Manish stops in front of a small storefront. "So, this is me."
He always used to say that when the two of you would get back to the first-year dorm that you shared. Your nostalgia is ragged like a knife wound.
Rather than embarrass Manish with your feelings, you study the storefront. It's glass with a recessed entrance set in the center. The sign on the right side reads "MANDELBREW SET", with what looks like a bulbous flower with tendrils.
"We serve decent enough food," Manish says, "it's not that upscale, I keep meaning to do something about our menu. And I know the space is narrow, there's an old warehouse out back where I do my brewing." He shrugs. "It's your standard brewpub, nothing special."
"It's special because it's yours," you say.
That brings a grin to Manish's face. "Thanks."
"Yeah!" Manish says. "Totally! I mean, if you want to. And it's not too much trouble."
"It's the opposite of too much trouble," you say.
There's an awkward moment where you wait for Manish to go in and he waits for you to leave. "Okay, bye," you say as you leave.
Good thing you've got the ten minute walk to campus to beat yourself up about how you couldn't come up with anything better to say than that.
Real Smooth, Bomomsay Clestenrogo