The One

07

UNCLE KENT, the man running the noodle place, was surprised to see me with someone else not my mother. I introduced Zhenya as someone I know but Zhenya followed up by saying that we were close friends which I did not bother to correct.

Zhenya and I stood in front of the counter and posters of different flavors of noodles were pasted on the wall for the customers to choose from.

I read from the school papers that he liked spicy food so I thought of ordering him a spicy one.

"Spicy?" I asked.

Zhenya smiled. "Yes."

I nodded and ordered one premium spicy and one regular noodle before guiding Zhenya to a table for two. The place was half-packed and mostly were couples and families there. I can still recall when mom and I first ate uncle's noodles. Uncle still could not afford to rent a place so he placed his small noodle stand outside a convenience store and we would eat on a low wooden stool. Uncle's noodles were so good that he had a lot of patrons. After four years, uncle bought a proper place to set up his shop. It wasn't huge but it was big enough to fit three long tables and five tables for two.

I chose the place near the windows where I could see Zhenya's car that was parked outside. It was rare for luxury cars to park in that area, I was afraid someone might do something to it or try to steal it.

After sitting down, I checked Zhenya if he was feeling uncomfortable in that cramped place because I knew he was not used to these poor places so I was worried.

"The uncle here seems to know you well." He said.

"Yes, mom and I have been loyal customers here since I was young. Uncle used to sell noodles in a small stall outside the streets before and we would eat beside the road. I was glad uncle finally found a place. "

Zhenya nodded.

"You might not like this kind of place and food." I said.

He smiled. " Don't worry, I'm not picky and I even eat on the ground. "

I blinked at him and wondered what he meant by eating on the ground just when uncle walked to our table with a huge smile. He has servers but he personally served our orders.

"This is the first time you're bringing a friend here." He said as he placed two smoking hot bowls of noodles on the table from a circular tray he was holding. Seeing the noodles made my mouth water. It has been a week since I last eaten noodles there.

I smiled. "Yes. I promised to treat him here. He helped me." I said.

Uncle nodded with a smile to Zhenya. "That's great. I feel relieved knowing you have good friends in school."

I smiled. Well, I never thought Zhenya would be a good guy judging from his looks. He looked like a spoiled rich kid who could have everything he wanted if he said so, and his presence gave off a strong manly aura and dominance.

"Enjoy your food." Uncle Kent said and walked back to the kitchen after I gave him my thank you.

"Do you usually eat noodles?" I randomly asked as I handed him his disposable wooden chopsticks.

"Thank you." He said as he grabbed the chopsticks. "I don't."

My hand stopped mid-air from stirring the noodles and looked at Zhenya who was watching at my move.

"You don't, like you haven't?"

He smiled. "I wanted to try. It looks really good."

"Not once?" I asked, stunned.

"Not once."

I was dumbfounded. Half of me was excited that he got to taste Uncle Kent's noodles for his first time but I was also worried because he was not used to eating it, he might have a stomachache.

"Will you be okay?"

"I eat pasta, of course, but I haven't eaten noodles or ramen of any sort."

I nodded.

"Back at home, either of my parents would prepare the food and we don't usually eat pasta. It's always been meat of any kind."

I stirred the noodles in the bowl and Zhenya did the same which was cute.

"Like carnivores." I muttered.

Before, I could eat meat only once a week because it was expensive. We usually eat either noodles in that shop or vegetables but I got to eat more meat when I started attending my current university.

Zhenya smiled. "Exactly."

I smiled and clipped on the noodles with the chopsticks and excitedly gobbled it only to jump because it was hot making the noodles slide back go the bowl.

"Are you okay?" Zhenya handed me an algae green handkerchief.

My lips and tongue were throbbing from the heat and I wanted to hide away from the embarrassment.

"Thanks." I said as I borrowed the handkerchief and wiped my lips with my cheeks heating up.

The handkerchief was soft and I could tell that it was expensive with how fine the cloth was and it also smelled so good. Smelled just like the scent in Zhenya's car and I could not stop from sniffing it secretly, inhaling as I wiped my lips.

Maybe it was what it called intoxicating.

I cleared my throat as I brought the handkerchief down. "I'll wash this before returning." I said.

Zhenya nodded.

ZHENYA DROPPED the only elective course where he and I could be classmates. It was the subject where he stepped on my phone. Because the subject was about psychology and it was not related to his course which was Industrial Engineering.

So it was rare for me and Zhenya to meet on the campus given that our course buildings were far since I took Medical Technology but every Tuesday, even though we weren't classmates, we had classes at the same building before lunch and usually he would have his meal in that building with his friends. Zhenya would never fail to stop at my table to greet me, wearing a bright smile and an intoxicating smell that I love so much.

I knew the first time I smelled his scent that I was falling for it. I know it was gross but I sniffed his handkerchief one last time before washing it but I haven't given it back to him and it has been two weeks since then.

It was Tuesday and I would have my lunch at exactly noon, hoping to see Zhenya so I could give his handkerchief back. But Zhenya wasn't with his group of friends during lunch and I heard from one of his friends as I walked past the table to dish out my plate and utensils that Zhanye was at the parking area and would grab his lunch later.

I only have an hour of free time for lunch break that day. Though Zhenya said that it was okay if I return it later, it has been two weeks and I also want to see Zhenya. Whether I deny it or not, I really like seeing Zhenya's face. I also like to hear his lively and deep voice, and his scent too.

Recalling how Zhenya smelled made me smile as I walked to the parking lot where he usually parks his car. It was lucky that the building was the nearest to the parking lot.

I know it was creepy and weird to think that I love how someone smells and got addicted to it but I couldn't stop myself. I did not even feel weird that the object of my attraction was a man.

I never felt this kind of feeling before but whenever I see Zhenya it feels different. It seemed like a glowing haze would appear and all I could see and hear was him.

I blushed all the way to the parking lot but my smile faded and those cringy flowery thoughts about Zhenya broke into pieces, everything stopped including my breath after seeing Zhenya with a girl and they were kissing.

xxxxxx