Love Makes Us Blind Or Perceptive? (Flash Fiction)

Flash Fiction #169

“Love makes one blind or perceptive?” Shia says to her boyfriend Jong.

“Probably blind.” Jong answers absentmindedly. They are sitting in Bamboo Palace, finishing their dinner. Shia’s animated expressions and eager communication are in direct contrast to Jong’s nonchalant politeness. Their relationship has always been like this–Shia is anxious while Jong is calm; Shia is overthinking of details while Jong wears a carefree smile.

Jong has had enough of Shia and he wants to break up with her. He still likes her, but she is too nervous, too clingy, too worried. After six months of dating officially, Jong gets a little tired and wants to get out of the relationship. They haven’t moved in yet, not for lack of effort on Shia’s part, but rather due to the resistance from Jong. The breakup is so much easier without the messy moving-out.

Jong doesn’t want to make it an ugly break. Jong and Shia went to the same high school and college in Edison Township and the nearby Rutgers University campus. Although they didn’t date in high school or college, they share many friends. In the era of social media, a heartless word or an insensitive gesture or a forced split will invariably spill, spread, and suffuse both the virtual and the physical world. Jong understands the importance of a good reputation. If he starts to date his sexy coworker who just gets transferred here from the West Coast without breaking up with Shia first, he is going to cause a little Facebook or Instagram storm. He doesn’t want that. He is a good boy and he wants to keep it that way.

He has brought Shia to the restaurant, Bamboo Palace, three times–this is the third time–to pop the phrase, “let’s call it quits.” However, each time when he is happily leading the conversation about a difference or an annoyance to the “natural” conclusion that they should separate, Shia would pick it up and twist it into a little psychological analysis, which usually ends in phrases like, “aren’t we adorable together”, “our argument is so cute”, “it only makes the heart tender”, or some other sweet cliches.

Probably Shia doesn’t really know what’s going on and wants to bring their relationship to the next step. If she doesn’t see it, he will make her see it–it is over. He will try to end it today.

She talks about crazy weather patterns, her friend who used to text her but have stopped texting her, her speaking too much here and her not speaking at all there.

“You know being an Asian in America, you always want to fit in. You are always afraid of being left out. Either you are too blunt or you are too silent. Either you said something that should not have been said or you didn’t say what should have been said.” Shia says.

“Shia, you think too much and worry too much.” Jong says, feeling that this is another good opportunity. He almost adds, “let’s take a break,” but he can’t bring himself to say it.

“But you used to say that my worry draws us closer, and comforting me makes you feel strong and…” Shia says.

This is the real moment and Jong can’t let it go. “Now I feel helpless in watching you being so worried, almost like being a bystander of a traffic accident. I think we should …”

Shia cuts in eagerly, “that’s exactly what my coworker said to me, not with the same words but to the same effect. I was working on an account and our client didn’t respond to my email and my call. We had a good relationship and it is an important account. If I lost this account, I lost big. I couldn’t imagine it. I became panicky. I went to my coworkers and my boss, telling them the perilous status of our account and making them as worried as I was. Then the client called me back and everything was OK. I am really too worried, as you said.”

“Yes, you are.” John says–what a good opportunity– and adding, “I am, like your coworker, worried and anxious too. The same thing happens to our relationship. I think we should…”

Shia cuts hims off again, “Jong, you are sooooo right. You are brilliant. It does reflect on our relationship. And suddenly you make me realize it.”

“I am glad we are on the same page. You do realize that we should…” Jong says.

Shia cuts in again, “I am a worried mess. I know that. And you used to comfort me just to be polite and to show off your …”

“What are you talking about?

I was just being polite? I am a show off?”

“Sorry, Jong. I am not trying to be negative on you since you are so brilliant today. You really pointed out what got us together in the first place. It really dawns on me. I wish I have realized this sooner.” Shia says.

(To Be Continued Here)

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Image by Siegfried Poepperl from Pixabay