“This isn’t Brazilian food, it’s Chinese food!”
Kevin O’Neill was eating at Sábado em Moema, a Brazilian restaurant near his house in Sunnybank, the unofficial Chinatown of Brisbane. He was initially curious about why a non-Chinese restaurant in the central commercial complex of Sunnybank was all of a sudden rather popular.
His sister, Nina, and her boyfriend, Xavier Fifita, were sat across the table from him. All three were childhood friends, going back years. They got a table next to the window, overlooking the Mains Road and McCullough Street intersection and the four Chinese-style bridges stretching across all four sides of it.
“You gotta try the caipirinha chicken here, Kevin. It’s incredible!” Xavier was clearly a regular.
“I think he’ll like the spicy Sichuan pastels more, Xave.” Nina clearly enjoyed teasing her brother over his tolerance for spicy food.
“What’s this ba-cal-how thing? There’s a noodle dish with it in it.” Kevin asked.
“Ah, that’s dry salted fish, bro.” Xavier pointed out.
Kevin had noticed a waitress a few tables away. She had long, silky black hair that framed her petite face. He thought she looked rather cute, like a doll.
Then she walked over to their table.
“Are you ready to o-… oh, hi, Nina!” the excitement in the waitress’s voice came on suddenly.
“Marina!” exclaimed Nina. “Oh wow, it’s been ages! You look so pretty in that uniform!”
“Oh, you look even prettier!” Marina had to pay back Nina with another compliment in return. “Hey, Xavier!”
“Been a while, Marina,” said Xavier.
“And you must be?” Marina’s eyes turned to gaze towards Kevin.
His breath caught in his throat a little.
“I’m her brother, Kevin,” he said. “I don’t believe we’ve met before, how do you and Nina know each other?”
“I like to go to Salisbury Warehouse to buy things, and Nina is very enthusiastic while working,” explained Marina.
“And I come here with Xavier sometimes as well,” Nina chimed in.
“So you’re a repeat customer,” said Kevin with a smirk.
“You catch on quick,” said Marina. “Hope you can be one here, too. Now, what were you guys going to order?”
“We’ll just get a caipirinha chicken and lemonade for each of us,” said Nina.
“Sweet, I’ll get that ready for you,” said Marina.
“Thanks, Marina!” Nina couldn’t just be rude and not say thanks. Marina turned and walked away to continue doing her job.
Kevin’s eyes lingered on Marina for a little more and followed her movements in the restaurant.
“You seem interested, Kevin.” Nina had been observing her brother for more teasing material.
“Nah, she’s interested in me,” Kevin said defensively, protecting his ego from attack.
“Tell me, who’s looking at who?” Nina wanted to challenge her brother.
“Nina, look at me.” Xavier began staring playfully at Nina. Nina turned away from Kevin and stared back at Xavier.
“Very funny, guys,” Kevin put on a playful exasperation to play along with the jokes.
But in his mind, he was still thinking about the attractive waitress that had just attended to their table. He awakened a new curiosity.
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