"Your date... is me, right?"
Ongsa looked at me, looking a little exasperated, as he sit down across from me and opened the menu.
"Today, I'm going to order a feast."
"Go ahead, since I'm rich."
"Can I hate you? Just because you're unbearable?"
"That's right... Ow! Did you just kick me?"
Ongsa kicked my leg under the table. I bared my teeth at him a little before laughing and opening the menu with interest. This was an Italian restaurant in the heart of the city, a place I rarely visited because I hate traffic. But today, I went out of my way just to see Miriam.
"Will your girlfriend be able to find this place?"
"Of course. I've already checked your Facebook."
"Do you really hate each other? What kind of person hates someone but keeps following them?"
"Right?"
I laughed, thinking about my own curse." When people hate each other, they usually want to avoid each other. But with Miriam, it was the opposite, she kept butting into my life, as if she couldn't stand to see me happy.
"And you think eating with me will convince Miriam that you're on a date? That girl knows me and knows that I'm a family friend."
"Miriam used to be jealous of you, actually."
I raised my hand to call the waiter, pointed out my order, and then went back to our conversation.
"She said that men and women can't just be friends."
"Uh-huh."
"By the way... have you ever thought about liking me?"
"I have."
This time, Ongsa called the waiter to take his order. I looked at him, surprised by his honesty.
"Really? You've never shown interest."
"I've liked you for a long time, but something told me that we were better as friends. I don't like feeling inferior."
"Inferior?"
"Everyone is equal, of course, but people have their own value. You were born with everything... Oh, don't be modest; it's annoying."
I was about to protest, but I closed my mouth, showing my teeth again. Ongsa knew me too well to stop and let me complain.
"You’re beautiful, you have money that will last a lifetime; everything about you is almost absurdly perfect. Even the guys who like you don’t seem worthy. That's what I mean by 'inferior'."
"…"
"If I fell in love with you and let myself be completely in love, I'd only end up feeling pathetic. Besides, the way you look at guys who approach you is like looking at trash."
"Impressive."
"Good thing I don't like feeling like trash, so being your friend suits me better. Besides, it's more fun to watch you act like trash."
I picked up a bread knife, pretending to throw it, but Ongsa didn't hesitate, he knew I wouldn't do that. Making fun of me was his specialty, and I had to admit, he nailed it.
Now, I was really acting like trash, in love with Miriam to the point of doing something stupid like trying to lure her out, even though I knew she despised me.
Soon, the food we ordered was served. We talked about various topics while we ate, but I kept looking left and right, half-expecting Miriam to walk in. A while later, a waiter ran towards our table, visibly worried.
