Early Dinner

"I'm ho— " Hajime caught himself and stopped the words that almost came out of his mouth. It's been a year, but he still wasn't used to being alone. Every single time he enters the house, he would always feel the presence of his family, as if by the form of haze that slowly dissipated as his realization cleared. With a sigh, Hajime dropped the groceries by the doorstep and walked inside the living room, making sure that he properly aligned his shoes by the entrance.

Once Hajime caught sight of the sofa, he didn't waste any time approaching it and dropping Megumi. "How's your ankle?"

"It doesn't hurt that much anymore, it's a bit swollen though," Megumi responded, her face flustered since Hajime had been carrying her on his back until they got to his place. Embarrassed, she turned away from Hajime, muttering a soft 'thank you' before she locked eyes with his gaze once again.

Grooowl~~~

Time seemed to have stopped as both of their stomachs uttered a low growl, causing them to look away from each other as their embarrassment got the better of them. "Do you want to eat something?" Hajime asked even though he didn't have any food to offer. He figured that they could eat from Megumi's groceries, however, and that's why he brought up the topic.

"Um... ramen?" Megumi asked.

For the past year, Hajime had never eaten at home, nor had he invited anyone to eat with him. There was a sense of unknown territory as Hajime internalized his offer. Without further ado, he walked out and set up the coal stove that's been sitting around by the corner of the house. Fortunately, there was still a bag of coal left in the storage, there was no need for Hajime to walk out and buy coal, which is probably impossible at this time of day unless he went downtown for a second time. It was a laborious process, starting a fire using coal and paper. When it comes to a stove, just one turn of a knob and you have a fire— Hajime didn't have that kind of luxury since he didn't have the money to buy gas.

It was even a wonder for him that there was still water even though he hasn't paid the water bill for more than three months now. Either they overlooked his case or they were just too lazy to check. Hajime assumed it was the latter and he wasn't complaining. Grabbing an old tea kettle, he filled it up with water and positioned it on top of the coal stove. There he sat, fanning the embers while waiting for the water to boil.

Megumi was familiar with that way of cooking, and based on Hajime's standard of living, she didn't ask any questions as to why he lived such a thrifty life. With great difficulty, she dragged her feet and approached Hajime, sitting beside him as they waited for the water. For the first time, Megumi got a good look at Hajime all silent and unbothered. She started to wonder about his past, and what led to him being alone in a dilapidated house.

"Stop looking at me." Hajime didn't need to lock eyes with Megumi to know she was staring right at him. Somehow he could just feel it.

"What happened? Why are you living alone?" Megumi straightforwardly asked, her curiosity finally getting the better of her.

"It just happened," Hajime simply responded. "How about you? What led you to invite yourself into my home? I'm a young man, you know. You shouldn't put yourself in danger like that." There was a slight disappointment in Hajime's voice, which pricked Megumi's heart a little bit.

"You said you're not that type of person? Wait... are you?" Megumi teased, covering her front as if Hajime was going to jump on her.

"Of course not, and you're not my type." Hajime's word cut deep, and Megumi felt it stab her self-esteem. What she didn't know was that Hajime just said that so they would stop talking about the topic. Furthermore, he has no interest in getting involved with someone. It's not like he has the time to do so, with all the problems and stress he has on his plate.

"That's funny, you're not my type either." Megumi stuck her tongue in response. "But then again, I'll consider being your friend."

"Do you hear yourself right now?" Hajime exclaimed. "You know what, never mind. You do you, just don't pry into my life too much."

"Oi, I said that out of compassion! You don't have any friends, right? Right?"

"And you don't have to state the obvious," Hajime responded. "You should head back inside, the water's boiling."

With lips pursed, Megumi headed back inside to get out the ramen from their grocery. After setting it on the table, she returned to her seat and waited for Hajime. Hajime came in a few minutes later with the tea kettle on hand. Both their stomachs started growling, to which they lightly chuckled.

As the saying goes, food brings people together on so many levels. Hajime and Megumi felt it first-hand as Hajime prepared the ramen. For the first time, they shared a common goal— and that is, to eat as they were famished. It's been a year since he last ate ramen but he still knew how to prepare one. Of course, one just needs to put water and flavoring on the ramen to prepare it. Even a monkey could do it.

"Let's eat," Hajime muttered, the savory aroma of the ramen triggering his salivary glands.

.....

The single light bulb that lit up the ceiling shone on the dining table as a family of four sat around it. A normal family having dinner. The smell of smoke and hamburg steak filled the air as the mom approached the kitchen and brought the meal to the table. The four of them simultaneously clapped.

"Let's eat." They uttered in unison before partaking.

.....

Sounds of slurping could be heard coming from the living room as Megumi and Hajime continued eating. Silence. Peacefulness. It was truly the atmosphere of a dining table where two hungry persons communed.

But just then, Megumi heard a different noise. It was a sniffle, and since there were only the two of them— and she wasn't the one sniffling— she figured out that the sound was coming from none other than Hajime. Usually calm and collected, Hajime never once displayed a weak side of his. And yet, right now, he was shedding tears on ramen.

"Why are you crying?" Megumi asked, oddly concerned. "You all right? Was the ramen really that delicious?"

Hajime didn't even realize he was already crying. Quickly wiping off the tears that streamed on his cheeks and down to his neck, he shook his head, trying to get rid of the nostalgic memory that suddenly resurfaced in his mind. "No, a chili flake got stuck in my throat." He reasoned, clearing his throat before downing a glass of water.