A Book Can't Be Judged By The Cover Chapter 29: Early Dinner

"I’m ho— " Haji caught himself and stopped the words that almost ca out of his mouth. It’s been a year, but he still wasn’t used to being alone. Every single ti 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, Haji dropped the groceries by the doorstep and walked inside the living room, making sure that he properly aligned his shoes by the entrance.

Once Haji caught sight of the sofa, he didn’t waste any ti approaching it and dropping gumi. "How’s your ankle?"

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

Grooowl~~~

Ti seed to have stopped as both of their stomachs uttered a low growl, causing them to look away from each other as their embarrassnt got the better of them. "Do you want to eat sothing?" Haji asked even though he didn’t have any food to offer. He figured that they could eat from gumi’s groceries, however, and that’s why he brought up the topic.

"Um... ran?" gumi asked.

For the past year, Haji had never eaten at ho, nor had he invited anyone to eat with him. There was a sense of unknown territory as Haji 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 Haji to walk out and buy coal, which is probably impossible at this ti of day unless he went downtown for a second ti. It was a laborious process, starting a fire using coal and paper. When it cos to a stove, just one turn of a knob and you have a fire— Haji 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. Haji assud 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.

gumi was familiar with that way of cooking, and based on Haji’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 Haji, sitting beside him as they waited for the water. For the first ti, gumi got a good look at Haji 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 ." Haji didn’t need to lock eyes with gumi to know she was staring right at him. Sohow he could just feel it.

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

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

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

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

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

"Do you hear yourself right now?" Haji exclaid. "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," Haji responded. "You should head back inside, the water’s boiling."

With lips pursed, gumi headed back inside to get out the ran from their grocery. After setting it on the table, she returned to her seat and waited for Haji. Haji ca 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. Haji and gumi felt it first-hand as Haji prepared the ran. For the first ti, they shared a common goal— and that is, to eat as they were famished. It’s been a year since he last ate ran but he still knew how to prepare one. Of course, one just needs to put water and flavoring on the ran to prepare it. Even a monkey could do it.

"Let’s eat," Haji muttered, the savory aroma of the ran 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 sll of smoke and hamburg steak filled the air as the mom approached the kitchen and brought the al 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 gumi and Haji continued eating. Silence. Peacefulness. It was truly the atmosphere of a dining table where two hungry persons communed.

But just then, gumi 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 Haji. Usually calm and collected, Haji never once displayed a weak side of his. And yet, right now, he was shedding tears on ran.

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

Haji didn’t even realize he was already crying. Quickly wiping off the tears that stread on his cheeks and down to his neck, he shook his head, trying to get rid of the nostalgic mory 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.