𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 5 - 𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒽ℯ𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝓈𝒶𝓎𝓈...

After a few minutes of conversing with Rubio, the duo returned, each holding a plate in their hands with a variety of dishes. Each of them was touched by a slight flush. Patsa, a pink sauce variation, large in quantity, along with a spoonful of a variety of dishes as if added just for taste, decorated Wujin's plate. On the other hand, the plate of Rokul, who was lost in his own world, had large quantities of an ethnic exotic dish, not so exotic in his home state, along with a little bit of pasta as well, the same kind Wujin had.

As soon as they sat, a conversation ensued among the group, discussing the contents of the main course and such. Wujin kept tattling about the various dishes, while Rokul kept silent, eating in deep contemplation. Although extremely curious about this oddity, Noir kept to himself, as it seemed that Rokul cared not to talk about the food from his hometown but instead lived in reveries of his future. Some looked negative, although.

Meanwhile, a minute or so later, as Wujin kept jabbering on about food and more food, an act which she had never done until now, Noir furrowed his brow, thinking. Then he looked around the room from left to right, trying to find the woman who was yet to return from an extra-long toilet break.

Hmm... could something have happened?

He asked the duo about her.

Wujin, as he chewed, said, "Stomach issues maybe..." while Rokul said, "Yes," and then kept his mouth open, saying nothing further. Noir didn't know whether to chuckle or smile at that moment; instead, he gave up and looked at Rubio, who commented that it was odd.

Noir thought for a second and then got up, ready to move in search, but just as he did, Tiffany came into sight. As she walked casually towards the table, she had a smile on her face. Moments later, reaching the wood, she asked Noir, who had stood up in search before, about whether he had intended to go to the main course. Noir smiled and shook his head while stating that he thought something could have possibly gone wrong; perhaps she could have been in some sort of trouble. In response, "Oh ummm... ah—" That's all she had said, followed by a "Sorry" and a flush.

Noir chuckled as he thought about all the pink faces today as Tifanny sat while asking the others who were flushed about the menu today.

Looking at Tiffany's stomach with a knowing expression, Wujin replied, "Hungry, aren't you? Makes sense." Then she giggled at Tiffany's reaction before she continued, "Tif, there are a lot of options, mainly Irstian food today, spicy... spicy... some of it has burnt my tongue. Look..."

She displayed her tongue to all, but none could see anything on it other than Rokul, whose contemplation was forgotten, replaced by a daze as he peered deeply with a gulp. Then, he shifted his gaze with deep resolution, picked up the fork, and continued eating, slower than he normally would have.

Pulling her healthy tongue back in, Wujin continued, "Other than that, the rest is basic... well, for me, spicy does no good, so the pasta is lovely. Recommended a hundred percent."

She winked at Tiffany.

Tiffany nodded her head and then her gaze shifted towards Rokul. "Everything okay?"

Rokul didn't answer.

Tiffany's voice rose a pitch. "Mr. Rokul?"

Rokul didn't answer still.

"Hey," Rubio muttered, but Rokul was in his zone.

Noir cast a glance at Wujin; her lips were slightly curled downwards, slightly forlorn, and then they turned back to normal—the kind she always had. Noir nodded at her, then turned towards Rubio, who, right at that moment, nudged the absentminded man as he asked, "All good?"

Rokul flinched and questioned, with a confused expression, "What?"

The person who he was looking at shook his head, signaling towards Tiffany.

Tiffany asked, "Everything okay?"

Rokul stared at her with a dumbfounded expression for a second and then said, "Yes. Yes... yes... yes... Very okay. You not eating anything, not hungry?"

"I—you—never mind," mumbled Tiffany. Then her line of sight lowered, first towards Noir's, then Rubio's, empty plates before she asked, "Are you two not hungry yet? We can—Oh, uh, were you both waiting for me? I am really sorry for wasting your time, boys."

"Oh no. Please don't be. Both of us were discussing something. No need to apologize, Miss Tiffany. I have leftovers at home, and I have to get them over with today... Need some space in my stomach. Maybe Noir—"

Noir smiled as he cut in. "As much as I would love to join you, I cannot, as I am strangely in a similar situation to Rubio. I really... really don't want to waste any food."

"Come on, man, like, what the hell? First no beer, now no food. What are you two, baby—I mean, pampered babies?"

Rubio looked to his right. "Rokul... I believe you should go back to dreaming."

I assent. Noir didn't say it out loud.

Ignoring the banter, Tiffany narrowed her gaze with a funny look on her face, as if she were a detective looking into a magnifying glass. "Are the two working together? Both of you are synchronized."

Before Rubio could answer, he heard, "What a beautiful joke; you remove me from my dreams, and now you complain."

"Damn..." Rubio scoffed. "I must be God."

"You hairy dog."

"Just like your mo-"

Rubio sighed as he turned towards Tiffany, opening his mouth, before he turned back towards Rory. "I know you're joking... but shut the fuck up! You can complain about me later, all you want."

"Complain? When did I complain? What do you mean?"

Rubio didn't answer; instead, he looked at Tiffany, who looked like she was slightly uncomfortable.

"No," he said. "Just trying to be sensible. Here is the thing... I have some chicken in the fridge; it is the third day now. Any longer and it will rot, and I don't want to throw it in the garbage bin. Furthermore, I would be paying for the main course. It just seems like a huge loss for me."

Noir just smiled.

Tiffany said, "Oh... my bad... How—then... Well, I guess I'll go alone." A stiff expression appeared on her face. "I am famished."

Sensing something coming, Noir's head shot rightward.

Fuck. Good, he didn't retort.

"I—" Rubio tried to say something but couldn't.

Wujin giggled. "Suspicious..." Then she smiled brightly at Tiffany. "I'll come as well; I need some deserts." She cast a glance at Rokul before looking away. "And boys don't get into a scuffle."

And so the two of them left.

As soon as they left, the remaining three, all sitting in a line, had their mouths shut.

Finally, Rubio asked, "What the hell is going on with you?"

"What do you mean? I don't understand, really. Was I pushy about beer and all?"

"Who cares about such a minor scuffle? In my hometown, the place where I grew up... all of what I said and you said, well, not what you said, are pretty common things... Dude, you were totally zoned out. Even Tiffany noticed; she called you out twice. I had to do the same. Like, what's up?"

Noir chipped in.

"Your mouth is built to rage bait; that had reduced to zero percent for a few minutes, and therefore, Rubio had let his guard down. Regardless, what he is mainly trying to get at is the weird chemistry between you and Wujin. I wasn't going to ask any of it, to be fair, but things are pretty strange between you two... it has now prickled my curiousity."

"Achievement unlocked," Rokul said, and then he exhaled with a certain reluctant surrender. "I don't know what to do." He paused, and then with an unexpected seriousness in his tone, he added, "You guys must know I like her."

"You didn't try too hard to hide the fact."

"It was intentional. I would not like my colleagues if it was possible to create complications for me. I liked from the first day, around a year and a half almost now. I liked how she—"

"Stop—please... don't reveal the details."

Rokul looked at Noir and asked, "Noir, what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Would you like details?"

"Shut up."

Rokul continued, "Anyway, I asked her out. She told me that she liked as well. Then complications came. Now I dream, sorry talk. End of story."

"Dude, I'll punch you."

Rokul chuckled, the kind that bitterness. "Sorry... sorry... I joke around a lot, don't I? I do it a lot when I am in pain. Man, it hurts; forget the complication and all, man. I behaved so embarrassingly. She must think I am disgusting."

You always joke around. Nothing new.

"Rightfully so," Noir chuckled as he added, "I am just joking. Either way, what happened after the... liking part?"

"After she said what she had said, she told me that she is perhaps not over her ex yet. But she wasn't too sure, and she felt like she could end up playing with my feelings, and then she told me that there are other guys who are hurt."

Rubio's mouth was agape; before he could speak, Rokul continued, "At that point, I told her, It is okay; we will see. I believe in your judgment and a lot of stuff. Ugh... that makes me feel more bad."

Rubio laughed like he couldn't believe it. "Obviously..."

Rory continued, "Then she smiled. The smile I like very much or love—I am very jealous about it as well. Noir will know; I mean, Rubio and the others are fine, but Noir is dangerous."

Eyebrows twitching, Rubio muttered, "Noir was right."

"Anyway, after that she told me another news: she would be going to some other state for her higher education and that it would all be long distance. And that is not all; she told me there is a chance that her ex might be there. I told her no problem. She told me to take some time to think. I thought she was playing mind games, like she wanted me to stay firm. Before I could say anything, she walked forward, and then I started thinking."

Rubio roared, "Are you fucking stupid?"

Rokul nodded. "That is the problem. But I like her, so I am depressed."

"Noir, put some sense into him."

"Hmmm... love is blind, if it is love that is... yes..." Then he chuckled, "And... well... to be fair, I am quite ashamed to say this, but to a certain degree, I understand what he's trying to say."

"What the hell?

Then suddenly Noir's phone vibrated. He said, "Well, Rubio, I thoroughly believe you can talk some sense into him. I cannot, as I have to go. My timer's up."

"Wait... What? You are leaving? All of a sudden?"

"Yeah, I have a lot of... work, planning, and so on to do, and the day is coming to an end." Noir smiled. "Well, either way, guys, take care. I apologize. Could you please part an apology from me to the others?"

"Sure..."

"Well, see you. Have a wonderful..." Noir chuckled, observing Rubio's expression, before he continued, "...night, one without any drinks."

Step! Step!

Then Noir paused, and then he turned towards Rokul. "If I were to give you a minute piece of advice... and please take this with a grain of salt... do what your heart says; whichever direction it may go, do it while soaking in the possible regret of the future, and in that way perhaps you may come up with a better-thought-out decision, and you will be ready for its consequences. After all, you will be the one to blame for any route you take."

Noir clapped. "Either way, guys, see you later."

And then he walked away as he heard two "damns," following which he thought of a single name.

Clang-clang-stir!

The sound of metal resounded in the kitchen as Noir focused on the stove, but then another voice cut this sound.

{"Honey...! I love you!"}

"Okay," said Noir, adding the tomato purée along with capsicum, onions, and other vegetables mixed into the sauce.

{"Say I love you too. Cant you see how much I miss you? I am starving for you."}

"I love you too," said Noir nonchalantly, trying not to smile.

{"Where is the energy, Mr. Noir?"}

Noir added a pinch of salt to the sauce. Then he continued, "That's funny, to be honest. I think someone called me Mr. Noir today? Has it ever happened that I have been called Mr. Noir twice in a day?"

{"Impossible... someone did? But... You only have one lover."}

As Noir grabbed the spatula and stirred, he said, "Oh? That is a prerequisite? How tragic then? It seems I will have multiple lovers in the future, that too against my wishes."

Sizzle...! Sizzle...!

The woman's voice rose, as she said, {"What, nonsense do you speak of? Noir, I am serious."}

Noir chuckled. "What do you assume people would call me in the courtroom? Honey? Honey, come here."

He heard a chuckle on the phone; it was as sweet as honey.

{"That would be hilarious. Honey, you are sentenced to a life of confinement. Lol, now that I think about it, what if someone were named Sexy? Mr. Sexy, you are sentenced to a life of confinement. I can see that being a drama."}

As the woman spoke, Noir bent down, removing another pan for the red-colored drawer. Then he placed it on the stove and started the flame.

{"Maybe we should name our daughter Sexy and our son Handsome. Sexy Crost. Handsome Crost."}

Noir smiled. "I shall keep my mouth shut."

Using a spoon full of cooking oil, he poured two and a half teaspoons of it on the pan, causing the oil to sizzle. Then Noir moved towards the fridge.

No second was left in silence, as the woman said, {"How many do you want, Babe?"}

As Noir opened the door, he said, in a voice louder than before, "How many do you desire? My stamina is as unending as the ocean. Only for you, though."

As soon as he grabbed a PVC plastic box, he heard, {"17?"}

Noir shook his head; his hands shook along with it.

Walking back to his station, he said, "You would die of childbirth, leaving me broke and broken with some noisy runts. Papa... Papa, where is Mama? Mama was a tad bit crazy, son. Darlings, Sexy1 and Sexy2, do you want to visit her grave? You must not be like your mother, okay? Her story must be written down in history to share with all the effects of entangling oneself with a crazy woman." As he opened the box and placed four burger patties on the perfectly heated pan, he continued, "Come here; I have no food. Fill yourself with this bottle of your papa's tears. Even water is taxed nowadays."

Sizzle-sizzle!

Noir heard her giggles again. {"Lol. lol. Stop. I would have that bottle."}

"You know what? Let the children starve."

Claire laughed louder before her voice turned dramatic, {"At least you would visit my grave every day, holding me deeply in your memories, if not in your arms, forever and more. That would be a worthy cause."}

Noir's lips imperceptibly tensed before he added, in a soft voice, "I beg to differ. Even if we had none, you alone are enough."

{"Honey, I want to kiss you. Come, jump through the screen."}

"I would if I could. Unfortunately, reality is a bit too cruel."

The woman paused for a second before she said, {"That is true... Nonetheless, we got to have a bunch, like 3 at least. Children like you as well. They flock around you. What are they, chicks, and you, their mother? I swear they run away when they see me, and if one were to hold true to biology, only I could be a mother. I. Hmph... Do they not see the beauty in me?"

Noir added some water into the earlier pan. Then he said, "Hmm... I was born to validate you. What else do you need?"

{"Children. Children. Children. Our children."}

"Don't you ever say that aloud in public."

{"Your mind is all that is corrupted."}

As Noir thought of a piece of literature, he flipped the burger patty, revealing the other side, which was golden. "Says who? The one who reads lunacy that would put a priest into a coma?"

Sizzle-sizzle!

{"I don't know what you speak of. This is defamation. I will sue you in court Mr. Honey."}

"I have the chats," Noir muttered. And as he created two pockets in the tomato puree and then cracked two eggs into them.

{"Someone had hacked my account."}

"Recommending me to read such absurdity. Surely the hacker had nothing better to do."

Noir turned off the gas.

{"Yeah... surely... I wonder where such a pathetic hooligans come from."}

"Clay... as much as I would love to have a cute little daughter and a lousy son, I need time; we need time. Perhaps 26."

{"Ugh... 4 years, that is bloody far away. A gazilion light years away."}

"I'll get rich by then... your family and all would perhaps be more receptive."

{"It wont matter."}

"Right... right..." Noir chuckled. "Clay, just give me a minute."

{"Done with the cooking?"}

"Yeah..."

{"I need a look."}

Noir grabbed the phone and pointed the front camera toward the food.

{"Oh, is that the new dish? Looks rather strange and... interesting. Looks Irstian."}

"It, indeed, is. Their spice level is appropriate, and they use eggs quite often. Suits me perfectly. Well, I'll get to work."

Noir cut half of the dish and then placed it on a stoneware plate; then he placed two burger patties, along with some bread, on it as well. He did the same with another plate as well. He kept one of these plates on the countertop and then moved with the other towards a room, which stood opposite Kevin's. As soon as he stood before its door, he knocked on it with his free hand. There was no response, and that was an answer in itself.

Creak!

As soon as the door opened, the room revealed itself, in which Rory sat on a chair, covered in blue light. He leaned forward, his back slightly hunched, his eyes traversing the screen ahead. From time to time, there were clicks and taps as Noir took a few steps forward.

Next, he placed the plate on the wooden table upon which the monitor sat. He said, "The taste will deteriorate the colder it gets."

After these words Noir glanced at the dark-themed screen, which had a lot of lines filled with letters to the brim.

A lot of progress, huh?

Thud!

Then Noir turned around and then walked back to the kitchen with his dear phone that he had slipped from his pocket into his hand. For the first time after he had started cooking today, his eyes wandered over her face. She had golden eyes, almost fading in color, and the rest of the description to him didn't matter; she was dazzling and gorgeous.

As she lay on the bed, her stomach to the ceiling, she donned an oversized brown t-shirt, which she had stolen from Noir once, with simple black tights below. She had a permanent, plain, hazy expression that contained certain sensuality, one of the few things Noir found hard to describe. She was gorgeous; she was his—full stop. Though she certainly made him wonder quite frequently, how fortunate am I?

{"Babe...?"} said Claire, just as he had entered the kitchen.

As he walked towards the countertop, towards his plate, he muttered, "Hmm...?"

{"Uh... I really would love to hang out... tomorrow. Somewhere."}

"Are you suggesting that we skip uni?"

Noir grabbed the plate and walked towards the living room.

{"Babe, it is just one day, I—"}

He lowered himself onto a brown sofa and said, "Fine... but what about the risk? Well, it will indeed be a Monday. Where do you want to go?"

{"Anywhere."}

Suddenly a door, somewhere to his left, somewhere past the wall, clicked open.

Smiling at the phone, with a crescent in his eyes, he said, "Could you decide the location, please? Darling, Kevin has come, and I am not letting that bastard hear a whisper."

Claire sighed, her expression turned somber, and a weighty, grudging reluctance left her lips, {"You know, honey? The more time passes, the more my longing grows."} Her face turned upwards, her gaze pointed perhaps to the ceiling, showing Noir her chin before she continued, {"It is so lonely without you. In retrospect, the world is gray and dull; nothing seems to matter. I miss you... all, when you stand in front of me."} Then, she smiled and finished with, {"Nonetheless, see you,"} followed by a pause, then {"Tomorrow."}

Noir chuckled. "You sought something earlier, didn't you?"

{"I did?"}

"I love you to death." Then, as Claire's eyes widened, he whispered, with a smile that softened, "Tomorrow."

Click!

Footsteps resounded beside Noir's ears along with laughter.

"My darling, my honey, it is so lonely without you. In retrospect, the world is gray and dull; nothing seems to matter. So sad. I miss you sho... sho... much when you stand befole me. My baby, I love you to death," said a shabby man, with a gym bag that hung loose from his shoulders.

"Shut up."

"Fucker, I am impressed. The fuck have the both of you had? Give me some as well."

"You will surely get a call from your father then."

"I don't mind... you bitch; I ain't like you." Then he stood silent, staring at Noir. "I ain't sure if I should be pissed, jealous, happy, or what is that called? Yeah, cringe. Fucking cringe. Yeah, yeah, I'm more fucking jealous." Then his gaze turned towards Noir's plate. "What's that? Who cares, for fuck sake. I am hungry. Give me."

"You fucking bastard, shut up for once." Then Noir sighed. "This world would be a better place without idiots."

"My thoughts exactly. But, hey, fuck the thinking; just make something for me."

Noir had not a single change in expression. He cracked his back and just stared at Kevin.

"Please..."

Friends...! What a tragedy that I have friends...!

Noir sighed and shook his head, as if recontemplating his life choices, and then walked towards the kitchen.

After quite a chatty dinner, accompanied by direct insults and some rather veiled ones, by discussing how much Kevin had lifted and such, and by a bit of one-sided gossip and law, Noir told his pampered friends to wash the utensils while he himself took a shower. Now, all dried up and in his briefs, he lay down on his bed, the upper berth of the bunk bed in Rory's room. Rory was asleep, and it was Noir's turn to rest. The AC was on with a fan spinning at the slowest speed overhead; the coldness was thwarted by the blanket over Noir. It was comfortable.

The day had been wearisome and irksome, the same duration as every day yet still longer. Hidden in parts, it contained a warmth that caused its bearer to smile. A weary yet grateful smile. And just as the weariness completely took hold, the bearer heard a clink.

It caused him to sigh. It caused him to smile. It caused the weariness to disappear.