Chapter 3
1253 Words
I JUST got out of the shower when my cell rang. When I checked it, it was just a number on display. Warily, I answered the call. But the moment I heard the voice coming from the other line, I knew. I knew it was Rhys.
“Hey,” I said.
I remember giving him my number when we’re walking back home. He asked for it so he can text and tell me when to meet at the pool again.
“What are you doing?” I heard him asked.
“Getting ready for bed,” I grabbed the pair of pajama inside my closet.
“This early?” I looked to my alarm and saw the blinking red digit says 9:30.
“What do you mean early? It’s already nine.”
“Dude, you’re kidding me. Who the hell sleeps at nine?”
“Me?”
“Nope. My grandmother,” I heard him laughed on the other line.
There’s a shuffling sound coming from him. Feels like he’s in his bed.
We talked and laugh for almost an hour when I remember what Drew said earlier. Maybe Drew won’t mind when I’ll invite Rhys.
“Hey. Are you free tomorrow?” I asked him.
“Yeah, why?”
“Brunch at Charlie’s with my bestfriend. What do you think?”
“Sounds good but I don’t know where is that Charlie’s you’re talking.”
I remember, Charlie’s diner was just recently opened a year ago..
“Oh, yeah. Meet me here tomorrow.”
“Sure, what time?”
“Nine.”
After we said our goodbyes, I promptly turned off the lights and succumb to a peaceful slumber.
I LOOKED around and found an empty four seated table beside the window, there wasn’t that much of patrons occupying the table. Today’s Tuesday, this day and at this hour, least of customer’s going here at Charlie’s.
I don’t know why but everytime Drew and I go here, we noticed the same scenario as today, especially when it’s Tuesday. The reason we decided Tuesday was the best day to come here.
Rhys and I obviously arrived first since Drew said he’s going to fetch Melissa first. Good thing I brought Rhys with me, surely I would looked like a third wheel when I didn’t. That I need to tell Drew yet, I haven’t told him about Rhys coming.
I don’t had the time to tell him ‘cause he just texted me this morning about Melissa’s going. We both took a seat facing the entrance, Rhys to my right.
“This place looks nice. Hope the food isn’t bad,” he said.
“Wait ‘till you taste it," I playfully winks that made him laugh.
“Who’s this bestfriend you’re talking about?”
“His name’s Andrew. But call him Drew he doesn’t like his full name.”
“Oh, why?” he curiously asked.
“He was named after the minister of some religious organization. And let’s just say that Drew’s kind of a nonbeliever so he wasn’t cool about it.”
I saw Drew entered the diner with Melissa on his side, like talking about him convoked his presence.
“They’re here,” I said to make Rhys aware of their arrival.
I waved them over when Drew saw me and lead his girlfriend towards us. When they arrived at our table, Drew instantly caught the sight of Rhys. His bright face was now in a sour state.
They both took their seat on the vacant space in front of us. Drew still holding the distaste in his face. It’s a surprise that Rhys wasn’t affected about it, he’s acting composed in spite of the unpleasant stare Drew was giving him.
“Uhm… Drew. I invited Rhys,” I said, gesturing Rhys’s way.
“I can see that," he inimically responded.
“Rhys, this is Drew, my bestfriend,” I awkwardly introduced.
Rhys faces Drew and smile.
“Hey, it’s great to meet you,” he offered his hand for a handshake but it feels like Drew didn’t care.
“Sure,” he grunted in response.
I didn’t know where this kind of attitude Drew’s unleashed came from but I do know he’s not like this towards a certain stranger. He wasn’t usually like this.
Rhys senses the aura my bestfriend was giving. His face dropped and was about to lower his hand when Melissa quickly took it, saving her boyfriend from his malevolent behaviour.
“Hi. I’m Melissa, Drew’s girlfriend,” she said, trying to abate the tension.
A waiter approached and asked for our order that makes my discomfort subsides. Minutes of silence passed when our order finally arrives.
We started eating in silence but later on Rhys begun to talk, mostly he’s talking to me. Drew’s glare towards Rhys didn’t escaped from my sight.
“The food really is good. Damn, I’ll be surely coming back here,” Rhys enthusiastically said and took a big scoop from his plate and stuffed it inside his mouth.
He’s like a kid who had tasted it’s favorite food.
I tried holding my laugh when I saw the smear of food on his cheeks beside his mouth but failed. He took notice of my burning red face.
“What?” Innocently, he asked. I let out a loud laugh when I can’t held it back anymore.
I pointed towards it and he finally got what I mean. “Dude, swear. You’re like a hungry baby devouring a food,” he grabs a napkin and wipes any remnants but he can’t spot where it was.
I felt sorry for him, I don’t want him to stand and go to the bathroom when I can just do it, so I snatched the napkin he’s holding and do it myself.
“There. It’s gone now," I said.
I checked it back to make sure there’s no part I left uncleaned but got stopped when he’s giving me the looks I can’t comprehend. His sensual pink lips formed a smile so I smiled back.
We both got jolted when a hard slammed against the table echoed throughout the room. I looked toward Drew and found him fuming with rage.
Suddenly, he gets up and strode towards the direction of the bathroom. Some customers was looking on us.
“I’m sorry. He had a bad morning,” Melissa said and abruptly stood up to follow Drew.
“Sorry about that,” I faced Rhys and gave him an apologetic smile.
“No, it’s good.”
No, it wasn’t good. I wanted to tell him that and follow my bestfriend but I don’t want to be rude and ended up having the same manner as Drew on Rhys point of view.
“Maybe he’s got his period,” I felt awful joking about menses just to lighten the mood but got relieved when he chuckled. Not totally relieved, though.
We finished our food and waited for them to come back. Rhys was talking when I felt my phone vibrates inside my pocket. I fished it out and saw Drew’s text.
Gone home early, emergency. Pay for our meal, I’ll pay you back. Melissa’s with me.
Looking to the direction of the bathroom to see if Drew’s still there but I knew he wasn’t there anymore. There’s an exit door inside that lead at the back alley, he probably used it to leave. I swallowed the disappointment and told Rhys about it.
“Great! We’re going somewhere.”
- Writer
