BCJ 32 • dream

***

The silence in the car was deafening but Kao could clearly hear his own heartbeat. He was outraged, not because his design was not used but because Pete was not honest about it.

He poured his heart into it, even including the design that he would have wanted for his own school. It was his way of somehow realizing his dream, knowing that the chances of it just becoming a dream was greater than it being actually true.

And Pete's betrayal just somehow crushed his dreams into pieces.

He leaned back on his seat and looked out the window. It was already dark and he did not even have the slightest idea as to where Pete was taking him.

He tried stealing glances at Pete whose eyes were on the road, not even sparing him one. His forehead was creased as if he was in a deep thought.

"Where are we going?" he finally broke the silence. He wanted to say that he was hungry but the serious look on Pete's face was enough for him to change the question.

Pete just glanced at him.

Kao did not say anything for the rest of the ride. If Pete wanted silence, then he would give him what he wanted.

He just suffered in silence as his stomach was already having its own battle.

The car then came to a stop. Pete didn't say anything and just went out of the car.

Kao rolled his eyes. He didn't know why Pete was giving him the attitude when it was supposed to be him doing so.

He lazily unbuckled his seatbelt and was about to open the door but Pete already did.

"What the hell are we doing here, Pete? And can you drop the attitude? I am the one who's supposed to be mad here," he hissed at Pete and pushed him out of the way.

The place was dim but he could see some large piles of dirt on the sides. It was as if someone did some digging.

He nervously swallowed his saliva before slowly turning his head towards the man behind him.

"Wh-what are we doing here?" he asked, his voice shaking as he watched as Pete grabbed his phone and called someone.

He would not even think of burying me here, right? he nervously thought to himself.

"Open the lights now," Pete said over the phone.

His eyebrows furrowed as he looked at Pete.

The place was then flooded with lights, blinding him for a moment.

When his eyes finally adjusted, he immediately clutched his chest and looked at Pete who was now already standing beside him.

"Wh-what's this, Pete?" he nervously asked, his voice shaking from all the emotions that were running in him.

Pete didn't say a thing and just held his hand. Kao gave him a questioning look.

"I know it's your dream to have your own school. Here it is, Kao."

Kao's breath hitched as he looked at the buildings patterned after his own designs right in front of them.

"It's still 80% done. This will probably be completed at the end of the month. Don't worry, I'll have more workers to finish this as soon as possible."

He could not even describe how he felt watching his design becoming a reality. It was as if he was floating.

But a realization then struck him.

"Why are you doing this, Pete?"

"What's with the question, Kao?"

"I mean, what is this for? You could have used another design if you wanted to construct a school. Why chose my design?"

Pete chuckled.

"Kao, don't you get it. This is for you."

"But...why?"

"Because I love you and I want to be the reason you realize your dreams."

"This is too much, Pete. I..I can't accept this," his voice faltered.

Yes, he wanted to realize his dream but he wanted to make it on his own. He didn't want Pete to regret doing this much for him, considering what happened in the past.

"Please, let this be my apology for all the mistakes I made in the past, Kao."

"But I made some mistakes as well, Pete. I hurt you as well. I don't deserve all of this."

"Yes, you do, love and I want to make things right this time. Will you let me?"

"I-I don't know what to say, Pete."

"Then, take your time. For now, let's eat. Your stomach's been rumbling on the way here."

***

"A-aren't you going to eat? I can't finish all of this on my own," he asked as he eyed Pete who was staring at him ever since they got into the restaurant.

Pete just leaned back on his seat. Kao decided to just ignore him and feast on the food in front of him.

"Is someone joining us?" he innocently asked as the food on their table was definitely not just for two.

"No."

"Then why did you order so much? This is good for five persons, Pete."

"I feel guilty for dragging you out when you're already hungry."

Kao could feel his cheeks blushing as Pete leaned closer to the table.

"Tss. Then help me with this."

But instead of getting his utensils, Pete just leaned in even closer and opened his mouth.

"Don't you have hands?"

"Pleaassee? My hands are tired from driving."

Kao just rolled his eyes and gave in to Pete's request.

"I want to drink some juice," Pete requested before sitting beside Kao.

"Then why are sitting here? Go back to your seat, Pete."

"It would be easier for you to feed me if I sit here," Pete grinned before putting an arm on the back of Kao's chair.

"Tss, you brat."

Kao didn't argue anymore. He just proceeded to alternately feed Pete and himself. He deemed it useless to argue with a man who was acting like a child.

"I thought you were angry with me earlier. You weren't saying anything while we were in the car."

"I was nervous. It was supposed to be my surprise for you when we finally get back together but my plan was ruined just because I forgot that I was not supposed to bring you at the school's construction site."

His confession caught Kao off guard.

"Pete, you don't have to bribe me with an entire school."

"It's not bribery, Kao. I wanna do it for you," Pete smiled as he placed his chin on Kao's arm.

"But... it's too much, Pete."

"It's final, Kao. I built that school for you. Now, if you don't want it, then I'll hire a demolition team tomorrow to te—"

"What? Are you crazy??"

Pete just shrugged before placing a peeled shrimp on Kao's plate.

"Fine! I-I'll think about it," he finally surrended.

"Good. I'll give you a day to think about it. But for your information, I don't take no for an answer."

***