2. The Family

Family.

It was the second week. Benjamin came out of the washroom after taking a refreshing bath. He was rubbing his head with a towel thinking about the weird behaviour of Noah Gabriel.

He was a casanova in his own style. Openly BI. Girls boys. Anyone. He would just have to raise his eyebrow and would be flooded with bodies. 

So what's with him now? He saw him leaving the bar alone for two consecutive weeks. Why? This was something he wished he could know. But he wasn't that close to him to ask him, even though Benjamin never hesitated to say what he felt. But it was Noah. A person who was a mystery. 

"I guess I am doomed". He hung his towel on the balcony and went to his study table as he wasn't sleepy and he wanted not to think about him.

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

"Wake up lazy ass". Noah grunted when he felt a pillow smack his ass.

"Connnn". He whined tossing in the bed. Trying to pull the duvet for some more sleep. But his eyes snapped open. 

"Connnnn". He shouted in joy and jumped on Conrad Gabriel who caught him in his arms. Ruffling his hair. His baby bro was back. 

"When did you come from Japan? You didn't tell me"? He was standing in his arms, his own arms looped around his neck. 

"Well I came yesterday to surprise you. But I was surprised. Hmm"? He asked, tucking the strands behind his hair. "What is it Noah"? He asked softly but he  was surprised to see him averting his gaze. 

"Noah". He said a bit stern yet soft. But sighed when he saw his expressions. 

"I am hungry Phi. What's for breakfast?" He totally flipped the topic. 

Conrad Gabriel smacked his head. He handed him a pair of jeans, tee and towel before pushing him to the bathroom. 

"Go and take a bath. You stink. Yucks. Then we will have breakfast. Dimsum, dumplinks and porridge with chicken legs. For you. Then I have to go shopping". He said but Noah stopped in the door. 

"Ohoooo. Shopppppinnnngg. Husband coming eh"? He winked and ran inside, closing the door before Conrad could smack him. But he did see the pink spreading on his brother's cheeks at the mention of his husband. 

Conrad Gabriel was in the army. A pilot. Wing commander. He was in Japan for a course and joint army exercises for 6 months. He was on a month break. 

He was married to his co-pilot for 7 years, who was late for two days because he had to go to his hometown to meet his married sister and give away the gifts. 

They finished the breakfast in no time as soon as Noah came out of the bathroom dressed up properly. And now they were roaming in the mall. They were bickering like old days. For Conrad, Noah would always become a little baby. And not even once Conrad complained because he was the reason to spoil him in the first place. 

"Con. I want that tee too". He was clinging to his arm. Pouting. Because apparently Conrad Gabriel had refused. 

"Noah. It's the tenth tee of the same color family. Step out of blacks and browns please. My eyes hurt seeing you in these colors. Buy the maroon one. The blue one. And off white. I will buy you a hundred but not in black pleaseee". Conrad Gabriel facepalmed. He was sick of those same colored tees. But Noah. He loved the black family to the core. 

So here he was sulking, stomping his feet while Conrad Gabriel was frustrated. 

"Okay. Your choice shirts. But then I will get as much as i want". Finally Noah gave in. 

"Phew. Done. Take whatever you want. Now move your legs Noah. Come on". He dragged the happy puppy to buy him new things though he was sure and he saw packed shirts in his wardrobe that even had price tags intact. But what to say. He loved to spoil him. 

This.. This was something that made Benjamin freeze on the spot. He was happy when he saw Noah in the mall exiting a shop and he wanted to go to him to invite him for lunch along with Eric and Kane but his feet halted as he saw another man exiting behind him holding bags for him. He saw how Noah laughed. How he acted spoiled. How he pouted. His throat was dry. His eyes sting. And there.. There was a little sting in his heart. 

"Benjamin. What happened? Let's go. I am hungry". He was rooted to his place even though Noah and the man had already gone. Kane held his hand and he was back from the trance..

"Hmm what"? He saw him. But Kane just pulled him to the restaurant in the mall.

He was trying to act normal but it wasn't easy. Why did he feel hurt? Why did it even matter? He was still fidgeting with himself when his ear perked up at the familiar laugh. 

"Noah". He whispered with closed lips. He didn't want to see him. Not now. "Eric. Kane. I am leaving. I am not feeling good. Bye". He abruptly stood up. 

"Benjamin. What happened? You okay? Let's go all". Eric stood up but he waved his hands. 

"No. You guys carry on. I.. I have to say bye". He practically ran away before Eric could see the tears brimming in his eyes. And he knew he couldn't hide from him. And at this stage he didn't want to say anything. Not when it was one sided feelings involved. Or so he thought.

Unknown to him, two pairs of eyes saw him exiting the restaurant as they were having their lunch too. At the same place. 

Conrad cleared his throat. Noah looked at him with the same empty gaze that he had last night. 

"Is he the one?" He asked, swirling the pasta on the fork. 

"Who"? Noah turned to his plate. But he knew the gaze boring holes in his soul. 

"You know you can talk to me Noah". Conrad put his stencils down. 

Noah contemplated for a while. He wanted to. But not now. Not when he didn't know about Benjamin's feelings. 

"I know Con. And believe me I will talk to you. But not now". He started munching on his food. Conrad sighed but he had no other option. 

*******

"So this is the reason you were gloomy. This is the reason you were sad, Noah. And here... Oh god. Why does it hurts". Benjamin was lying on his stomach and his pillow was all wet. They were not close friends, they were not at all in a relationship. Then why? Before the moon star event he even didn't know who he was. And now when he wanted to know him, it was all out of hand. 

He knew he could never have him. 

He didn't know how long he cried that he slept. It was dark when he opened his eyes. He was hungry but mostly his head was throbbing with pain. He managed to go to the washroom feeling dizzy and he was shocked to see his face. 

His eyes were swollen, his nose was red. His cheeks were tear strained and still some tears pooled again in his already puffy eyes. He rubbed his eyes hard. No more tears..

He wasn't weak. He was Benjamin. Benjamin Brian. And he never cried. He never begged. And he would never. 

He took some pain killers and ordered food for delivery. He cleaned his table while waiting for food to arrive and the medicines to settle. 

He slept early that night. Even if it was Sunday the next morning, still he wouldn't spend a night thinking about useless things and shedding tears for the engineer. 

It was his Sunday routine since he remembered. Doing laundry. Some instant grocery. Cleaning up his exclusive Condo/Apartment. And then prepare the notes for Monday. 

He had no time to think about anything else and currently he wasn't in a mood to change the schedule. 

He did his laundry and went to the mall just close to the dorms for some shopping.

But it was a bad idea. Guess. 

"Noah. No more smoking. You are inhaling so much these days. What's up with you? Even I don't smoke a lot". It was the same man pulling the stick out of those plump lips leaving a little pout. He clenched his fists to stop himself and suppress the deep urge to pull those pouting lips in his fingers. 

"Okay just one more. You know these are my personal favorite brand and they restocked after so long. One. Only one more. Pleassseee". And another attack to Benjamin's heart. 

The heartless, ruthless, the cold ever Noah Gabriel was showing puppy eyes and clasping hands. Like a 5 year old. 

Damn.... Although Benjamin knew tobacco is death, still at this point he wanted to buy all packs available of the same brand that Noah liked and give him just to see his gummy smile. But the man standing in front of him was nothing but a cold stone. 

"Noah. You have already picked 5 packs baby. How about you take any flavored one? It will help reduce the craving for babies. Please. For me.". This time the man used the same trick. Noah saw for a while and then huffed. 

"Okay. Let's go". He had slumped his shoulders but he wasn't mad at him. He could never. 

They left after buying a few things and Benjamin was just standing there holding his basket. 

He knew, at that moment, he fell hard. There was no way he could stop thinking about him. And there was no way they could avoid each other forever. They were uni fellows. And somehow friends.  

"Lord help me". He tiredly sighed, taking his basket to the counter to pay. He had to find a solution. And that too quickly. 

**********

"Con, why do you have to go?" Noah was hugging him for the last fifteen minutes by the door. Conrad had to leave for home and he didn't know when they would meet again. "Ask Daniel to come here to pick you up. Please don't leave me so soon". 

Conrad was helpless. He could never leave Noah in this vulnerable state. He knew Noah was broken inside. For two days he tried to distract him. And somehow he was successful if he ignored him spacing out from time to time. But now he had to go. 

Mom and Dad were waiting at home and Noah had a tight schedule so he couldn't leave his uni. His SOTUS was at the peak. And he couldn't back off because he was directly under the supervision of last year's head hazer to be the hazer and then head hazer soon.  

"Noah baby. I have to go. Mom is waiting. Okay how about I will send my car to pick you up next Friday as soon as your classes finish. What do you say"? Conrad cupped his cheeks. He saw his eyes lit. 

"You promise Con. I know you will forget me once you indulge in the yummy muffins of mom and your husband". He sounded like a cranky kitten playing with the collar of his shirt. Conrad chuckled loud. Just then the car honked outside the waiting lobby of the dorm. 

"Okay young man. Stay safe and healthy. Enjoy your University life fully. These days are precious. Spend time with friends. Go out. Go bar hunting. Get lucky. I have chipped in your card. Buy whatever you want. Study hard and am sure you will be the great Head Hazer. See you at the weekend". He kissed his forehead lovingly before pulling him for a strong hug, returned equally intense by Noah. 

He kissed the cheeks of his beloved brother. Before stepping off. He always had a hard time saying Goodbye to Conrad. But he knew he couldn't stop him. He had to wait till Friday. 

"Goodbye Con. Say my love to Mom and Dad. Take care of you too. I am gonna miss you". He blinked his eyes to keep the tears at bay. 

Conrad stepped off to the door but came back. He held his chin up to look into his eyes. Smiling a bit..

"Noah. Words are really important. Choose wisely before you speak. But don't waste your chance in IFs and BUTS. You can't find out until you speak out. Got it boy"? He side hugged him and this time went out without turning back. 

"I am scared Com". He whispered to no one. He stood till Conrad's car disappeared from his line of vision.  

Sunday was lazy for him especially when Conrad had left too. 

*********

Benjamin stepped into the Engineering faculty the next morning. He had to submit a document given by his professor to one of the professors from the Engineering Faculty. 

But here he was standing dumbfounded because he didn't know where to go. 

He breathed in and stepped into the food court in a hope to ask from someone. He saw girls squealing with joy and excitement to see the man standing in their food court. 

"Benjamin is here".

"Is he here to hunt some girl"?

"How I wish to have a hold of him. Or a night stand. Just once".

"Oh my god. He is so beautiful and sexy". 

He was not bothered by the not-so-low whispers. He was just looking for someone suitable to ask.. And finally, it seems it was his lucky day. 

He strode quickly to the table at the left end of the food court where five boys were eating and discussing some assignment, unaware of his presence. 

He paused for a moment before tapping the shoulder of the boy sitting back facing him. 

"Noah". 

----

Tabby