SOMETHING |MM-SAW|

3

He is convinced he's ready to mind his business. As much as he loves Tamara and wants to see her happy, he wasn't going to interfere in her business, especially her marriage.

He had been trying to adjust to his best friend's new lifestyle. Was being married really a lifestyle? It seems so, at least to him. It wasn't too hard to see that she was slowly but completely drifting away from him. What was he expecting though?

She has a husband now. She wasn't going to be galavanting around the mall hand in hand with him like she used to. That was no longer his job.

So Massad does what he knows will distract him. He works and works and works and finally lets himself drown in work and Kojo notices this. However, to Massad, as long as he can use work as an excuse to get his mind off Tamara's new status, it doesn't really matter to him how this affects him.

Today was no different from the previous ones as Massad continues to soak himself in work, surrounding himself with patient after patient. The only moment he isn't working is when he goes to his office to sign papers but that's when Kojo chooses to come see him unannounced.

"I know I shouldn't be here but Mrs. Turizo let me in." Kojo chuckles as he walks into Massad's office and proceeds to take a seat across him.

"Well, can't send you out without her scolding me. Don't know what she likes about you." He playfully rolls his eyes but smiles at his friend.

"Uh excuse you, I'm like a son to her. Of course I'm her favorite person."

"One of, you mean." Massad quickly corrects him but Kojo knows better than that.

"Yeah, right."

Massad stares at his friend in disbelief, before leaning in his chair, arms crossed. He can't disagree with him—Kojo does remind him of Mrs. Turizo's son, Manuel. Despite his fierce and unwelcoming stare, he had kind eyes. Kojo always had people swooning over him with those dark brown orbs of his and rarely knit eyebrows that remained arched. His well-brushed stubble was what made him ressemble Mrs. Turizo's son. Both men could have been identical twins if it weren't for their noses. While Kojo had a slightly broader nose, Manuel's nose was slimmer and pointier. Maybe if he shaved his facial hair, he'd look different.

"You're lucky she likes you, you might even convince Manuel to move back to Traceville if you tell him you're about to become his mother's favorite if he stays away too long."

"Bet I'll tell him." Kojo jokes but quickly clears his throat which catches Massad's full attention. "Can I talk to you about something?"

Massad nods unsure of what will leave his friend's mouth but doesn't protest either way to which Kojo takes note of before clearing his throat.

"How have you been feeling since my sister's wedding to... that guy?" Kojo asks, carefully studying Massad with such seriousness as if he could read him like his daily newspaper.

It had become a habit of avoiding the mention of Tion's name as it was apparent Massad didn't like him but tried to be as friendly as he could not just for Tamara's sake but because he didn't like to hate others. It was always a strong word to him and he saw it on the same level as disliking someone. They didn't have to be friends but he could at least tolerate the man.

All the while taking in his best friend's words, Massad tries to expect such a question being no stranger to the bluntness of Kojo. The unforeseen veins appearing on the side of his neck, damn-near about ready to pop didn't serve him in the slightest bit but he was once an aspiring actor afterall, stethoscope and forceps couldn't stop him from still living out his 12 year old childhood dream.

"Why do you ask such a question? I can't hide the surprise of the engagement but I am happy if she is happy. That is all that matters."

Kojo takes in his response and momentarily stares at the water filter near the small sink in the office. He says nothing for a while before looking back at his best friend, a neutral expression sprawled across his facial features.

"I suppose you are right, I didn't see the engagement coming either not to mention the relationship itself but I've felt a shift in your behavior since then especially after that conversation we had. I guess we've all taken this news sourly. I still can't believe it's happened." Massad's lips form a thin line as he listens to Kojo.

Sourly ? This best described their reactions to the news as he had said. Who could have seen this coming apart for God? It was still difficult to accept but here they were still stuck on this months later. This painful but palpable reality that neither of them wanted to believe. However, something else was weighing on Massad.

"You had told me to have faith in her, trust not only her decisions but God's as well and I do but why did you come all the way to the hospital to ask me this?"

Kojo quickly frowns and fidgets uncomfortably in his seat, but doesn't say anything Massad expects to hear.

"I... actually don't know. I felt I had to ask you for some reason and then I saw myself driving to the hospital to see you." The brown eyed man stares at his friend, still frowning as they both think this over, uncertain of what to make of it all.

"You could have called me, you know. I'd pick up."

"I know, it just didn't seem like a conversation to have over the phone." Kojo sighs, wondering what really had come over him at that moment. He shakes his head, somewhat frustrated but doesn't show this, "I should head out soon, you're not the only one with patients to tend to."

Massad smiles despite the previous question left hanging. It is without saying that he will surely get his answer but as of now, he knows it is not the right time.

Kojo stands, arms spread out like butterfly wings before engulfing his friend in a warm embrace. Massad pats his back in return letting go so the two can fist pump. As he watches him leave, a thought runs across his mind bringing about frustration. It was hard to ignore but more so to forget as it never really left his memory.

The ringing sounds of bells and laughter dancing along his eardrums, and the tingle that ran down his spine at the dulcet of her giggling. Her eyes glimmered for him, in his neatly-worn tuxedo.

That, he wanted to forget.

As harsh as it sounds, it was the truth.

***