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.