New glanced at Tay who was sitting beside him on the dinner table. His mother on the other hand was still setting up the table. He intended to help but she just dismissed him and let him sit by the table instead.
"Let me help you, mom," Kay, who was sitting on his other side, helped his mom place the food on the table.
He noticed that Tay was looking for something as his eyes scanned the dining room.
"You okay?"
"Where are your glasses?"
"Huh? You want water? I'll get it for you."
"No, just tell me where your glasses are."
"It's over there," he replied and pointed the rack that contained their drinking glasses.
He watched in awe as Tay brought five glasses back and placed them on each side of the plates.
"Oh, you don't have to do that Tay," his mom who just came back from the kitchen with another dish commented.
"No worries, mom. I'm glad to be of help. By the way, where's dad?"
"He's on his way."
As if on cue, his father arrived.
"Oh, I didn't know Tay is coming over."
"Good evening, dad."
"Good evening, dad."
He watched in disbelief as Tay and Kay greeted his father in unison.
"Oh, I didn't know I have three sons now," his father chuckled and removed his suit.
Tay then aided his father in removing his suit while Kay placed the briefcase on the nearby chair.
Like what the hell is happening now??
He thought to himself in utter disbelief as he watched the two assist his father.
*
"Here. Have some of this Kay."
His mother placed an ample amount of
pad phak on Kay's plate.
"Me too, mom."
He watched in awe as Tay handed his plate to his mom, obviously asking for some food...or attention.
But his mother gladly obliged and placed the same amount of food on Tay's plate.
"Thank you, mom."
Tay grinned and went back to eating.
"You cook just like my mom. You're both good cooks," Tay complemented.
"Of course. I've been eating her food since I was young and I can say that she's the best cook there is," Kay interjected.
"Oh really, then I must assume you've grown tired of it?"
"Of course not. Mom's dishes are always the best."
"Why do you call her mom? Don't you have your own?"
He stilled upon hearing Tay's statement for he was right. Kay lost his mother when he was ten and the topic was quite sensitive for him.
He looked at Kay who became silent and went back to eating.
"Boys, as much as I want my house to be lively, I don't want you bickering in front of the food. You can call us mom and dad as long as you want. There's nothing to argue about it," his father finally spoke.
"Yes dad," Tay answered while Kay just kept his head low.
_____
Tay stared at the plates on the sink.
He offered to wash the dishes for he wanted to impress New's parents but now that he was standing in front of the sink, he started to regret his decision.
"Shit. How do you do this?" he asked himself in confusion.
He then inserted the gloves into his hand and started picking up a plate.
He opened the faucet and slowly rinsed the one he was holding.
He then grabbed the dishwashing sponge and carefully scrubbed it on the plate's surface and then rinsed it afterwards.
He wiped the sweat on his forehead as he placed the newly washed one on the dish rack.
"Hooh! This is harder than a board meeting," he exclaimed and picked up another one.
He was about to scrub it when it accidentally slid off his hand and fell on the floor.
"Oh shit!" he muttered as he started picking up the broken pieces.
"Tay? Are you okay?" New came inside the kitchen and asked him.
"Yeah. Just broke a plate."
"See. I told you, you don't have to do this. Come on. Don't pick that up. You might hurt yourself."
New then grabbed the nearby broom and dustpan and started sweeping the shards.
"I just want to be of help to your parents. They seem to adore that friend of yours so much," he sighed as he removed the gloves from his hands.
"You were a bit rude earlier, Tay. You shouldn't do that to anyone. He lost his mom when he was ten and the topic's quite sensitive for him."
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"You should apologize to him not to me. Now go back there and let me finish washing these."
New then started working on the dishes while he remained beside him, watching New as he carefully scrubbed and rinsed each plate.
"Are you gonna stand there and watch me the whole time?" New snapped at him but he just answered him with a smile.
"You'd make a good wife."
He stilled upon realizing what he just said.
"I-I mean, your mom's a great wife. Here let me help you," he then grabbed the newly rinsed plate from New.
"Dry that first. You can use that cloth."
He grabbed the cloth New pointed and started wiping the plate.
"Hmmm. Hin."
"Yeah?"
"I-uuh. What do you think of me?"
"Huh? What's with the sudden question?"
"I mean. Do you feel happy whenever you're with me?"
New looked at him and he swore his heart was beating fast in anticipation of New's answer.
"Hmmmm. Yes?"
"Urgh. Is that a question or what?"
But New just chuckled and placed a soap foam on his nose.
"Tssss. Do I really have to answer that?"
"Yeah I wanna know."
"Iâ"
"New, Tay. Come here. Kay has something to say."
They both turned to look at New's father.
"Okay, dad. Come here."
He groaned as New dragged him to the living room.
"What's happening?" New asked and sat on the sofa.
He sat beside him and glared at Kay who just ruined his moment with New.
He heard New chuckle beside him before reaching out to wipe his nose.
"Uhm. Mom, Dad. I know we've known each other for years and you've treated me already as your own but I would like to officially ask your permission..."
Tay raised his eyebrow as he looked at Kay who was fidgeting with his fingers.
"I would like to court New."
"WAIT? WHAT?!"
Several pairs of eyes looked at him as he suddenly stood from his seat and glowered at Kay.
"NO WAY!"
_____
"Stop sulking already," New grabbed the back of Tay's shirt as the latter wasn't saying a thing whilst they were going to the car.
"I guess Mom told him about the real deal between us that's why he did that."
"Since when did he like you?"
"I don't know. Maybe uni days? He told me he once sent me a love letter but I never got to read it."
"Tsss."
"Come ooon. And besides why are you angry. It's not like we're actual boyfriends. Tssss."
It was his turn to roll his eyes considering they never get to talk about the real deal between them.
Yeah, they had sex twice but they hadn't even talked about their relationship.
And he hated the fact that Tay seemed to be giving him mixed signals for he didn't wanna keep his hopes up and get hurt at the end.
"Tssss. Come on. Let's go back before I punch that guy straight on the face."
"T-Tay."
"Hmm?"
"Wh-what are we really?"
With all the courage left in him, he finally broke the question that he had been carrying for so long.
New held his breath as he waited for Tay to answer, but his response never came.
"Hin, Iâ"
"Newwie!"
He turned to look at Kay who was running towards them.
"I forgot to give you this."
Kay then handed him a small box.
"What's this?" he asked as he held the box in his hand.
"Open it when you get home," Kay said before leaning towards him.
He gasped as he felt Kay's light kiss on his cheeks.
"Bye Newwie! Take care," Kay waved his hand before running back to the house.
He jolted when he heard the loud sound of the car door closing.
_____
Tay grunted as he plopped down on the sofa.
Instead of going back to his unit, he decided to go to his parents' house.
He didn't wanna be alone for the meantime or he'd probably lose his mind thinking about New.
He mentally cursed himself when he remembered what happened earlier.
"Fuck, Tay. You already had the chance!" he groaned and buried his face on the nearby pillow.
When New asked about their status earlier, he mentally panicked.
He didn't know what to say because first even himself didn't know what they really were and second, he was afraid New would reject him if he dropped the question he'd been wanting to ask.
"Fuck this."
"You look horrible."
He made a face as he removed the pillow and looked at his mom who was sitting across him.
"Love problems?"
He pouted and hugged the pillow.
"New?"
He bit his lips and slowly nodded.
"Why? What's wrong? You can tell me anything. Did you fight?"
"Iâ," he sighed before continuing.
"We're not really together, Mom."
His mother didn't say a word. It was as if she was waiting for him to continue.
"At first I just wanted to tease him. Then I found out that he still communicates with Gun. I wanted to help Off communicate with Gun again so I thought if I stayed beside him, I might be able to get through Gun. But-"
He paused and held his head low.
"But?" his mother asked when he didn't continue.
"I think I'm falling in love with him, mom."
"You think?"
"I mean, I feel so happy when I'm with him mom and I get agitated when other guys approach him. First there was Earth and now his childhood friend wants to court him. I don't wanna lose him, mom."
"Then make your relationship official, Tay. What's stopping you from asking him?"
"I-I'm afraid he might reject me. I mean he already has trust issues with me. I, I would seriously lose my mind if he ever rejects me."
His voice cracked as he looked at his mom.
"Tay, when you fall in love, you have to grab the chances and take the risks. I know the future's uncertain but it would hurt even more if you know that you could have done something but didn't make a move, right? You don't wanna live with regrets."
"What if he says no?"
"You haven't even asked him so why are you predicting what's gonna happen?"
His mother sat beside him and grabbed his hand.
"And to be honest, I don't think he's gonna say no. I may have seen you together few times but I can say he loves you. His eyes tell."
He scooted closer and hugged his mom.
"Thank you mom for everything and for accepting me as I am."
His mother chuckled and brushed his hair.
"You being who you are won't change the fact that you're my son and that I love you so don't ever think less of yourself, okay?"
He nodded and hugged his mom tighter.
They were currently in that position when his father came.
"Tay. I heard what happened. Mr Warataya called to tell me that you cancelled the contract. Care to explain?"
He broke from his mother's embrace and faced his father.
"Dad, that old man's a whore. He basically offended and sexualized New in front of me. He even offered me money in exchange for a night with New. I don't wanna be associated with people who can't even respect his subordinates."
"But at least you should have been more civil. You don't have to tear the documents in front of him. And the thing about New, is it true that you told Mr Watthanasetsiri to fire New from his position?"
He leaned back on the sofa and crossed his arms.
"I didn't know you could be this manipulative, Tay. I gave in to your request of an additional secretary but I didn't know you pulled some strings to get what you want. How do you think New would feel when he finds out about this?"
"Darling, that's enough, okay. Come here. You need to rest. You've been working overtime for consecutive days already."
He mentally muttered a prayer of thanks when his mother interrupted.
"You gotta act properly, Tay," his father concluded before leaving him.
_____
New looked at the box Kay handed him earlier. He'd been wanting to open it but hesitated.
He grabbed the box and placed it inside the drawer of his bedside table.
He looked at his phone hoping Tay texted him but just sighed when he saw none.
He sprawled on his bed and grunted as he remembered what happened earlier.
"Fuck New! You shouldn't have asked that question."
He muttered before going to sleep.
*
New neatly tucked his shirt into his pants.
He actually didn't wanna go to work for he hadn't still recovered from the shame he felt when he asked Tay that question.
He was about to leave his unit when his phone beeped.
He almost clapped his hands when he saw that Tay sent him a message.
Cancel all my appointments today. I have a more important schedule. You could also take the day off today.
He frowned after reading his message.
"Tssss. And what's this more important schedule??"
He muttered and opened his phone's calendar. Aside from the notebook that he carried with him, he also noted Tay's schedule on his phone because it was more convenient.
Tay only had one meeting with the accounting department for the day so he just messaged Pluem about its cancellation.
Mom calling...
"Mom?"
Son, where are you?
"I'm at my unit mom. Actually I'm coming over. It's my day off so I'll just help you at the shop."
Oh that's great then. Can you drop by the mall and pick up the shoes I ordered from your Aunt Maprang's shop? I need to use it this evening for your father's company dinner.
"Okay, mom. No worries."
Thank you son. Take care.
"Thanks mom."
He went back to his dresser and changed into a more comfortable shirt before leaving his unit.
_____
"Thank you, Aunt Maprang," New smiled at his aunt after receiving the paper bag that contained his mom's shoes.
"Send my regards to your mother, New."
"I will," he smiled at her once more before leaving.
He was about to leave when he thought of buying his mom a gift.
He was about to go to the jewelry shop when he stopped on his tracks.
He tightened his grip on the paper bag he was holding as I stared at Tay happily choosing a ring with a woman beside him.
He bit his lips and fled the place the moment he slipped the ring into the woman's finger.
"Fuck you Tawan. Fuck you!" he muttered as he harshly wiped the tears on his face.