Yin watched as War and Maya walked arm in arm looking at the various decorations inside the bridal store. Maya looked happy, beaming with her bride-to-be radiant.
“This is gorgeous don’t you think? It would be perfect at our wedding…” she said, picking up a colourful bouquet of fake flowers.
“Yeah…why don’t you just go around and pick anything you like? It’s your big day anyway…” War pinched her cheek.
“Our big day…” she smiled.
“Yes…our big day…”
War went towards his best friend Yin leaving Maya immersed in her quest searching for the best item with the wedding planner.
“What’s wrong?” War asked when he saw the change on Yin’s expression.
“Why do I have to be here? I got a lot of work to do you know…” Yin sounded annoyed.
“You’re my best friend and my best man for the wedding…”
Yin cringed at the word 'wedding'. It’s not like he hated the idea of marriage, in fact he was looking forward for the time when he would be settling down, and having kids with his own partner…it’s just that he didn’t want the love of his life walking down the aisle with another woman.
Yup, Yin loved War…almost for the rest of the time he knew the guy. They met during their college days and bonded instantly. They had good relationship…fooling around each other…sex included of course but War made it sure that it was no string attached while Yin was falling in love with the latter deeper as the time went by.
Yin thought they would have something eventually but when War introduced Maya to him couple of months back and told him they were getting married; shock was the least thing that Yin felt. Maya is a sweet girl, polite and nice…she had a great personality and all around likeable.
“Hey...what’s wrong?” War nudged Yin by the shoulder.
“Nothing…I just think that I shouldn’t be here…”
“How about tonight we go down to P'Mew’s club and wind down a little? Maybe get you laid…when did the last time you get laid? All those sexual frustration is not good for your health I’m telling you…” War chuckled.
“No thanks…I’m not in the mood…”
“C’mon…Maya will be fine…”
“No…look, I gotta go…Prem will claw my face if I’m late to the office…”
Yin get up and get ready to leave. Before he could take the second step, War pulled him by the elbow.
“Yin…” he said.
“Please War…just let me go…” Yin slowly pulled back his hands. “I’ll call you later…”
Maya came.
“Where does P'Yin go?” she asked as she watched Yin went out of the store.
“He got some work to do at the office…done with your findings?”
“Yup…they have amazing stuff here…”
War walked into his apartment and slumped on the sofa. The day was tiring, walking around accompanying Maya shopping for the wedding. Wedding…the word still felt surreal for him. He’s getting married to a girl in couple of weeks.
War always knew that he would be settling down with a woman…but when he met Yin, all of that changed. He liked Yin…they were best friends…well…more to friends with benefit…at least to his side. They slept together numerous times throughout the years they’ve known each other. He always gone to Yin when the urges come and Yin was the only guy that he trust that can fulfil his desires. He’s not gonna lie but the thought of being together with Yin crossed his mind now and then.
But why is he getting married to a girl? It’s the question that War desperate for an answer. He loved Maya…she’s a sweet girl…understanding and nice…a little too nice for her own good sometimes.
*You’re not gay War…you just love sticking your dick in asses and getting pounded by a dick in your ass…* his conscious said in sarcasm. He wanted to deny the fact but his fear of what would happen still engulfed him.
********************
The house were filled with people…celebrating the newlyweds-to-be. Maya and her parents were among the crowd and War just smiled when she waved at him.
“War…” his mom said, when he walked into the kitchen bring an empty bowl of chips that needs to be refilled.
"Mae…where’s the extra chips?” he asked.
“In that cupboard over there…” she answered, pointing with her lips. “Where’s Yin? Is he coming?”
“He might be late…he said something about technical problem at the office…”
“Really? I would be surprised if he showed up…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” War stared at his mother.
“Nothing…” Jan wiped her hands with a towel and walked towards his son. “War…can I talk to you?”
“Sure…what’s up?” War said, pouring the chips in the bowl.
“Do you think this is right? Getting married to Maya…”
“Mae…we’ve talked about it…I’m marrying her…she’s nice, understanding…she’s perfect…”
“I know that…but…are you gonna be happy with her? I mean…really happy?”
“Mae…” War said with a deep frown on his forehead.
“I just want all the best for you War…I don’t care who you chose to love as long as you’re happy…that’s all I wanted for you…” Jan held his son’s hand.
“I’m happy mae…Maya made me happy…”
“If you say so…but I’m still saying that this is wrong…”
War walked away ignoring his mom’s words.
Yin came and said hi to a few people he knew. He hugged War’s sisters and their husbands and greeted Maya's family.
"Mae...your other son is here..." Yin said when he found War's mom sitting alone on a bench at far corner of the room.
"Yin...I thought you’re not coming…” the older woman gave Yin a warm hug.
“Just got a held up at the office…where’s dad?” Yin sat next to her.
“Probably at the bar, having a drink with his office buddies…” Jan watched as War and Maya together talking to bunch of friends. “Why aren’t you there?”
“And leave you all alone, vulnerable to all these men? No way…I have to protect my woman…”
“Aren’t you a sweet talker?” Jan pinched Yin’s nose.
They sat there in silent, contented with each other’s company.
“You know…I’ve always thought that you'll end up as my son-in-law…” Jan said, patting Yin’s arm.
“As you can see mae…all War’s sisters are married and I’m not exactly the straight type either.” He chuckled.
“I know that…I mean you and War getting together…” she stared at him.
"Mae…I…I…me...and War…”
“Relax…I know everything about you and War…well, not everything…but most of it…” she smiled.
“You do?”
“Yeah…I’ve seen the way you look at War…and to be honest, I was happy that someone loved War that way…genuine love…without condition…”
Yin stayed silent.
“When War brought Maya back and told me that he was getting married to her, I was shocked…I thought he was coming back to tell us that he wanted to be with you…”
“Mae…how did you know…about War…”
“He’s my son…I know everything about him…I had my suspicion…the way he acted with you when you two came for that first college break…and I heard noises the two of you made in that garage…” she laughed.
“Oh god…” Yin’s ears getting red with embarrassment.
“Let me tell you…I was shocked at first…but then, I know there’s something going on between you and War…”
“Well…it was one sided thing…”
“You loved War didn’t you?”
Yin nodded.
“I’m sorry that War is afraid to admit his own feelings…that boy was scared what others might say…”
“So you don’t mind that he’s not straight?”
“Yeah…he’s my son…I love him no matter what…you don’t choose who you love…you just do…regardless of the gender…”
“Mae…”
“I just hope he came to his senses sooner but we both know the fear is already empowering him…”
“I just want him to be happy mae…even its without me…”
“I wished that you are my son right now…that idiot son of mine…” she hugged Yin.
Later that night…
“She hates me…I know it…” Maya almost cried when she got home from the party. Her future mother-in-law was cold towards her. She was nice to all of her family but Maya felt different.
“No…she doesn’t hate you…trust me….”
“P'War…”
“C’mere…”
War pulled Maya into a hug.
“She’ll come around baby…I’m sure she will…”
“What if she doesn’t?”
“She will…trust me…”
*******************************
“No mae…she was sad! She had done nothing wrong and you hated her!” War said, looking at his mother.
“I don’t hate her…I just think that she’s not the one for you War…” Jan frowned.
“Why not?”
“Because I know she’s not! Please War…open your eyes a little…you still can do something about it…”
“You mean cancel the wedding?”
“What else could it be then?”
“Mae!”
“Don’t raise your voice on mother like that Wanarat!” Mr. Ratsameerat said with stern voice.
“Look…I don’t know what you’re thinking but this wedding will be on…”
“I won’t come…”
“Fine…suit yourself then…I’m leaving…”
Yin heard the front door opened and he knew who just walked in. War was the only person other than himself that knew the passcode to his house.
“Hey…” he said, as War walked in.
“Hey…sorry for coming unannounced…” War plopped on the sofa.
“It’s okay…what’s wrong?”
“Just had a fight with my mom…” War took off his jacket and throw it at an empty seat.
“What is it about this time? Maya again?” Yin went to the kitchen and came back with a glass of water. “Here…”
“Thanks…”
“What’s the problem?”
“My mom…Maya is a great girl…I don’t know what’s wrong with her…she hated Maya for some reason that I couldn’t figure out…”
“She doesn’t hate Maya…your mom barely hates anyone without any reason…”
“I dunno Yin…” War sighed. “I’m just torn between the two…”
“Have you ever thought from your mother’s perspective? I mean…she wanted you to be happy…and maybe she just felt that Maya isn’t the one for you…”
“I’m happy with Maya…we’re great together…happy...”
“Are you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” War stared at Yin.
“Nothing…”
The wedding is just two days away and Yin was getting anxious…he wanted to avoid the event and go away to a place that he can just forget about everything.
“Koh Samui?” Santa said, looking at him.
“Yeah…P'Tay own a beach house there and I talked to him about staying for couple of weeks…getting my mind off things…”
“When will you leave?”
“Day after tomorrow…”
“On P'War’s wedding?”
Yin nodded.
“But I thought you are the best man…shouldn’t you be there?” Santa frowned.
“Do you think I could just stand there watching him walking down the aisle to another woman? I’m not that strong Santa…just thinking about it made me wanna puke…”
“P'War is stupid…there I said it! Coming out is not big of a deal nowadays…we’re not living in the ice age anymore…the word bisexual was invented for a reason...” Santa looked at Yin. “So what’s next for you and P'War?”
“I dunno…it depends…I have to move on I guess…one way or another…”
“P…”
“I’ll be fine Santa…after all these years, another heart break is not gonna kill me…”
That night…
War stared at the tux hanging at the door of his closet. He was getting married…thousands of things running inside his mind. The images of Yin flooded his head…he loved the guy…he really did…but somehow he end up hurting him even more.
The doorbell rings and when he opened the door, Yin was standing there.
“Hey…” he was surprised to see the guy. He and Yin kinda not talking to each other these few days and he can’t exactly blame him.
“May I come in?”
“Sure…”
Yin walked into the living room. It’s been a while since he came here…and to know that he would not set another foot here after this breaks his heart.
“Want anything to drink?” War asked.
“No thanks…”
Yin was fidgeting at his seat…he was nervous. He came to War’s house to break the news that he wouldn’t be able to attend his wedding but it seems so hard to say when he was already here.
“Hey…you ok? Is something wrong?” War asked. He never saw Yin like this before.
“No…everything was alright I guess…”
“You guess? C’mon Yin…spill it out…”
“This is wrong…” Yin got up. “I should’ve never some here at the first place…”
Yin went to the door. But before he could leave, War stopped him.
“Yin…just tell me what’s wrong…talk to me…” War begged.
“No…I can’t…”
“I’m not letting you go until you tell me what’s wrong…I’ll tie up at the bed post if I had to…”
“You don’t have a bed post…”
“Yin…please…talk to me…you’re scaring me…”
War’s eyes shot wide open when a kiss came crashing on his lips. A kiss that full of ferociousness that he never felt before. Yin’s lips tasted sweet, almost like strawberry…moulding perfectly with his own.
“I know this is wrong…” Yin said as he broke the kiss.
“Yin…”
“Hear me out please…I love you War…I don’t know if you already know about it or not, I really loved you…with all my heart. Just for tonight…let me love you the best that I can…”
War stared deep into Yin’s eyes and saw desperate plea. Pulling Yin to his room, War took off Yin’s clothing the soon they arrived. Hands roaming all over, entangled in lust.
The two spent the entire night fucking each other brains out, like bunnies in heat.
“That was something else…” Yin took a deep breath. He just took War for the third time that night.
“It feels like we’re back in college…” War said, pulling the blanket over them. “I know I’m gonna have trouble walking tomorrow…”
Yin looked at War and kissed his lips.
“What was that for?” War asked.
“Nothing…I really love you Wanarat…” Yin snuggled closer.
Morning…
War woke up to an empty bed. He thought Yin probably went back while he was sleeping. He went to the kitchen and saw a note stuck at the door of his fridge. He took it and read.
Hey War…
Sorry for leaving without saying anything…I don’t know whether last night was a mistake since you are getting married tomorrow but I’m glad it happened. I felt guilty to Maya and trust me I will take this to my grave.
I love you War…from the first time we met. I know the thing between us is just sex and nothing attached to it, but somehow I’ve fallen for you and I know I would never love anyone else other than you. I don’t think we can go back as friends either after this.
I’m sorry for not being at your wedding…I don’t think I could go through it…I’m not that strong. I wish all the best for you and Maya.
Love,
Yin.
******************************
The sound of waves crashing the beach greeted Yin as he walked to the small pier. The emerald sea looked beautiful and peaceful.
*He's getting married today…* Yin looked at the clear blue sky.
“Congratulation War…I wish that you’re happy…” he said.
Then…
“I am happy now…”
Yin turned around and saw War leaning against the tall pier pole looking at him.
“War…”
“You know…you left the morning we slept together back in college…” War said, walking closer.
“What are you doing here? Where’s Maya?”
“Maya? She’s probably crying…cursing me with all her might…maybe planning on killing me with her heels…” War chuckled.
“It’s not funny War…you’re getting married today aren’t you?”
“Well…I’m supposed to…but the wedding is off…”
“What do you mean it’s off?”
“I mean…I called off the wedding…”
War knew he was making a mistake and calling off the wedding was the only logical thing he thought of doing. So he called his family and Maya’s family…coming out in front of them and said that he can’t go through with the wedding. Maya’s mother slapped him hard and for the first time he saw Maya throwing tantrum…well…any woman would when her husband-to-be declared that he was in love with another man.
War was prepared for the worst from his family but he was surprised when all he got was a warm hug and supportive encouragement from them. He finally saw his mom smiling and patted his back saying that he will still be his son no matter what happened.
“So, here I am…asking you for another chance…” War stood in front of Yin. “What do you say?”
“Are you sure about this War? I don’t want this to be something that you will regret in the future…”
“I will regret it if I let you go once again…I love you Yin…I just realised it when you’re gone…and I’m really sorry for that…and I’m prepared to prove it to you for the rest of my life.”
A kiss from Yin was all War need for an answer.