After Christmas: A Story of Unattainable Love and the Bond of Friendship

"We broke up."

[🎧 The audio version is available at the bottom of the page.] ⬇

(Scene: A cozy Hotpot Restaurant, somewhere in Hong Kong. Night. YOU and LISA sit across from each other. Plates of raw ingredients surround a steaming pot.)

You: You’re lucky I dragged you out tonight, Lis.

Lisa: Oh, so now I’m your charity case?

You: No, you’re my stubborn friend who forgets to eat when she’s upset.

Lisa: You got me there.

You: Thought so. Alright, spill it. What happened?

Lisa: We broke up—obviously. But you know what really stings? He’s already with someone else.

You: I’m not surprised.

Lisa: No kidding. A 22-year-old from that girls’ party before Christmas. He dumped me for her after just a week!

You: Sounds like she’s got no patience.

Lisa: (correcting) He. He’s the one with no patience.

You: Sure. That says more about her.

Lisa: And it’s not just about moving on. It’s the other stuff.

You: What other stuff?

Lisa: The money.

You: What money?

Lisa: I gave him—fine, her—my whole paycheck every month. We were saving for Taiwan, remember? For the future we were supposed to have.

You: You gave her everything?

Lisa: And she just… left. For someone she barely knows.

You: That’s rough, Lis.

Lisa: I feel like an idiot.

You: No, you trusted her, that’s all.

Lisa: And now I’m broke. My brother lent me some money, but it’s humiliating. He wouldn’t stop lecturing me.

You: He’s saying, “I told you so,” right?

Lisa: A dozen times over.

You: Classic older sibling move.

(Lisa falls quiet, swirling her chopsticks in the soup. After a moment, she looks up, her eyes glossy but holding your gaze.)

Lisa: You know, Jake, you’re a really good guy.

You: I try.

Lisa: I mean it. You’ve always been there for me. Ever since… you know.

You: Since high school. When you told me why you couldn’t date guys.

Lisa: Yeah. I thought I could try, but I just… can’t.

You: You don’t need to explain. I get it.

Lisa: And yet, here I am, saying this: If you were a woman, I’d fall for you so hard.

You: No, you wouldn’t.

Lisa: I would! You’re kind, you listen, you actually care. You’re everything I’ve been looking for. But I’m scared of men. Of… you know.

You: Let’s not get into that.

Lisa: If you were a girl, I’d probably marry you right now.

You: You’re just saying that because you’re upset.

Lisa: Maybe. But I mean it.

You: You’ll find someone who loves you the way you deserve, Lis.

Lisa: You really think so?

You: I know so.

Lisa: Would you, though?

You: Would I what?

Lisa: Change into a woman for me.

You: Lis, I’d be the ugliest woman you’ve ever seen.

Lisa: You’re probably right.

(You both laugh, the warmth of the hotpot and your friendship filling the space.)

(Posted on Threads on 20.12.2024)

#StoryOfUnattainableLove

(🎧 Audio Version) After Christmas: A Story of Unattainable Love and the Bond of Friendship