Stew
She smiles as she strokes his hair. His expression is the same as always; he is beaming warmly at her. She hugs him tightly. They stay like that on the couch for some time.
–
She remembers the first time she met him. It was at the train station, when she was on her way to school. Her eyes sparkled with tears that day, all because someone she liked broke her heart.
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She squeals a little in delight for being so near him, but he does not seem to mind. His attention is fixed on the TV before them; it’s a broadcast of his favorite artist performing at a concert. With a jolt, she jumps to her feet, remembering the pot of stew she left on the stove. She kisses his cheek in apology and hurriedly makes her way to the kitchen.
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She was sobbing loudly as she walked in the station, not caring about the sympathetic and not-so-sympathetic glances thrown her way. Her chest heaved from crying, and she didn’t notice the slightly overturned tile on the floor. She tripped and bumped hard into someone, making them both fall to the floor. She was dazed from the impact, but paused when she saw him.
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She takes the lid off the pot, and breathes in the fragrance of a hearty meal. The stew is fine. Her timing is impeccable even, since the meat seems just about ready. She grins, turns off the stove, and grabs some bowls for serving.
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It was his kind eyes that struck her first. They were laden with surprise, but soon crinkled in concern and understanding. She apologized profusely, bowing several times, but he shook his head with a smile. He got up and reached out his hand to help her up. She took it.
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She places the bowls on a tray and spoons the stew into them. She then stops and reaches for the hot sauce, knowing that he loves adding a dash of spice into his dishes. On the tray it goes, and she beams with happiness.
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He asked if she was okay, and invited her for a coffee to talk it out. She shyly accepted the invitation, and they walked together to a nearby coffee shop by the train station. They would go back there several times after to talk more, to cry more, to meet more.
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The glasses tinkle on the tray as she sets them down. She grabs the pitcher of water and places it right next to the glasses. Carefully, she carries everything in her arms, excited to share a meal with her favorite person.
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One day, a dark, cloudy day, he asked to meet her in the coffee shop, their coffee shop. He wanted to talk to her about something. She was excited; it was their first anniversary after all.
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She enters the room illuminated by the glow of the television set. She sets the tray on the table beside the couch and turns to him, excited to share this meal with him. He says nothing, but he is smiling still.
–
He was fidgety and kept stirring his latte. He didn’t want this anymore, he said. He didn’t want to be with her, he said. She was clingy, she was obsessive, she was too much. He was breaking up with her. The first few raindrops fell on the windowpane as tears dropped down her cheeks.
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She grins at him and asks if he wants to spice up his stew. He must not have heard her, because he does not reply. She adds a dash of hot sauce nevertheless and picks up the bowl, along with a spoon.
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He apologized and got up to go. She grabbed his jacket, sobbing, asking if they could have one last meal together before they officially broke up. His kind eyes looked at her with pity, and he gently consented.
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She taps his arm and blocks his view of the artist on screen, laughing as she stands there. He looks at her with vacant eyes. Excitedly, she places the bowl in his hands and grabs her own. She sits next to him, watching the concert on TV.
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He was punctual when he appeared at her door. She smiled warmly and let him in. She locked the door behind them.
–
She strokes his hair, but his head slumps and falls to the ground, making a sickening sound. Pursing her lips, she leaves her bowl on the couch and moves to the floor. She gently picks his head by the hair, looks deep into his eyes, and kisses his cold, cold lips.
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For hoodedice.
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Image source: deviantart.com/daedhalus/art/Thai-Green-Curry-Soup-635702046
First written February 11, 2018.
#132