Wish I was Merlot

The clock hit 6:30pm, I was in the bathroom putting on my makeup. Knowing I have a date at 7:00, with only 30 minutes left, I rushed. Sam, a tall guy with brown hair and brown eyes. He likes to read and prefers indoor activities. I was introduced to Sam by a friend and of course with every cute guy, something is always up. According to my friend, Sam once had three girlfriends in one year. The longest relationship he has been in was three months. The clock was ticking, and with 15 minutes to spare I was out the door. He chose a place close by, so I decided I’d just walk. As I walked outside, it felt refreshing. With the pandemic going on and everyone being stuck inside, it felt nice to be outside. I walked past a garden of flowers, some coffee shops, and a bookstore. I guess I was more excited about this than I thought. I was never really the dating kind of girl, unless, you count holding hands at recess in 2nd grade a date. This was going to be my first official date.

The restaurant, a small place downtown was filled with magical fairy lights and soft, 60’s music playing in the background. The ambiance was nice. The mixture of soft music and dim lights made the place quite beautiful. There weren't many people due to Covid-19 but everyone was separated.

“Hi, are you by yourself or are you with someone?” The waiter asked.

“She is with me.”

I turned around and saw Sam standing in the shadow. He walked towards me and smiled at me. The waiter led us to our table and handed us the menu. The table was round and covered with a red tablecloth.

“So, have you ever been here before?” I asked.

“Oh, yes. I’ve been here quite a few times. The food here is amazing, especially the steak here.”

“I see.” I nod in agreements and flip through the menu.

The waiter came up to us and asked “What can I get for the lovely couple tonight?”

Sam looked at me and nodded for me to go first. “Umm, I will have the surf ‘n’ turf.”

“Fancy, I’ll take that as well.” said Sam.

“Alright then two surf ‘n’ turf for the couple.” Says the waiter as he takes the menus and leaves.

Sam turned to me and cleared his throat. “Any plans for college?”

“Uhhhh, yeah I’m planning to go to UCSD. How about you?”

“Well, I’ve got a couple options but most likely University of New York. I’ve been wanting to study law since Freshman year in high school. Also, I got some family up in New York so I figure it’s best if I go there. What about you? Why UCSD?”

“Biomedical engineer. I’ve been wanting to do something in the medical field and I guess I just kind of found my way to biomedical engineering.”

“Here is the surf ‘n’ turf for the couple here. Anything else I can get for the couple?” Asked the waiter.

“That will be all for now, thank you.” I replied. The waiter turns and leaves once again.

The silence rises as we work on the first bite. I cut a slice of my steak, watching the red juice run. I could see the steam slowly fade as I blew on a piece. I took my first bite. The juice filled my mouth and the warmth of the steak seeped down my throat.

I reached for a napkin and went for a second bite. Something flashes in the corner of my eye so I turned to see what it was. There was a guy in a grey suit looking at his watch. He looks a little older than me and Sam. He got black hair and an undercut hairstyle. He took out his phone, but surprisingly instead of making a call or text he turned it off. It was about 30 minute talking to Sam and finishing our food. The waiter came back and asked what we would like for dessert. Sam looked at me and I nodded back at him. We both wanted the Molten Chocolate Cake. As the waiter leaves I couldn’t help but look back at the guy in the grey suit. Another waiter has brought him a bottle of Merlot. At first I thought his date stood him up since he looked kind of sad and disappointed. But now, as I take a closer look he looks more relaxed and happy.

“So, how about we play a question game to get to know each other better?”

I turned to Sam. “Yes, of course.”

“I’ll go first. Hmmm, what is your biggest fear?”

“Regrets. I mean I am terrified of heights and being alone in the dark but I’ll have to say regrets take the first place.”

“I see, your turn. Ask away.”

“What is your most treasured memory?”

Sam looked me in the eyes and for a second it felt like no one was around. All I could hear was the sound of someone pouring wine into a glass. My eyes were locked on Sam but for some reasons my heartbeat was a different rhythm.

“My junior year. I went through a lot but I got to meet a lot of new people. Also, it was my last year with one of my good friends before he passed away from cancer.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“No no, you’re good. Besides that It was a good year.”

“Here is the dessert, sorry to keep you guys waiting. Is there anything else I can get for you guys tonight?”

“No, thank you. That will be all.” Sam replied.

“Wow!” Sam and I said as we looked at the cake in awe. Before I could take a bite of the cake, my eyes wandered to the guy in the grey suit. He looks angry yet it looks like he enjoys his glass of Merlot. Looking at him makes my heart aches for some reason. It looks like he has just come back from a war, from fighting the hardest battle ever. He looked like he has always had a wall up but for tonight, it’s like he has no energy left to hold up the wall. He looks scared and uncertain, like all these different emotions are going through him one by one. It’s like he has nowhere to go, except to Merlot.

“Sorry, where were we?” I looked at Sam and noticed he was looking at me.

“Sorry, uhhh I believe it was your turn to ask a question.” I said feeling guilty.

As Sam thinks about a question to ask me, I finally made my first bite with my dessert. My mind somehow couldn’t stop thinking about the guy in the grey suit, no matter how much I try to shake the thought away. I gave up and finally gave a final glance at the guy. This time he noticed me and locked his eyes on mine. My heart beat faster and my mind kept telling me to look away, but somehow my whole body just froze.

“If you could be anyone or anything in this whole world, who or what would it be?” Sam asked.

The world went quiet, I held my breath, and finally I answered.

“I wish I was Merlot.”