Ever since I caught Chen having a nightmare he’s somehow become more…clingy. Previously he spent 90% of the time he didn’t have a class or an autograph event in his room. Now, he actively spends time outside and asks me to watch movies, and hang out, even voluntarily coming along to the gym.
“Hey, it’s starting!” I blink. Chen’s sitting on the couch, chips in one hand and beer in the other, gesturing at me frantically. Since we watched Endgame last time it’s now Chen’s turn to pick a movie and he chose…
“So wait, what’s the movie again?” I ask as I walk over to the couch and sit next to him.
“The Great Wall. It’s a 2016 science fantasy, monster film…” His eyes remain glued to the TV as the credits play.
“Oh, cool. So the Great Wall as in The Great Wall of China?”
“Yes. I’ve been wanting to watch this for a while however I hadn’t gotten to it. Although now I’m also watching it for research purposes.”
“Research?”
“For my book.”
“Ah, the one about the general? But the movie isn’t realistic right?” He finally moves his eyes from the screen and takes a quick glance at me.
“Well my book is a historical fantasy. So I’m watching this more to see how they add fantasy elements to the historic structure, not for research on the historical aspect.” Then his gaze quickly reverts back.
“Oh cool.”
Soon the actual movie starts. I watch it, taking periodic sips of my beer. I find myself engrossed in the monsters, the action…
Bzzzzz! bzzzzz! I reach into my pant pocket and pull out my buzzing phone. I glance at the screen: “Appa“. Oh great.
“Uh, Chen?” His gaze is glued to the screen.
“Chen!” I lean over and shake his shoulder.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“…Uh huh?” He blinks.
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“Tbeg qjgfcar?”
“Tfjt, rb P tjnf ab ajxf atlr. P’ii yf yjmx lc j rfm.”
“…Yx.”
P ufa eq jcv rilq jkjs, qtbcf lc tjcv. Qjixlcu qjra atf mbemtfr, mbecafg, jcv ajyif, P gfjmt ws gbbw jcv ilutais mibrf atf vbbg yfobgf lctjilcu rtjgqis jcv jcrkfglcu atf qtbcf.
“Appa?”
“Ah, Ramakrishnan.”
“Why did you call?”
“Uh, how are your studies going?”
“Good.”
“Well…”
“Amma asked you to call didn’t she? What is it?”
“Oh, well she wanted me to tell you-.”
“-why didn’t she call directly?”
“..Er, well she…”
“She’s still ignoring me right? Okay, so what is it?”
“Well, you still don’t have a girlfriend right-“
“No. No way. I’m not going on an arranged blind date.”
“But-“
“There’s no way.”
“Ramakrishnan, your Amma wants what’s best for you.”
“No, she just wants me to get married because she somehow believes that’ll make Patti get better. Well, it won’t. Patti’s dying, there’s nothing we can do about it!”
“Ramakrishnan!”
“Appa, do you really think me getting married early to a girl I hardly know will miraculously make Patti better?”
“Well, your Amma and I had an arranged marriage. And maybe not better but it will make her happy…”
“No. No way. Don’t you dare guilt trip me into this.”
“Ramakrishnan-“
“-no, that’s final. Is there anything else?”
“…Just go visit your Patti.”
“I will, of course I will. I don’t need you to tell me that just and I don’t need you to interfere in my life just like you’ve been doing all these years.”
“Ram-” Click. I hang up.
Then I lean my head against the wall and groan, low and guttural in my throat. After several moments I straighten, leave my room, and return to the TV.
“Chen?” It’s silent, the TV is paused. I glance down at the couch and find Chen awkwardly sprawled against it, unresponsive. I peer down at the carpet: four empty beer bottles. Uh-oh.
“Chen how much did you drink?” I mutter crouching down. He’s splayed against the side of the couch and his eyes are closed. I reach my hands towards him and his eyes snap open. I freeze.
“Uh, Chen?” He tilts his head and slowly blinks his large soulful eyes. Then he parts his lips.
“Did you call your Mommy?” He asks in a sing song tone.
“Uh, I spoke with my Dad, yeah. Come on, let’s get you to bed.” I try to pull him up, he refuses to budge.
“What did you talk about?”
“Uh, you know. Just stuff.” I try to move him again. Finally, I outright lift him up and he flops over my shoulder. I take a step towards the bedrooms-
“I WANT TO TALK TO MY MOMMY TOO!” At this shrill screech right next to my ear I stumble, nearly dropping Chen.
“Shoot! Chen! Calm down!”
“BUT – BUT THEY HATE ME!” With this he bursts into large, gasping sobs. I rush to Chen’s room before he has another chance to scream. I set him on the bed, lift the covers, and spread them over him. Then I turn to leave-before finding a problem.
“Chen, Chen let go of me.” His claws are hooked firmly onto my shirt. He’s generally pretty weak but his grip strength is something else.
“They hate me!” He wails. “Because I’m a novelist! Because I’m gay! Because-because-” hiccup. His wails intermingled with sobs slowly transform into sniffles. He wails. I pause. Because I’m a novelist? Because I’m gay?
I look down at Chen’s face. It’s all red and splotchy, covered in yet to dry tears. Something causes me to bend over and brush the tears from his face. I continue gazing at him. His nose is especially red, rather pitiful and cute. I chuckle, then pause. What am I doing? My dad’s words float back to me. My smile vanishes. I stand up, yank my sleeve from Chen’s grip, and leave the room.
Ah no, Chen! Why must you hurt like this…!