Part 10: Your Hug Feels Like a Home

Nathan who was still sound asleep woke up when he heard his phone ringing. He take his phone on the table beside him. It's Yoshi.

Nathan: Hello, Yoshi.

Yoshi: Where are you? Why you didn't come to the campus yet?

Nathan: I didn't have any class today.

Yoshi: Nathan, don't tell me you forgot. Today we have our first meeting with the new member.

Nathan: Today is Saturday, right?

Yoshi: Yes.

Nathan: Then, why the meeting is today?

Yoshi: You are the one who scheduled it today, Nathan

Nathan sighed.

Nathan: I forgot, Yoshi. I'm sorry. I will take a bath then go to the campus right away. You take over for it first please. I'm sorry, Yoshi.

Yoshi: It's okay. I know you are tired because you need to handle our club. Plus, the final exam is coming. So, don't worry...I'll help you.

Nathan: Thank you, Yoshi.

Nathan: Oh wait Yoshi. I already print out the list of the new member. Find it on my table. You check their attendance first. If I haven't arrive yet you can do the ice breaking with them so that they can know each other.

Yoshi: Okey.

Nathan: Thank you, Yoshi. 'll be right there.

Nathan ended the call. He sigh then take a deep breath. Not gonna lie he' really tired over this week. He need to handle his club and the final exam is coming up. His club will have an event too as soon as the final exam is end. He's physically tired.

Zayden: Ian...

Nathan shocked. He's forgot that he still in Zayden's house.

Nathan: Hia...? How are you? Your temperature is still high? (Nathan put his hand on Zayden's forehead and neck)

Zayden: I'm okay, Ian.

Zayden look at Nathan's face without blinking his eyes.

Nathan: Hia...don't look at me like that. (Yes, he's shy because of what happened last night)

Zayden: Who was calling?

Nathan: It's Yoshi. the vice president of my club. He told me to come to the campus.

Zayden: For what? Today is Saturday...

Nathan: We have our first meeting with the new member of our club and I'm the one who scheduled the meeting at Saturday. (Nathan sighed)

Zayden: Why you put the meeting on weekend, Ian?

Nathan: I'm don't have much free time, Hia. My club have so many upcoming event since we have new members. So, I make it on Saturday.

Nathan get up from the bed. He walk to the toilet to wash his face. Then, he take his belonging on the table.

Nathan: I need to go, Hia. Yoshi is waiting for me.

Zayden: No morning kiss for me, Ian?

Nathan: Hia...I'm late. (Nathan is about to go)

Zayden: Ian, wait.

Zayden get up from the bed and he walks towards Nathan.

Zayden: Can I have your hug before you go?

Nathan smile and he hugs Zayden warmly. Zayden hugs Nathan more tightly than usual.

Zayden: Are you tired, Ian?

Nathan: Hmmm?

Zayden: If you are tired, you can have my hug. This hug always for you.

Nathan: Thank you, Hia. (Nathan smile)

At the campus...

Nathan walked towards the music room carrying a box. As soon as he stepped into the room, he was surprised to see many new club members are coming. He is happy as he didn't expect that his club would get such a warm welcome.

Nathan: Sawadeekrub !!! (He smile to them)

And the students start whisper to each other...

"Look, he's so cute !"

"My friend might be jealous because I can join his club."

Nathan: How are you, guys ?

Students: Good !

Nathan: I'm sorry...because arranged our meeting at Saturday. My schedule is pack so I make it today.

Students: It's okay, Nathan as long as we can meet you.

Nathan: Oho...you are such a sweet talker.

Students: Only with you Nathan.

Nathan laugh after he heard the student's reply.

Nathan: Yoshi, can you pass me the box I brought juts now?

Yoshi: Wait...

Then Yoshi took the box and give it to Nathan.

Nathan: For your information, our club have 120 members and we only have 2 rooms which are this one and the other one is beside the sport equipment room. So, inside this box, I've prepare for you some dark chocolate and white chocolate. I want you guys to have one for each person...

Students: Alright...

Nathan pass the box and give it to one of the students.

Nathan: Do not eat it yet.

Nathan: Okey...you guys done already? All of you already have the chocolate?

Students: Yes, Nathan !

Nathan: Hmm...the one who have the dark chocolate will stay at this room. Yoshi will take over of you guys. The one who have the white chocolate will go to the other music room and I'll take over of you guys.

Students: Nathan, this is not fair. I want to be with you.

Nathan laugh for a while.

Nathan: This is fair ...That's why I didn't tell you what is the function of taking the chocolate.

Nathan take his belongings on the table and some of the file. He then walks towards the door.

Nathan: What are you waiting for? White chocolate...let's go !

Before Nathan leave the room, he talked to Yoshi and said, "Please remind me to send the paperwork about our upcoming event later"

Yoshi: Okey, Nathan.

Zayden POV:

Zayden stepped out of his room carrying a bag in his hand. He went downstairs. His father and grandmother were seen chatting in the living room and he approached them.

Mr. Pwen: Zayden? Where are you going?

Zayden: For this 2 weeks I'll stay at my condo, Pa.

Mr. Pwen: Why?

Zayden: It's exam week, Pa. Our house is far from the campus so I decide to stay at the condo.

Mr. Pwen: No need, Zayden ! If you don't mind, I can drive for you.

Zayden: It's okay, Pa. I didn't want to burden you.

Zayden grandma smile when she saw the father and the son having a happy chatting. Seems like they already clear up everything about the misunderstood between them.

Zayden: I'll go first, Pa...grandma...

Zayden hug his father and his grandma.

Grandma: Take care, son.

Zayden: Okey, grandma.

Mr. Pwen: Don't push yourself too much.

Zayden: Alright, Pa. Don't worry.

Zayden leaves the house and he straight away drive to his condominium. It's just 5 minutes away from his university. That's why he decided to stay at his condo for the exam week.

After half an hour of driving, Zayden finally arrived at his condo. He was surprised to see Matthew and Nami already at the door of his condo. Both of them were sitting on the floor facing Zayden's condo. Zayden looked at his two friends with a puzzled look.

Zayden: Are you crazy? Both of you looks like a beggar ! (While open the door of his condo)

Matthew: A handsome beggar, right? I know because it's a fact !

Zayden: Jerk !

Nami: What take you so long to open the door, Zayden? I need to claim the story between you and Nathan. Please make it fast.

Zayden: Weird !

Zayden opened the door and Nami is the first one who enter the his condo. He take a sit on the sofa at the living room. Matthew also sit beside him.

Nami: Zayden, come here. Have a sit. (He tap the sofa beside him)

Zayden: I'm tired. I need to rest.

Matthew: I know you're tired because you've spent a whole night with Nathan, right?

Zayden turn his head and look at Matthew.

Zayden: Who gave you the information?

Matthew: Oho...so it's true?

Zayden: ....

Matthew: Don't tell me you forgot that Nathan and Nolio are best friend. So, Nathan will tell Nolio everything.

Nami: Oho...Zayden ! Come here !

Nami grab Zayden's hand and let Zayden sit on the sofa beside him.

Nami: Tell me...

Zayden: What?

Nami: ...

Zayden: There's nothing I want to tell you.

Nami: Zayden !

Zayden: What do you want for the lunch? I'll order them for you guys.

Nami: Damn you Zayden ! (Finally Nami give up)

Zayden: Guys....

Nami and Matthew look at Zayden as soon as Zayden's calling their name.

Zayden: If you really like someone, will you say it directly?

Matthew: This is about, Nathan...am I right?

Zayden: ....

Matthew: What do you think about him? Your feeling towards him.

Zayden: I like it when...he suddenly give me encouragement...he would ask how I am or hug me. Sometimes he doesn't say anything too. He's always support and comfort me. Ever since he came into my life, I feel like my life is getting better.

Nami: It's obvious, Zayden. Your smile become more brighter. When you are smiling, your eyes smiling too...and you look happier when you with him.

Matthew: Fate has destine both of you to meet.

Zayden: What do you mean?

Matthew: Nathan is the missing part of you and Nathan comes to fill the that missing part of you. You've found that piece of your missing part.

Zayden: ...but this is too early for me to admit that I love him.

Nami: Doesn't matter if you just know him for about a day, a week, a month or a year...the most important part is when the two heart filling each other.

Zayden: ....

Nami: Don't give him a mixed signal. I'm sure you will regret it. If you love him, just admit it.

Matthew: He's the one, Zayden. He's the one who will always support you and love you. He's sincere towards you.

Nathan's POV:

Nathan: Guys, you can have your dinner and come back after an hour...we will have the last activity for today.

Students: Alright, Nathan ! (All of the student leave the room for lunch)

Suddenly one of the student walk towards Nathan. He's a boy.

Nathan: Yes? Do you need anything?

Student: Err...I've make this for you. I took 3 hours to cook this dumpling for you. (He give Nathan the container)

Nathan: Thank you. I'll eat them after this. Enjoy your lunch too.

Nathan sat on the chair and opened the lid of the container. There are 4 types of dumplings in the container. Nathan was about to eat the dumplings but suddenly Yoshi knock the door. Yoshi walk to Nathan and give him a file.

Yoshi: I've sent this paperwork to the lecturer.

Nathan: Didn't I told you to remind me, Yoshi?

Yoshi: You was busy just now so I help you to sent it. But...

Nathan: But?

Yoshi: The lecturer said that we didn't have enough budget for this event.

Nathan: What? But he said to me that they've prepared the budget for this event because this is our annual event.

Yoshi: He said that our club use the money for the donation last 3 month.

Nathan: Ah...I forgot about it. That's why our club doesn't have enough budget. It's okay...I'll check the detail of our budget for this event. Maybe I can reduce some of them.

Yoshi: Do you want me to help you?

Nathan: It's okay. You can proceed with the others thing first.

Yoshi: Okay, I'll go first, Nathan ! (Yoshi leave)

Nathan sighed and take a deep breath. He closed the food container again and put it aside. Now his eyes were only focused on the paperwork in front of him. He need to check the detail of the budget.

Suddenly someone approach him. Nathan look up.

Nathan: How was your lunch?

Student: I'm enjoying them. How about you, Nathan? Did you have your lunch yet?

Nathan: Don't worry about me. I'll have them later. By the way, can you tell your friends to join Yoshi? I need to finish this paperwork before tonight so I can't take over you guys.

Student: Alright, Nathan.

Nathan: Thank you ...I'm sorry.

Student: It's okay. Goodluck, Nathan ! (The student leave)

Nathan continue to focus on his paperwork. Without realizing it, it was already getting dark at night. The other students also already going back home. He's still struggle working on his paperwork. Suddenly his phone is ringing.

Nathan: Hello, sir.

Sir: Have you done with the paperwork? I need to send it to the superior.

Nathan: Wait, sir. Give me 10 minutes and I'll send it to you.

Sir: Okay.

Nathan ended the call and he continued working on the paperwork. After 10 minutes, he send the paperwork to the lecturer. He's relieved that he managed to finish the paperwork on time. It's 10 pm.

Nathan: Times to go home ! (He stretching a little bit)

Nathan pack all of his belongings. Then, he locked the door before leave the room. Then, he walk to his car. He rubbed his eyes because he felt a little sleepy.

Zayden: Ian...

Nathan's head up as soon as he heard a familiar voice, Zayden's voice. He look at the person in front of him.

Nathan: Hia...? Is that really you?

Zayden: Come here, Ian. (He opened both of his arm waiting for Nathan to come to him)

Without waiting anymore, Nathan immediately ran towards Zayden and went into Zayden's warm arms. He hugged Zayden's body very tightly. Seems like he didn't want to let go of that hug. He felt very happy when Zayden hugged him.

Zayden: Are you tired Ian? Hmm?

Nathan: Yes, Hia.

Zayden: Did you have your dinner yet?

Nathan: I haven't have my lunch and dinner.

Zayden let go of the hug and he look at Nathan.

Zayden: Why you didn't you have your lunch and dinner? You want to eat right now? I can accompany you.

Nathan: Hia...

Zayden: Hmm?

Nathan: Can you hug me again? (He look at Zayden with his doe's eyes)

Zayden smile and say, "Come."

Zayden and Nathan hugging each other. Zayden really embraced Nathan with his warm hug. He caressed Nathan's back.

Nathan: Your hug feels so warm, Hia.

Zayden: Hmm?

Nathan: I like your hug. It's warm and it feel's like a home.

Zayden tighten the hugs on Nathan.

Zayden: Ian...if there are days when you feel so tired and don't even can walk, then come to me for a hug like everything you've done to me all this time. I'll take you wherever you want and I'll always behind you to support you. Let me be your home even I'm not a perfect home at first but I'll try my best to be the best home for you.

Nathan was crying when he heard Zayden word. Zayden didn't realized he was crying. Actually Nathan always crying alone when he have a hard time or tired. He hid his tears because he didn't want his parents to worry about him and he didn't want to give them a negative vibe. So, he decided to keep them himself. He's always smile and happy in front of his parents. But now he have Zayden. He have Zayden to accompany him. He won't cry alone as long as he have him by his side.