My Passion in Pain

“Give me the toilet paper please.” “You mean tissue paper.” Racheal flashed the wiseacre attendant an irritated glare, but she said nothing as the attendant reached back to pick the rolls from the shelf. “That’ll be fifty bucks.” Racheal slammed the money on the table and dragged the plastic bag off the table with the tissue paper rolls inside. Then she left the store. “Excuse me, ma’am…” “Do you have a death wish? Why…” “Chill! It’s me. Alex.” Her eyes widened at the sight of her friend. “Alex! What the- Where- How-“ “I saw you leave earlier. I wasn’t even sure it was you… How are you?” The two hugged passionately, longer than usual friends would. “I didn’t think I would ever see you again. You’re still as beautiful as I remember.” Racheal blushed, still dumbfounded. “It’s been what, five years? Seven? I never thought our paths would cross again.” “Yeah…” She finally managed to mutter, her eyes glued to his sleek, slender, but hairy face. “Where are you headed?” He asked, gesturing for her to keep walking. “I was, uh- I was going home actually.” “Mind if we catch up for a while before then? I want us to talk. You know. It’s been a while.” “Yeah. uh- we could have some drinks. I know a good place.” “Sure.” And then after a while of obviously awkward staring, he continued, “You are so beautiful—more beautiful than I remember in fact.” As he walked alongside Racheal to the car, she could only smile. She started the car and they soon began moving. “I didn’t know you drove. When did you learn?” Alex started. She kept quiet for a while like she didn’t hear him, then replied. “My husband taught me.” “I er- I didn’t know you were married. When did this happen?” “Technically, we’re just engaged. But I’d rather call a spade a spade if you know what I mean.” She cut sharply to make a turn at the intersection. “Not all engagements end in marriage.” Alex and Racheal share a brief look that spoke a thousand words and then Alex cut the silence. “So who is he? Someone I know?” “Alex?” “I didn’t think you’d be over me that quickly. It’s good to know you’ve moved on.” “Alex, it’s been six years. Things have changed.” “Yeah—I see that,” he ended, looking out the window until they came to a stop beside a restaurant with a big cup sign at the top. “We’re here!” Racheal announced as she turned off the engine. “Tom-Toms?” “Technically, it's Billy’s now. Tom ran off with another woman years ago. Billy took over.” After unbuckling her seat belt and getting out of the car, she gestured for Alex to join her. As soon as they entered the restaurant, a black woman with puffy hair and long legs came charging toward them. “Rach!!!” the athletic lady called out. “Billy!” Racheal responded with the same pitched frequency. “I thought you said you couldn’t come over again today. What made you change your mind?” The two shared a hug and then Racheal moved to the side for Billy to have a clearer view. “Hi, Billy,” Alex’s deep voice brought down the noise that was sure to have caused the few customers seated, hearing problems. “Alex?” Billy’s initial enthusiasm dropped into a deathly stare then she exchanged glances with Racheal and said, “Follow me.” Billy led them to the back of the store for a quiet talk away from eavesdroppers. “What are you doing here?” Billy interrogated Alex. “Billy, I…” “I asked you a question, Alex. What are you doing here?” “Billy?!” “No, Rach. I was asking Alex, here, a question. Because he didn’t mention to me, or you, or anyone else that he’d be coming back to ruin a perfectly great afternoon.” “Billy…” “This guy has some nerve. You have some nerve, you know that?” She cut him off again. “Listen, I…” “You shouldn’t have come back. Racheal’s engaged now. And to a man far better than you can ever be. He’s successful. He’s responsible, and most of all, he does not jilt on his woman on the most important day of her life.” Alex went mute and then Racheal responded. “Billy, you don’t know what happened.” “Are you defending him right now? Have you forgotten how he left you? How you had to pick yourself back up to get to where you are right now. Do you rem…” “I am not here to take Rach back… I have no right to do that.” “You sure don’t” “I came here for business and I ran into her at the store earlier. I just wanted to say hi to some old friends.” “We’re not your friends. So face your business and stay away from us. I don’t want you leaving your bad aura here again.” “I’m sorry. I should leave.” “No! Alex, stay.” Then Racheal faced Billy. “Can I talk to you… alone?” Racheal dragged Billy further inside and away from where Alex would see them. “Billy, you have to take a break. I know you’re my friend. And I know you care about me, but you don’t have to be so hard on Alex.” Billy scoffed. “I know what you’re thinking. But we are not getting back together. I’m engaged, remember?” “I remember. I’m just not sure you do. Not when Alex is around.” After a brief pause to let out a deep breath, Racheal continued. “I remember what Alex did to me, and I know how bad things were when he left. But it was a long time ago. I’ve moved on from it… and you should too.” “I just hope you know what you are doing. You’re the one getting married, not me.” Billy ended and walked out. *** “Did Billy tell you to keep away from me?” Alex asked Racheal when they got back into the car. “Of course not. She’s just being protective. And I really don’t blame her.” Racheal kick-started the car and moved away from the driveway and into the street. “I’m sorry for leaving.” “It was a long time ago, Alex.” “No. I should tell you, I didn’t want to leave you. I swear, it broke me to break your heart. I had no choice.” “It doesn’t matter now.” She said, keeping her face glued to the road. “You know I love you. I’ve never stopped loving you.” “Alex…” she shot him a stern but rather sorry look before turning her head back to the road. “I’m sorry. But I can’t deny how I feel for you.” “I’m getting married, Alex. I can’t do this with you. Not anymore.” She tried to keep herself from looking at him. “I understand. And I’m sorry.” He finally said. “You don’t have to be. It was a long time ago. Besides, we are meeting again for the first time in years. Let’s make the best of it.” “Yeah, you’re right.” His voice had a hint of excitement but the gloominess still overshadowed it. After a few seconds, Racheal broke the silence. “We’re here!” she exclaimed, killing the engine of her car. “Where is ‘here’?” “Before you break your neck trying to look around for landmarks, let me help you.” Racheal flashed her signature smile again at Alex and he stared. “Tell me,” Alex responded as he joined Racheal who had already stepped out of the car. “I promised you a great place for drinks. So here we are. It’s LimeLight!” “Lime…” “It’s technically a hotel, but they’ve got a great bar section. You’ll love it.” “I do need something strong to kill what I am feeling inside.” “Ha-ha.” Racheal laughed hysterically and locked the car then walked towards the tall, luxurious building. Alex followed as well, mostly focused on Racheal than the beauty of the infrastructure. “Hi. Can I get a sample of today's special?” “Sure. How many would you like?” “Two glasses, please.” “Okay. Please have a seat over there and we’ll bring it right over.” Racheal led Alex to the seat she was directed to and they sat comfortably. “Okay. I must give it to you. I love this place. You DO know what I like.” Alex commended. “Three years, of dating you have taught me well.” “Yeah. The most amazing three years of my life.” Alex replied, staring into her eyes from across the table. “Uh- yeah. So, what sort of business brought you back? “I had to meet a client for payment.” “Couldn’t he just make a transfer? I mean technology’s made everything easier now.” “To be honest, I came because I knew, one way or another, I’d bump into you.” “Uh- Alex. We…” “Order for today’s special?” A lady interrupted carrying a tray with two glasses. “Yeah. It’s us.” Racheal replied, receiving the drinks. She placed the drinks on the table and flashed another smile at the attendant who walked majestically away. Then she turned to face Alex again who seemed to be staring straight into her eyes. “Is there something on my face?” “Rach,” He took her hands in his and continued. “Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t miss us.” Racheal looked straight into his soft, green eyes. She wanted to tell him she missed him terribly. But then again, her confession would spark up things she was supposed to avoid. But would she lie? Even if she did, he would see it in her eyes. She trailed her eyes off of him to avoid getting caught, but she caught sight of something else. Someone else. “It’s Richard!” She muttered under her breath. Jumping up from her seat, she instinctively ran further into the building and away from the man she saw, all the while dragging Alex with her. One look at the tag ‘Ladies’ and she flashed inside, pulling Alex into a stall with her, and locking the door behind. “Who’s Richard?” Alex asked.