As soon as I saw the plate where my order was served, I felt a flash of anxiety. “I don’t think I can finish this, Rosie,” I said. Several slices of grass-fed beef brisket braised slowly for 10 excruciating hours staring at me on top of roasted carrots and potatoes; swimming in a shallow pool of red wine jus.

Silently egging me on. Whispering, I dare you.

We were at Lava Cafe and Restaurant in Berwick. A long-overdue catch-up to talk about whatever it is that we end up talking about — some political, mostly personal. It’s weird how I now find myself discussing Australian politics with actual Australians (i.e., born or have lived here forever) like I’m part of the tapestry when really, whatever information I relay are mainly those I had learned from unverified reels on Facebook.

I guess I like picking their brains. Glean insights from real-life perspectives to help formulate my own as a way of understanding Australia better. It’s interesting the insights I get and how off-base some of my previous assumptions were. I guess I couldn’t help seeing this side of the world through rainbow-coloured glasses after having had to witness Philippine politics through dark sunnies because the bleakness hurt my eyes.

I’m not there to debate. I’m there to learn. Tell me more.

But it’s the personal stories we share that end up leaving a mark long after we have said our goodbyes. Those are the ones that truly stay with me and make me appreciate our friendship even more. Over the years, Rosie has imparted to me a lot of her wisdom and I sop them up as much as I sopped up my brisket sauce.

Because for all my talk about not being able to finish my plate, turns out I actually did.

And had enough room for a cup of cappuccino after, even.

This little piggy went “wee! wee! wee!” all the way home.

Speaking of home, Jeff picked me up. Rolled in the door on his e-blades with his helmet and everything on, heading straight towards me.

“Is that your son?” the server from China (whom Rosie thought was from the Philippines) asked.

The server was asking me!

I almost regurgitated my brisket right then and there.

Like, seriously, do I look that old?!

Bloody hell. Lol.