Yearning

Ch. 5 - Temporary Truce

Henry's POV

The rest of the trip to Ben's apartment was dead and silent—with the car's radio tune being the only noise roaring. Ben, who's usually chatty and a big bag of goofball most of the time, sat beside me and kept himself busy: texting someone on his phone (probably our team) and Kyle; ever since he said something he wasn't supposed to say, kept to himself and behaved like an eight-year-old kid at the back, looking outside the car's window as I surveyed him through the rear-view mirror a bit intentionally.

"You can open the window a little if you want to."

I suddenly voiced out of the blue, which earned shocked looks from them both. Instead of replying—Kyle slowly opened his window, and the air outside started breezing past at him. He removed his black beret hat, and his soft, ginger-curled hair started swaying in front of his face, which held the beauty of the red polka-dots of sun kisses that gained prominence from the sun; it was like stars gleaming. Both eyes were closed, him smiling as I heard him mutter softly: this is nice! As I continued to survey him—again, a bit intentionally.

My phone suddenly vibrated, and I took a swift glance at it. One message appeared, and my face turned sour immediately. "Keep your eyes on the road and the wheels," —Ben warned without looking at me. "Seriously, Ben?" I threw dagger glances at him through the rear-view mirror, and received only a shrug from him without batting an eye on me. I darted my focus on driving back again until another couple of minutes of silence—we hit Ben's apartment without the three of us engaging in a discussion, trapped in our desolated thoughts. 

Ben and I live in the same area, a couple around Third Historic Ward. He lives between N Broadway and E Menomonee. On the other hand, I live between E St. Paul Avenue and N Jefferson St.,—just a couple of blocks away from each other; Ben is living in an apartment while I live in a condo, which is basically the same with just a slight difference in cost, interior layout, and space.

Ben was the first one to get out of the car carrying some of the grocery bags. Seconded by Kyle (also with the groceries on his hand), and I, the last one, as I parked my car somewhere in a nearby parking area. I saw them waiting for me as I trudged towards them near the entrance of the building. I've been in Ben's apartment almost every weekend or whenever I feel like dropping by, but tonight feels different. It felt like this was my first time going here as I felt my self-cautiousness brewing inside my core, which is a new but an entirely familiar feeling. We climbed up towards Ben's unit with the help of the elevator in the lobby. Believe it or not, the apartment was a 10-story building, making his flat situated on the uppermost level, so the entire area was his.

"Feels like a penthouse," Kyle blurted out with still an awe expression on his face, "Sure you're not also the holder of those black credit cards?"

"I will flash it out naturally as how this bloke did if I had one," Ben gingerly jested while looking at me dryly as he ransacked for the door key in his pocket jeans, and when he found it, a couple of click sounds and then viola—his flat welcomed us warmly.

Ben was the first one who stepped in as he headed to the kitchen, seconded by me, who casually went in like it was my flat and went through inside the living room. And lastly, by the dork who is still in awe. I slumped flat on the L-shape, maroon-colored couch and picked up the AC's remote controller on the coffee-glass table that was situated in front of me. As I turned it on, the subtle cold sensation whipped away the beads of sweat I've accumulated while venturing our way up. I freed my arms and legs from the cramped feeling and closed my eyes. The only place where I can be free, I blurted out in my mind. My inner peace didn't last long when I felt a sudden presence standing in front of me.

"Mind if I can take a seat?" Kyle intruded with caution expression as he sat gracefully on the opposite couch without waiting for my reply and kept himself silent. I don't know if he's shy or what due to the unfortunate experiences we both encountered today, but I can sense his uneasiness as he quivered weakly from my peripheral vision. Speaking of, I can see his features from here clearly. Now that he takes off his beret. He has this annoying, messy, ginger, curly hair. That warm ivory skin tone that looks perfect on him—primarily that little freckles on his small, rounded face and those expressive hazel-colored eyes of his; they said that the eyes are the window to the soul, and I can vouch for that statement. Today, I caught enough expressions from looking into his eyes—'what an open book,' I thought, but dismissed it since he and I are the same in some sense, not to that certain degree though, he's just more expressive and varied.

"Hope you're not planning something wicked right now while surveying my face," Kyle voiced out as coldly, not looking in my direction, "I'd rather you stop it. You're giving me the creeps."

'And a bit perceptive too, aren't we?'

"Cease such accusation of yours, like what I've said earlier. I'll do nothing for NOW—we're currently inside Ben's haven. Let's say this is a non-aggression area, so relax for the meantime and enjoy the rest of your remaining peace," I protested provocatively at him while I scrolled my phone's newsfeed.

"Heh! That so? Then, I'm looking forward to this coming Monday for your big surprise then." Kyle replied apathetically whilst giving me this smug-look.

The nerve of this guy! I swear to God, igniting my fuse was indeed a "no effort" for him. Of all the people that I've met, he takes the cake. I was about to drop another silly remark when Ben emerged from the kitchen with a couple of beer cans on his hand. He threw one at me lightly and placed the rest on the coffee table. Kyle inquired if Ben needed some help, to which he nodded, took the offer gladly, and ordered Kyle to get the Chicken Tandoori and Onion Bhaji he purchased a while ago. As Kyle sauntered his way to the kitchen, Ben grinned suddenly and looked at me with fascination. Knowing what he was trying to get at, I dryly muttered 'what' to him and rolled my eyes.

"Talkative today, aren't we?" Ben cheerfully jested as he took some cigarettes from his pocket and lent a stick to me, "Ah! Should we smoke later? I bet Kyle is a non-smoker, isn't he?"

"Don't get started with me, Benedict, and no, I don't know if that pipsqueak do smoke or n—"

"No, I don't smoke if you're that curious about my lifestyle."

He jested; him and his out-this-world humor. I rolled out my eyes slightly as I grinned without giving hints to both of them. Ben and I look at each other as the given proposition was a great idea. "Well, thank you, Kiddo. We'll take up your offer then, and smoke on the balcony for a minute," Ben smiled as he went outside first, and I followed suit, leaving Kyle inside the living room. As he was quiet as the night, somber as the dead festival; I thought as I latched one more glance at him seated alone on the couch as he rested his head on his knees and stared off on the void. What an enigmatic person—the least word I've said tonight as the cigarette lits and a puff comes out from my mouth.