Teach me, Touch me. 

Part 25: Special 4.

The May-December romance that many envied. Gear was an adorable, obedient, and cheerful young man, though occasionally a bit stubborn, adding a touch of charm. Kanthi, on the other hand, was a warm-hearted man whose presence could make one's heart flutter at any moment. His natural charm and allure, uncontrived and genuine, remained ever-present. Yet, those enamoured eyes of his were reserved solely for Gear.

 

Kanthi carried himself impeccably as the partner of a young man ten years his junior. He'd had the opportunity to share meals with Gear's father, who'd raised his only son with utmost care and affection, as if he were a precious gem.

 

Kanthi wasn't mistaken in recognising that his young partner was brought up in a well-off family, nurtured and pampered, yet also taught well. This upbringing shaped Gear into a lovable, cheerful, and kind-hearted individual, captivating in every way. Moreover, Gear's father's real estate business was well known among fellow entrepreneurs, and Kanthis's well-established reputation easily won over his future father-in-law.

 

Their love life was perfectly harmonious, and today, the fourth-year university student was about to graduate...

 

"See you in twenty minutes, my good boy."

 

Kanthi sent a message to his young lover before glancing at the large bouquet resting on the seat beside him, a smile gracing his lips. Sunflowers... a symbol of brightness, smiles, and most importantly, steadfast love.

 

The vibrant yellow flowers were wrapped in soft white paper, tied with a pale pink ribbon to add a touch of elegance. Though the bouquet cost a five-figure sum, Kanthi's intentions today were far more priceless.

 

Exactly twenty minutes later, as promised, Kanthi arrived to meet his lover on this special day. He paused to watch as Gear's radiant smile spread wide, revealing his perfect white teeth. The smile Kanthi cherished most was now on display for the photographer, capturing moments with the group of newly graduated friends. As soon as Gear spotted Kanthi, he waved excitedly. Before the final shutter clicked, Gear half-ran, half-walked toward Kanthi, who stood waiting not far away.

 

The cherished smile was directed at Kanthi, causing the man in his thirties to smile back unconsciously. Gear's black graduation gown, adorned with faculty-specific coloured stripes, fit his smaller frame perfectly. Despite his fair face being slightly flushed and glistening with sweat from the weather, Gear remained as adorable and lively as ever.

 

"My good boy," Kanthi said, presenting the large bouquet of sunflowers to his lover. Gear's round eyes widened with excitement. Even though he'd already seen Kanthi carrying the bouquet, receiving it along with his lover's warm voice heightened his excitement, making it evident.

 

"They're so beautiful! And so big!" Gear's cheerful voice confirmed the grandeur of Kanthi's gift.

 

"Do you like them?"

 

"I love them," Gear replied clearly, his cheeks stretching into a wide smile. Kanthi could only watch his smaller lover with a smile, as the bouquet seemed even larger in the young man's arms.

 

"Can you hold it? Let me carry it for you."

 

"Wait, let's take a photo first," Gear dismissed the suggestion, waving to the photographer Kanthi had hired to capture moments of his lover today. Gear looped his slender arm around Kanthi's, clutching the large bouquet tightly with his other hand, and smiled for the camera. Unbeknownst to Gear, the resulting photo showed only him looking at the camera, as Kanthis' gaze was fixed lovingly on the person beside him.

 

"Your cheeks are all flushed. Are you tired?" With some free time, Kanthi gently used the handkerchief he'd brought to dab the sweat from his lover's face.

 

Gear playfully stood on tiptoes, tilting his face toward Kanthi to let him dab as he pleased. His round eyes gazed through Kanthi's dark sunglasses, but suddenly, Gear stopped tiptoeing and shyly looked away. Embarrassed...

 

"What's wrong?" Kanthi asked when Gear's demeanour changed as if something had startled him.

 

"Nothing," Gear replied.

 

"Are you shy around me again?" Kanthi teased knowingly, as Gear's cheeks turned even redder, spreading to his ears. The mischievous gaze and brightness had shifted, all because of their proximity moments ago.

"Well... you look so handsome today," Gear mumbled.

 

"And what about other days?"

 

"You're always handsome, but today you're too handsome."

 

Kanthi, in a dress shirt, was unparalleled!

 

The man who suited every colour had chosen a navy blue shirt today, enhancing his complexion. He'd rolled up the sleeves to his elbows and left the top three buttons undone, revealing a hint of his chest. Paired with slim-fit black chino pants that showcased his model-like legs, the look was completed with matching leather loafers and a pair of designer sunglasses that added an extra layer of coolness.

 

Everything about Kanthi's appearance was so striking that onlookers began to wonder whether the heat they felt came from the sun or from the man himself.

 

"Are you complimenting me because you want a reward?" Kanthi whispered suggestively into Gear's ear.

 

"Kanthi! There are so many people around," Gear exclaimed, lightly smacking Kanthi's arm with a scolding look, much like a playful kitten.

 

"You're the one with a dirty mind," Kanthi teased, stepping back with a sly smile, pleased to have successfully flustered his young lover.

 

"You're thinking the same thing I am," Gear retorted.

 

"I meant a different kind of gift," Kanthi clarified.

 

"I don't know. I don't know. Let's just go home," Gear deflected, trying to hide his embarrassment, before expressing another desire.

 

Kanthi opened the umbrella he'd brought to shield his young lover from the scorching sun and quickly led the way to the parking lot behind the faculty building.

 

"Where did you park?" Gear asked, his face showing signs of fatigue as he scanned the sea of cars, unable to spot Kanthi's familiar vehicle. Kanthi smiled and pressed the remote, drawing Gear's attention to the headlights of a vehicle that blinked in

response.

 

"Did you get a new car?" Gear asked, his eyes were wide with excitement. The car before him was one of the models he'd once mentioned to his father as a dream car.

 

"Yes, I drove this one today."

 

"Wait, I heard there are only thirty of these in Thailand."

 

"And one of them belongs to my lover now."

 

"Huh?" Gear raised an eyebrow in confusion at Kanth's ambiguous statement, his face breaking into a smile.

 

"It's a graduation gift for my good boy," Kanthi said, placing the keys to the most expensive Mini Cooper model into the hands of the new graduate with a smile.

 

"...Kanthi, this is too much," Gear said softly, his round eyes blinking adorably.

 

"Did you forget what your lover does for a living? It's not beyond my means, so it's not too much," Kanthi reassured him.

 

"Kanthi..." Gear's voice remained soft as he grasped his lover's arm, his beautiful eyes conveying every emotion.

 

"Thank you," Gear finally said, raising his hands in a respectful wai to Kanthi, whose smile widened at the endearing gesture. Kanthi pulled his young lover into an embrace, planting repeated kisses on his head to express his adoration.

 

"Kanthi, but... I'm not good at driving yet, and I don't even have a license," Gear admitted.

 

"For now, a driver comes included."