Chapter 14

Top was running inside the airport. Tried to search for Fire. He sometimes looked at his watch. It's almost nine.

Suddenly he heard the announcement for the flight to France. According to Ice, Fire's flight will be on nine.

Am I too late?

Top sat on the seat, feeling hopeless. He grabbed his hair with both hands.

"Damn, it!"

"What are doing here? Sitting like a fool."

Top looked up. A familiar face greets his vision. Top immediately rise up and hugged the boy.

"Fire."

Fire was startled by the sudden act of Top.

"What are you doing, bastard?"

"Hugging you."

"Without permission?"

Top let the boy go and pulled him to sit. He stared at him. "Why you didn't tell me that you're leaving today? You didn't reply or call me back. Also, shouldn't you already leave now?"

"My flight will be on 11am. It's a last minute plan. I wasn't exactly
supposed to go back today.", Fire replied.

Top furrowed. But Ice told him....

Damn you Ice!

"Why?", Top asked. He's really curious. Why all of a sudden?

"Because I fell in love with a guy who I suppose not to fall with.", Fire said, calmly. He smiled while looking at Top.

"So, you're running away from him?", Top asked.

"Urm. Before it is too late and before the feelings getting deeper, I should avoid it quickly. Don't you think so?"

Top didn't replied. He stared at the boy's eyes. They're full of pain. He can see the tears started to fill up in his eyes. He pulled the boy in his arms, hugging him tightly.

"I'm gonna miss you. Come back safely.", Top whispered.

"I will.", Fire said.

Stupid Top!

He started to cry. It's really a one sided love. Fire took the doll that Top bought for him. He hold it for a while before give it to him.

"In case you miss me. You can always look at it. You said it reminds you of me.", Fire said. Top slowly take it.

"I'll keep it until you come back.", Top replied.

"Er. Please take care of my brother for me. You, don't always go around with girls. Try find someone that you want to keep the rest of your life.", Fire said.

"Count on me."

Fire smiled. Maybe this is the end for both of them. They maybe only stay as  phi-nong and nothing is more. That's it. They stay together until Fire flight finally announced.

"Take care, Fire.", Top said. He was holding the boy's hand tightly as if he didn't want to let go.

"You take care too, phi Top.", Fire said. He chuckled, feeling awkward to address the guy 'phi'.

Top smiled. He ruffles the boy's hair then patted him dearly. Fire stunned. Will he get a pat like this again in the future?

"I should go."

Top nodded. He finally let go of Fire's hand. He watched Fire walked away until he dissapeared. Suddenly Top felt something's just missing from his body. Something gone empty. What is it? Why he can't figure it out? All he can do is holding the doll tight and sighed heavily.

What is it?

On Fire's point of view, he can't deny his feelings. Didn't know when it's started, but he's definitely sure he loves Top. Fire couldn't dare to look back. He will definitely burst out if he looked at the guy for the last time. Fire hold his tears until he get on his seat, he finally cried.

Why love has to be so complicated?

<>

"Are you serious phi?", Ice asked Aim.

"Yes. You got the first place. Here's the form. You can fill it. Just give it back to me when you're done. I'll hand it myself to the professor.", Aim said.

Ice stared at the form Aim just gave. Even at this moment he still can't believe what he see and what he just heard. He won the competition and he got a full scholarship by the university for him to study in USA for fine art.

I won. Impossible.

It's been hours since Aim told him that he won the first place. That's not thing actually. What concerned him now was, about the form that Aim gave him. He was offered to continue his study in fine art in USA with a full scholarship, for four years.

"Hey!"

Ice who was spacing out come back to his sense when Daw came and tapped his shoulder.

"What are you doing?", Daw asked.

Ice quickly hid the paper between his book and file. He curved a smile and looked at Daw. He shook his head. Nervous.

"Let's go eat somewhere after classes. Want?", Daw asked.

Ice just nodded. Daw talk about some random things to Ice. Sometimes he will pull a joke to make Ice giggles. Daw smiled when he saw Ice happy. He patted Ice's head while looking at him dearly.

Ice take off the hand that was patting on his head. "Stop it. People are looking."

"So, what?", Daw asked and patted Ice's head again.

"Stop it!", Ice pushed the hand over and over.

Daw didn't bother and keep patting and caressing his head. Ice gave up and just let Daw pat his head. He just glare at Daw and sometimes slapped the guy's hand when they started moved somewhere else to tease him.

Daw would just laughed and pinched Ice's cheeks when he get mad. Ice just too cute to handle.

"You're cute. Want to tease more."

"Try if you dare.", Ice warned. Daw laughed and ruffles his hair.

<>

Daw stopped the car in front of the building. He sent Ice back to his condo after they're having dinner.

"Good night.", Daw said. Ice nodded.

Ice was about to open the door when Daw suddenly stopped him.

"Wait."

"What?"

Daw stared at Ice for a moment. "You should go."

Ice furrowed.

"I know you won the competition and you get to study abroad.", Daw said. "Your senior told me."

Ice sighed. He really can't hide it from Daw.

"I know you've been thinking about it all day. It's a great opportunity, Ice. You can study more there. You shouldn't waste it.", Daw said.

"I've think about it.", Ice replied.

"So?"

"I don't know.", Ice sighed.

Daw smiled. He cares Ice hands. "I know you can make the best decision. Whatever it is, I know you've thought hard about it."

Ice slightly nod.

"But, before that. I don't know if you will go or not but, I'm not gonna waste the opportunity too. We're in a good mood now so before things get complicated I'll do it.", Daw said makes Ice furrowed his eyebrows. Confused with Daw's words.

Okay, he lost me.

"I don't want a regret later if I don't ask this to you right now. Before someone else does.", Daw said. He let out a nervous sigh.

"Ice. I know, and you know that I've been courting you for a month now.", Daw said. Ice started to feel nervous as he kinda get the clue to what Daw gonna said.

"This maybe not a romantic way but screw it.", Daw continued. "Ice, will you be my boyfriend?"

Ice was stunned. He blink a few times. Daw really asked him out right now.

"Be my boyfriend. I want to flirt with you without having thought that you're not fully mine. Without thinking about crossing the line. I want to flirt and love you freely. Holding your hands, kiss or even hugs you without hesitation.", Daw said in one breath.

Silence.

"Don't you afraid?", Ice asked. "Because I am. I'm afraid that, people around us will talk bad about you just because you're going out with someone like me."

"Because you're mute?", Daw asked. Ice didn't replied. "So what? What's the problem with that? I don't care if you're mute. I don't even care what people around us talking about me dating you. All I care is, you. And my feelings towards you."

Ice silent. He didn't know what to tell the guy. Even he's confused by his own feelings. How can he replied Daw right away?

Daw stared at Ice. He was a little hurt when he saw Ice didn't said anything.

"I am sorry.", Ice did a round motion on his chest with his hand clenched.

"Go."

Ice looked at Daw who didn't looked at him anymore. He saw the pain in Daw's face. Ice feels like he wanted to cry. Why? When he's the one who rejected him. So why? Why do he feels hurt when Daw asked him to leave?

Ice slowly open the car door. He slightly glance at the person besides him. Hoping that he will stop him and wish him at least a good night. But no. No wish or pat on his head like he usually do.

Ice close the car door and stand there without having any attention to move. Slowly the car moved and leave the place.

He didn't even waited for me to get inside. Did I really hurt his feelings?

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.
.
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After taking shower, Ice sat on his study table. He stared at the form Aim gave him. Almost and hour, thinking and scanning the piece of paper he finally grab a pen and started to fill in the form.

I'll go.