partners were.

To the annoyance of New, they were being ridiculed by their opponents.

"Seems like we are winning.'' Kongpob gave a high five to Off while smiling from ear to ear.

"That's it'' New shouted at his team mates.

" You two! use your skills'' He pointed at Arthit and Gun with a serious expression and emphasized each word with a lot of effort.

The next round changed the game. With the serving of the ball, Arthit directly gazed at Kongpob who fell victim to the wink passed at him.

Gun on the other hand pretended to get hurt to distract Off. 

It worked well. The ball landed on their side, while New rejoiced at them  winning a point.

"Hey that's cheating'' Off complained as he became aware of the trick played upon them.

"No. It means that both of you are so whipped.''
Gun pronounced aloud, sharing a smile with Arthit who was shaking his head in amusement.

"Why you little! '' Off jumped forward to catch his trickster who started taking off as soon as he sensed he was in danger.

Both were running like playful children on their school vacation. Off chasing Gun who ran like a honey badger, everything seemed so perfect at that moment. His feet touching the cool sand, the feel of the dry wind and the sound of the shimmering waters.

Gun slowed down a little, afterall Off can get easily tired as the old lion he was.

He waited till Off caught him around his waist lifting him in mid air a little. It was ticklish for Gun, but dared not to complain because it made him laugh with his whole heart.

He kept chanting Off's name and the name made his heart flutter.

"GUN" the voice had a reprimanding ring in it, had a power to destroy the happiness and innocence that pervaded the shore at that moment. Gun and Off, still holding each other close,  looked at the intruder who interrupted their world.

They met the angry gaze of Mark. Behind him stood Tay and Rome,  both sharing the same expression of nervousness and worry.

Before Off had time to react, Mark tore Gun away from him and forcibly led Gun follow him a few steps.

“Don’t hurt him.” When he came back to his senses, Off tried to stop Mark. At that moment, Off became aware of how ephemeral happiness was, his bubble of joy was destroyed cruelly.

Both looked into each other’s eyes, one was determinate and the other was simply enraged.

Gun tried to prevent each other from creating a scene but he became distracted as soon as his gaze fell upon Rome.

He squinted his eyes and then rubbed his eyes several times, finally came to a conclusion that his eyes weren’t deluding him.

“Rome…ROME” Everyone including Rome startled at the mention of his name.

Rome couldn’t believe his own ears because it was none other than Gun who uttered his name.