GETTING THEM 4

I flipped through the menu not knowing exactly what to pick out, everything had a strange name but luckily for me I could read the ingredients so I was not picking what I could not get past my throat. The Italian bistro we went to had soft jazz music just to calm you in to the serene vintage environment. It was vintage yet classy and had well groomed staff who patiently explained everything we were going to expect.

“I think the Alfredo will do for me” I confidently replied.

Kalanje quickly pointed out the Alfredo too stating that he had tried it and it was nice.

“And for the drinks?” the waiter asked as he jotted down our orders.

“A cocktail will do for me… mojito to be specific” Kalanje said.

“Uhmm... just a cherry juice will do for me...” 

The waiter took our orders as Kalanje again awkwardly stole glances.

“It has been a while… we have not been out together in a long time” I said trying to clear the awkwardness

“Well I am not surprised, you have been MIA half the time… you act really strange sometimes and it’s not even about me, I know it’s about the wedding. You are still on and about the wedding but I do not blame you..” he said.

I cleared my throat and begun pressing my phone like I did not hear a thing he said.

“We did not come here to look at our phones” he said. 

Placing back the phone on the table I shrugged my shoulders and leaned over forward, my hands resting on the table and looking at him closely. He did not battle an eyelid; it was scary looking straight through him. I looked away. 

“My admission has been confirmed at Yale”

I nearly chocked hearing him utter those words. He was going just like that? What was my life going to be like? He was my only friend and also my only confidante. 

“I wanted us to come here and talk, I want us to make peace before I go… you are and always will be my friend. I cannot imagine being at loggerheads with you, you are so special to me” he said. 

He was right about one thing, I would always be his friend but just something about the sound of that made me so uncomfortable. I nearly shed a tear. I always knew we were nothing but friends. However, hearing it made me feel extremely sad. 

“I had little control over what happened at my sister’s wedding, it would have been a different case if I did that to you at my wedding but I would never do that to you. You know I would not treat you like that at my wedding. Forgive me friend please”

I sighed heavily as I faked a smile. “ I forgive you Kalanje and I appreciate the fact that you hold me in such a high esteem, you will always be my friend too… so when are you leaving for Yale?”