All Her Firsts

Chapter 4: First Meal

(Enzo’s Point of View)

    I can’t believe it. First, I saw her this morning, then in the afternoon, and now I see her having dinner with a friend in one fast food chain near their university. I initially planned on just buying food to go because there aren’t any free tables but I when saw her I suddenly wanted to eat here. I approach their table quietly, I can hear them talking about a certain crush then I hear my name.

    “Uhm Excuse me. May I share the table? There aren’t any unoccupied one” I ask for their permission. She just nods at me and point at the free space while biting her lips and avoiding my gaze. Her reactions are really one of the cutest I've ever seen

    Her round eyes are really the prettiest. They seem to be very happy and secured. She’s fair skin, wavy mid-length hair with bangs barely covering her forehead, red lips and close to perfection skin with no signs of ache or skin problems. With the way she dresses, I can tell she’s a shy one does not have any intention of standing out from the crowd. About 5 feet and 3 inches tall, with petite figure. This girl can definitely turn heads easily. In addition to that, she’s smart and seems to be very passionate about her chosen career.

    I sit down and try to start a conversation to avoid the awkward atmosphere. “So, you want to be an architect?”

    “Uhm yes, guess that’s why I’m taking Architecture” she replies with low voice.

    “How could I call you? Natalie? Margarette? Natalie Margarette?” I try to ask for a way to address her.

    “Natalie will be okay” she shortly answers at first. “That’s how everyone calls me” she finishes.

    “And you are?” I turn to her friend.

    “You can call me Aliah. Only Nat calls me Ali, but you can call her Nat for short if you like” she responds with a smile. She’s an outgoing, and friendly one

    I can tell Natalie is getting uncomfortable with me. I didn’t think about that when I sat with them. Of course, they will be uncomfortable, they’re college students and a 30-year-old man tries to eat with them. No one will be comfortable with that. They don’t even know me yet I’m sharing the table with them. As soon as I realize that, I quickly stand up.

    “I’m sorry. I better get going. I’m … I’m making you uncomfortable. I’m really sorry. I’ll leave”

 *********

(Nat’s Point of View)

    Oh crap! What the hell just happened? Did he hear me talking about him? Gosh, I wish I could escape this moment of embarrassment. I try to avoid his eyes as I nod and point at the free chair when he asked if he can share the table with us. I bit my lip to suppress my emotions of pure humiliation.

    “So, you want to be an architect?” I hear him ask but my brain is not functioning well right now I just replied with “Uhm yes, guess that’s why I’m taking Architecture” with low voice.

    Shoot! That sounded so disrespectful and sarcastic. What is wrong with you Natalie Margarette? Have you forgotten all the small talk topics Ali taught you? After a minute of silence. I try to think of a way on how should I talk to someone who’s an alumnus of our school and my senior in the industry but I couldn’t think of any. Until he asks another question.

    “How could I call you? Natalie? Margarette? Natalie Margarette?”

    “Natalie will be okay” I shortly answer but I think that’s too short “That’s how everyone calls me” I try to extend my reply.

    “And you are?” he turns to Ali

    “You can call me Aliah. Only Nat calls me Ali, but you can call her Nat for short if you like” this friend of mine, who obviously wants something to happen with my love life, tells him.

    He replies with a nod and silence follow that. No one dares to talk for a few minutes until he suddenly stands up and say “I’m sorry. I better get going. I’m … I’m making you uncomfortable. I’m really sorry. I’ll leave”

    Oh shoot! Did I offend him? Was I too obvious? I mean it’s not his fault I have a crush on him, and he’s still older than us so we should’ve talked to him with more respect.

    “No no no,, it’s not like that” I quickly respond reaching for his hand to stop him. “It’s okay, you may stay to finish your meal. You’re not making us uncomfortable, we’re just not used to talking to …” I couldn’t finish my sentence again

    “older people” he finishes my sentence

    “yes” I shyly answer with a nod 

    “but that doesn’t mean you look old. It’s just that you’re an alumnus of the school, one of the panelists of my presentation earlier, and will be probably be my boss in the future if I work in the same firm as you. I heard a lot of our school’s alumni work in the same firm” I continue with my explanation until I realize that I was holding his arm.

    He smiles and sits back in his chair.

    “You can call me Enzo. That’s how my friends call me. Don’t call me kuya (term Filipinos use to address an older brother), so that you won’t feel like you’re talking to someone older. Can we be friends?” He says as he extends his hand for a handshake, which I take and reply with a sweet smile.

    “Ahem, I’m also here” we look at Ali who was staring at us as if she’s watching a movie. We are going to talk about for hours later for sure. She offers a handshake, which Enzo accepts quickly.