Chapter - 23 - What a sin!!!
"What do you mean? Another outing? Not going.."
Anyone who wanted his money was his enemy. Another outing meant another waste of money. It's that simple…
"It's a township gathering. You have to.."
"No .."
"Pretty girls…"
"No.."
The rejection was ruthless. Wine managed the first outing because the people who arranged the outing were teachers. This one was not arranged by the teachers. So, there wasn't a need to go.
"You can be elected as the president of Bamboo Hill township trainees if you come.."
Wine was seduced with fame and beauty. But, is he that kind of man?
"Not interested.."
It's not like he hasn't seen beautiful women before. He himself was also a beautiful person in both lives. If he wanted to see beauty, he could just stand in front of a mirror. The person who persuaded him left cursing.
"Why not?"
Anawar was puzzled. He knew Wine disliked wasting money but he was not that stingy.
"A waste of time and money, might I say. For me…"
Socialising was good in college. However, Wine was more afraid of his mother and losing face. How were these related? Of course, it's related. Going out was equal to spending money. Spending money could lead to running out of money ahead of time.
Though he was loved, his mother wouldn't tolerate him asking for money before the agreed time. This could lead him to borrowing money from the roommates and classmates. Won't he lose face if this happens?
"Wine!! You have a visitor."
"Visitor? Where is it?"
"He is waiting for you at the gate."
"A man?"
It couldn't be his father. His family members would call you first if they come. Who could it be?
Wine changed clothes unhurriedly, put some cash in his pocket and strided towards the gate. At the gate, none of his familiar figures were there.
"Wine …"
A hoarse voice made him look sideways. There was a man leaning against the wall. He was a tall man with bronze skin.
"Big brother… Why are you here?"
Wine asked while walking towards the visitor. He knew this man called Sithu Hein but they were not that familiar.
"Can we talk in a quiet place?"
Wine looked at the watch. 2:00 pm, still early for dinner…
"What about this teashop?"
There was only one tea shop near the college. It was a little shabby and crowded with trainees. It shouldn't be a quiet place.
"Or… Let's walk to the shops downtown. It is a 15 minute walk from here."
This man didn't talk much on the way. He looked haggard compared to the image before. His eyes were red and the dark circles were quite heavy. Wine could even see it on his not so fair skin.
Wine chose the teashop he sat with Anawar before. He ordered two cups of tea as they sat.
"I haven't seen you for quite some time. Are you stationed here?"
Noticing his hesitation, Wine broke the ice first. Sithu Hein flinched and lifted his eyes towards Wine's face. It was him who wanted to talk but his courage weaned when he was about to take this step.
"In this month, I didn't see you when I came to your store. I searched for you in the places you used to go. I waited for you in front of your store hoping you would go out to buy something from the market. Later I was told that you were admitted to the college. I know I won't be able to see you a few times in a year…"
Sithu Hein's eyes became firm. Since he decided to break the jar, he must do it thoroughly.
"I've avoided you before. But now I know I can't see you often, I regret it. I regret wasting precious time."
Wine got a bad hunch from his tone. It seemed like a confession? He wanted to interrupt but what if he was self-righteous and his guess was wrong?
"I like you. So Wine, can you accept my feelings?"
He nailed it on top of Wine's head. Wine was petrified by the sudden confession even though he anticipated it.
"Are you perhaps getting the wrong person? I'm a man. Are you sure you are not messing me up with my sister?"
This doubt can't be ruled out. It's more reasonable to believe than him being confessed by a man.
"You don't have to doubt me. I like you, Wine. Because of this feeling, I didn't dare to meet you."
"Sorry. I've to reject you. I don't like you and we are not suitable."
"Just give me a chance. I risked a lot to see you here. I can't get approval on my leave. So I sneaked out. That's the proof of how much I love you. I drove all night to get to you. Please… "
Tsk…he was moral- kidnapped. It was as if Wine was the one who asked him to come.
"You are a military officer. Your carrier doesn't allow you to be willful. You know that, right?"
"It's not.."
Wine interrupted him before he talked back. He must cut this outrageous affection cleanly.
"Let me talk. Don't interrupt me. First, I'm not homophobic. I respect them. But I like girls. Please accept my rejection. I'll really get angry if you try again because your behaviour shows you are not a responsible man. Even if I accept your feelings, you can't give me a future. Your profession doesn't allow you to be gay. Your sincerity is worthless. You know best, right?"
Wine spoke calmly, stating the facts. After that, without listening to what Sithu Hein wanted to explain, he walked out from the teashop. When he thinks of the reduced cash in his pocket, he wants to cry. He paid for two cups of tea out of anger.
Let you go out randomly… That's the price to pay….
Sithu Hein was a military officer transferred to Bamboo Hill town two years ago. Wine's parents opened a convenience store at home. That's the place he met with Wine.
The first time they met, Sithu Hein was taking a group of fresh graduates around the town when he stopped by Wine's store to fill petrol. The mighty group consisted of seven officers and four motorcycles. In a good mood, he teased Wine who was guarding the store and they got acquainted.
After that, Sithu Hein became a frequent customer of the store. The visit stopped when a junior officer confessed to Wine and rejected on the spot. They knew Wine was a boy at that time. They were teasing him because they thought he was a tomboy.
However, in Wine's mind they were not that familiar because he thought this group of officers were courting his sister. Of course, except for the unlucky guy who confessed to him.
Walking back to the dorm, there was only one thought floating in his mind…
"What a sin did I commit to deserve this!!!"