Tina didn't respond to Enna's message because she was still surprised. But when she realized that the woman wouldn't relent, she decided to pick up one of her calls one bright afternoon.
"Hi!"
"Aren't you supposed to be on a honeymoon?" Tina asked, wasting no time. "And how on earth did you get my number?"
"It's nice to talk to you too," Enna said, to which Tina sighed.
"Sorry," she apologized. "I'm not trying to be rude, just..."
"It's fine. I was just really excited to have your number so I wanted to reach out," her cousin's wife said. "I got it from Andrew. Told him I wanted to be friends and so he just gave in. Are you mad?"
The only person who's tried the friendship thing with her despite how unapproachable she seemed was Lamont. Obviously, he'd succeeded. But now that Enna was trying to be her friend, she didn't know how to react to that. Men usually did things like that because they wanted to ask her out, but for Enna...
"No. I'm not," she said, waving at Lamont who just walked in with their food.
They only had about two days before they'd leave the hotel and Lamont wanted to eat as much as he can before they start working like crazy people again.
"So... How's your honeymoon?"
Lamont looked at her in surprise at her question, but when she mouthed who was on the phone, he nodded with a funny smile.
He sat down and wolfed down the chicken that was on his plate to Tina's disgust.
How can someone so pretty eat like that, she wondered.
"My honeymoon's going great! We're in Italy now, though I don't know if I'm supposed to tell you that... We're friends now, so I guess it doesn't matter! Everywhere is so pretty, the food tastes wonderful and I'm just having the time of my life," Enna rattled off. "Maybe you should come someday."
Tina smiled at her enthusiasm. It reminded her of the man in front of her. "Maybe I will."
She was quite glad when Enna decided to end the call and let her be, because she'd already started thinking of an excuse to give her.
"She must really like you," Lamont said, now watching her eat her food.
She shrugged.
"She's just like me. I told you you were pretty cool."
He was right. He did tell her multiple times that she was cool to be around and that as long as she kept showing it, she'd get more people like her. It was such a random statement that she never took seriously.
"Yeah," she let out after gulping down some water, "you did."
"So did the wedding of your cousin create any wanting in your heart?"
Tina raised a brow. "Huh?"
"You know... The stuff that usually happens in weddings where some single guests start wishing for their own persons," he explained. "They'd either find someone amongst the guests or somewhere else. But that interest is usually sparked by weddings."
"Oh."
"Just wondering if you had the feeling."
Yes. "Nope."
Lamont nodded, though he didn't look convinced. "Your dating profile is still running. You should go on dates."
Tina winced at the thought. Her dates always ended badly. The men were all superficial and ended with hurtful and disrespectful words whenever she refused some of their offers.
She knew not all were bad, but she had no interest in going through the torture again. She'd just focus on her business and drink wine till she's ready to die.
She didn't say that though, instead, she said, "I'll think about it."
She didn't want to have that argument with her friend at all. She didn't want to think too much about why she really wasn't interested.
"Great."
Later on, she and Lamont just relaxed at the balcony, taking in the view and air, seated on relaxing chairs with their favorite drinks in hand.
It was all just peaceful and beautiful. She really liked that.
***
Another date.
This was his second date and Trevor was nervous.
He wasn't worried that he was going to offend the lady--his parents brought him up to be respectful when necessary--he was just worried that she was going to be as bad as the last one.
He'd gotten dressed with his most recent suit, hair perfectly made and posture set.
He'd gotten to the restaurant he and the woman, Felicia had agreed to meet. A not-too-expensive restaurant that she claimed she was most comfortable at.
Trevor had never been there, but he didn't mind. The date wasn't all about him and it shouldn't be.
"Trevor?"
He raised his head up from the table, placed his glass back down as he took in the beautiful woman in front of him.
She was a pretty brunette, dressed in a simple blue dress that looked good on her. She put on a bright smile the moment he nodded in confirmation to her question.
"Hi Felicia," he said after helping her with her seat.
"Hi. I'm so glad that's your real pic. You're even more handsome in real life," she gushed.
He gave her a small smile. She seemed as nice as she was in the messages.
"And you look more beautiful in real life," he responded to which she smiled wider.
"Thanks," she said, her cheeks pink.
He really thought she was beautiful. There's no need to be a total liar. Even if she didn't look like her picture, he'd have just sucked it up because he didn't want to hurt her. But yeah, she was beautiful. Especially with her chubby cheeks which seemed to be mesmerizing him. They were colorful.
They made small talk, and ordered their food. He wasn't a big eater so he just ordered a simple steak.
The conversation was going well as they started eating. But then Felicia started talking about something they'd never discussed.
"So how many kids do you want?" she asked.
Trevor blinked. "Excuse me?"
She didn't seem perturbed as she continued, "Kids. How many would you like? Personally, I love kids, so because I'm in my thirties now and I don't want to freeze my eggs or anything, I don't mind popping a few immediately. Like four." She grinned. "I'm sure we'd make beautiful babies."
Trevor took a moment to take all her words in, a shocked look on his face.
"Um, aren't we here to get to know each other?" he asked, trying hard not to sound rude.
She nodded. "Yes. Getting to know each other has to do with marriage talk and kids, you know."
Trevor cursed silently as he stared at the woman who seemed to be blissfully unaware of what was on his mind.
He tuned out after that and just gave her simple nods and smiles, knowing that after this he's going to delete her number and block her everywhere he can.
A few hours later, he was back at home and he immediately went to take a warm shower.
"Maybe dating's just not meant for me," he said, staring himself in the mirror after his shower.
He was handsome, he knew. He was brought up well despite being well-off. He wasn't some spoiled rich kid who trampled on people, he respected everyone and he had a lot of love to give.
Not now though.
It was probably going to take him a few more years to open himself up and he didn't think going on random dates was going to help him just yet.
He cleaned his body and face properly, dressed up in his pajamas as he sauntered to his bed.
He just had to sleep it all off.
But not before checking his other matches out. Sam said not to give up yet, and so he wouldn't. Even though he was very close to doing so.
Trevor who was laying on his bed, sleepy eyed, suddenly sat up when he saw something on his phone.
It was her.
He clicked on her profile to figure out if his eyes were deceiving him.
Turns out, his eyes weren't deceiving him and it really was her.
It was Tina and she had a dating profile.
And he didn't think twice about matching with her.
Just to see what happens, he thought to himself.