Mawin's direct question left both Arun and I completely surprised, unable to hide it. We were not prepared for something like that, and hearing it out of the blue from Mawin, with his direct and bold manner, made us straighten our posture, clear our throats and shout at the same time to clear the mood.
"What are you talking about, Mawin? Are you crazy?"
"What's wrong with my question? I just said the obvious. Unless the person listening tries to pretend they didn't understand."
He laughed, clearly amused by our reaction.
"Why are you so shocked? It's a common question! Come on, I'll ask again... Fah, do you like In?"
The question directed at Arun was direct and left me silent, watching her expression carefully. The former secretary just stood there, without giving any answer, and maintained a neutral expression.
"Well, if Fah doesn't answer, I'll ask you, then. Do you like Arun, In?"
"I don't dislike her, you know?"
"I asked if you like her or not, not if you 'don't dislike' her. That's just bullshit."
He insisted, joking, trying to get a more honest answer.
"Why are you pushing so hard?"
Arun and I looked at Mawin seriously, since we didn't like that approach at all. He looked us up and down and then smiled hugely, as if he was having fun.
"Calm down, guys! I'm just kidding! You two keep fighting like a couple in a soap opera. I thought it was funny, so I decided to tease you. If there's nothing between you, why are you so nervous? Asking if you like her or not... the answer is simple, just 'yes' or 'no'. It's not complicated at all. But if you can't answer, that says it all, right?"
"..."
"I'm hungry, let's eat."
Mawin didn't explain what he meant by his answer, and so our lunch hour passed, with the atmosphere still a little tense before we said our goodbyes and each went our separate ways.
After saying our goodbyes, Mawin and I walked together to the parking lot to get our respective cars. However, still with that feeling of something unresolved about what that handsome guy said at the end, I couldn't help but ask.
"You didn't finish what you were talking about."
"Hm?"
My cousin raised an eyebrow as if he was pretending not to understand.
"About what?"
"You said that if you can't answer, it can only mean one thing... what does that mean?"
As soon as I asked this question, Mawin smiled sideways and shrugged.
"Don't worry about it, it doesn't matter at all to you."
"Don't irritate me!"
"Don't be rude, I'm your future husband, you know?"
"You do remember that they're just waiting for us to get engaged, right?"
Mawin paused for a moment and gave a slight smile before getting into the car and starting the engine. He then rolled down the window and said one last thing before driving off.
"I'll see you later."
"Why do we have to meet again?"
"Because I miss my wife."
"Yuck!"
.
Knock, knock
The sound of the knock on the door at eleven o'clock made me stop applying the after-shower cream and go to open the door. When I opened it, I saw that it was the cleaning lady, who had come to give a report at my father's request.
