One
Gary
I walk inside Dominic’s café with my usual banter spirit. Yesterday night was the premier league’s finals; my club played against Dominic’s. Judging from how he bragged throughout yesterday that his football club would defeat mine, suddenly, I feel wearing my Manchester city’s jersey will not be enough to troll him. I should tattoo the score line on my forehead so he can see what I’m here for.
An annoying smile dances on my face as I saunter to meet him, whistling. I had promised him and Bruce I would be back here today, shoving my jersey in their Chelsea-ass faces.
“Don’t even start, Gary, don’t you dare say anything,” Dominic waves a warning finger in front of my face as I stroll to meet him.
“Where’s Bruce? I’m sure he’s here because I can’t do this if he’s absent,” I laugh, looking around observantly. My eyes hit the blond man that sat in the corner of the café, lifting the cup over his face in an attempt to hide. “Is that Bruce?” I call out mockingly.
“Man, it was sheer luck. City’s win was just luck, and well, our dumb goalkeeper let his guards down,” Bruce laments as he places his cup back on the table.
I can’t help laughing, “Oh, look at these boys, so, you are not going to talk about your shitty defense? Huh?” I say, pointing from Bruce to Dominic.
“Well, our defense was rough, but it was not that bad,” Dominic drops his unacceptable opinion before drooping his eyelids.
“Okay, maybe you do have a point there, Gary. Our defense was shitty, sincerely. Marcus Alonso was not anywhere on that football pitch. Oh God, I can’t stand those boys!” Bruce growled.
“Bruce, I’m glad you see eye to eye with me on that. Fact is, your entire squad is shitty,” I troll.
“No, please, that’s enough!” they shoot at me, simultaneously.
I was about to say something when Dominic’s wife, Rose, walks inside. I give her a snappy up down inspective look; it’s just so fascinating – how she looks beautiful every day.
“Hey, baby,” she walks to peck Dominic on his lips.
I move aside gently as Dom leans forward to hug her. They engage in random small talk before she finally acknowledges my presence and Bruce’s.
“Oh, let me guess, you guys are about your early morning football banter again?” she points from her husband to me and then Bruce.
“Well,” I press my lips together, guiltily.
“I knew it!” Rose pulls a small laugh. “Mm, have a great day ahead!” she says.
“And you too, Rose,” Bruce and I respond.
“Love you, baby,” Dominic tells her.
“I love you more,” she pecks Dominic on the cheek one last time before hurrying out of the café.
I sigh, and I think I heard Bruce sigh too. We have both watched our friends find love and get married – Wayne, Coleman, Dominic; I would be a big liar if I say I do not envy them. Honestly, I do, and I’m sure Bruce feels the same way too. These past few weeks, I have been really about finding a great woman also. I’m excited for my friends because there is nothing as strenuous as searching for the right one. There are so many women, but it’s hard to find that perfect someone. Lately, I have dated a lot of women. You know online dating platforms and all; in fact, I’ve dated a few of my unmarried female work colleagues, but none of them answered that puzzle of my heart. My personal taste is not high to meet, but still, these ladies just never beat it. I’m ready to settle for a woman if she possesses three out of the five things I expect my woman to have. But these women possess two, one, some none at all. It’s crazy.
“Hey, what’s wrong? Why the sudden silence?” Dom asks before squinting his eyes.
“Oh,” Bruce and I spoke uniformly before letting out a small laugh. “I was just admiring you and your wife,” I confess.
“Honestly, I was doing the same thing,” Bruce speaks.
“Ah!” Dominic taps my arm lightly. “It feels great to be married, yeah. I really hope you two find your woman soon.”
“Hm, I hope so too.” Sighing, I collect the cup of coffee and donut from Dominic.
I walk to sit beside Bruce. “We are the two singles remaining,” I tell him before sitting.
“Well, I’m sure we would find a woman to love soon. It’s just a matter of time and…” his phone rings. “Excuse me,” I nod at him as he picks his call.
As I bite my donut, my mind wanders in the thought of how I would find a woman to grow old with. I’m ready to share my heart with someone, a woman to be there for, sharing in everything she does. If only it was so easy to find, but no, it isn’t. I will just hold on to what Bruce said; we would find someone to call ‘love’ soon.
