Since the engagement party, Wale had not set his eyes on Kind for weeks. It was as if he'd vanished into thin air. Despite repeated attempts to reach him via cellphone nor his apartment, Kind was nowhere to be found and neither was he coming to the office.
Sitting at his desk, his eyes remained lost, staring at nothing in articular outside the window, his mind pondering over the necessity to report to work everyday. Wale's major motivator to show up for public service was because he'd get a reason to spend time with his best friend, even if they'd been busy with each of their own responsibilities.
According to human resource department, Kind had taken a leave of absence, at least that is what they said. Over the years, Wale had respected Kind's need for a private life and rarely meddled but three months with no sight of him was all he could endure. This loneliness prompted him to hire a private investigator to help in finding out his best friend's whereabouts.
'I feel at a loss knowing where he could be or if he needs me. If I'd known he was okay that would have given me comfort... Though, I partly understand his need for some time alone. If he didn't want me engaged to Cherry... If he couldn't stand it then why did he push em to it? Sometimes I really don't get him and what goes on inside that brain of his.'
Wale only hoped that Kind didn't hate him for there was nothing he could do. He didn't want to retract his engagement. He loved Cherry and wanted to start a family with her.
"Perhaps that was coldblooded of me to have wanted him present at that ceremony." He mumbled to himself. "But I still won't let you go K. No matter how many times you run away, I'm going to find you."
Whilst in deep thought, he drove himself to his apartment, his mind picking specifics details of the event three months back. He recalled not seeing Kind for a long time after he had congratulated him and cherry. Later on, every attempt he made to go in search of him were cut short by something or someone calling for him. Additionally, Swalha had insisted on introducing him to numerous people than he cared to remember. Afterwards, a gift ceremony was held and by the time fatigue had kicked in, he no longer had the energy to go in search of Kind. He suggested an escape to Cherry, leaving behind a merry crowd having a singalong.
When they got to their allocated room, Cherry offered to go in search of Kind before they retired. She must have really searched for long since she came back after a few hours after admitting her failed attempt in avoiding the rest of the guest, who had already lit up a bonfire by the dimly lit private beach.
A car parking beside him brought him back from his thoughts, only for him to realize it was already dark. He shook his head surprised at how much time had passed whilst sitting inside his car.
'Cherry must be home already.' He assumed.
Taking the lift, he headed towards the apartment he shared with her. She was extremely jovial upon Wale's entrance, something he'd grown accustomed to in the last three months post their engagement .
"Welcome home my love." She said warmly and the two exchanged a kiss. "Today I got home before you so I made dinner instead. What took you so long? Normally you arrive before me."
Cherry was not surprised by her fiancé's sour mood. Initially, she overlooked it but each and everyday, Wale would grow more and more melancholic.
"Still no news from the private investigator?" She asked and Wale responded by shaking his head. "His number is still not going though even for me and Swalha. I guess you may have done something to offend him for him to give you this prolonged silent treatment. I'm beginning to get concerned even though you're insisting we don't involve the police."
Leaning forward to support his head on Cherry's tummy, Wale made no attempt to reply.
Since that time Cherry caught Kind with his lover, she had decided not to disclose her discovery to Wale. She wasn't sure how he would react but Wale's reactions lately had made her begin to have suspicions that there was more to his current mood swings than normal. She had always known Wale cared for Kind deeply but this was a bit too much. Perhaps everyone had been right in collage when they assumed Wale and Kind a couple.
'He looks like someone suffering a heartache.'
Cherry remembered the first time they had gone on a double date with both Kind and Swalha. Wale's attention had been focused on Kind. Afterwards, he constantly spoke fondly of his best friend, painting a picture of Kind as someone he deeply cared for. After all, he'd applied the same jobs Kind did, liked everything Kind liked, bought him presents out of the blue whenever he would buy her gifts. It would drive him crazy as it did now whenever Kind gave them distance as a couple. Eventually, Cherry learned to always agree to Kind tagging along in everything they did together.
Come to think of it, Kind had been in multiple relationships and Wale always got into a fight with him demanding to meet whoever he was dating; which made sense now why Kind hid his relationships. However, did Wale already know that his best friend was gay?
Looking down at him, it pained her to accept that she could be right. There was no doubt Wale cared for her but how could she compete with Kind? Wale's affections towards his best friend were no longer those among brothers, but one in love with another.
Kind was her competition and she couldn't hate him since he seemed unaware of Wale's feelings. Besides, he had been her biggest fan, always supporting her, bringing them back together with Wale whenever a fight broke out. Additionally, it was only Kind's push that made Wale finally propose after waiting for ten long years. He was also probably the one who will help her organize the wedding since Wale was always complaisant getting involved n such matters deeming them as trivial.
"Your tummy is rumbling Cherry." Wale interrupted her train of thoughts. "I'm equally hungry but you can start without me while I take a shower first."
Just then, his phone rang to which he abruptly stood up and whispered, "It's the private investigator!" He rushed to their bedroom to take the call, leaving Cherry scared of what news they were about to receive whilst at the same time, not grasping the need for her husband to be needlessly running away to take the call in private, as if he had something to hide.
Wale came back after a few minutes exclaiming Kind's location had been discovered. She quickly ran to embrace him to hide her disappointed look. "I'm glad..."
"We will find out his specific location tomorrow since I asked the private investigator to take me there. Kind must know I'm better at hide and seek than him."
Grabbing her cheeks gently with both his hands, he lightly squeezed and gave her a kiss. "I love you so much." He kissed her again then left saying his heart felt a little bit lighter.
Cherry gave him a few minutes until she heard the shower on and Wale humming before quickly grabbing her phone. She had to let Kind know he'd been discovered. She wanted Wale to be happy but deep down, she wished for Kind to never return.