The Other Man

Ch17 - Pretentious blood

Tay handed over New's tablet to Mond on which Phuwin's video call was connected to witness the wedding. His video call was disrupted. "What the hell? How can you move it when they are about to kiss?" Phuwin screamed on the screen.

"I am sorry," Tay whispered before he rushed to tackle the nauseous feeling that teased his stomach. New saw Tay's retreat in his far peripheral although his stare was fixed at Earth.

Tay stood in front of a mirror in the restroom. He touched his lips. The tingling feeling of the kiss he shared yesterday with New still lingered over his lips. From today, all of New's kisses belong to Earth. Fuck. He left the venue as soon as he emptied his emotions in that restroom.

***

When Tay reached his condo, he found his old friend waiting for him.

"Surprise motherfucker!"

Tay gaped as his mouth could only leave a whispered—"What the fuck?" And rushed into a hug all at once.

Off wrapped his arms around him almost pulling him up, off the ground, in the embrace.

"Since how long have to been waiting here? Why didn't you call me? When did you come back?" Tay asked breaking the hug.

"You talk to me like, I am your girlfriend. Sorry boyfriend. Oh, sorry again! Even he got married today."

Tay hit his arm. "Shut up."

Off laughed. "I came just now. I directly took a cab to your place. I thought your broken heart would need some pampering." Off said jokingly.

Tay tittered as he spoke, "I am okay. I am fine."

Off just stared at him tilting his head.

"What? I am absolutely fine. Really."

"With New, you have now learnt to pretend."

Tay rolled his eyes and said with conviction, "I am just stating as what it is."

"Tay, I have seen you since the second year of the University, being crazy for him. So perhaps I know you little more than how much you think I do."

Tay kept a check on his tears that threatened to break out, by putting a broad smile on his face. It only irked Off more.

In past three years after their graduation, Tay had hardly met Off for five times as the latter had procured his job in Phuket but Tay was surprised how he was still there standing with him when he needs him the most.

"That was then. Over the years, I had pretty much gotten used to staying away from him. This time, I was prepared. It's not like, I didn't know that it would happen." Tay replied.

"And you still went ahead with your casual fucks!" Off said bitterly.

Tay wouldn't call it casual fucks. "Whatever, let's go inside."

"No, we are going out and getting drunk today."

"It's only 5:00 in the evening."

"It's 10:00 pm somewhere in the World. Let's go."

"Okay. Let me just change, I look stupid in this suit." At the last word, Tay's hands shivered as he worked towards opening the lock of the door of his condo. He still couldn't believe he just attended the wedding of the man he loves. He can't wait to remove this suit and throw it somewhere where he can never see it again.

The damned lock wouldn't take so long to open on other days. Off just stared at him patiently. Few more seconds and he could only shake his head seeing Tay struggling with the lock.