text: My childhood friend had met his star-crossed lover suddenly on his way back from California in the unbelievably romantic setting of the coach section, in the 747, where he sat adjacent to *her.* It was only fitting, that after his graceful flirtations with her that he invited her to accompany him back to his humble abode. Back at his apartment he took on the very important role of an honorable host. As an opening welcome, he shared with her the very writings on his heart, splashed into a poem, which he proceeded to enchant her with. What he would depict as a sweet melody that caressed her ears, I would more appropriately describe as verbal diarrhea. The reason why I can speak so intimately of this experience is because my dear acquaintance did not know that moments before he arrived, I had already reached his apartment and let myself in. He must have forgotten in the midst of his love haze, that we had planned on me coming out to visit for the week. Once in the upstairs guest bedroom, I overheard the entire seduction process carried out. As I wait silent with my face pressed against the open vent that was spewing out every word spoken right into the drum of my ear, I began to hear shuffling down below. The sound of my friend lowering himself to one knee was made. I heard him utter four words that I could never in all my life think of being spoken to someone, I assume, known for all of about 12 hours. I rushed down the steps and flew into the living room to find a celebration consisting of laughing, hugging and one wink from a precious rock attached to a golden hoop. As I finally process everything before my eyes, I notice who is standing before me wearing the newly gifted ring. I looked at him, then her, then back at him. The absolute shock carved into my face demolished any chance of lying when I stuttered, “Congratulations.” It was as though one eight hour flight, travel to the apartment and a small conversation had absolutely erased an entire six-year process that surmounted to nothing, as my friend, ex-fiancé and disheveled self all stood speechless exchanging confusion, excitement and surprise in silence. I had no other words to say or know what to do, so I turned and left the room in complete humiliation towards an undirected journey to nowhere. After a few days of thinking and remembering, I returned back to the very apartment that contained all the excitement to say goodbye. Even though my long time friend and I had not spoken for some time after college, I knew he was aware of my time with her. This was no serendipitous meeting a mile high above all the turnings of the world. This must have had some past to it, which I was oblivious to. I gave my friend a solemn handshake and told him that I would remember the date and said goodbye. This gave my clear intention that I was not clueless of what’s going on, acknowledged that they are getting married, and that my acceptance of the invitation to the wedding was not going to be a solid answer. I dismissed all the emotions that invaded my body each day after that. I knew that I could very easily eat myself alive if I was to dwell on the past, the present, and even think of the future. How could I celebrate something that was so clashing and hurtful from a friend and ex-lover? My friend and I live separate lives for the most part now. I can’t undo the past or stay bitter. I don’t know what their lives will become or what my life will look like. All I know is that the wedding cake was pretty good and they had a decent band.