What happened after London? - Another story

Chapter 3

That afternoon, everyone returned home, too shaken up to attempt a fun get-together.

"Mon, I'm intrigued by what Chandler told Joey when he said, 'Who wouldn't want you?' Chandler said, 'There's one out there...' And earlier, he'd said there was a woman he was interested in, but she didn't see him as boyfriend material. Who could he be referring to? Does he still have feelings for Janice or Kathy... or has he met someone we don't know about?" Rachel was clearly intrigued.

Monica just said, "I don't know. Chandler is very complex."

"Poor guy, maybe he's in love with someone and that's why he's leaving..." Rachel ventured.

Monica considered going to apartment 19 to talk to him, to find out why he's leaving them...

But she was worried that those feelings she'd tried to keep hidden from everyone, especially herself, would come out. He'd never let on that this night had been anything more than casual sex with a friend, and then there was his commitment phobia, which had been instrumental in convincing herself it was best to forget about the episode.

It didn't make sense for her to tell him anything about those feelings she hadn't gotten over, since he apparently had them for someone else. And a question struck her: would he be willing to pursue a committed relationship with that woman? Maybe he was, he was in love... maybe that's why he decided to leave.

Now she felt upset. What was wrong with that woman? It's true that since he was a child, he'd carried a burden that made him complex and insecure in relationships, but he couldn't find anyone better: handsome, loyal, affectionate, a good person, and... surely the best lover that stranger could have ever had...

Between her desolation over Chandler's departure, her hidden feelings, and her jealousy over this woman he apparently loved, her head was in turmoil.

"No, I'd better not cross, or I'll get even more confused..."

Chandler wasn't happy with the decision he'd made, but it was the best thing he could do; he'd stay calm.

He regretted having caused pain to his friends, especially Joey, who didn't say a word to him as they climbed the stairs to their apartment. As soon as Joey arrived, he locked himself in his room. "I'll talk to him tomorrow..." think Chandler

The next day, Douglas told him that the transfer would be in 20 days, and that until he found an apartment he liked, he would be staying in a hotel. "Everything will be covered by the company, as stated in the transfer terms."

The move-in date was set.

That afternoon, when he returned to the apartment, Joey was waiting for him.

"Man, I couldn't sleep. I don't understand why you agreed to that transfer. Nothing you said makes sense. We're a family. You're my brother. Why did you decide to leave? I repeat, I don't understand."

"Joey, I feel like you're my brother too. In my case, that feeling is probably even stronger because I don't have brothers and I found one in you. But in life, brothers sometimes grow apart, get transferred at work, or get married and move to another state. But that doesn't mean they stop being brothers, friends, or lose their relationship."

Joey started talking and couldn't stop.

"There's something else here. It's not that you were forced to move. You chose to. And don't tell me it's because of the promotion, because of the financial situation. I know that's not important to you. You've always said so. Life had taught you that money doesn't make you happy, affection is what makes you happy. Don't tell me now that you don't think that way. Every time Phoebe told you that you were a rich kid, you always explained that the pain you both felt in your childhood was the same. Your parents' money didn't make you any less miserable. I remember that well."

"Besides, I don't think a promotion at work would make you like what you do at that company now. You always said you wanted to do something else... There's something else here... Please, what is it..."

Chandler saw that he had to give Joey a deeper reason, which really existed, but he couldn't tell him the whole truth.

"If there's something else, I fell in love with a woman... I never thought that I was going to feel so much love for a woman."

"What woman?" Joey asked immediately.

"You don't know her, she's from work, but she doesn't feel the same way about me. She only sees me as a friend."

"But Chandler, you told her how you feel..."

"It's not necessary, I know. Besides, she's dating someone else," Chandler said, lowering his head.

"And when you're like this in love, isn't it just a passing infatuation?" Joey asked.

"Look, I don't know if these feelings started before, but something happened between us a few months ago. You know, I've never felt this way with any woman, and from that moment on, I can't get over her. I know it'll be very difficult for me to get over her. She's perfect."

"And how do you know that the same thing didn't happen to her?" Joey affirms.

"I know, for her it was a one-night stand, She make that clear."

"And you can't get over her by staying here. I can introduce you to tons of girls," Joey told him, trying to enthuse him.

"Hahaha, Joey, it's not that easy for me. I'm not going to get over her with just sex. I see her every day, that's why I need to get away, at least for a while..." Chandler explained, then asked.

"Joey, what I'm asking you, as my brother, my best friend, is that what I just told you stays between the two of us. The others shouldn't know the reason, or they'll start judging me, saying I'm running away from a relationship..."

"And isn't that what you're doing?" Joey asked.

"No, buddy, there's no relationship here. There's just a deep, unrequited love that will never be reciprocated. That's why I have to distance myself. If I get over it, I'll probably come back, and it won't hurt to see her married to someone else."

Joey looked at him with wide eyes and an expression of absolute surprise. "If she loved you back, would you marry her?"

"Yes, I'm clear about it, I'm not afraid. With her, I'd have a commitment to the challenge of my life."

Joey was stunned. He had never thought he'd hear those words from his friend. He didn't know who that woman was, but he already hated her for making his brother suffer so much, for taking him away from them.

On Saturday, Chandler accompanied Monica to the market. This Saturday wasn't like other Saturdays; they were both quieter, there were fewer jokes.

"Mon, is something wrong?"

"Oh, what do you think? My best friend is leaving. He's leaving us all behind for a stupid promotion."

"Don't be mad. I already told you. I promise to come back often and keep in touch."

Monica didn't answer.

"Look, Mon, I'll call you. You'll have to keep me up to date on your affair with Willy, Rachel's coworker. Last week you told me it had a future."

"How was the date on Sunday?"

"Nothing. He seemed nice during the double date, but it was ultimately superficial. All he was looking for was sex, I could have done it a while ago but now I don't like going out with a guy like Joey. I want much more," she said with a smile.

"Of course," Chandler commented, one more reason to be certain that London had been a night of casual sex for her, which she could have easily had with Joey.

The departure date was approaching, and everyone was really sad. Chandler would be leaving on Saturday morning, so he'd have time to settle in a bit since he'd start work in his new position on Monday, which obviously had him nervous and worried.

Then Phoebe stated that he couldn't leave without a farewell party, which she organized at a restaurant for Friday night.

While everyone made an effort to be cheerful, in reality, they all felt terribly sad; they were losing an irreplaceable friend.

"Man, what time does your plane leave tomorrow?" Ross asked.

"8:00 a.m."

"We'll go see you off," he said.

"No guys, better not, we'll get sentimental, we'll say goodbye tonight at the Hall," Chandler replied, smiling.

Ross and Phoebe said goodbye at the door of the building, since Ross would walk Phoebe home because it was getting late.

Ross gave him a tight hug, "Good luck, buddy," and call us with your address and phone number.

Phoebe hugged him tight too, and during the hug she whispered in his ear, "You're not happy, your aura is gray, I don't know what's driving you away, but I'll find out." She pecked him on the lips with a mischievous smile.

The other four climbed the stairs to the fifth floor. Joey entered the his apartment. He would have time to say goodbye. Rachel hugged him, "I love you. I often don't understand your jokes, but I love you, and I hope you succeed in everything. We'll talk to each other so we can hear from each other."

"Thanks, Rachel. I love you too, and we'll keep in touch."

Then it was Monica's turn. She hugged him tightly, and he hugged her back. They both wanted that hug to never end, even if the other didn't know it. "Chandler, I love you... you don't know how much. You're the best friend I ever thought I'd have. I'll miss you so much."

Chandler simply said, "I love you too. You don't know how much either."

Both of their hearts were racing.

And when they broke the hug, he found Monica with tears rolling down her cheeks. He cupped her face and wiped them with his thumbs. They looked deeply into each other's eyes. Then they both lost their gaze in each other's lips, wanting to melt into a kiss, many kisses like in London. But the moment of ecstasy was interrupted when Rachel innocently said, "Okay, Mon, let's go inside."

Chandler gave her one last smile, "Yes, you come in, it's late and I have to leave early for the airport tomorrow, I promise to call you."

Monica entered apartment 20, followed by Rachel, and began walking toward her bedroom. "Mon, are you okay?" Rachel asked.

"Just very sad, I'm going to sleep." She entered her room and let the enormous flow of tears she had been holding back since the moment she found out Chandler was leaving flow freely.

Chandler stared at the door of apartment 20 for a few seconds. "If that day had been different, if I had had the courage to turn the handle..." His stomach was in knots. He prayed Joey was in the bathroom or in his room. He needed to be alone. The pain was intense. Finally, he entered and Joey was in the bathroom. He went to his room. He would say goodbye to Joey the next morning.