Dinner

We sat in a corner booth at the far end of the restaurant, waiting for appetizers and chatting over drinks. It was an older, generically oriental styled establishment — something that looked like it had been through several changes of ownership in the last thirty years without once receiving a full renovation. I hadn’t heard of it before either, and all of the menus seemed roughly translated. This was all a plus for me, however, as I felt local places such as these often had the most authentic dishes. Rina insisted she’d order everything to get us started as well, so I was excited to try out something new.

Nia, on the other hand, looked a little nervous.

Nia: Uhhh, so you’re sure they’re not gonna make it too spicy?

Rina: I promise. Like I said, I asked them to keep a couple of them mild for you.

Nia: Yeaaah I know you said that. I’ve just had some bad luck in the past with places like these.

Rina: No duh, cause you’re a dumbass American girl who can’t speak the language hahaha.

She pointed a thumb at herself and smirked.

Rina: I do, and I know the people who own the place. They’re a nice old couple from Taiwan and their grandkids.

Nia pouted, but shrugged and nodded her head.

The food arrived and we picked over it as we continued talking.

Emery: On that note Rina, I was surprised you knew Mandarin.

Rina: Ehhh, I wouldn’t say I know it, I’m just good enough to not make an ass of myself.

She jokingly nudged Nia with her elbow.

Rina: No offense.

Nia: Ha. Ha. Ha. Yuck it up while you still can. You’ll be lucky to finish a sentence in any language by the end of the night.

We laughed and I patted Nia on the back.

Emery: Don’t be salty, hun. You know some French, German and Italian. You’re doing better than I am.

Nia stuck her nose up with some pride.

Nia: Heheh, that’s right. Impressed now, Rina?

She gave us an amused, competitive expression.

Nia: What’s with the shit-eating grin?

Rina: I was just thinking that’s perfect. I know Korean, some Japanese, and some Vietnamese too. You can cover the west, and I’ll cover the east.

Nia visibly deflated, thoroughly bested in this category.

Nia: Gah! Whatever! You win this round.

She grabbed her chopsticks and shoved several things off the plates in front of her into her mouth.

Emery: Ooh, careful hun. That last one might be too spicy for you.

Nia held her mouth in alarm and froze up, but, after pausing, chewed and swallowed without incident.

Nia: Huh… Guess I’m getting better with spice. That wasn’t as bad as I thought!

Emery: Nice job love! Must be all the popcorn you steal from my bowl.

Nia: Yeah, sure, that’s totally why. And, by the way, I only do that because you steal mine first, ya dick! It’s not that I want to, it’s the principle of the thing.

Nia gently punched my arm alongside her retort.

Rina: Actually... Not to burst your bubble, but those’re usually spicier on the other end.

Nia groaned and rested her elbows against the table.

Nia: …Greaaat… Looking forward to that one…