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How long had it been since Pang lost his memories? 2 months? 3 months? Wave lost count. Days felt like years anyway when Pang was not around. From strangers to friends and back to strangers again with the only difference being that he remembered everything about this stranger but this stranger didn't even know he existed. Wave didn't know he would feel so lonely. He didn't even know this could feel so lonely. Afterall Class Gift and Class 8 existed in parallel universe. Their paths never crossed Perhaps for Wave that was a relief, even though he still checked on him from time to time through the CCTV, he couldn't imagine having to walk past Pang like they have never known each other.
Until one day Pang decided to sneak out of his classroom for an early lunch.
That was the day Wave had been waiting for.
Pang bumped into Wave again at the cafeteria. Just like the day when they first met.
"Watch where you are going."
"I am sorry."
"Which classroom are you from? Where's your pin?"
Wave remembered their first encounter so well.
Pang looked at him with his innocent expression.
Wave bit his lips to stop himself from calling out Pang's name. What good would it do anyway?
Pang had become a stranger to him too. Was Pang still the same Pang without the memories of their adventures together?
"Pang, let's go, don't mess with the class gift kids. Especially Wave."
For once Wave felt that Nac saved the day.
Pang was not sure if he just had a Déjà vu. "Wave..." Pang murmured. He was sure they were not acquainted but that boy from Class Gift felt so familiar. Then he saw the gifted pin on the floor. Another Déjà vu appeared as he picked it up. It almost felt like the pin belonged to him. He knew something was missing but he didn't know what. Plus it wasn't the first time. A part of him seemed to have gone missing but he couldn't find out what it was. He tried to shook the idea off. Perhaps he daydreamt too much.
Wave got a notification on his phone saying that Pang had opened the video file. He tuned into the CCTV of the gifted computer room. Wave hoped the video and their lunchtime encounter would be enough to wake Pang up.
The door handle of the gifted classroom clicked. Wave's heart raced. Pang, who wasn't a stranger anymore, the Pang he knew, was back.
"Took you long enough." Wave said, with his usual stern expression.
Pang smiled. So good to see this poker face again.
Namtaan and Ohm didn't waste a second and ran over to hug Pang.
"I missed you, Pang" Ohm was so delighted. "I almost blew our cover at the cafeteria~ Aw~~ it was so difficult not to talk to you and pretend that we didnt know you, right Namtaan?." "Yes, Ohm, but you did a good job, well done." Namtaan replied, her smile always so tender. "What about you, Pang? Have you behaved yourself these few months when you are not with us?" She took Pang's hand and used her potential to find out how he had been in the past few months. She looked satisfied and said with a sweet smile on her face, "Welcome back, Pang."
Honestly, Wave missed seeing the trio, too. Ohm and Namtaan looked so dull when Pang was gone. Wave really envied them. He wished he could say his feelings out loud as frankly and directly as they could. Of course he was pleased to see Pang, too, but there was more to that.
After an extensive session of catching-up, the group split. The gifted room was quiet and peaceful again.
Pang and Wave were left alone. In silence. A silence that belonged to Wave only. So quiet. Yet, so confused. Pang remembered Wave's silence so well. He had learnt to read them as if it was his second potential. A second potential that could only be used on Wave. It might have become a little rusty, since he only regained his memory. He was able to tell when he was sad, worried, depressed, excited, but right now he read confusion. He wondered why.
"Let's go." Wave grabbed his laptop all of a sudden and left.
"Can I come along?"
Wave raised his eyebrows slightly but did not reject.
Pang knew that meant yes for Wave. He followed Wave back to his dorm room.
Everything felt so familiar. The room, the desk, Wave's hoodie behind his chair, his computer, also the many hours they spent here having fun, deriving plans, teasing each other. Pang missed those times, but most of all, he missed Wave. He finally understood the emptiness he felt for the past few months. The missing piece in his heart was Wave.
Wave walked right into his room to put down his laptop on the desk, leaving Pang at the door. The view in front of him blurred as his eyes turned hazy.
Only when he stepped into his room with Pang by his side again, had he realized how much he actually missed Pang.
For months, Wave tried so hard to shake the memories off his mind. Because it hurt too much. The memories of their time spent together, the drinks they shared, the lunches he bought him, their plans and aspirations.
Perhaps he could finally understand why Kru Pom erased his own memory after P' Chanon's incident. There were times when Wave wondered if it would be easier had Kru Pom erased his memories too. But he couldnt. He knew one of them had to guard his memory, no, their memories. They still had to fight the headmaster. He had to win this for Pang. He had to win this with Pang.
So he waited for the right time to bring Pang's memories back. To bring Pang back. Therefore he endured the pain of losing Pang temporarily. Although temporary felt like forever.
Then there he was. Right behind him. Pang was back. Pang who shared the same memories with him was back. He should be happy but why were his eyes welling up with tears?
"Hey Wave." Wave waited for what felt like a lifetime to have Pang call out his name again. His voice always so soft and gentle. But he couldn't turn around for fear his tears would fall. He couldn't even respond with words. He hated his tears as much as he hated his vulnerability in front of Pang.
"Wave," Still, he did not respond. Pang walked towards Wave and held his wrist. He could feel Wave's heartbeat again. "Look at me." Pang made his request.
Wave had no choice but yielded to his command and looked up. He still tried to manage his expression despite tears rolling down his cheeks.
Yet, it was impossible to look away no matter how much he wanted to avoid Pang's gaze right now.
Pang saw his tears and immediately understood the confusion he sensed back in the classroom.
"Wave, I am sorry."
"No, Pang. I am sorry." Wave shook his head and tears fell on Pang's hand. He had so much guilt. He hated himself for leaving Pang alone in the auditorium. He had to pretend he didn't agree with Pang when Headmaster confronted them back then.
"I left you alone. I let you face the headmaster on your own." Pang let go of Wave's hands and wrapped his arm round him to hug him tightly. He held Wave in his arms, looked him right in the eyes and said, "That's just silly, Wave, don't apologize. I knew you did that for us. I knew you were on my side, I know you always will be. Thank you for bringing me back." Wave bursted into tears, burying his head in Pang's chest.
"Wave, I am back. Everything is alright now."
Pang gave Wave a pat on his back. "You did a great job. You did what you had to do."
"I am sorry." Wave repeated. Still in tears.
"No Wave, I am sorry for letting you deal with this on your own. Sorry for letting you suffer when I treated you like a complete stranger last time at the cafeteria." Pang hugged Wave even tighter. He was thankful that he could remember Wave again. He cuddled Wave as he cried his heart out. Pang stroked Wave's hair gently to soothe his pain. He held Wave so close to him until he calmed down eventually.
Pang then held Wave's face between his palms, and looked compassionately at those red, puffy eyes, "Who knew Wave could have so much tears." He wiped away the tears on Wave's cheeks, so softly, so delicately.
"Shut up, Pang." Wave said, still sobbing.
"No more tears from now on, Wave, I missed your smile so badly. Just one smile, please?"
"I don't smile." He protested while wiping the rest of the tears in his eyes.
"I'll have to make you then."
"Oh how? With your potential like you did just now?"
Pang smiled intrugingly.
"Yup. And I am about to do it again."
Pang grabbed both of Wave's wrists in his hands. He gently pushed Wave against the wall with his body. He pinned Wave's arms firmly at the wall. With Wave's strength and build, there was no way he could win this wrestle. "Wave, I missed you." Pang lowered his head and was about to kiss Wave on his lips.
Wave did not expect this at all. He didn't know if he was ready for a kiss at all. He turned he face sideways to avoid the kiss, "Pang, no..." His cheeks were flushing pink.
Pang held Wave's wrists tighter. "Are you sure?" Wave looked at Pang, the dimples on his cheeks, his bright round eyes, just became even more charming when close-up.
"Who said he would never use his potential on me again?" He objected while pouting his lips.
"Well, there is an exception to every rule."
"Like what?"
"Like when you are looking at me pouting like a cute kitten," Pang moved his body closer to Wave's, "Say yes now or i will make you."
"Is that all you've got? Huh? Using your potential to get my kiss?" Wave didn't want to give in just yet
"Let's see if we can get more than just a kiss. Let's try out my potential."
Pang's lips were already pressing gently against Wave's before he could complain further.
Pang gently kissed away Wave's tears. He kissed Wave's forehead, his cheeks, and back to his lips again. He did not let go of Wave, the gentle peck grew into a passionate kiss, with Wave still pinned against the wall. Wave couldn't tell if Pang had used his potential or not. He wasn't going to say no to Pang to begin with. Wave just closed his eyes and kissed him back.
Pang, so good to have you back.
Wave, I will never let you cry again.
Next morning the boys were having a saturday- lie in. Pang was waken up by the morning light that leaked through the curtains. Wave was still sleeping next to him. He seemed so exhausted from the night before. Pang stroke his cheek gently without waking him up. Although Wave was sound asleep, his expression looked so calm and peaceful. he liked this Wave so much. The real Wave. The Wave that only he could see.
Pang got hungry and checked the fridge out for food. He opened the fridge door just to find out the fridge was filled with ovaltine. Every shelf, every compartment, even at the door. Pang smiled. He took one out and drank it right away.
Later on that morning he asked.
"Wave, are you selling Ovaltines to the Nongs now?"
"What?"
"All those Ovaltines in your fridge."
"Oh." he responded ambiguously. His eyes didn't even leave the computer screen.
"You like Ovaltine that much?"
Wave shrugged, "You did."
Pang smiled.