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He was saying his goodbyes to his friends who came to see him off. There are many of them. If Boss was anything, he was friend-shaped. He gathered them unbeknownst to having done it, adding one to his collection each time he opened his mouth to speak to a new person.
That was one of the many things Man liked about Boss.
Boss then laughed at something Phukong said. Man couldn’t help but stand back and smile as the other did, amusing him one last time. And it was almost like his gut was more sensitive, making Man laugh along harder than he intended at the joke that wasn’t even that ticklish in the first place. He felt a shoulder squeeze from Type, who was smiling and giving a glance to him. Man returned the smile and continued looking at Boss.
And Pear was hugging all her friends, from Tine to Earn to Green. She kissed each person on the cheek, and she scrunched her nose with each squeal and a light hearted wave.
Then they moved towards the car. It was packed with boxes that Man himself had helped with, making sure they didn’t leave anything behind.
Boss and Pear had told Man a few months ago that they were thinking of moving out of the city. They had found amazing jobs somewhere on the coast just after they graduated. Man was excited for them and their responsible decision. It made him look at Boss in a new grown-up way. He was so happy for his friend.
He watched as they got into the car. Pear sat down in the passenger and fastened her seat belt. Man went around to the driver's side and he bent down.
“I packed some sandwiches for you in there in case you guys get hungry on the way.” Man commented, pointing to the lunch bag in the middle of their seats. “And don’t forget to listen to that playlist I sent you. I think you’ll like it, Pear!”
“Thanks, Man,” Pear responded with an endearing tone, putting her head back in her seat.
Then Man looked at Boss. He had his mouth pressed tightly together, and his hands were settled on the steering wheel in front of him. He parted his lips and looked down.
“I don’t know what to say.” He started.
Man didn’t know what to say either. So many words sat on the top of his tongue. He watched Boss bring a hand up to his eyes and wipe the tears with a sniff. Man chuckled, a smile on his lips.
“We said we weren’t going to cry.” He reminded the other.
“I know, I know,” Boss half-laughed. He got himself together; he looked up at Man and he smiled. “Thank you for all you did today.”
Man nodded in acknowledgement.
“Man,” Boss started, “...I love you.”
Sometimes it takes simple words to remind Man of them and what they mean. What they meant for a friendship that had been since grade school, what they meant for memories, laughs and schemes they got into. What it meant for the very big things and the very little things. And those simple words reminded Man how happy he was to have Boss in his life every day.
“I love you, too.” Man said.
The car drove away. Their friends all waved in the street, watching the car get smaller and smaller.
Type watched Man closely as they walked through the front door. He toed his shoes off, his eyes following Man to the kitchen.
“Sweetie, are you alright?” He asked, gently, “You hadn’t said one word on the ride home.”
“I’m fine.” Man gave the other a smug look. “Thanks for looking out for me though.” He rummaged through the fridge.
“Should I help you make breakfast?” Type asked enthusiastically as he walked towards the kitchen area. Though he stopped in the entrance.
Man was crying.
“Oh, sweetie.” Type came over and pulled Man out of the refrigerator. Man turned and flung himself on Type’s shoulder, soaking his shirt in tears. Type made a steady rhyme of interchanging his pats on the back for rubs.
“Do you wanna sit down?” Type asked. Man nodded and sat down on the kitchen floor. “Right here is good, too.” Type flopped down next to Man.
“He’s my best friend in the whole wide world.” Man sobbed, looking down at the tiles. “I’m going to miss him so much.”
This was all Man could think about for the past couple of weeks as moving day neared: how much he was going to miss Boss. He was happy for him. But sadness hit him like a brick soon after, and he’d been holding it in ever since.
Type was no stranger to Man. He knew Man was sad. He could see it in every action in him. He knew his best friend was to be going away soon, and slumping on the sofa as soon as he got home was a normal reaction. Though each time he asked Man if he was okay, Man only gave him the ‘I’m fine, just had a tough day at work!’ routine. But Type knew. And he knew that his emotions were held inside for too long.
“I’m just going to miss him so, so much.” He cried out again.
Type held out his arms again, and Man slunk into them. He pulled Man’s bangs away from his forehead. “It won’t be forever.”
Man looked up at Type. “How do you know?”
“Because I know you two!” Type laughed, “You and Boss can’t keep away from each other for even a second!” He adjusted, and Man sat back up. “I know you’ll see him soon.” He grabbed Man’s chin to hold him up. “Trust me. It won’t be forever.”
He finally saw a smile out of Man who leaned back over, resting his cheek on Type’s shoulder.
Man closed his eyes as Type rubbed over his back, and he thought about how happy he was for Boss, a smile coming to his face.