My Favorite

6- Dinner Together

Restaurant

"This strawberry lemonade is delicious" I took a few more sips. "Right, I always get it". she responded while taking a sip of her second drink, some kind of wine I think .
"So what did you want to tell me before the waiter came by?" She started mentioning something when the waiter had brought us our delicious drinks. "Oh yes, well it's not really anything, just a random topic". She did some hand movements as if she's just brushing off the topic. "No, go ahead, nothing is random for me" I reassured. She took one more sip before talking. "Well, I've been wanting to move into a new apartment, particularly more spacious. Especially because my boyfriend likes to stay over often and he leaves this things at my place also".

Felt like someone shot me, not that I know how that feels like but that 'boyfriend' hurt me again. Being reminded about this hurts more than the first time she told me. So I fell onto the floor and crawled into ball. Just kidding that didn't happen in real life of course, but that's how I feel right now.

I just nodded along her words and listened. It's like her voice is muffled now and all I can think about is that she has a boyfriend. I'm not sure why I felt like we were starting to form something. The way she looked at me just doesn't add up now.
Not this again, the mixed signals. It was probably just all in my head. But the last time this happened, it wasn't. Maybe I just wanted to believe that there could have been something all by the fact on how happy she makes me. I feel so visible with her like she understands exactly how I'm feeling or what I'm thinking.

"Yea, totally" I responded to something she told me. Her conversation was finally over and it was my turn to reply to everything she just told me.
"You know, I work at a company where we do those type of things, we help you find a place, basically we do all the hard stuff for you and you just get to enjoy the house tours" I explained. Silje seems surprised but interested. "And if there's tweaks you want to do to your new place, we also specialize in architecture, interior design, and renovations of course.. We practically do it all so you don't need to go to many places"
Felt so professional talking about this. Hopefully she doesn't find me boring now.

"Oh wow that actually sounds great... Will you be the one showing me places?" She smiled. "I would actually... Forsure my boss will have me do it since I'm still a newbie to the company" I explained before taking some more sips of the lemonade. "Oh right... Well Thank You Lina! I'm actually interested in this" she responded. I'm shocked because usually people have to think about it or they already have plans of their own. "Great, trust me, that's how I found my apartment, thanks to my friends that work there. I'll give you a business card when we're back home, I mean back at my place...the card has our location on it". "Sounds good, Thank you-"
Before she can say something else, the waiter came with our food...

Back at the apartment

"I will definitely be going back to that restaurant!" I told a Silje who is gathering her things already. "I'm glad you liked it" her voice echoed in the dim lit space. "Leaving so soon?" I questioned. I don't want her to leave yet. It feels like our time together flew by so quickly. "Umm, yes, only because my boyfriend just texted me that he's at my place already". I watched her put on her guitar case strap over her body. "Oh" I simply replied without a thought. She stopped her actions and looked at me. The view of me must be pretty funny right now because I'm day dreaming. "Well Don't sound so sad, we'll see each other again" she chuckled. I snapped out of my thoughts when I remembered about the Polaroids. I quickly went into my room to grab them.

"Lina, don't forget about the business card" she told me from the living room. I took a few more seconds to admire how cute she looks in the photo. I also took a few quick snaps of them on my phone for memories. Suddenly her figure appeared at my door frame. She has all her things with her now. Looking at her ready to go just makes me sad.
"Sorry, I was looking at the Polaroids, let me go get that for you" I handed her the Polaroids to look at meanwhile I get the card for her. I have them in the storage closet near my front door.
"We look so cute" she mentioned while shaping a few photos of them too. But I notice her tone is a little different now than before. It seems as if she's forcing a happy voice. Oh no, I hope I didn't do anything wrong. Maybe she's also just tired. "We really do" I handed her the card. She took it and put it in her coat pocket. "We should have took one together". I agreed. "Well we can take a photo together over at the tall mirror in my room" I suggested. She thought about it for some seconds then a text came in from her phone. She read it and sighed.

"It's okay if you have to go" I interrupted the silence between us while she's texting her boyfriend back. She shook her head and looked back at me. "I'm sorry about that, it's just he gets so impatient sometimes". My 'hating men' emotions are triggered but I kept my mouth shut cause I don't know the whole situation. Just looking at her, how frustrated she is, tells me enough about him though. "No don't worry... I just don't want you to have any problems" I almost threw up in my mouth. I meant what I said of course but it's just bothering me seeing her like this, Especially after how much she was enjoying herself these past two hours and during the train ride.

"Well honestly we have been having problems so there's no avoiding them now" she smiled sarcastically. It hurts seeing her this way. She's such a sweet person and it's unbelievable that someone doesn't respect her. He's totally taking her for granted!
I put my arms out to offer her a hug which she gladly accepted. We held each other tightly for a whole minute, I swear. Hopefully this warm hug helps her somehow.

"Thank You for that" she wiped her watery eyes. She shook it off quickly though.
"Silje, I want you to do what's best for you. You don't deserve someone mistreating you in any way, you shouldn't feel frustrated with your partner. This shouldn't be a normal thing you're used to... You deserve better.. I'm sorry, I mean, I hope things can get better". Can't believe I just talked about her relationship that I don't even know much about. Hopefully she doesn't get offended.

"Thank you Lina, You're so right, honestly. It's been this way for a month now, like things are just falling apart and I don't know why. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one putting effort into the relationship. And to be honest I don't even think he listens to me anymore". The way she just opened up lets me know that it's been on her mind lately. And it's almost as if it's the only time she's spoken about it too. "And Lina, I've had the most fun today since In a while..ever since we first talked too, I feel heard by you" she gave me a warm genuine smile.
"Well I'm glad you feel that way too... Silje, you are welcome to my house anytime. I'm here for you okay?" I grabbed her hand to comfort her. She stepped closer to me to hug me with her free arm. "You're so nice" she whispered.
A text interrupted this moment. She leaned backed to look at me, our faces close together. It's like she wants to tell me something but can't find the right words.

Another text interrupted us again making her actually step back to a normal distance now. She read her notifications and shook her head. "I'm sorry Lina, Can we take a photo together really quickly so I have proof that I'm with a friend". The disbelief in my face right now. "Of course, whatever you need" I replied annoyedly but not with her, she knows that though. We quickly snap a few happy selfies together. "Thank you so much, and I'm so sorry about this" the worry in her voice makes me feel that she thinks this is a burden to me. "You don't have to apologize for anything!" I told her. She gave me a face where she still is having trouble believing my words, like she still feels guilty.
"I promise" I added.
She nodded and smiled at me.

"I'll text you soon! Maybe we can go shopping for some kitchen stuff together" she teased me and my very few kitchenware. "Deal" I laughed as I walked her out. "See you later" I stood at my doorway looking at her walk away. She turned back to look at me after a few steps. We waved 'goodbye' to each other. She then disappeared once she reached the staircase.

I finally stepped back inside my lonely apartment. It's so quiet now. I usually enjoy this quietness but it's too silent without her now. Like suddenly there's something missing from my home, it's not complete anymore.

...