"So you're together with Gun now, huh Jaylerr," Mild said after their food was served. They were transferred to a larger table to accommodate the four of them. Off was sitting across Gun while Mild was sitting beside him.
"Well, yeah, we ran to each other while Gun was a scriptwriter of the series I was starring and well, things just happened."
Off noticed that Jaylerr was looking at him intently instead of Mild who asked the question.
"We're actually finalizing some papers since we'll be leaving the country soon to shoot a movie. Luckily I'm the actor chosen to star in the movie Gun wrote so we don't have to be apart for long."
"Hmmm," Mild nodded and glanced at Off who was now busy looking at Gun while the latter busied himself with the food in front of him. He didn't even bother to say a word in the duration of their conversation.
"Do you know that Gun's staying with me?" Off raised his eyebrow, observing intently on how Jaylerr would react.
"Well yeah. He doesn't keep secrets from me, right love?" Jaylerr looked at Gun who just smiled at him.
"And you didn't even stop him even though he's staying with his ex?" Off once again tested Jaylerr. He wanted to see how far Jaylerr's gonna stand the conversation because if it was him he would definitely throw a fit once he knew that Gun was staying at another man's condo.
"No, I trust Gun and besides I can't let him stay with me since I still live with my parents. But once I get my own unit, I'm gonna get him to live with me."
Off noticed the sly smile on his face as if he was implying something but he couldn't pinpoint it. He snorted. He found it funny that he was still living with his parents at his age.
"So what brought you back here in Thailand?" Jaylerr turned to ask Mild.
"Oh!" Mild smiled and held Off's hand which made the latter look at her. Off's chinky eyes became round as he heard Mild's next words.
"I'm here to plan our wedding. Right babe?"
Off might have snapped his neck as he abruptly turned his head to Mild who was smiling brightly at Gun and Jaylerr.
"Wait-Gun, I-."
"Oh so you're back together? Congratulations! I always knew you'd end up together. Soooo are we invited to the wedding?" Jaylerr excitedly stated.
"Wai-Aaww," Off could barely finish his sentence as Mild dug the heel of her shoes on his foot.
"Yeah. You know, our parents have always wanted us to be together."
Off nervously looked at Gun who was now smiling shyly at them.
"Congratulations, Off, Mild," Gun said in a low voice. Off was about to say something, but was interrupted when Gun's phone rang.
"I have to answer this call. Excuse me."
Off's eyes did not leave Gun as the latter went outside the restaurant to answer the call. He noticed him wiping his face as he went out. He snapped out of his thoughts when he felt another pinch on his arm.
"Just go with what I'm doing. You'll thank me later," Mild whispered before turning to Jaylerr who was now munching on his steak.
They remained in silence as they waited for Gun to come back. Minutes later, Gun returned and the first thing that Off noticed was the wet stain on Gun's blue shirt.
"You know what, this day calls for a double celebration," Jaylerr announced while getting his wine glass. "Let's make a toast for your wedding and for our monthsary." Jaylerr lifted his glass before turning to Gun and placed a short kiss on Gun's lips. "Happy monthsary babe. To many more months with you."
"Excuse me. I need to use the restroom," Off said as he got up his seat. His chair made a loud screech as he got up making others turn their heads to their direction. Without saying another word he left the table, leaving the three who were now raising their glasses.
-----
"I seriously wanna strangle you, chop your body into pieces, and throw your body parts in the deepest part of the ocean," Off clenched his teeth as he looked at Mild who was calmly sitting on the sofa. He hated the fact that she remained calm while he was having a mental breakdown from what transpired earlier.
They were now at his condo unit. After their lunch, he practically dragged Mild out of the restaurant and they ended up at his unit since Mild had yet to look for a unit. He had this sudden urge to smoke to calm his nerves but then he remembered the look on Gun's face when he first learned that he smoked.
"You're so barbaric."
"Oh shut up woman. Now Gun's gonna think I lied to him again. I already told him I'm gonna get him back and now I'm engaged yet again."
"Come on. As if we weren't engaged before. And besides have you seen the look on his face? Jealousy was painted all over his face, Off! And by the looks of it, he still has feelings for you."
"Don't get my hopes up, Mild."
"No, I'm not. He may be with Jaylerr physically but he's with you emotionally. And you mentioned about him living with you here right?"
"Yeah. Things just happened."
"See. Him agreeing with you only means one thing, he wants to be with you. And you know, something's definitely off with that bastard Jaylerr but I couldn't put a finger on it."
Off was about to say something when they heard the door open and there was Gun standing by the door.
"Hi," Gun awkwardly greeted the two.
"Hello, Gun," Mild greeted back while beaming at the short guy.
Gun just smiled and headed to his bedroom.
"Off, I'll be sleeping here tonight since I still have to check the unit tomorrow, okay?"
Off looked at Gun's direction as the latter was just about to close his bedroom door yet.
"Oh this shirt looks cute though it's worn-out. Can I have this?" Mild beamed while holding the mermaid print shirt Off forgot to return to the dresser.
"Mild, I," Off heared the closing of the door signifying that Gun had already went inside.
"You know what, I shouldn't have brought you here. Go check in some hotel room or something. Urrgh. Up until now you're still a pain in the ass," Off hissed as he grabbed the shirt from Mild.
âââââ ââ ââ â âââââ
Seven years ago.
"What are we doing here? The guard's gonna kill us, Off," Gun complained as he watched Off flung himself over the school gates.
"Shhhhh. Keep quiet or else we're both dead meat if the guard wakes up. Come on, climb over. I'm gonna catch you."
Gun rolled his eyes before climbing the gate. It was over 2 meters and Gun obviously had difficulties given his height.
"I swear Off I'm gonna kill you if we end up at the student affairs office because of this."
It was already 11:40 in the evening and Gun didn't even have the slightest idea why they were climbing gates at that hour.
Off carefully caught Gun who made a soft landing on his arms. They immediately left the premise with Off dragging Gun and with the CCTV as the sole witness of them sneaking in.
They arrived at the school grounds and Gun immediately noticed the guitar lying on the ground. There was also a picnic basket and a mat.
Off made Gun sit on the mat and grabbed the guitar.
"Who does picnic in the middle of the night, Off?" Gun chuckled as he watched Off set up the guitar.
"We do," Off said before strumming the guitar.
Last one's out, neon lights low
And we don't gotta take it in
It's a cold night in Colorado
Feel the fire in the friction
A flash of light, it's magic tonight
We've got electric love
We've got electric love
Time holds still, moon won't let go
I feel you on my summer skin
It's the last night here on valley shadows
Feel the fire in the friction
A flash of light, it's magic-
We've got electric love
We've got electric love
We've got electric love
We've got electric love
A flash of light, it's magic
We've got electric love
We've got electric love
We've got electric love
We've got electric love
"Happy first anniversary, love."
Off smiled as he finished the song.
"Happy first anniversary, love," Gun replied before wrapping his arms around Off. Off then pulled him into a kiss, a full mouthed one. They slowly savored each other, taking all the time in the world and by the time their lips separated, they were breathless both from the kiss and the erratic beating of their hearts.
-----
"You are exactly like that star," Off pointed the brightest star in the night sky. They were lying down on the mat, with Gun's head on Off's chest.
"Hmm why?"
"You shine the brightest in the darkest nights. You brought light to my world. And did you know I haven't actually looked up at the stars at night, not until you came," Off slowly combed Gun's hair.
"Sometimes you have to stop and look up to the stars especially when times get hard. You know to remind yourself that even in the darkest times, there's still something beautiful in your life just like how the stars make the night sky beautiful."
"And that's why you're my star."
"Gosh we sound so cheesy I wanna gag."
Off chuckled at Gun's sudden retaliation. "Yes we do but I don't mind as long as it's with you."
"By the way, my scholarship's been approved," Gun informed Off.
"Really? Congratulations, love."
"Yeah. Good thing I got accepted given that I'm already in my third year."
"See, I told you. They're gonna accept you given your marks and record."
"I'm planning to stop doing part-time jobs for a while since my mother found a stable job and I wanna focus on my studies."
"Always know I'm just here for you and you can ask for help anytime, okay."
Gun nodded and scooted closer to Off.
"Thank you."
"Anything for you." Off replied as he planted a soft kiss on Gun's head.
------
Off woke up to the ringing of his phone. With eyes half open he answered the call and was immediately welcomed by Tay's usual fast talk.
"Off Jumpol where are you? We've been banging your door and your doorbell's about to be broken but you still haven't answered? Are you still alive or what?"
That was when Off totally opened his eyes and realized where he was. When he shifted his eyes, he saw Gun lying beside him. They were still at the school grounds and luckily no students were roaming the area. It was a Sunday so there were no classes.
"I'm at school," Off shortly replied.
"The fck are you doing at school on a Sunday, Off? And besides the semester just ended."
"I'll just talk to you later," he immediately ended the call and slightly shook Gun's shoulder.
"Love, hey, wake up. We have to go or else we're doomed."
"Hmmmm," Gun rubbed his eyes before getting up. "Wait? Where are we?... Shit."
"Yes we're at the school grounds and we have to go," Off laughed before gathering their things and grabbed Gun's hand as they walked towards the gates while silently praying the guard was not in his post.
------
Song used
Night Traveler - Electric Love