The Date

Gozay stood outside Emberlight Café, adjusting his olive-green shirt over a white tee, paired with black jeans. He eyed the road like he was mentally tallying every car. His watch read 5:40.

He exhaled. Who's it gonna be? Will I even want a second date? Imagine if Maya's the blind date... He smiled like a fool at the thought.

"Gozay?" a voice interrupted his daydream.

He turned to see Rina approaching, radiant in a fitted lilac midi dress with delicate lace details, a matching handbag casually hanging off her shoulder. She looked beautiful, confident, and completely at ease.

Gozay blinked, doing a quick double-take. "Rina? You here?"

She grinned. "Yep. On a date."

His eyebrows shot up. "Oh yeah? Me too…"

Her laughter was light and mischievous. "Well, genius, we're on the same date."

Gozay's jaw dropped, almost hitting the sidewalk, "Wh-what? Really?"

Rina smiled, "Yeah..."

He scratched his neck. Damn! She's looking hot as Sun. "You look… amazing." He muttered, nervous.

Rina linked her arm with his, grinning. "You too, Handsome. So, where are we heading first?"

Gozay, flustered, stammered, "I… uh, it's my first date... So... Um... no clue."

She giggled, leaning closer. "Aww, how sweet. First and last. You're mine now." Her voice was teasing, but her eyes searched his for a reaction. Let's see how he handles this, she thought.

Gozay blinked. WHAT?! He took a shaky breath, She's gorgeous, but my heart's with Maya. She knows that.

Before he could gather his thoughts, Rina chimed in, her tone softening. "Thinking about Maya, huh? I know you love her. But here's the deal—you're with me until she decides otherwise. Deal?"

Her words were direct, but she said them so casually, it felt like an inside joke. Gozay, confused and reluctant, managed a smile. What should I say? Is she messing with me? "Uh… okay."

She's not wrong, but it feels unfair somehow, he mused, sighing softly as they started walking.

The date flowed easily. Rina took charge—dragging him into a photo booth for ridiculous selfies, wrecking him at an arcade game, and tossing in playful quips all the while. It was unexpectedly fun, and Gozay couldn't help but enjoy it.

By the time the night wound down, thoughts of Maya still lingered, but for the first time, they weren't the only thing on his mind.

They sat at a small table, in Emberlight Cafe, choco-vanilla ice cream in front of them. Rina scooped a spoonful into her mouth with such satisfaction that Gozay found himself lost in thought, watching her.

Noticing, she glanced up and grinned. "What? Did you fall in love?"

Gozay chuckled, "Haha... Just… never thought we'd be on a date like this. So sudden."

Rina blushed, her voice quieter. "Yeah, me too. Though, I kinda wanted this."

Gozay's eyes almost popped out. What did she just say? She wanted a date with ME?!

"Wait, what?"

She looked away, a little shy. "I've liked you since middle school. But you always ran from girls. Then, in high school, you fell for someone so close to me. I didn't expect Maya to set this up. It was sudden for me too."

DID SHE JUST CONFESSED HER FEELINGS TO ME?!

Gozay, after snapping out of the shock, smiled awkwardly, though there was a touch of sadness to it. "Yeah… she did."

Rina nodded. "I agreed for two reasons. One, because I wanted to. And two... well, there's a secret. If the time's right, you and Maya will figure it out."

Gozay was quiet surprise, he smiled. "You know what? You're sweet, and open... I mean honest."

Rina blushed, her face turning slightly away. "Uh… really?"

Gozay nodded just as Rina's phone blared. She pulled it out, glanced at the screen. She smirked, answering. "Hey, what's up?"

"How's the date going?" Maya's voice dripped with mock nonchalance.

Rina grinned. "Oh, fantastic. I can't even describe how close we've gotten…"

Maya, dressed in a casual grey short-sleeve hoodie paired with matching mid-length shorts, sat cross-legged in the park. She froze mid-sip of her coffee. "Oh, really? That's… uh, great. So, did you guys, you know… kiss?" she asked, her voice laced with forced indifference, though her fingers gripped the cup a little tighter. Why would you even ask that? Who does that on a first date?

Rina threw a sly glance at Gozay, who was staring out the window. Trying to sound coy, she said, "Haha, what kind of question is that?"

"Just answer me! I'm your sweet cousin, aren't I?" Maya demanded, voice tightening.

Rina smirked wider. "Um… yeah."

"WHAT?!" Maya yelped, nearly choking. "First date?!"

"Well, we couldn't help it," Rina teased, barely suppressing her laughter.

Maya's face turned redder than a stoplight. "Fine! Tell Gozay to meet me later—I've got something to discuss about the party." Her tone was all sharp edges as she hung up.

Rina chuckled.

Meanwhile, Maya sat frozen, fists clenched. He kissed her? On the first date? What the fuck? Boys are all the same. I knew it! And why do I even care? It's not like I own him. I've rejected him a thousand times! He means nothing. NOTHING! She fumed internally, her brows furrowing deeper.

Back at the café, Gozay noticed Rina's amused grin. "Who was that?"

"Maya," Rina said lightly. "She wants you to meet her after the date."

He sighed, nodding in acknowledgment.

A While Later

Maya stood at the park entrance, arms crossed as she spotted Gozay and Rina strolling toward her. Rina was clinging to Gozay's arm like they'd been inseparable for years. Maya took a deep breath, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. "Hey, guys…"

"Hey," Gozay mumbled, his face wearing an odd mix of guilt and confusion.

Rina beamed, pulling Maya into a quick hug before planting a kiss on her cheek. "Yek nafar hasod est (Someone's jealous), huh?" She said.

Maya rolled her eyes. "No, I'm not," she snapped, shooting Gozay a look that could melt steel.

"What did you say, Rina?" Gozay asked, genuinely baffled.

Rina grinned. "I said, someone's hungry."

"Oh…" Gozay blinked, intrigued. "What language was that?"

"Persian. I'm Persian," Rina said, with a proud tilt of her chin.

His surprise deepened. "Wait, really? That's amazing. I love Persian…" He trailed off, catching Maya's razor-sharp glare. "Cats. Persian cats," he added, laughing nervously. Why is she killing me with that glare??

Rina chuckled. "Maya understood it because she's my cousin."

"What?" Gozay blurted. "You're cousins? I didn't know that!"

"Well, now you do," Rina said cheerfully. She turned to Maya and side-hugged her. "I'll leave you two to talk about the 'party'. Take care of my boy, okay?"

Maya smiled—a sweet yet unsettling expression. "Oh, don't worry. I'll take good care of him."

Gozay swallowed hard.

Rina leaned into Gozay, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Already missing you," she murmured before kissing his cheek, turning him into tomato. She stepped back, her cheeks tinged pink. "See you tomorrow."

Maya turned away, arms folded tightly, trying to look indifferent.

Gozay managed a weak smile. "See you."

As Rina walked off, waving at them, her grin widened. Poor Maya. I can practically see the chaos brewing in her head.

As Rina disappeared around the corner, Gozay turned to Maya, catching her glare so sharp it could cut glass. Is it me, or is she planning my funeral? "So… Um... what's up?" he asked, trying for casual.

Maya stepped closer, her face serious. "Did you enjoy yourself?"

Gozay hesitated. Is this a trap? "Uh… yeah. Thanks for, you know, setting it up."

Maya's eye twitched. Thanks? PERVERT!! "Hmm. So, you kissed her, huh? Was it good?"

"K-kiss? No! Absolutely not!" he stammered.

SMACK!

Gozay clutched his face. "What the hell was that for?"

"Felt like it," Maya replied breezily, spinning on her heel. "And for the record, you're hiding things. Aren't we supposed to be friends?"

"Maya—"

"Don't," she snapped. "If you don't want me around, just say so. Goodbye."

Gozay grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop. "What's your problem? Why would I hide anything? I never said I don't want to be friends. Or is it you who doesn't want this friendship? Did you pity me? Befriend me just to help me get an unwanted girlfriend? Well, thanks for the charity, but I didn't ask for it! And I value this friendship. So stop acting like this!"

Maya blinked, startled. Slowly, she placed her hand on his, gently prying herself free. "Then stop keeping secrets," she said softly, her back to him.

"I'm not keeping any secrets!"

She turned, her expression serious. Not that secrets are the problem. Why would you go on date this easily, even if I said so, huh... "Sure. Whatever. See you tomorrow."

She turned to him, her expression serious. It's not about secrets. It's about why you'd agree to a date so easily, even if I was the one who suggested it. She sighed softly. "Sure. Whatever. See you tomorrow."

"Maya—"

"What?"

"I'll walk you home."

She forced a smile. "Careful. Your girlfriend might not like that. But fine. Suit yourself."

The walk was painfully silent. Gozay tried to start a conversation, but Maya's monosyllabic responses killed every attempt. Her smile looked more like a grimace by the time they reached her building.

"Thanks. See you tomorrow," she said with a forced cheeriness.

"Take care," he replied, unsure if he meant her or himself.

Maya nodded, walking toward the entrance. The second she was through the gates, her face darkened, anger bubbling to the surface.

Gozay turned back toward the road, scratching his head. Ahh Rina, why did you lie?