Teach me, Touch me. 

Part 19: Saying Goodbye.

 

Three tall chairs surrounded the small, round table in the middle of the bar. Gear sat down, his feet just barely touching the floor. In front of him was a light alcoholic drink that Porsche had prepared while Gear waited for Kanthi to arrive.

 

The man appeared amidst the curious gazes of several onlookers. Tonight, the usually charming man didn't stop to greet anyone as he typically would. Instead, he hurried straight to Gear, his urgency evident. This meeting was different; it was Gear who'd set the time, a rare occurrence. Combined with the recent reappearance of Gear's ex-boyfriend, it left Kanthi's mind spiralling into darker thoughts.

 

He stopped beside Gear, placing one arm around the younger man's waist as he sat on the tall chair. Instead of a verbal greeting, Kanthi pressed a kiss to the soft, light brown hair atop Gear's head.

 

"Did you wait long for me?"

 

"Not too long," Gear replied, tilting his head up to meet Kanthi's gaze. Kanthi didn't pull away, and the closeness between them quickened Gear's breath.

 

"I'm sorry. I've been swamped today," Kanthi said in his soothing voice as he sat down, shifting his hand from Gear's waist to gently hold the younger man's hand resting on the table.

 

"It's okay. I'm just happy you came," Gear said with a small smile.

 

"Of course I came. I've told you before-just call me, and I'll come to you anytime."

 

Gear smiled softly at Kanthi's words. Tonight's meeting, initiated by Gear, had a purpose. There was something he needed to tell Kanthi. While Gear didn't think it was particularly important to the older man, he felt it was something Kanthi should know. Additionally, he wanted to see something in Kanthi's reaction that might make his own decisions easier.

 

"What time do you finish class tomorrow? Let's grab dinner. Or if you want to catch a movie after, I've got time for you."

 

"Actually... this is what I wanted to talk to you about," Gear began hesitantly.

 

"Oh? What is it?"

 

"I don't have much free time right now. I've got a project, and exams are coming up soon."

 

"That's okay. Just let me know when you're free, and we'll plan something then."

 

"..."

"Or... are you saying you won't be free at all?" Kanthi asked quickly, noticing the conflicted expression on Gear's face.

 

"That's right. Not for the whole month."

 

"And after that?"

 

"I think I'll have everything wrapped up by the end of the month."

 

"So, I won't see you again until next month, is that right?"

 

"If you still want to see me, Kanthi."

 

"Of course I do. Why wouldn't I want to see you?" Kanthi said, his hand gently brushing against Gear's cheek. The man who once prided himself on his unshakable composure now found his heart vulnerable to Gear's simple words. The thought of not seeing Gear for a while, due to the demands of his final year as a university student, weighed heavily on him.

 

"You're not saying goodbye to me, are you?"

 

"Why would you think that?" Gear asked, meeting Kanthi's gaze directly.

 

".." Kanthi exhaled deeply, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He was surprised at himself for letting such a question slip out. It was a sign of his growing anxiety, a stark contrast to the calm and mature demeanour he usually displayed. The reappearance of Gear's ex-boyfriend had clearly unsettled him.

 

"I have to go now," Gear said, glancing at his watch.

 

"Can I take you home tonight?"

 

"That's okay. I-" Gear's words trailed off as the light from his phone screen on the table caught his attention.

 

KIM: I'm almost there. I'll come in to find you.

 

Kanthi hadn't meant to invade Gear's privacy, but his eyes unintentionally caught the message.

 

"Someone's picking you up, aren't they?"

 

"Yes."

 

"I really don't want you to go with him," Kanthi said, his brows furrowing as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. Their undefined relationship left him with no right to object, no matter how much he wanted to.

 

"I already made plans with him," Gear replied.

 

Kanthi nodded reluctantly, suppressing the urge to argue. Gear had made his decision, and Kanthi couldn't stop him.

 

"Just remember, if there's anything you don't want to do or aren't comfortable with, you don't have to agree to it."

 

..." Gear nodded at Kanthi's advice.

 

"Take care of yourself. You can call me anytime."

 

Despite the loud music filling the club, Kanthi felt an overwhelming silence. It was so quiet that he could hear the heavy, aching rhythm of his own heartbeat. His hand lingered on Gear's, reluctant to let go. 

 

Kanthi had no way of knowing what would happen after Gear met with his ex-boyfriend this time. Where would their relationship stand?

 

The silence between them didn't last long. Kim appeared, smiling at the young man he once knew so well. Gear didn't show any emotion in return, choosing instead to give Kanthia a small, fleeting smile. Kanthi forced a heavy smile back, watching as Gear walked away with Kim.

 

Kim placed a hand on Gear's back as they left, turning to flash Kanthi a smug smile, a gesture of superiority that Gear didn't notice.

 

"Gear, wait for me at the car. I need to say hi to a friend."

"Okay," Gear replied flatly, walking off without another word.

 

The "friend" Kim mentioned didn't exist. Gear had no idea that his ex-boyfriend had returned to the club to confront Kanthi, someone he clearly disliked.

 

".." Kanthi, the owner of a luxury car showroom, sighed and turned away, already weary of the encounter. He could tell Kim had something to say.

 

"Thanks for taking care of Gear, even if it wasn't as good as I did."

 

"...What's your point?" Kanthi replied with a short sigh, his tone sharp.

 

"Just trying to keep things friendly. I like coming here, and it wouldn't be fun if someone didn't like me being around. It'd kill the vibe."

 

"Are you done? You're annoying," Kanthi shot back, his usual politeness gone. He kept his tone calm, though his anger simmered beneath the surface.

 

"Don't get involved with Gear again. Otherwise, you'll be the third wheel. I'm sure someone in your high-society business circles wouldn't want that kind of reputation," Kim retorted, his own patience wearing thin due to the older man's infuriating words.

 

"I told you-get back together with Gear first before you start throwing accusations at me," Kanthi said, his composure finally breaking. He stood to his full height, glaring at Kim with a cold, intimidating stare.

 

"...Didn't you notice? Gear let go of your hand and walked away with me. Isn't it obvious who he's chosen? I think that's pretty clear," Kim said mockingly, his tone and demeanour pushing Kanthi to the edge. Kanthi clenched his fists, resisting the urge to retaliate physically, until Kim finally walked away.

 

"You're not saying goodbye to me, are you?"

 

"Why would you think that?"

 

It wasn't a goodbye...Kanthi replayed the earlier conversation with Gear in his mind, trying to reassure himself. But the scene he'd just witnessed seemed to confirm Kim's words all too clearly.