I still remember our first meeting. It was at a gathering with their classmates. I couldn't accompany Mona that day because I had something else to do. When I went to pick her up that evening, I found her drunk and lying in Jeff's arms. They were talking about something I didn't understand, but they were both so happy, it hurt to watch.
"Mona, let's go home." Mona squinted at me as if trying to figure out who I was, while I just wanted to pull her away from Jeff.
"Who... who are you? I can't go home with a stranger. My boyfriend will be angry!" Mona was so drunk that she couldn't recognize me. I was furious that she didn't know who I was, especially in front of Jeff. From the moment I saw Jeff, I disliked him. He liked Mona, and I feared he would take her away because, by societal standards, he was a better match.
He had a good family background, good grades and good looks. He had it all.
"Hey, Alan, she doesn't recognize you. Should I really let her go with you? After all, she doesn't go home with strangers!" Jeff emphasized the word "stranger," as if trying to remind me of something, but I didn't want to acknowledge it.
I pulled Mona into my arms, but she struggled.
"Who are you? I don't know you! Jeff, come save me! There's a bad guy trying to grab me! Help!"
I used all my strength to control Mona, who was flailing around, especially angry that this was happening in front of Jeff.
As I busied myself with getting Mona into the car and settled, Jeff actually said.
"Alan, if I had a girlfriend like her, I wouldn't let her go out drinking alone at night. You sure are trusting!"
I couldn't help but grip Mona tightly, not wanting to acknowledge him.
"Because I trust Mona. No one can take her away from me."
"Is that so? Well, you'd better keep a close eye on her! See you later, Mona!"
"Oh, Mona, see you tomorrow!" Mona, still confused, waved goodbye to Jeff, which made me furious. She didn't recognize me, but she recognized Jeff.
But the next day, when I brought it up, Mona brushed it off, saying she was too drunk to remember anything.
Yet I knew she remembered. She had always been a good drinker. She wouldn't get drunk so easily. Mona had started lying to me—because of Jeff.
3
I watched as Mona turned away from me and walked into Jeff's arms. They embraced under the lights, and I ran after them, just in time to see them kissing.