C32 Do You Have A Girlfriend

During lunch, I sat near the team manager. He even allowed me to choose whatever I wanted from the menu. My hands were slightly shaking.

It was the first time in my life I had ever been treated like this at work. Josh noticed and smiled. “Take your time, nerd. You did well today.” Around the table, conversations flowed freely.

Some colleagues already started seeing me differently. Others looked at me with silent envy. At one point, someone suddenly asked, “Hey nerd, do you have a girlfriend?” It was Bright the talkative one.

Another colleague leaned in. “Is it true that IT guys love their computers more than relationships?” Alex joined in as well, curious. The table became lively with questions.

I took a deep breath and answered honestly. “No,” I said to Bright. “I don’t have a girlfriend. My love life has been complicated and I’m still trying to figure it out.”

Then I turned to Alex. “It’s not that we love computers more than people. It’s just that in IT, we have to make sure systems are always working and secure.”

I paused for a moment. “But having someone who makes you see the world differently… that’s important too. Sometimes those small moments become memories that last forever.”

For a brief moment, my thoughts drifted back to Samantha. I quickly turned my head away. No one noticed.