It Started with Mocha (Short story)

June 25, 2023 Friday 8:47pm

Ryn

Maddy Shepherd, was a work buddy of mine, and she was just as shocked when she found out about Din and Tina officially dating. The cute side conversations, the constant taking glances at one another, even Tina came out of her pockets to give Din a lunch or two.

I didn't think Tina had it in her, I didn't think she was going to go for one of the introverted men in the team. I thought she was going to get whatever she could out of him, and finally move on. It's been two weeks, and I'm watching from a birds eye view with my coworker as they laughed and were cute together.

" Damn, she's never taken a man seriously like this." Said Maddy.

" I'm surprised too, girl." I rolled my eyes, taking my eyes off the situation and kept at it in my work.

" So! We're going out tonight. You should come."

I never involved myself with my coworkers if it weren't Din. I didn't want to get mixed within anyone's drama. My life was boring for a reason.

But I had nothing else to do, and Tina had all of Din's attention, so it didn't make sense for me to hide in my apartment.

" It's whatever, what time?"

"8 tonight, after work. I really hope Tina doesn't come, she's so full of shit."

I giggled as she walked off.

I never got to meet Din's parents. I didn't feel right meeting them because, hello, Din and I just became friends a month prior. We still had a lot to learn about each other, we still had a lot of opinions about one another. I can feel Tina's eyes glaring at the top of my head as she passed by my desk, and next thing I know...my entire cup of Mocha spilled onto my lap.

"What the f-" I had to stop myself.

It wasn't me this time, knocking shit over. Her hip knocked into my desk on purpose.

" Oh, no. I'm sorry." She tried to sound convincing. But her smirk only confirmed she was intentional with it.

I peeped Din watching the whole thing, instead of trying to help, like he usually would, this joke just sat there.

I don't know what I expected for him to do, yell at her? Tell her she was wrong? And maybe he only caught the tail of it and didn't think she did anything.

I was upset, and tears blurred my vision. My only real friendship in my life, was going to be tested. All because Din didn't have good judgement on people.

"I hope she's worth it." I mumbled, wiping myself with a clean damn towel.

☕

That night

Ryn

Korean BBQ was the fave around the tech company. Very social atmosphere, and budget friendly. I nibbled on my piece of steak, savoring the flavor as everyone else had a plus one, including Maddy who had her husband and Din, who had Tina.

I sat adjacent to Nigel, an intern who decided to tag along, he was also alone but enjoyed his phone more than the conversation that was going on around us. I made a mental note to put my feelings and opinions aside that night, just so I can enjoy what was going on at the restaurant.

I looked down at my phone, and noticed a text from Din. Are you good? I didn't answer right away, because Tina was all on the niggas body, but I did eventually and it was a simple yeah before I turned off my phone.

"So, like...how did everyone meet each other?" Tina broke the ice, everyones attention on her.

One couple said they met on a beach in Malibu, another, said they met at a bar. One couple had the nerve to laugh at the fact that they were sneaking behind a family member's back, and when the family member found out about it they couldn't hide their love. Trash. But I guess they were happy.