«Buongiorno*. We are in time today.» It's Antonio. He is waving at me with a big smile while he takes my arm under his. «I thought I had to fight again for your seat.»
I smile at him in answer. I and Antonio have been friends since the first day. Thanks to him, I learnt Italian and how to live in this chaotic city. He speaks fluent English. We often talk in my native language. It is easier for me and him, it's funny. He has a boyfriend called Giacomo, and I still have no idea about him, but if he makes my best friend happy, that's all that matters.
«So, with Kevin?»
I sometimes forget how much he sticks his nose in other things. «What about him?»
«Don't act stupid. Have you asked him more about himself?»
I shake my head, and Antonio puffs while we enter the room. «I know that being mysterious makes you hot, but by this, you will never reach the next step.»
«Which is?»
«A date.»
I throw my bag on the desk ahead of my seat and sit with a big, deep breath. I take a look around to see how many people arrived. I am trying to avoid the conversation, but I have thought about it already, about the date. I just think it's too early to put it as an actual thing. Online meetings aren't always the best, and I don't feel like meeting this guy yet. The fear he is the total opposite of what he looks like is high. What if he is a serial killer? Or maybe I could end up in some weird murder gang.
I look back to Antonio, and I shake my shoulders. «I will think about it.»
«By thinking in this way, he will think about it... about other girls.»
«This is not something that worries me, you know?»
«Listen», he starts, holding my hands. «I know it scares you because online meetings are bad, but don't let this feeling get you. Otherwise, you can risk stopping something that could be nice.»
«Tonio, we are talking about someone I barely know. I would like to know with him more, to know well what kind of person he is.»
He lets my hands go. «I don't like it when you call me Tonio. It always seems like you're going to be mean to me or you're going to scold me.»
I smile. «Bingo.»
The class starts, and I try in every way possible to stay focused and not let any thoughts keep me far away from where I am. Maybe Antonio is right. Maybe— I should have told Kevin something more about myself and seen his reaction. But I don't know if I can trust him and face the conversation. If I would tell him where I live, his answer could be: we are near. We could see one day. And I wouldn't know how to answer. Should I trust? Should I meet him with other people around? Should I give up? Tinder has created weddings but also victims of abuse and murder. There are two faces of the same coin, and it is something you should think more about. I am scribbling on the paper with my head away while the teacher's words fly around without entering my mind. When I take a look on my laptop, I see an iMessage notification flying on the right side of the desktop. It is from my dad, so I opened the app to read it.
From: Dad
Honey, we will have Marina for dinner. She will cook. I hope you can be kind.
I grunt while reading that name in the text. I smash my forehead on the keyboard so it types random letters. I shake my head while reading the text again, and then I look over at Antonio, who is already reading it.
He taps on my shoulder, and he smiles at me. «Forza e coraggio*, Enede. In life you need forza e coraggio.»
—
أنت تقرأ
my online lover
العاطفيةWhen Enede comes across Kevin at first she thinks that life is giving her so many joys. She meets him on Tinder and she hates Tinder but somehow she finds herself talking to him while in her life everything is taking shape and is adjusting, like her...
not a good day
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