The Date

The Restaurant

As he walks around the park and see family interacting with each other, kids playing around with their friends, other with their pets. "I made the right decision, " Gulf reminded himself as he walks to the street to catch a taxi and a vision of the future appear in front of him.

Door closes, "3042 Beagle street, please," Gulf told the taxi driver.

The cabdriver glances at Gulf over the rearview mirror and smiles as he can noticed Gulf's nervousness. Being working as a cabdriver for many years he knows a thing or two about life. In reality, Gulf is the 3rd person he drove around the city that show the same signs, meaning, they were acting strange, in a good way, at least Gulf nervousness was an amusement for others.

It was fifteen minutes later that Gulf arrived at the bar.

The traffic was excellent only a few cars in the street even when it was still early on a Saturday night. Gulf wished it could be like that every day, he hates getting stuck in traffic. Hence one of the reasons he prefers to take the train, more economical and helps the environment, but you cannot expect a guava tree to give you oranges, so traffic will be the same.

Gulf paid for his ride, thanking the amuse cabdriver, "hope you enjoy your night sir and thank you." The driver told Gulf. Gulf smiled and opens the door, outside the restaurant, Gulf examined himself and determining he looks fine, he proceeds to enter the restaurant.

The restaurant was lively even when it was dark, only a few lights lit the area. People were chatting, amusing each other, or it could be the alcohol talking.

Just now Gulf realized his palms are getting damp with sweat. "Good evening, sir. How many?" A voice asked, standing next to Gulf. Gulf was lost in his own thoughts that he was startled. "Er- excuse me?" Gulf asked the tall, fit, and handsome man next to him.

The man smiled at Gulf, "I am asking how many people will be with you tonight or are you joining someone?"

Gulf looks around, trying to see if he can locate the person he is meeting tonight, not such luck.

["I thought he would be here by now.] Gulf thought about it, only that it was aloud. He tends to do things like this. People find it funny, but he gets annoyed when he let's people know what he was thinking. You see, Gulf is a very private, awkward person, only a few handful of people really know him and accept him. '(A weird masterpiece that needs to be admire and protect it' ) that's what someone told him years ago, exactly, 10 years ago when Gulf met him at a party he was force to go. He was so impressed by it that for the first time, Gulf smiled at the stranger and then laughed.

"Sir, are you joining someone?" The man next to him ask again.

"Oh, my apologies "[Gulf said when he realized he was still standing there.]

"Ah, I am joining someone, not sure if he is here. I thought he would be here, waiting for me."Gulf scratched the back of his head and even the waiter smile.

"Very well sir, what's the name of the person you are meeting?" The waiter shows Gulf to stand to the side since a group of young men walk by him.

"Sorry about that, here, the hostess just came. Let's find out if that person is here. "

Gulf flow him and feeling quite embarrassed, "you can see I am not good at situations like this." Gulf said in a shameful way.

The waiter stood next to a young girl waiting a black, rather short dress with red flats.

"Oh, don't worry about it, at least you are trying." The waiter turns around to speak with the young girl.

"Sir, what's your name or the name of the person you are meeting?" She asked.

"My-my name is Gulf and I am me-"

Gulf was interrupted by the cheerful girl, "oh, yes. He is here, he came fifteen minutes ago."

"Fifteen minutes ago? I thought I was early. Why is he so extra early. This is embarrassing."

"....and please make sure to take care of everything. " Gulf was only able to hear the last piece of the waiter and hostess conversation as he was, once again lost in his own thoughts.

The waiter turn around and raised his hand midair, "sir, this way, please."

Gulf follow him, around him there were different conversations going on, unable to focus in just one. He was able to listen only pieces of them.

"...Greg will be here this weekend."

"...we are over, understand, I-..."

Gulf gulped, trying to untie the knot in his throat. He was feeling nervous even when he knew he was not in that stage of life yet.

He kept walking, feeling it was a long walk, evading people passing by when finally he got a glimpse of the person, of the man who was there, waiting for him for more than fifteen minutes.

The handsome man was playing with with the rim of the glass he was holding with his right hand.

The man must had sensed him in a way because his gaze was now directly in Gulf's direction.

The man quickly straightened his body, looking more taller than before. Gulf smiled as he noticed it, forgetting his nervousness for a second.

His heart was beating, not in a crazy way, but it was letting him know that he was alive and this new experience was in a way exciting for him. He is still not used to be around so many people.

Certainly not doing something like having a date at a restaurant, not after what happened seven years ago when he went to his first date and people, mostly his family are still talking about it.

The man almost stumble when he was trying to get up, fixing his jacket. "He looks so handsome wearing all black." Gulf looked at the waiter, making sure this time he didn't speak aloud.

Reaching to the table, Gulf smiled as he looks at the handsome man in front of him, "hi, sorry I am late." Gulf said, standing there, awkwardly.

"Oh, I was too early, I came just a few minutes ago. How are you?"

Gulf nodded and they stared at each other. After a second, the waiter coughed, getting their attention. Gulf looked at him and sat down across the table, facing the tall man.

"Sir, the menu, would you like something to drink in the meantime?"

The waiter asked Gulf first.

"Hmm, [Gulf looked at the glass in front of him] whatever he is drinking." Gullf pointed to the glass and also noticed a smiled sneaking on the tall man's face.

Writing it down on his notepad, the waiter added, " what about you sir, would you like a refill? [The man nodded], very well, let me know when you are ready to order. Take your time and enjoy your evening. " The waiter handed Gulf the menu and gave them a smile before stepping away.