I really hate my trainer right now. My feet hurt, my legs hurt and most of all my stomach hurts. Some things in life are just not meant to be done and running is one of them. I throw my sweat covered towel on the bench in the lockers rooms and collapse on the floor until my heart beat drops back to normal. It’s been another long day and I’m glad that when it’s over I have something to look forward to.
6 Missed Messages
Sender: Miki
Sender: Miki
Sender: Miki
Sender: Miki
Sender: Miki
Sender: Miki
I smile knowingly. On my working days Miki makes a conscious effort to send me all her thoughts. They follow the same pattern, a comment, a question, the contemplation and finally her decision. I’m sure today will be no different. As I open up each message I find out that I’m right.
12:01pm
I’m bored...
12:03pm
I’m still bored…
12:12pm
OMG I have the biggest craving for Yakiniku!!! You wanna go out for some tonight?
12:24pm
Wait, didn’t we have Yakiniku last Monday?
12:28pm
What ever…if I cant think of anything else we’re having Yakiniku…
12:45pm
Meet me at the Yakiniku joint we went last week around 8ish.
Love you!
I’m happy that I no longer have to plan what I’m going to do for dinner but when I check my watch and see that it is already 7:30 I know if I want to make it in time I’m going to have to move my ass, and fast.
Miki is already seated when I arrive and has taken the liberty of ordering for me. When it comes to meats I trust her judgement. She knows my taste buds better than I do.
”Here, I’ve already cooked some”
On the end of her chopsticks she holds a piece of nicely done lamb and before I know it she has stuffed it into my mouth. God, it tastes so good. I cry out in ecstasy and she smiles to herself, taking it as praise. I pick up my own utensils and cook more meat while she continues to feed me. If there is one thing Miki knows, it’s Yakiniku. I moan a little louder.
”Shut up and swallow”
My immediate reaction is to laugh even though I don’t get what she just said. I happily continue cooking the vegetables until the true meaning of her comment sinks in. It takes a while, but when it does I must admit I’m a little shocked. I stop, mid way through putting a capsicum on the hotplate and look at her. She grins at me. I’m too stupefied to do anything.
”You’re really perverted Fujimo-“
”Your arm’s on fire”
”Huh?”
I look down at the arm that was hovering over the hotplate. A small flame had licked the edge, singeing at first before engulfing my arm in a yellow glow. It crawled from my wrist to my elbow in slow motion as Miki and I watched with baited breath. Only until it had climbed dangerously close to my shoulder did Miki take action by springing over and batting it out. I sat in shock on the tatami, staring at the black mark on my woollen sweater. I can’t believe I was almost barbequed! A few patrons peer into our booth to see what the commotion was about but I have already taken the evidence away and hidden it in the corner. When I turn back I’m surprised to find Miki cradling her hand. I had totally disregarded the fact that she could have been hurt. I feel a guilty and a little stupid as I scramble over to her to see if she is alright.
”Did you get burnt?”
I can see her palm but she is quick to close it. From a glance it seems red and raw and I know it must be hurting. She assures me it’s nothing.
”So…” She moves her legs from under her “…Tonight – my house sound ok?”
Starting Tuesday she will be on tour so I can’t say no. I don’t want to say no. It’ll be another month before both our schedules calm down and I can see her again so we make it a ritual to spend every minute together until one of us has to leave.
“Sure”