Destination
2 weeks before GRADUATION DAY
‘ Gun you’re seriously turning down that recommendation?!!! ‘ Win yelled completely shocking every interns in the Le rainforest gallery office. Gun smack his legs under the table,
‘ stop overreacting it looks weird on you, go back being the prince-like Win ‘
‘ Gun seriously? ‘ One by one turn their heads at Gun, the latter feeling pressured shrug and just went to the entrance staring at their mural, reminiscing sweet moments with Off.
‘ you’re interested with it days ago before your professor made a visit so? What’s up? ‘ Win whispered beside him after following him.
‘ I found out Sir Off is planning to propose to me at the graduation day ‘
Win beamed ‘ aw! How did you found out? I thought it was supposed to be a surprise? ‘
Gun gave him a glare ‘ the question is how come you have an idea about it? and *pout* he left his conversation with Baifern out in open the last time he visited here so… ‘
‘ you snoop around tch, Gun that’s… a no no anyway I introduced Sir Off with my boyfriend last time and he asked for a favor involving his proposal to you ‘
Gun just rolled his eyes, ‘ So now do you understand why I don’t want to accept it? ‘
‘ NO. It doesn’t make sense. And I bet Sir Off will feel bad if you won’t accept it just for that ‘
‘ But he will surely push back the idea of us being a couple for me to concentrate with it, it is after all half a year training in Japan. ‘
‘I doubt that, he’d been waiting for a year and so for you ‘
‘ I started pursuing him since I was a sophomore mind you ‘
‘ hahaha oh! And happen to win his heart when you were a fourth year but look at you now, endlessly being adore by him *claps* ‘
‘ hehehehe ‘
‘ So before deciding anything ask his opinion ‘
--
GRADUATION DAY
‘ Let’s all give a round of applause to our last professor, Sir Off Jumpol Adulkittiporn, fifth year adviser of Class A to give his sending-off inspiration speech before we proceed to tossing toga caps and singing our University Hymn ‘
Gun, Aom and Tina were all holding hands in their seat, together with the rest of their class, cheering their favorite professor.
‘ A pleasant day to everyone, as nervous as I am standing here today I can’t help but feel proud once again, seeing my students achieved the first step closer reaching their dreams, yes! First step, because this is just the beginning of your true journey reaching your dream. After getting your degree is the real deal, more difficult, more hurdles will come to your way yet the learning and improvement during the process is the one that matters, the amount of new friends as well as rivals will soon appear and will make your journey tough and fun. Competition out there is different from all the competition that all of you experienced during your stay here, but as long as all of you keep the burning desire in your heart and mind to achieve your goal, I’m betting all of me that you will arrive at your desired destination. Thank you for all the wonderful memories, memories of us crying whether we lost or won *chuckles*, of us chasing after one another either I’m not accepting your late submission or me chasing you guys to attend the elective class *students laughing* and most importantly thank you for allowing me to be with your journey seeing you all grow up to be good and striving people will remain as one of my proudest moment. I’ll be right here as always to cheer and support all of you towards your success! CONGRATULATIONS! All of you are now free to spread your wings and fly higher, no limit! ‘
‘ WHOOOOOO! WE LOVE YOU SIR! ‘
‘ SIR! WILL VISIT YOU FROM TIME TO TIME! JUST TO SEE YOUR HANDSOME FACE!’
‘ SIR WE’LL MISS YOUR RANDOM STORIES! ‘
‘ SIR I’LL MISS SLEEPING IN YOUR CLASS! ‘
‘ HAHAHAH WE WILL MISS YOU MAKING GUN JEALOUS BY KICKING HIM OUT THE ROOM WHILE BONDING WITH US! ‘
‘ SIR, MARRY ME! ‘
Off chuckled when Gun started chasing Title who yelled the last sentence.
One by one students keep flocking to Off’s direction, they will take pictures with the professor in different poses while Gun was at the corner throwing glares but will smile for a picture along the students as well when they went to his position.
‘ Oho, Sir Off is really different today huh, oozing with a lot of hotness. I will surely miss our class with him ‘
‘ not to mention he was smiling and laughing most of the times why can’t he do that when we are in class huhuhu ‘
Gun ignored Aom and Tina being drama queen and stare back at Off who is smiling at him, after minutes of individual picture taking, they all come together for a group photo with Off and Gun in the middle, Gun’s heart was throbbing rapidly because he knows after the group photo, Off will propose to him,
Yet they already arrived at Gun, Aom and Tina’s combined graduation celebration with their families, done eating until his best friends left, up till now that his parents are calling out his name to go home, none. The professor did nothing.
Out of frustration and annoyance when the professor went to him to bid goodbye he pulled his tie roughly leaning to his face.
‘ Aren’t you forgetting something Mr. Adulkittiporn? ‘
Off stare at him confused ‘ huh? ‘
‘ Adopted! Dad said we better go I don’t want to get stuck in traffic ‘ Baifern yelled from outside the van.
Gun pushed Off pouting. ‘ Never mind. Forget about it ‘
--
Gun was sulking inside their car when he noticed that his dad is driving back to the university.
‘ Dad? Did you took a wrong turn, this is the way to my former university –wooh that feels good hoho I’m no longer a student ‘
His father smirked at him, ‘ yeah you are really an adult now ‘
‘ You didn’t answer my question ‘ Gun huffed and frown when his mother started sobbing,
‘ Eh? you guys are acting weird ‘
Gun curiously look around and was confused seeing a lot of students lurking around, but he was more confused when he saw a big banner saying ANNUAL ART FESTIVAL, he went down from their family car and frown deeper when he saw Aom and Tina grinning at him, pointing to a specific stall, he gasped loudly and ran inside it.
(Song: Warm/ Op oon: Jetset’er ft. Mon Monik)
It feels like a de ja vu but instead portraits of Off hanging to every corner, it was HIM! Different expression of him, smiling, laughing, frowning, pouting everything that a face can express. He was laughing but the tears in his eyes were starting to fall as he caress each painting,
(I want to spend every breath with you until my final days)
He turn around hurriedly when his former classmates start cheering, there he saw Off standing with a large bouquet in his hand smiling lovingly few feet away from him,
(I’m warm in my heart knowing that I have you right here with me)
He brushed off some tears flowing to his chin, Gun and Off start walking slowly until they meet in the middle, students and professors form a circle around them, both families of Gun and Off are inside the stall admiring Off’s work before watching the upcoming proposal, Baifern almost lost her wits when Gun unexpectedly crouch down hugging his knees sobbing while her brother is nervously trying to hush Gun for him to continue his plan.
(however good or bad things are, however difficult they get, I’m always ready to fight)
‘ HUHUHUHU I really thought you will not proceed proposing to me *sob* because I really accepted the Japan training! ‘
‘ Phunsawat stop crying ‘
‘ huhuhu you are still calling me that way! I’m no longer your student ‘
Off chuckled at Gun’s cuteness, lowering himself down to Gun’s eye level, he wiped away his tears.
‘ Gun, will you be my final destination? ‘
Gun’s eyes widen! ‘ yikes! That sounded awfully, sounded like the movie or something I can't believe out of all sweet cliché lines you chose that, I've waited for this for so many yearsss ‘ he whined making Off blushed and the crowd laugh.
Off stood up embarrassed, it was his first time doing gimmicks like this yet this ungrateful brat…-- Off blushed even harder when he felt Gun hugging him from behind with the latter’s head buried too his back murmuring.
‘ you are my only destination why are you even asking ‘
Everyone whistled and cheer Gun went to face Off, hugging him properly this time around yelling.
‘ AHHHHHH I WON THIS HOT PROFESSOR FOR A LIFETIME ! ‘
Off chuckled before glancing around them, Baifern got what he intend to do and clapped her hands Aom and Tina started distributing heart balloons. Gun pouted in confusion when they all turn their backs at them yet still in the form of circle, he was about to ask the professor when Off grab him by the neck gently placing his lips over him, everyone let their balloons that have mini lights inside go creating the atmosphere more romantic around the couple kissing in the middle of the circle.
( For you, I’m willing there’s no stipulations )
(And I’m ready to devote my entire life, to you )
SIX YEARS AFTER THAT FATEFUL DAY
‘ Sir…. Sir hello? When will you be back to Earth sir? ‘
The classroom was filled with laughter when the thirty-two years old professor gave his students a mysterious smile after spacing out while rubbing his hand as if the bite mark from the teacup Pomeranian still lingers there.
‘ Sorry, what was your question again? ‘
‘ Sir we asked you… why are you still single until now? You keep dodging that certain question. You know? ‘
Off touched his earlobe smiling, ‘ and where did you get the idea of me being single? ‘
‘AWWWWW! ‘ the classroom was filled with whines,
‘ because you keep dodging that question whenever we ask? Because we always see you alone, all you ever did is come to work then home, you’re very private with your personal affairs? ‘
Off feels like a mouse in a cage being interrogated by his students, he adjusted his tie. How to explain to his students that he somehow dodged those question because whenever he was asked, memories keep flooding into him like yesterday making him space out, that he is always alone because his husband is always travelling the world sharpening his skills and expanding his love for arts in different countries. And him? Being very private is just because it was in his nature? He wanted to keep a low profile that’s why he chose transferring to teach in the academy near the airport instead of staying at Silpakorn, the people there are non-stop teasing him after his stunt. He chose this academy for three reasons
- It’s near the airport where he can easily send or pick up Gun
- The academy offer flexible schedule that’s why at times he occasionally join Gun travel to explore beauty of arts
- The almost Digital Art Museum that the couple planned to open few months’ time is just across the road.
‘ Sorry about the misunderstanding of me being single then? Thank you for all of your worries about me being lonely but rest assured I am completely a happy man, and if all of you are still… still not convinced *lifting a mysterious beautifully designed envelope* as my advisory class all of you are invited to the opening of the First ever digital art museum here and--- ‘
‘ Woooooohooo!!!! ‘
‘ and at the same time my wedding ‘
Everyone were whispering and yelling at the same time in curiosity and excitement, they rush to Off’s desk and ambush the professor with personal questions to their disappointment Off glanced at his wristwatch before apologizing to his curious students.
‘ I need to go now. All of you can go home too ‘
‘ Sir, just answer this question where are you going this time around? your lips are stretching widely out of happiness ‘
‘ My soon-to-be-husband is back! ‘ Off shouted running outside, leaving his classroom and students a mess because of giddiness.
‘ Love!!!!! Hurry up! ‘
Twenty-six years old artist Gun smiled softly looking at the old acrylic painting that he saw accidentally when he went to visit his old room. Two arms snaked their way around his slim waist,
‘ Geez. You’re staring at that painting of that old man once again. I’m really starting to get jealous now and it will take longer than three months of you making up with me this time around ‘
Gun’s shoulder started trembling as he laughed before, kissing the latter’s cheek
‘ Shut up! Dad and Mom are waiting. Let’s go home ‘
‘ home? psh! You are just excited to see that old man! ‘
Gun pinched the side waist of Nam Da Reum, a seventeen year-old child currently under the custody of his father ever since his good old friend passed away a year ago, the kid have a massive crush on him the first day they met, and was totally throwing tantrums when he found out he already have someone and run away from them when he found out he will be marrying Off, Gun’s former professor, it took him three months before they convince the kid hiding in their old house where he saw the old portrait to come back home.
‘ Love, you should really reconsider marrying older men. I did told you to stop dating older man yet here you are marrying him instead! Tch! ‘
Gun grip Da Reum’s ear ‘ stop imitating my fiance’s nickname for me! Haha and please Off is not that old and start calling him Sir you’ll be his student next school year! ‘
‘ Psh! NEVER Bleh! ‘
-
Off immediately have this sour face and pushed Da Reum’s annoying face to the side before running towards Gun, lifting him up the moment they step out the private van, the latter wrap his legs around Off’s waist, kissing the older guy from left to right before his lips.
‘ Welcome back Love ‘
Off meant it when he told Gun not to narrow his dreams, his love for arts just for him, and Gun really live for it, he started training in Japan for six months two months after graduation, at first they had a hard time adjusting each other’s time and Off end up following him there. But proud was an understatement when he saw Gun’s improvement and lively eyes, all of the whining and fights were worth it, after that Off will occasionally join him travel they both went to Finland, Dominican Republic, Kenya, all around the world to paint, sketch and photograph breath taking views at times, they will also learn the culture and making crafts in that certain place. But at the end of the day they will come home into each other’s arm in their homeland.
After two years for Gun and five years for Off ( he planned building an art museum a long time ago when he was still just falling for Gun) they finally organized and stabilized building an art museum, with help of Baifern’s husband as their first investor, he personally love Gun’s artworks ever since Gun gave a portrait of Baifern and his wedding kiss as a wedding gift.
EVERYDAY LOVE-
The first digital art museum in the country, an art museum that is irregular because it was limitless, from one exhibition room to another, covered with intense creative designs, ever-evolving world… the 3D digital art bringing you different wonders of the world. But the couple’s favorite is the specialized room that were filled of their memories all across the world and in the middle was their 3D version, wherein Off kneeling on the ground holding a ring while Gun covering his face crying.
The couple admire every corner of the exhibition room smiling to one another, Gun placed his arms around Off’s shoulder, while Off’s hand snaked their way to Gun’s hips, slowly dancing with just them humming to their wedding song,
‘ Thank you for being my destination ‘
‘ Thank you for completing me ‘
‘ I love you ‘
‘ I love you ‘