Flashback on.
It was noon, the clock was 02.00 Berlin time. Gabriel walks into a photo studio shop building. The studio belongs to Aleric, Gabriel plans to take his girlfriend to lunch because he hasn't had time to visit his girlfriend in the photo studio for a long time.. And today his study schedule ended early, so Gabriel decided to meet his girlfriend and take her to lunch at their favorite restaurant.
After arriving in front of his lover's room, Gabriel immediately opened the door to the room. Instead of stepping in, Gabriel chose to go to the parking lot where he parked his car. Gabriel didn't even look at things. He kept walking fast. When he arrived in front of his car Gabriel rushed in and quickly drove his car at a fairly high speed. Gabriel paid no heed to the horns of other vehicles as he quickly crossed the busy street. He just wants to get home as soon as possible.
When Gabriel reached the house, with wide steps Gabriel entered his house. Gabriel passed several maids to the second floor of his room ignoring the greetings of the maids in the house. The maids looked at Gabriel in surprise, which was unusual because Gabriel was known to be a very friendly master. But this time, Gabriel didn't answer all the maids' greetings, not even smiling. But Uncle Lee was surprised by the look on Gabriel's face that looked gloomy.
Shortly thereafter, Aleric walked into the Mukesh family's house. He looks rushed and panicked.
"Uncle, is Gabriel in his room?" Aleric asked the head of the house.
"Yes sir, the young master just entered his room." Uncle Lee replied surprised.
"Did something happen?" Ask uncle Lee again.
"Can I go upstairs uncle?" Aleric asked without answering Uncle Lee's question.
"Please sir." Reply to uncle Lee.
"Thank you Uncle." Without waiting long Aleric ran to the second floor to his girlfriend's room.
Tok tok tok..
When he arrived at the white painted door, Aleric tried to knock on the door, hoping that the owner of the room would open the door for him..
"El, open the door. I want to explain everything." Aleric said.
Tok tok tok.
"Iel, just open the door for a moment. I beg you."
When Aleric was about to knock for the third time, the door to the room opened, revealing the owner of the room with a wrinkled face.
"Can I come in?" Aleric asked to make sure.
Without answering, Gabriel walked towards the balcony of his room. Aleric closed the door and followed Gabriel to the balcony.
"What do you want to talk about?" Gabriel asked without turning to Aleric.
"Forgive me." Aleric looks at his lover's back.
At this moment Gabriel was standing with his back to Aleric. I don't know what the young man was looking at, what is clear for now is that Gabriel doesn't want to look at Aleric.
"I'm sorry baby. I'm just getting carried away because I'm used to being with him every day." Aleric continued trying to explain to Gabriel.
Gabriel remained silent for a moment. Aleric stepped closer to Gabriel.
"Do not come close." Gabriel said still with his back to Aleric.
"So you've been with me for three years because you're used to it? You're just used to my presence." Sarkas Gabriel turned around, he looked at Aleric with teary eyes.
"No, I love you very much. I'm not used to your presence, but I really love you Iel. Trust me, baby." Aleric explained. Aleric really loves Gabriel.
"Heh.. really?" Gabriel smiled sarcastically at Aleric "Then, what about kissing in your room with your co-workers, that's what is said to love me?"
"I'm just getting carried away baby, he keeps approaching me." Aleric objected.
"If you really love me, you should be able to resist all the temptations he shows you!" Gabriel shouted.
"It's not even fun kissing in your room." The tears that had been pooling in Gabriel's eyes had escaped..
Aleric was silent, everything Gabriel said was true. If he hadn't been tempted by his co-workers to play with fire behind Gabriel's back, maybe things wouldn't have turned out this way. The person he loves the most will never cry because of him, will never be disappointed because of him, will never fully look at him. Now everything is shattered, the trust, loyalty of his lover for three years has accompanied him to struggle from zero until now he has become a famous photographer in Berlin. If only time could be turned back. He will never play with fire behind Gabriel.
"I'm so sorry El. I'm sorry." Aleric pleaded.
"It's all happened, and there's no need to apologize. Maybe I just didn't pay enough attention to you. So you seek attention from other people." Gabriel said.
How broken Aleric's heart was to hear those words from Gabriel. Because actually, this young man in front of him really cares about him. Every day Gabriel would never forget to visit him when he was in the studio and bring food for Aleric. Gabriel knows, if his lover is already working he will forget to eat. Or if Gabriel doesn't have time to meet Aleric, Gabriel will call and remind his girlfriend to eat. Ask him how he is every day. Then where lies Gabriel's lack of attention to him. Aleric really felt struck by that word, because he was the one who sometimes forgot to just give news to Gabriel.
"You didn't do anything wrong baby, I was wrong. I'm greedy, I'm ignorant, I'm the one who wasted your trust." Aleric also burst into tears. "I won't do it again baby, I promise. I'm sorry. I beg you."
Gabriel took Aleric's hand, he held the hand that usually always held him dear.
"No problem. Everything has happened, it's not all your fault. Because what he has I don't have it." Gabriel said with a bitter smile. He let go of his lover's hand and caressed Aleric's cheek affectionately.
"Come back, maybe he's waiting for you there. Our story is finished, knit a new story together with him. I let you go." Gabriel said, then kissed Aleric's lips for a long time. There was no crush, just a long kiss with lips quivering to hold back sobs.
Immediately Gabriel turned his back to Aleric. "Go, I'm fine. I'm fine." As strong as Gabriel doesn't make his voice tremble.
Aleric shook his head and hugged Gabriel from behind. "No. I will not leave you, I love you very much iel."
"Because you love me, then please release me from this burden that crushes me." Gabriel said with tears that didn't stop flowing.
"Don't you love me anymore, Iel?" Aleric asked, tightening his hug.
"Because I love you so much, then I let you find happiness with someone else. Maybe you're not happy with me." Gabriel let go of Aleric's hand that wrapped around his waist.
"Thank you for loving me these three years. Now you can go, I want to rest." Gabriel said, he didn't even glance at Aleric.
Aleric was silent, unable to speak to his lover anymore. Oh, maybe now you could say his ex-girlfriend.
With unsteady steps, Aleric left Gabriel alone on the balcony of his room. He stepped out and left the Mukesh family home with a heavy heart. No, it's not that Aleric gave up on getting Gabriel's forgiveness. However, Aleric wanted to give Gabriel some time to himself. Later, Aleric will try to talk to Gabriel again.
"I still love you very much, but I can't accept your betrayal." Gabriel said, staring intently at Aleric's car that came out of his yard..
Flashback off.
"One thing I forget when I learn to love someone is that I never learn." Gabriel said quietly.
It's been 5 months since it happened. But somehow, the pain is still very painful.
"If you want to cry, cry. You can share it with me." Someone said from behind Gabriel.
To be continued...