"Wale, let's grab a bite; I'm positively famished."

Swivelling her chair with an air of nonchalance, Wale fixed herbest friend with a long, scrutinising gaze-a habit that had long tested Kind's patience.

"Why on earth are you glaring at me like that? Your hunger is entirely your own doing. You really ought not to have skipped breakfast and lunch for my sake, simply loitering about, awaiting my presence. I've told you more times than I care to count: I'm practising intermittent fasting."

Wale remained unfazed, her stare unbroken, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. She had, at the very least, expected Kind to drop some hint regarding his feelings, yet the man remained maddeningly tight-lipped, his actions revealing nothing.

"Oi, Kind!" Wale suddenly sprang from her chair, grabbing Kind's hand just as the latter began to make his escape. "Why won't you talk to me, K? How long do you intend to conceal your true feelings?"

"What is it that you want, exactly? You're insufferable..."

A sly smile tugged at Wale's lips. "Quite the temper we have today, don't we K? I thought I was meant to be the grouchy one here, with my cycle coming and all."

"Must you say that while holding my hand, you dummy?"

"It's just one hand, K. I could always grab both if it pleases you," Wale teased, inching closer as Kind hastily withdrew, freeing himself from her grip.

"Flirt with your boylfriend, not me."

"Kind, wait!" Wale's anxiety began to rise. She had hoped they could at least converse after work before their proposed dinner plans. Had I misread everything? She wondered. "Don't you have something to say? Talk to me, K."

The sudden softness in Wale's voice caught Kind off guard. For a moment, he wanted to ask what had cast such a shadow over his friend's mood. Yet, he reminded himself why he had been avoiding Wale all along. It was safer this way to avoid any risk of entangling himself between his best friend and her boyfriend. "You're as irritating as ever. I'm leaving."

The slamming of the door left Wale with unanswered questions. It was fortunate they were the only two left in the open office otherwise, it would have been unbecoming of her having someone witness her desperate need to win her friend's affections, with the poor excuse as having lunch. Talk of a woman chasing after a man.

"Perhaps I've been the coward all along," Wale mused quietly. "Maybe I'm the one lacking the courage to admit I already know the truth. His truth."