✒ Chapter 54 : Your guardian angel

"Meeting you was either by coincidence or by fate, but letting you stay in my life was my choice."

-Khein

THREE DAYS LATER...

Dried tears, Khein looked shocked than hurt. Ever since Rei died, he never shed a tear for his lover's death. He would rather stay in the corner at the funeral without talking to anyone, not even Center and Ethan.

"Cent, I'm worried about Khein. He's been acting strange and different. I've never seen him cry since Rei passed away" Ethan said. The two of them kept distance everytime Khein seemed to throw glares at them. Everytime Ethan wanted to talk to Khein and planned to comfort him, the rebel guy would tell him to piss off.

"He needs time" Center said and held Ethan's hand.

"Eeth, you know what, I have to say this but that guy is really brave and strong. Look how much he managed to endure everything until now. He must loved Rei very much." Center commented. Ethan agreed and smiled bitterly. Khein looked so lost in the middle of the people around the funeral room. With only Rain guarding and looking out for him from afar, he seemed to shut the world out. Rain sat beside Khein and handed something to the rebel guy.

"It's from Rei" Rain said. Khein didn't bother to look what he was holding as he kept staring at Rei's handsome face in the picture frame above the coffin.

"He said that you really wished for it" Rain said and attempted to wear the ring on Khein's finger.

"What do you think are you doing?" Khein hissed and glared at Rain. Rain sighed and petted Khein's head.

"I'm sorry. Rei wished he was able to wear the ring with you. So he wanted me to give it to you." Rain said.

"You don't have to do it for me" Khein grabbed the ring and put it inside his pocket. The rebel guy sighed and exited the place. As he went outside, the cool air carressed his bare and tired face. It felt like someone just kissed his lips. Khein smiled and whispered in the air, "Damn, I miss you already."

It was as if his tears had gone frozen, Khein leaned against the wall. He remembered that one scene from a very long time ago.

"Kheiny! Kheiny! You see, I can be you guardian angel! As long as I am here, you are safe. I will carry you when you hurt your knees. I will buy you a lot of white chocolates. I will be your groom when we grow up!" Rei babbled nonstop as Khein ate the chocolates that the cheerful boy gave him.

"Will you shut up and leave me alone?" Khein hissed and pushed Rei on the ground. Rei's palm got scratched when he used it to prevent his back from falling.

"Ouch" Rei hissed softly. Concerned, Khein frowned and spouted, "It's not that painful"

Rei nodded and helped himself to stand up, hiding his hands behind him, he pretended fine.

"It's not that painful! This is nothing! That's why, you can count on me!" Rei smiled at Khein. Khein wanted to see Rei's wound but he was shy and awkward, in the end, he pretended not to care.

"From now on, I am your guardian angel, don't you like it, Kheiny?" Rei asked and Khein just nodded, guilty for pushing Rei to the ground.

"Whatever, dumb" Khein said.

Khein inhaled deeply as he looked at the dark sky.

"You must be enjoying watching me get crazy for you at last, huh?" Khein sighed.

"You win, my stupid Psycho. I love you even though, thank you for changing me" Khein whispered in the air. He wanted to cry, but it seemed that his tears were frozen.

THE LAST DAY

Blank faced, Khein dropped the white rose above the coffin being sunken slowly on the ground. Ethan was crying hardly, so as Center trying to hold his voice. Khein's apathetic face made the others even more concerned.

After the burial, Khein remained standing in front of Rei's tombstone. Staring at it as if waiting for someone to appear before him. Still, convincing himself that everything was just a nightmare. He wanted to wake up, but the truth, he knew he was awake.

Center and Ethan came to accompany him. Ethan inhaled deeply as he was about to speak, but unfortunately Center punched Khein's chest softly. Khein frowned upon receiving the weak hit.

"Cry" Center commanded. Khein stared at him for a long time. Center hit Khein again, this time a bit harder.

"I said cry" Center repeated. Khein sneered and found the situation funny.

"If you won't cry, this time, I'll punch you real hard in the face." Center said as a tear escaped from the spoiled brat's left eye. Khein gulped the lump inside his throat, he choked.

"Yes please, make it really hard. Hard enough to knock me down and fall asleep." Khein said hopelessly. Center punched Khein in the face, hard enough for Khein to fell on the ground and taste his own blood coming out from his lips. He bowed his head, his elbows against his knees, palms covering his face, Khein finally cried.

"Cent, you made him cry" Ethan smiled, tears falling down his cheeks. A bit guilty, Center kneeled before Khein and apologized.

"Hey dude, I didn't mean to..."

"Damn it hurts" Khein cried silently. Center knew what Khein meant but he went with the flow.

"Yes, I'm sorry. You can punch me back, then we're even" Center chuckled. Khein cried even harder.

"It hurts" mouth trembling, his silent cries became painful screams. The three of them shared tears, under the blazing sun, their hearts felt cold.

"I will see you again, my guardian angel. Please wait for me" Khein whispered against the air.

Khein thought, "Loving someone makes you brave. It encourages you to do the things you never thought you could do. It shapes your life, teaches you lessons, changes you, either for good or bad. Loving someone can make you stronger"

"Rei, it was me who kept pushing you away. Yet you came to me restlessly, until I gave in and accepted you. And I have no regrets. Loving you was the happiest moment of my life"

Khein kissed the tip of his finger and pressed it against the tombstone.

"See you again, Rei"