Talk To Me

38. A tug of war

Since the kidnapping, Swalha had been kept from Kind for two long weeks. She took leave from work, worried her life, too, might be at risk, and stayed at Todo's estate until Kind was found. When she returned to her office, she was met with a mountain of delayed appointments and abandoned duties, all piled high. And yet, every few hours, she would call Wale or Todo, asking for news of Kind, eager to learn how he was managing the ordeal. From what they said, Kind handled it with a rare fortitude, though the horror of the events had clearly shaken him.

Cherry, too, had stayed with her a few days after leaving Todo's home, though Swalha's mind remained troubled for her friend. Cherry's restless, vacant gaze and anxious silence unsettled her; the woman was expectant with child, and her sorrows could only cast a dark shadow upon it. Whenever Swalha attempted to console her, to speak gently of her fears, Cherry withdrew, an unyielding wall between her and the world.

At last, the weekend arrived, and Swalha was overjoyed—she would reunite with Kind and Wale, the couple whom, for better or worse, stirred the entire town. They dined together at Yummy Yum, the finest restaurant, after two weeks of hard-won patience and relentless toil.

"I missed you dearly, Kind!" she exclaimed, embracing him warmly as he arrived with Wale at his side. Meanwhile, Wale stood by, his arms open and expectant, as if he, too, awaited her affection. "Ah, so Kind alone receives your embrace?" he muttered, casting her a wounded look.

Swalha ignored him entirely, turning her smile to Kind. "How long has it been? Truly, I missed you more than words can tell!"

Kind laughed, his joy evident. "It's always a pleasure to see you, Swalha." After weeks confined within the sprawling but stifling expanse of Todo's mansion, he was desperate for reprieve. Besides, Wale's ardor for him was boundless and unrelenting, leaving him in dire need of rest. Desperation had led him to reach out to Swalha using Todo's own phone. "But you seem weary yourself," he noted, concerned.

Wale, meanwhile, watched the two with quiet intensity, his gaze fixed upon Kind. Here, beside Swalha, Kind appeared unguarded and carefree, displaying a lightness Wale rarely glimpsed. He wondered at the contrast; he'd been Kind's closest friend for years, and yet here, in Swalha's presence, Kind seemed almost reborn, a distant shadow of the boy Wale had once known in youth.

"Wale, do not stare so intently—you'll bore a hole through his head," Swalha teased, patting his hand. "If you desired a hug, you could have requested it, rather than glowering in silence."

Wale chuckled, his reverie broken. "Ah, forgive me; I was distracted by my handsome beau." He took Kind's hand with an affectionate smile.

Kind withdrew his hand, rolling his eyes. "We are not yet official, you fool. Spare her your tales." He frowned, noting Wale's crestfallen look. "Is something amiss? You wished to come here, did you not?"

With an exaggerated sigh, Wale replied, "If I must be honest, it pains me still that you refuse to be my top."

Kind's eyes narrowed, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "You...!" He lowered his voice to a heated whisper, "Why must you speak of that here, in front of Swalha?"

Wale seemed unfazed. "Oh, K Bunny, don't feign modesty. Swalha is a skilled psychologist; I am simply seeking her guidance on the matter. After all, she might help me comprehend your strange resistance to the idea of topping me."

Kind gritted his teeth, recognizing Wale's mischief all too well. To banter here, of all places, where Swalha's delight in such discussions was boundless—he was trapped. "Can we not set aside this matter for now, Wale? Let us enjoy dinner, and later, we shall address...whatever you desire."

But Swalha's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Whatever he desires may very well leave you at a disadvantage, Kind."

He inwardly groaned. She had taken the bait. "Swalha, kindly refrain," he muttered, with a look that could scorch.

Swalha waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, but he invited my insight! And you know I delight in these analyses."

Before Kind could retort, the food arrived, granting him a brief reprieve. Swalha reluctantly set the topic aside, though it was clear she intended to revisit it.

Dinner proceeded with ease, laughter, and a glass of wine raised to toast Kind's return to health. They bid Swalha good night, and as she waved them off, she leaned in to Wale with a sly whisper. "You remember my third wish? Well, I want every sordid detail."

The ride back to Todo's home was quiet, Kind too mortified to speak. He told himself that this nonsense about who would "top" whom would be forgotten. Besides, Wale's boundless desire was well known to him; indeed, he barely allowed Kind a moment's rest. The arrangement, as it stood, seemed fine—there was no reason to alter it.

At last, he broke the silence with a sigh. "We ought to leave Todo's house soon. He has done so much for us. Besides...given our past, I would not wish to overstay."

Wale raised a brow. "Todo? That man is made of sturdier stuff than you give him credit for. He was devastated when you vanished, true, but I've never seen a man rally himself as he did. He left no stone unturned in his search, driven by a fierce determination. And yes, he is well aware of our...intimacies beneath his roof."

Kind frowned. "Which is precisely why we should depart. He deserves his peace."

"Ah, but he finds comfort in company. I once dwelled in solitude myself; I know well how isolating it can be. He would miss us."

Kind considered Wale's words. When he and Todo had been together, he'd felt the same sadness within him—a longing for companionship. "Perhaps, but we must leave eventually. I'm not returning to my old home, nor will I live with you in yours. Both hold memories I would rather avoid."

Wale nodded, understanding. "Then perhaps...I should tell you of my own plans. There is a place prepared for us both. I had once envisioned it for myself, Cherry, and you, all together. But now, it shall be our own sanctuary."

Kind raised a skeptical brow. "Yet again, you make these grand decisions for us both. Did you ever think to ask?"

Wale chuckled, unashamed. "Well, I merely assumed. I knew we'd always be together, one way or another, and now...we are."

"Assumed? Oh, Wale, your arrogance knows no bounds." Kind shook his head. "For ten years, you paraded me before Cherry. No wonder she grew resentful."

"Why speak of her now?" Wale replied, puzzled. "It's you I'm with."

Kind looked at him with exasperation. "Because, Wale, you must learn to listen. Time and again, you've made choices for me, heedless of my own desires. I have told you, countless times, yet still, you assume my life is but an extension of yours."

"Bunny," Wale said softly, "I only wanted you to be happy. And today... I did not mean to embarrass you. I thought that perhaps, if I provoked you, you might finally tell me the truth."

"Why would you even bring up such things in front of Swalha?" Kind demanded. "Or Todo, for that matter?"

"Because," Wale replied, his face softening, "I am jealous. You smile so easily with them, you're so...unguarded. And Todo said you were a fine top; I wanted that for myself. Why not me?"

Kind laughed, a sound filled with mirth and exasperation. "You truly are an idiot, aren't you? Already, you satisfy me more than enough. In fact, you could perhaps...restrain yourself."

"Oh, absolutely," Wale agreed eagerly. "I can do that."

"And kindly keep Todo out of our affairs," Kind added. "The past is past. I ask you to live in the present, and leave him be."

Wale nodded, humbled. "I understand. Forgive me."

Kind softened further. "Lastly, Wale, you are soon to be a father. You must make room in your heart for the child, as well."

Wale met his gaze, understanding. "Do not fear. Cherry's parents and I have agreed to support her through this, and we shall discuss the future once the child is born."

Kind nodded. After a pause, he asked, "Do you know why I have not yet accepted you as my lover?"

Wale shook his head.

"Because I made myself a promise, long ago: I would never date a man with a child."