Tapping into the phone keypad, I smiled.
I’m having a nice time, I typed in Russian in Facebook Messenger.
Me too, a message came back in English.
Pasting the answer into Google Translate, I smiled as I read the response in my native tongue. Then the man sitting beside me grinned.
To be fair, it was a bit odd to be messaging someone you were sitting next to in a cafe. But as I spoke very little English and my good-looking friend, Matthew, then 27, didn’t speak Russian, it was just as well we had Google Translate to help us out.
After I’d own into Darwin, NT, from Kazakhstan – formerly a part of the Soviet Union – for a friend’s birthday, I’d fallen for Matthew’s smile and kind heart.
Through a friend, I’d boldly asked him out for a coffee and now, after spending two weeks together, I was due to y home tomorrow and didn’t want to be parted from him.
I’m going to miss you, I typed sadly.
Me too, Matthew replied.
When I flew home, I wondered if I’d ever see Matthew again. But being more than 9000 kilometres apart didn’t seem to matter.
I couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Matthew’s messages kept coming thick and fast.
As I replied, I put each of my responses into Google Translate. I was so thankful it smashed through our language barrier and meant I could tell him my feelings.
I can’t believe how much I miss you, I told him.
Bu hikaye That's Life Magazines dergisinin Issue 44 Nov 3, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye That's Life Magazines dergisinin Issue 44 Nov 3, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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