Flames

The orange juice just sat there, gathering condensation. Its ice had started to melt and dilute the juice. Not that Adam realizes any of it. He was too busy staring off into space.

His mind kept flashing back to the rehearsal dinner. All kinds of kin were there, merrily doing their own thing, completely oblivious to the drama that was unfolding.

As soon as the thought of Zack crept into his mind, he was jolted back to reality. Adam quickly grabbed his glass of juice and drank from it. The bitterness made him wince. All the ice had melted and the good stuff had gone to the bottom of the glass. His hand was also wet from the condensation. He looked around for a napkin to wipe his hand. Not finding any, he dug in his pocket and took out his handkerchief and wiped his hand dry.

“Mind if I sit?”

Adam looked up. In his hazy state of mind, he did not notice Zack coming in to the restaurant.

Zack did not wait for Adam to answer. He sat down opposite of Adam and smiled. Adam avoided looking at Zack and his brilliant smile. A waitress passed by and Zack motioned to have the same thing that Adam was having.

“What are you doing here?” Adam asked, not bothering to hide his displeasure.

“Needed to get out of the room,” Zack answered nonchalantly, as though he had not heard Adam’s venomous tone. “Baby’s teething.”

Adam sighed.

Zack frowned.

“I was hoping that you’d forgiven and forgotten the thing that happened between us.”

“What would make you think that?” Adam asked.

“You came,” Zack said with a shrug.

“Yeah, I came. So?”

Zack gave him a look. It annoyed Adam to no end that he actually knew what the look meant.

“I came because Abang Man is the only one still talking to me. The rest of you shut me out.”

The waitress came back with Zack’s order. Adam closed his eyes for a moment. He opened his eyes and smiled at the waitress. She in turn, blushed and scurried away.

Zack saw that and had a twinkle in his eye. He kept smiling goofily at Adam.

“What?”

“You’re a heartbreaker,” Zack drawled out.

“What are you talking about?”

“You were flirting with the waitress, with your megawatt smile.”

Adam denied it. Vehemently.

“You’re a hot guy. I bet lots of girls follow you around.”

Adam gave Zack such an intense look that Zack felt his face was melting. Adam started to get up. Zack’s hand shot out and grabbed Adam by the hand.

“Adam, please…”

Adam ignored him, twisted his hand out of Zack’s grip and made a move towards the exit. Adam stopped at the counter and paid his bill and left. Zack rushed forward to follow but realized he hadn’t paid so he too stopped at the counter to pay. Soon as he was done, he went outside and ran to catch up to Adam.

“Hey, stop!” Zack said, panting. “Please.”

Adam stopped walking and whirled around to face Zack.

“What for?”

“Adam, please…”

Adam avoided eye contact but he did not budge. Zack took that as a good sign. He moved in closer and held on to Adam’s shoulders, trying to get Adam to look into his eyes.

“I’m so sorry for what happened.”

Adam still refused to look at Zack.

“Seriously. I acted defensively. I did not know what to do.”

Adam finally looked up.

“I get it. I really do,” Adam said. “I just don’t get how it was my fault.”

“Come on, baby…”

“Don’t you dare call me that!” Adam snapped. “You lost that right when you said I seduced you on your wedding day!”

Adam started to walk away.

“What does it take for you to forgive me?” Zack asked. “What does it take for you to take me back?”

Adam stopped walking and turned his head towards Zack.

“Go back to your wife and baby, Zack.”

Zack closed the distance between them.

“I’ve never stopped loving you,” Zack whispered into Adam’s ears.

Adam remained still. Zack took a gamble and put his hand on Adam’s waist. When Adam did not swat his hand away, he decided to be bold and hugged Adam. He felt Adam leaning into the hug slightly, which was a good sign.

“I’ve missed you…”