Nong'Chili 🌶️🌵 Phi'Cactus (TulMax / MaxTul) - FF

#8 - Market Day

The next few days passed swiftly. Tul had returned to sleeping in his own bed, finally. But it didn't look like Max was going to ease up on the flirting anytime soon.

Every morning Max would be up early and would wait for Tul to have their morning cup of Tea & Coffee.

Max was back to his routine, though Tul had strictly told Gulf to ensure Max did no heavy lifting or strained himself in anyway. To everyone's surprise Gulf had not only listened to everything Tul said without a single argument but ensured Max followed the instructions.

Tul was still using Max's pickup. Every morning he would drop Max off at the restaurant and then drive to the hospital. And every evening he would get back from work, freshen up and then go to the Red Chili Bar. Later the two would come home together. It didn't look like Gulf was in a hurry to get Tul's car repaired. On the other hand neither Tul nor Max were in any hurry to get Tul's car back.

After almost 5 days Tul's car was finally road worthy and even Max was okay enough to start driving.

It was a bright Friday morning and as usual Max was waiting at the kitchen counter for Tul to arrive. The previous night Tul had driven his own car back from the restaurant.

Tul seemed to be a little late than usual and Max wondered if Tul had decided to skip having Tea with him. He felt his heart sink a little when he heard the message tone beep on his mobile. Was it from Tul? Had he messaged to say he won't be coming anymore? He wondered.

Just as he picked up his mobile to check the message, Tul burst in through the door.

"Damn Max, I am so sorry I am late. I just burnt a hole in the shirt I was ironing and then the iron conked off. What do you think, is this shirt looking okay? I have still not had time to unpack and put away all my stuff and all my clothes have wrinkles on them. And today morning Dr. Samantha messaged me saying we are going to have some visit from some officials from the Health Ministry and they are going to be discussing funding for some new equipment..." Tul was chattering away like a bullet train in full speed.

And Max smiled. From relief, happiness and amusement. "How would you like to borrow one of my shirts."

Tul stopped talking and finally looked at Max and huffed. "Am I looking that bad?"

"You look cute, adorable and very very handsome." Max said with a smile, leaning his elbows on the counter separating them. "But if a good, ironed shirt will make you feel more confident you can borrow one of mine. We are the same size."

"Hmmm! You are probably right. You sure you don't mind?" Tul asked blowing his fringe out of his eyes.

"There is nothing more sexy than seeing your man wearing your shirt." Came the prompt reply from Max.

"Gosh! You are just too much!" Tul exclaimed. "When the hell did I agree to be your man?"

"I never heard you deny it either." Max said smugly. "Go find a shirt, I will heat up the tea till then."

Tul wandered off to Max's bedroom. He opened the cupboard and his eyes fell on the satiny looking glossy black shirt that Max had been wearing the first time Tul had seen him. Tul smiled to himself recalling that night, which was not even a week ago. He ran his hand over the soft material and resisted the urge to smell the shirt.

He then looked at the other shirts hanging neatly on individual hangers and picked a smart brown shirt. Just as he plucked the shirt from the hanger a blue shirt hanging besides it slipped and fell on to the shelf below. He picked it up and a paper fluttered and fell to the floor. He hissed in irritation and bent to pick it up.