TBBM XXIV. SORRY - The Red Version

"Jopet," he blocked my way. "Let's stop this."

Just then, a girl from one of the stalls approached us.

"Your order, Sir," she handed him two ice cream cones.

"Jopet," Red called me again, shoving one cone into my hand. "Don't be mad at me, anymore."

Ice cream.

I knew he wasn't going to apologise. Rich people in dramas were like that. Red behaved much like the PAC girls, they'd never apologise if they hurt you. They'd just treat you as their property.

I aimed my eyes on him. He held his cone by his right hand, licking the sides so it wouldn't drip; but he already had some of it on his cheek.

"Take it already," he moved his left hand closer to me. His expressions were like a baby. The ice cream started to melt on his hands.

I wasn't moving. No. I actually couldn't move.

I just stared at him.

"Say, aaah," slowly, he brought it to my lips. I had to lick on it. His hands were already messy.

Dub dub. Dub dub.

Dub dub. Dub dub.

My heart drummed so loud. I couldn't hear the background.

>0<

Without a word, I gradually took the cone from his hand. I still had James' hanky from earlier so I cleaned Red's hands with it. How could somebody so cool not know how to eat ice cream cones. I reached out to wipe his cheeks, too. He was tall. I had to be really close to reach his face.

"Hicks," he grabbed me on the wrist again as I wiped his cheeks. His eyes were brooding. It made me even more nervous. "Don't be mad anymore."

Red waited until I finished my cone. He just leaned there by the glass wall, overlooking the lower floors.

"Done?" he smiled at me. It amazed me how quick his mood changed. "Come with me to the third floor. I need tix."

"Tix?" I repeated.

He nodded. He was making cute faces. I totally didn't get him.

I stood by the entrance of the hall as he went on to get the tickets he said he needed.

"Why did I have to come this far?" I complained to myself.

I imagined that by this time, James must be wrapping up his class already. Then he'd have one major subject for three hours. James. He was perfect.

Red appeared in front me. Strangely, he was holding two sandwiches, drinks and a tub of fries.

"Yours," he smilingly handed over one of the sandwiches.

"Eh?" I flinched.

"Will you, just not defy me anymore, today?" his eyes were pleading. It was overwhelming. He asked me politely. I couldn't resist him. "Will you?"

Despite myself, I received the sandwich he was offering me. I took the cup of cold beverage, too. Something about him was too convincing. I never thought I'd agree to this. I just... I ended up just accepting his wants.

We walked into the cinema. It was dark. There were plenty of people around as the next showing started boarding patrons. Red was handsome. I could see girls eyeing at him. Some of them even stared me down. I knew it. I was no match for a human specimen, like Red.

"I should probably get in after you," I hesitated.

"Why? Come on."

"The girls..." I looked around. "They were staring me down. I probably look like your assistant or something---"

"Who cares," Red held my hand---like a man would to a woman.

"R-Red!" I saw the people around exclaimed..

"Don't falter. Just trust me," he said.

Just trust me---like he said before. He sometimes had brash tendencies, but at a time like this, he was also just very manly. We made our way to the crowd without fail. He was so cool.

"Is he your boyfriend?" one girl could not hold herself back.

"She probably paid for everything," another girl cackled.

"They so don't match," I heard another.

I looked down. It was so embarrassing. Red saw me. He didn't like it whenever I was like that. He sighed. We reached the entrance of Cinema 7.

"Excuse me," he spoke loudly, showing his phone. He modulated his voice so much that it was captivating. "Here. I bought two seats---for me and my girl."

Dub dub. Dub dub.

For me and my girl.

For me and my girl.

For me and my girl.

The girls around squeaked in disappointment.

He called me his girl.

Dub dub. Dub dub.

Dub dub. Dub dub.

We sat by the middle of Row S. He said that was the eye level.

"What movie are we watching?" I pulled on his sleeve as soon as we were seated.

"Honestly," he whispered to my ears. I could smell his perfume. It was a bit musky. But I got used to it. "I don't really watch rom-coms. I wanted something else but I figured you'd like this one better."

Dub dub. Dub dub. He did know how to please.

"Why are you suddenly gentlemanly?"

"Told you already. I'm trying to be nice."

T-trying to be nice? He said that before. He said that when we were in his room. I remembered him crying as I held him. Could he be acting weird because of that? He must be hiding his pain, then.

"Uh, are you... still sad?" I asked quietly.

"Maybe," he answered casually. "So you should let me call you however I like. Like Hicks, or ugly or---"

"How's that even related to---"

"Makes me happy," he whispered back to me. His face was very close to mine. Why was I too nervous? "I like it when you get upset. But you're even scarier than me when you get real upset. It's fascinating. But I won't upset you like that again. I promise."

He leaned close to me. W-wait. What were we doing? Was this a date?

My heart pounded laboriously; as if it wanted to break free of my chest.

Dub dub. Dub dub.

Dub dub. Dub dub.

"Relax. It's not scary," he chuckled. He looked handsome when he smiled like that.

"You're scary."

"Yeah. I can be."

"Why Doesn't Your Crush Like You Back?" the title read. Why did he choose this one? He was weird.

The movie played on. It was funny. Many times, I and Red laughed together. He was even teasing me when the female lead cried ugly. He had a big appetite so I halved my burger and shared it with him. I wasn't a popcorn person; I liked fries instead. We were surprisingly the same.

I saw him fall asleep at some point. But that was understandable, even James didn't particularly like shows like this. Whenever I visited his place, he'd make me watch something serious or action.

He looked peaceful. Somehow, I wished I wasn't too harsh on him earlier.

We left the theatre both blasting in laughter.

"Why did you choose that flick? You dozed off," I inquired.

"It's for you. Your crush doesn't crush you back," he teased.

"Coming from you, uh?" I bumped him.

"Oh, you're tryna be physical now? I see. I see," he bumped me back. Again and again.

"You're too handsome to be hang up on someone like that, you know?"

"I'm what?" he leaned is head towards me.

"Handsome," I bit my lip.

"I didn't hear you," was he giggling? He was acting cute.

"But a moron," I gave him a sharp look.

"Ah! We on cursing basis now, mate? I didn't take you for someone who cursed," he slid his arm on my shoulders. "Come here."

"Yeah. I guess," I watched him smile, contented.

"It wasn't the first time I was called names, actually. But for moron, it's my first. Tell me why."

"I mean, what do you call someone who'd throw his life away for a person who already left? Moron---"

"Fair enough," he nodded. I could feel his every breath. It made my heart race.

"I should propose you a name. You don't call me by my name, anyway."

"Let me hear it, then."

"Uhm--- handsome plus moron... Handron... Mor---Morsome?"

"You're cute," he grabbed me in the cheek, squeezing my face. He was strong.

"I'm kidding. I don't think you're a moron. That's just love, I guess," I took his arm away from my shoulders.

He stopped walking. He took time to process what I'd just said. He nodded.

"Did you know you just trash talked me?" he couldn't contain his delight. Why would anyone be happy like that upon being called a moron?

"Because you provoke me---"

"Hicks," he looked at my face. "When a guy---when I insult you---I don't mean it. Don't cry because of me."

"Huh?"