--------------------------Mew's POV-----------------------------

I almost  told him the truth when he asked me that question, I don't know where did that OCD came from but I guess he saw it like that, I was surprised to see that he was very understanding and didn't even make fun of me, instead, he even started cleaning around and keeping it neat around the apt, he would even clean and dry the bathtub after using it

"I'm going shopping and will walk the dog, do you need anything?" he asked while I was in my office some time after noon

"it's fine, I will go out later"

"just tell me, I can see that you are so busy with all the modification and reports you're making" he said pointing at the hundreds of papers around me

"can you buy me some cherry tomatoes and avocado and a pack of brown sugar, I will get you the money"

"you can pay me later, I'm going now"

"thank you" I watched him taking chopper and walking out then got back to work, it's been only 4 months since we started living together and we already can talk this much, I'm so surprised at myself for accepting his help and talking to him, this never happened before, I always ignored people, maybe because seeing him doing his best at work and taking care of the kids made me relax a bit

Talking about the children, the twins started calling me lately, like coming to my room and telling me "uncle Mew, breakfast is ready" each time one of them come to me, they also greet me and ask me a few questions about chopper, honestly, I didn't feel tensed or avoided them, I guess young children are an exception... During breakfast and dinner, Gulf would start random topic to talk about

"P' Mew, is there any close cinema around here?" he asked while eating

"cinema? I don't think so, I believe the closest one is 20 min away by car"

"too bad, there is an amazing movie that just came out and I wanted to go see it"

"uncle, I want to see movie!" Nin said

"me too!" Gulf smiled

"every time I take you two, I end up watching a cartoon movie at the cinema but I guess it can't be helped, let's go this Sunday, do you want to come too?" he asked

"you know that I can't, anyway, why don't you watch your movie meanwhile?" I asked wanting to change the topic about me

"I can't leave them alone in the cinema and my movie is a horror one, it's fine, I will wait until it is uploaded online, btw, speaking about movies what's your favorite?"

"mystery and action"

"that's an interesting choice, do you have any recommendation?"

"there is the new one called 'Enola Holmes' about Sherlock Holmes's sister (it exist and it's a great movie for those who like mysteries ^^)"

"that sound great, anything that has Holmes in it is already interesting, I will give it a try later" he looked excited, it's always like this, he drives me to speak, asking me all kind of questions yet he never asked me about my life, not about my childhood or family or even about my work, I'm sure he prepared all those topics beforehand to make me talk more, I'm grateful for him for doing this much but why?

"why are you helping me?" I asked one night after he put the kids to sleep, he came to ask a few things about the project and I took the chance to ask him

"because I want to, I don't know, I just want to help you and become good friends with you"

"just that?" he thought for a while then I noticed a small sorrowful weak smile appearing on his face as he glanced to me

"during the last few months I spent in Japan, I went through terrible things that did hurt me lot which is why I decided to come back to Thailand yet I couldn't help thinking about all the bad things all day... however, since I started helping you, I found myself feeling better only focusing on my current life with you and the twins, but I also really want to help you to become better" I saw a genuine sad look and dejected expression, I didn't know what to say

"was I a bother to you? Did I do smth wrong?" he asked looking worried

"no, I should be thanking you, I'm grateful that you are understanding and doing this much for someone like"

"don't say that! It's not your fault, it's all because of the phobia that you had to leave alone and push people away from you, right now, you are doing great and I'm sure you will be fine in no time" he looked so serious while I was so speechless, somehow he just made me feel so hopeful and that I will really be cured

"it's Haphephobia" I uttered watching him getting confused

"huh? Ha-haphe what?"

"I have Haphephobia, the fear of being touched or touching other people, it's not OCD nor Germophobia so stop exhausting yourself with cleaning all day for me" he was stunned starring at me for a while, I was expecting him to ask me how I got it

"I'm sure you will be fine, you already took the first step and started to have more contact with others more than before, you even started greeting other neighbors, it's already a huge change for you" he smiled widely encouraging me

"you are very weird"

"I prefer to be called unique, anyway, I should go back to work, thank you for being honest with me, good night" he said and walked out, it's the first time I told someone about my phobia and he just smiled and didn't ask anything, my father's words were true, having Gulf as my housemate is a golden chance for me to change, I didn't even notice that I started greeting other neighbors, I always hated myself for having this phobia, of course, trusting people is another subject but at least I want to enjoy a normal life without being hated by everyone and stopping my father from being worried all the time

"I wish I could touch Gulf" for the first time in so many years I wished to be able to touch someone, I at least want shake hands with him and really thank him for encouraging me and helping all this time.

*****************************************

One day, just as I went out of my office, the front door opened as Gulf and the twins came in, it was around 5:30 pm, I noticed that Nit was crying and Gulf was a bit angry while Nin was looking sad and worried staring at them

"I'm sorry uncle!" Nit said

"don't even do that again! Look at your sister, she was so worried about you and even cried and tried to ran after you" Gulf half-yelled on him, it's my first time seeing him angry

"I'm sorry uncle, Nin" the sister hugged her brother

"what's going on?" I asked walking toward them

"Nit sneaked out of the kindergarten and went in a dangerous place of the near forest, the place was full of insects and bugs not to mention that there was a small cliff up ahead, luckily I arrived early and Nin told me where he went"

"that was dangerous Nit, the near forest also have big scary bears and snakes too"

"bears and snakes?" he looked shocked

"yes, if you go there alone, you will never see Nin or your uncle again"

"I don't want that" he looked really scared holding his sister's hand

"so don't do it again and always listen to your teacher and uncle"

"I'm sorry" Nin patted on her crying brother's head, it's really nice to have siblings

"come on you must take a bath now"

"me too!" Nin said as they walked toward their room

"thanks P' Mew, I guess he is at the age of wanting to discover and see new things"

"he is a brave adventurous boy"

"just like his mother" Gulf said with a happy-sad look catching up to them, I really wonder what happened to the twins parents? My question was answered that same night, it was around 10 pm when I felt thirsty and went to get some water, just when I got out, I saw Nin running toward me with tears falling down, she was sobbing in her pajamas, she reached with her small hand holding into my pants, I was shocked for a moment, no one touched me for years but the fact that she was only a little kid made me accept it a little

"my brother... Nit..." she said pointing to her room, confused I followed her, I was shocked when I found Nit whimpering and breathing heavily, I kneeled placing my hand on his forehead, he had a very high fever, he was in so much pain and I got really worried

"what about your uncle?!" I asked her but she cried shaking her head

"uncle doesn't wake up" I ran toward Gulf's room to find him sleeping facing the wall

"hey, Gulf, wake up, Nit is very sick, wake up!" I called out to him but to no avail, just when I got quiet, I managed to hear heavy breathing, unconsciously I reached placing my hand on his shoulder and turning him to face me, my eyes got really wide when I saw him suffering just like Nit, his face was so red with sweat sliding down his neck, I got really worried that I didn't realize that I was shaking him and checking his fever that was even higher than his nephew

"Gulf! Gulf! Wake up!" I got scared and my mind went blank, I didn't know what to do, suddenly Nin came holding Gulf's phone

"doctor, uncle Mew, doctor" she stood with tears in her eyes handing me the phone, I need to calm down, I took the phone and patted on her head then quickly called for an ambulance who took both of them to the hospital, I helped Nin wear a coat and we caught up to them

"infection?" I asked after hearing what the doctor said

"yeah, luckily it wasn't life threatening but it was really bad especially for Nit who is still young, I just don't understand how did they get it" I thought for a while

"ah, today Gulf told me that Nit went into the close forest, there is many insects there so..."

"that explain it, well we gave them fever reducers and an antibiotic waiting for their test results to come out to better identify the infection and give them the right medicine, they need to stay here for tonight, don't worry they will be fine" I felt so relieved hearing that, Nin held me who didn't understand a thing, I kneeled facing her

"don't worry, they will be fine"

"really?" I smiled patting on her head

"yes" she smiled cutely and jumped hugging me

"you must have been so worried about your husband and son but don't worry, with the right medicine they will get better in no time" I stood up with Nin in my hands blinking

"hu-husband? Son?"

"Gulf is your husband and the twins are your kids right? Anyway, please head to the reception to fill some papers"

"no wait, he is not my husband" the female doctor smiled

"you don't have to be shy and hide it, special couples like you are accepted all around the world nowadays"

"huh? No really we ar-" just when I was trying to explain a nurse came in and asked her to check on another patient, she smiled and then went out, I stood there not understand what just happened

"uncle Mew?" Nin's voice got me back to reality

"well, let's check on them before going back" after filling all the papers and forms, I started walking toward their room when I noticed another room name tag 'KANAWUT'

"huh? Isn't this the same surname as Gulf?" I asked myself in a low voice

"I was surprised too when Gulf came here in an ambulance, I got worried for a moment thinking that he also may had gotten into an accident" the same female doctor from before walked up to me

"accident?"

"yeah, as you know, his sister and her husband accident was very bad and they have been in a coma for almost 10 months now, Gulf came visiting twice every week, he is the only family they have here" I was shocked looking through the small window of the room's door, I could see two people laying down them in a dim light

"he is an amazing person, he told me that he is taking care of the couple's kids and also working as an interior designer, even though he is busy he never skipped one visit since he came to Thailand, honestly, I feel so helpless as a doctor, I really hope they wake up soon" I glanced down to Nin who looked confused, now I understand why he lied to them

"I hope so too" I said looking to the couple

"well I'm glad Gulf isn't alone and has a handsome and caring husband"

"like I said I'm not hi-" I tried to say but was interrupted by her ringing phone she excused herself and walked away, I sighed in defeat and went to Gulf's and Nit's room, they were sleeping, they looked a bit better than before but they were very pale, Nin stood by her brother's bed slowly patting on his hand

"come on Nin, let's go back home today and we will come back tomorrow morning" she nodded and came closer holding my hand with her tiny hand.

After being calm, I realized that I was touching Nin and holding her and even let her sleep with me on the same bed, I also remembered that I actually touched Gulf, honestly couldn't stop myself from shivering remembering that but I'm glad I didn't get a panic attack or fainted at that time or it could have been worst, besides, touching Nin didn't feel bad at all, will I be fine? At this rate, Will I be cured? Can my wish come true? I hope so, I really want to thank Gulf...