Chapter 56 - Need To Be With

"Hey Yul, wake up!"

Zeng was shaking Yul's shoulder but the other man just groaned at the disturbance, turning to the other side and pressing a pillow on his face for further privacy. But the doctor was not someone who gave up this easily.

"Wake up, Yul. You can't miss this!" Zeng said, going over the other side to complete his task. He yanked the pillow away, "Wake up, now!"

Yul's eyes fluttered open to Zeng's handsome face, bright sunshine behind him and a throbbing headache immediately followed. He groaned, clutching his head in both his hands, rubbing his temples to ease the pain as he sat up lazily.

Zeng backed away to take something from the nightstand. He gave Yul a painkiller and handed him the glass as he took a seat beside him when Yul gulped down the tablet, grimacing at the bitter taste.

"Do you remember what happened yesterday?" Zeng asked, taking back the glass and putting it away.

Yul shook his head lightly, "Not everything. We were at a bar and I had a drinking competition with someone and the rest of my memory is hazy."

Zeng nodded. Yul was about to go back to sleep and slump down when Zeng caught his arm, making him sit up.

"Come on, let me sleep, Zeng ge," Yul whined, "My head hurts."

"Well, aren't you forgetting something important?" Zeng asked with a mocking glare. Yul raised his eyebrows in question, his sleepy eyes unclear and the headache not helping at all. Zeng sighed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Today's your inauguration, Officer Wang," he said, making Yul curse out loud as he threw the blankets away.

"Oh fu¢k!"

Zeng grimaced at the crudity, wrinkling his nose and Yul smiled apologetically, hurrying off to the bathroom but not before giving Zeng a good morning kiss. The doctor just shook his head as he himself got ready for his job.

He put on his new uniform for the first time. It was only slightly different but he felt powerful wearing it. Zeng helped him button his cuffs and set his hair. Yul was so excited for this day. His mom had left for Hongkong last night. She would be arriving anytime soon. There had been no news from his dad and though Yul wanted him there but it didn't dampen his high spirits. It was a new chapter of his life. He would like to start it with positivity.

Then he remembered it was not Zeng's day off and a frown covered his face.

"You'll be there, right?" He asked after breakfast when it was his time to go.

"I will try my best," Zeng assured, "I can manage a maximum of two hours."

Yul nodded, it wasn't easy for a day off on such short notice and without a solid reason. Yul guessed his promotion wouldn't be an apt excuse to get a holiday for Zeng. But he was ready to accept whatever was given to him. Even if for a short amount of time, Zeng would be there to witness the function and that was enough for him.

"Did you call mom?" He asked, wearing his polished shoes and tying up the shoelaces.

Zeng nodded, "Yeah, I did it this morning. She is on her way." He too was ready for work and grabbed the keys to his car. "I will drop you. Your bike is still at your old police station."

"Okay!"

They drove to the City Police Hall and halted near the main gate. Many other vehicles were also dropping off dressed up people for the ceremony.

"The speeches and all will take time. Try to reach here by twelve. I will text you," Yul reminded him as he unbuckled his seat belt.

Zeng nodded to the instructions. He looked at the tinted glass and removed his seatbelt. He held Yul's chin with his fingers and made him face his side so that he could leave a sweet wet kiss on his lips.

"All the best," Zeng said and he settled back in his seat and put on the seat belt once again. Yul smiled, "Thank you."

…

When the audience section was filled, Yul glanced back, his eyes searching for his boyfriend who was nowhere in sight. The newcomers' ceremony would be starting soon. His mother too wasn't there yet. He wanted to sulk and throw a tantrum but couldn't do any so he just slumped back in his chair placed in a row along with other selected candidates.

At least, Zeng should have been there. It was the second time the doctor would be absent on his important day. First the graduation and now this inauguration.

He had sent a text to Zeng asking where he was about ten minutes ago. There was still no reply. Yul knew it was not intentional but that Zeng's job was so unpredictable. There must have been an emergency and he was obligated to stay behind.

Yul clutched the police cap he had placed on his thigh. He knew it would be irrational to be angered about something like this. He had to remind himself that he was not a child anymore to feel the need to wait for his loved ones so that they could watch him when he stepped up on the ladder of success but he couldn't help but feel the sting in his heart. Today was a very special day and none of his people were present to witness it. The ceremony started and Yul felt his heart sink.

The people who noticed him were only looking at the handsome junior of the narcotics unit with a blank, serious face but only Yul himself knew how heartbreaking it was to be alone on such an important occasion.

Nevermind, next time, he said to himself and placed the cap on his head, fixing it as names were being announced for the inauguration.

All of a sudden, his phone vibrated lightly to let him know that he had received a message. He clicked on the notification and opened a text from Zeng.

It was a short message followed by three smiling angel emojis.

"We are here!"