The Girlfriend

"Alex, you're here again," a man said, greeting Alex with a friendly bump of fists.

Alex smiled, his expression warm. "Of course. Is Maxine home?"

The man nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "Yeah, she's inside."

Alex made his way to the small, humble house, knocking gently on the door.

"Who is it?" a woman's voice called out from within.

"It's me, aunty," Alex replied, his voice tinged with familiarity and affection.

The door opened swiftly, revealing an older woman whose face lit up with excitement. "Alex! What are you doing here at this hour?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.

"I came by to see Max. Is she here?" Alex asked, a note of urgency in his tone.

The woman's expression shifted subtly, a mix of hesitation and concern. "Oh, she's inside her room," she said, stepping aside to let him in.

"Thank you," Alex said with a nod and made his way to the small, humble house. He gently knocked on Maxine's door before pushing it open.

Inside her room, Maxine was sitting at a small wooden desk, cluttered with papers and books. A single, dim lamp illuminated the space, casting soft shadows on the walls. She was engrossed in her studies, her brow furrowed in concentration as she scribbled notes in a well-worn notebook. The room itself was modestly decorated, with a few personal touches here and there—a framed photo of her family on the nightstand, a handmade quilt on the bed, and a vase with a single wilted flower on the windowsill.

Maxine looked up, surprise and joy flashing across her face. "Alex, why are you here?" she asked, her voice a mix of delight and worry as she pushed her chair back and stood up.

Without a word, Alex crossed the room and enveloped her in a tight hug. "I missed you so much," he murmured, his voice heavy with emotion.

Maxine smiled, her heart swelling with warmth. "Have you eaten already?" she asked, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes.

Alex shook his head. "No, not yet."

Maxine sighed, a mixture of affection and exasperation in her eyes. "Okay, I'll prepare something for you, but all we have is sardines for dinner," she said, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

Alex took her hands in his, squeezing them gently. "It's okay. I love sardines. It's delicious," he said sincerely.

Maxine chuckled, her cheeks flushing as she pinched his cheek playfully. "Alright, come with me."

As Alex sat at the small kitchen table, Maxine bustled about, preparing their modest meal. Her mother, watching from the doorway, called out, "Max, is it really okay for him to eat that food?"

Maxine giggled softly, turning to reassure her mother. "Mom, he's used to it. He loves it. I asked if he wanted me to cook some meat, but he said no."

Her mother sighed, a look of concern clouding her features. "Don't you know that they only feed sardines to their dogs?" she added, her voice heavy with worry.

Maxine rolled her eyes, a hint of frustration in her tone. "Mom, don't expect too much. Alex isn't like the others. He accepts me for who I am and our situation. I love him more because of that."

Her mother shook her head, a weary sigh escaping her lips as she watched Alex eat with apparent enjoyment. "I just don't want his parents to know he eats like this," she muttered, more to herself than to anyone else.

She stood in the doorway, her eyes fixed on Alex as he savored the simple meal. Despite her daughter's reassurances, a knot of worry tightened in her chest. To see a young man of Alex's stature, used to the finest things in life, happily consuming a humble dish of sardines and rice was both heartwarming and troubling.

Her mind wandered to thoughts of Alex's parents—wealthy, influential, accustomed to luxury and grandeur. She imagined their reactions if they knew their son was sitting in a modest kitchen, eating what they would consider peasant food. The potential judgment and disapproval loomed large in her mind, casting a shadow over the warmth she felt for Alex's genuine nature.

A part of her was deeply touched by Alex's acceptance and love for Maxine, regardless of their financial disparities. It was rare to find someone who looked beyond material wealth and social status, valuing the person for who they truly were. Alex's behavior demonstrated a kindness and humility that was refreshing and reassuring.

However, another part of her couldn't shake the nagging fear of the future. Would Alex's parents eventually force him to choose between his family's expectations and his love for Maxine? Could this disparity in their backgrounds lead to heartache and disappointment? The thought of her daughter being looked down upon or judged harshly by Alex's family was almost too much to bear.

As she watched him eat, her heart ached with a mix of gratitude and anxiety. She appreciated Alex's presence and the joy he brought to Maxine's life, but the uncertainty of their future together worried her. She couldn't help but wish for a world where love was enough to bridge any gap, where people were valued for their hearts and not their wallets.

Maxine's mother sighed again, a soft, resigned sound. She hoped, for both their sakes, that love would prove strong enough to overcome the obstacles ahead. For now, she would cherish the sight of Alex enjoying the simple meal, a small but poignant reminder that sometimes, the most genuine connections are forged in the most unexpected places.

Maxine turned back to Alex, her eyes softening as she watched him. He smiled at her between bites, and she felt a surge of gratitude and love. Despite their humble surroundings and the modest meal, Alex's presence made everything feel just a little bit brighter.

Alex looked up from his meal of sardines and rice, noticing both Max and her mother staring at him.

"Is there something wrong? I apologize for coming late and eating like this." Alex stated in a very embarrassed manner.

"Oh, it's alright!" Max replied with her smile.

" Don't be ridiculous, son. You are always welcome here." Maxine's mother said and turned around immediately, feeling embarrassed for being caught by Alex staring.