Shadow

'At least try. You have to have some food. Or else you'll get weaker.' This time his voice was gentler.

I lowered my head. It's no use. I can't stand even the smell of the food right now.

'You don't leave me a choice then.' He got up and opened the bag. Then he went to the open kitchen and took out a bowl and spoon. He poured the content into the bowl. I couldn't see what it was from here.

Then with long strides he came to me and pulled me up.

'What are you!.... Let me go.' I struggled in vain.

'Stop it New. You want to fight? We'll fight but after you eat something.' Reaching the table he pushed me down on the chair.

'You have no right to do this to me!' I felt utterly helpless.

'Really? What if I say I have every right to do this? Will you believe me?' He slapped hard on the table.

'Nonsense.....' I tried to berate him but though he was yelling his eyes were very sad. I couldn't do it.

'See? You won't believe me.' He slumped down on the chair next to me.

'I....' I don't know why but his haggard look pained my heart.

'Please eat this porridge. I made it myself.' He put his chin on his folded arm and looked at me with puppy eyes.

Damn! I hate this type of behavior. Earth always behaves in a gentlemanly way. So whenever I see someone acting cute I just want to beat them.

But right now why my heart's fluttering??

'Fine.' I took one spoonful and gulped it down without looking.

Wow! It was so delicious! I looked down at the bowl. It's white as snow with some emerald green spring onion. There was plenty of shredded pork in it.

'You made this? It's delicious!' I started to devour it without wasting time.

'It's your favorite.' Tay mumbled.

'Huh? My favorite?' I stopped eating.

'I am asking you. Is it your favorite? You're eating so delightfully.' He coughed lightly and sat up straight.

'No. Earth hates pork so we usually don't eat it at home.'

'Oh! Do you hate it too?'

'No. I like it very much. I can eat pork cutlet or fried pork rice each day everyday.' I laughed.

The sadness in his eyes somewhat dissipated and he laughed too.

'Then all the pigs in the neighborhood are very afraid of you huh?' He said with a crooked smile.

'Are you afraid of me?' I followed his posture.

'Me? Why am I gonna be afraid of you?' His smile widened.

'Aren't you also a pig?' I raised my eyebrows.

'I am not a pig.' This time he laughed freely. The sound was exhilarating.

'You sure sleep like one.' I joined the laugh.

But the moment those words left my mouth I was stunned. How the hell do I know how he sleeps! But this conversation was so natural like we had it many times before.

I stopped laughing and looked at Tay bewildered. Surprisingly he was looking at me with gentle eyes and a face full of pure joy.

'Still believe I have no rights?' He asked softly.

'Huh? I....I...am sorry. I shouldn't say that.' I quickly realized that I crossed some lines.

'New..... Don't apologize.' His eyes dimmed. I didn't like that change a bit.

I closed my eyes. What the fuck am I thinking! What kind of infatuation is this! No! I can't go on like this! I have a husband, a baby boy! I have a loving family! I am married for God's sake!

'Tay....let's talk.' I don't want to make any more mistakes.

'Hm? Sure. What do you want to talk about?' He looked at me, his face became normal.

'Last night..... No.... The night before that.... I..... I wasn't in a....right state of mind. I was drunk....and angry with Earth....When you.... I mean when we.... Kissed....I....' I stuttered out those words with great effort.

'But why were you mad at Earth?'

'That's not important right now!'

'Don't bother about the kiss. I understand.' He looked away.

'You....understand?' I couldn't help but feel a little relieved.

'Of course! That was a drunken kiss. It's even possible that you already forgot about it.' His tone was very calm. Not a bit like last night when he kissed me again.

Oh right! Last night!

'Yeah right, I...huh... totally forgot.' I laughed awkwardly.

'Problem solved.' He shrugged.

'And about last night....' God! Like how many times I have put myself in awkward positions in two days!

'Last night, It was I who was angry so ..... It also doesn't count.' Tay clarified in an even tone.

Huh! It also sounds quite right.

'Yeah....right. So..... Are we good?'

'Of course.'

'Friends?'

'Friends.'

'Great!' I exhaled loudly. Then with a smiling face quickly finished my porridge.

'You are a great cook.' I gave him a genuine complement.

'I know.' He smiled.

'Thanks for coming. And thanks for the food. I was really hungry but couldn't eat anything.' I confessed sheepishly.

'Take your meds. Do you still have a fever?' He started to clean the table.

'Don't! You're a guest. Why are you cleaning dishes!' I got up and tried to snatch the bowl from him.

'So what? I am not going to allow you to clean. Sit down silently.' He easily thwarted my plan.

'Still.....' I didn't sit down only watching his movements in the kitchen.

'Do you have a fever?' He asked again.

'I don't think so.' I touched my forehead.

'So silly! How can you feel the temperature this way? Let me check.' He put down the clean bowl and spoon at their places, walked towards me and stretched out his hand.

'Your hands are wet.' I pointed out.

'Oh! No issue. There are other ways to check the temperature.' He smiled casually and put his temple on mine. Then we both stiffened. This action was so intimate that I completely lost my composer.

'No fever.' He quickly released me and said hoarsely.

'Right. No fever.' I only mimicked him.

But my whole body was like on fire. Like I touched the sun.