After the phone call, I sent her the location of the ramen shop, and a few minutes later, I got a reply.
Sara: I’ll wait for you at the ramen shop in an hour.
I glanced down at what I was wearing—pajamas. I needed to change. Fast.
I went back to my room and changed into a white shirt, a jean jacket, and jeans. It wasn’t anything special, but it was decent enough. Once I got dressed, I grabbed my keys for Sparky—my motorcycle. I walked out of my room, headed down the stairs, and made my way to the front door. I stepped outside, then closed and locked it behind me.
I walked over to where Sparky is parked and opened the rear compartment. I picked up my helmet—safety first—then closed it. I swung onto the bike and started the engine. It roared to life, strong and steady—Sparky doesn’t need any tuning.
I drove out to the main road, heading toward the ramen shop. When I got there, the place was packed—like always. I searched for a parking space and found one all the way at the back of the lot.
I parked and turned off Sparky. Getting off the bike, I opened the rear compartment, placed my helmet inside, and closed it. I walked out of the parking lot and headed to the front of the store, waiting for Sara for a bit—until I saw her. She was wearing a black dress with pink floral design and ballet flat shoes, easy to walk in.
She looked beautiful in the floral dress. When she saw me, walked over to me, smiled, and said,
Sara: I almost didn’t recognize you without your commander uniform. You look very handsome tonight.
Gavin: Thank you. I don’t always wear my commander uniform and I’m off duty now. And you… you look beautiful tonight as well.
Heat crept up to my ears as I felt myself blush. She really did look beautiful tonight. I walked up to the front door opened, held it for her as she stepped inside. Then I followed her in. The waiter approached us and asked,
Waiter: How many people for a table?
Gavin: Just the two of us.
The waiter led us to a table in the middle of the restaurant. I pulled out a chair for her, letting her sit before gently sliding it back in. Then I took the seat across from her and sat down. We looked over the ramen menu, seeing what they had to offer.
Gavin: I’m getting miso ramen. What about you?
Sara: /looking over the menu/ I’ll have shio ramen.
The waiter came back and handed us glasses of water and some bread. Then he took out a pen and a notepad to write on.
Waiter: May I take your order?
Gavin: I’ll have miso ramen.
Sara: I’ll have shio ramen.
The waiter wrote down our orders on his notepad and said,
Waiter: Would you like anything else?
Gavin: No, thank you. That’ll be all. What about you?
Waiter: Your ramen will be ready in about fifteen minutes.
The waiter left to serve other customers coming in. I couldn’t help but look at Sara. She was wearing light makeup that matched her floral dress.
Gavin: So, what happened with the kittens? Did they cause you any trouble?
Sara: Hm? Oh, no, not at all. I just needed to feed them, that’s all. Were you worried about me?
She said it in her soft, cute voice—it sounded sweet to my ears.
Gavin: You left in a rush at the coffee shop, that’s why I asked.
Sara: My apologies about that. I was so engrossed on reading the book that I didn’t notice the time. When I’m too absorbed into what I ever do, I always lost track of time.
Gavin: I see what are the other things that make you busy aside from reading that book and taking care of your kittens? I hope you wouldn’t mind me asking.
Sara: Well, I also like art, like doing drawing both in manual and digital, but I’m still learning all about it.
Gavin: I see. That sounds interesting. I’d love to know more about art. Maybe some other time.
Sara: By the way, you’ve said earlier that you have been talking for most of the morning non-stop, that’s why you finished your drink in one drinking only, am I right?
Gavin: Yes, I was in a meeting earlier today, giving orders to my colleagues.
Sara: I see. I won’t ask any further about that because I know that is is highly confidential and unlikely to share it to anyone.
Their orders have arrived and the waiter placed it on their table.” Here’s your Miso Ramen sir and Shio Ramen for you ma’am. Be careful, it’s hot.” And they gave their thanks to the waiter.
Sara saw there was a shichimi powder among the condiments at their table, she reached for it and added some to her ramen. She offered it to Gavin.
Gavin: Sure, I’d like to. Thanks.
He added shichimi to his ramen – a lot of it. She saw it and got worried for him,
Sara: Um, that’s a lot of shichimi powder in your ramen, that will turn spicy.
Gavin: I don’t mind, I can handle it.
Sara: Looks like you really like spicy foods.
Gavin: Yes, but anything is fine with me. I’m not a picky eater.
I mixed some shichimi powder into my miso ramen and took a taste. Spicy—just the way I liked it. I glanced over at her and noticed she was doing the same thing, mixing some into her ramen before tasting it as well.
I could already tell hers was much less spicy than mine, so I decided to ask her something before she caught me staring again.
Gavin: How does your shio ramen taste with the shichimi powder?
She looked at me, after tasting shio ramen. she answered,
Sara: It taste delicious - just how I like it. Do you want some?
Did I hear that right? She was offering me some of her shio ramen ? Of course I heard her right.
Gavin: Yes, I’d love to try some of your shio ramen. You can have some of mine too.
Sara: Ok, then. I’m definitely going to need some water after trying yours.
Gavin: That totally fine with me.
We exchanged bowls and each took a bite. Her ramen tasted delicious—honestly, it is much better than my overly spicy one. When I looked up at her, she was already drinking almost an entire glass of water after tasting mine.
Gavin: I’m so sorry Sara, I knew my ramen was spicy, but I didn’t think that it would be that spicy.
Sara: It’s ok. I said I would taste it. and I did.
When they were both done with their ramen, Sara got her wallet and as she was starting to pay for their meal she was stopped by Gavin. He didn’t want her to do that and he insisted on paying for the meal himself
Waiter: Thank you for dining. Hope to see you again.
Sara: Thank you too for the wonderful and delicious food.
Gavin: Thank you for serving us.
I said that I glanced over at her and noticed she looked completely full after dinner. As they went out of the restaurant, Sara thanked Gavin for inviting her for dinner and promised him that next time it’ll be her treating him.
Gavin: Thank you too for joining me at dinner tonight. Let me give you a ride home.
Sara: Thank you too for the offer. But I’ll just hail a cab for my ride home. And thank you too for the dinner too.
Gavin: No, I insist. Please let me drive you home. It is dangerous for a young woman like you to take a cab alone at night. I don’t want anything bad happen to you on the ride home. Please, trust me when I say that.
I watched her expression carefully. She seemed to think about it for a moment before answering.
Sara: I agree with you, it can be dangerous at night. And...i accept your offer to give me a ride home.
We walked through the parking lot toward where Sparky is parked. I opened the rear compartment and took out my helmet along with an extra one for her to wear. Then I took out my phone and asked her,
Gavin: Where do you live? I can put the location into my phone and drive you home safe and sound.
She dictated to Gavin her complete address and even the landmarks of her area.
I got onto Sparky, and a moment later, she climbed on behind me. I placed my phone into the phone holder before starting the engine. On the ride to her home, she held onto me tightly. It was probably her first time riding on a motorcycle.
Neither of us spoke during the ride. The only sounds we hear the roar of Sparky’s engine and the wind rushing past us. When we finally arrived at her house, I turned off the engine and got off Sparky. We removed our helmets, placed them on the handlebars and helped her to got off to Sparky before I walked her up the sidewalk to the front of the house.
Gavin: Remember to lock the door after I leave.
Sara: Alright, Commander Gavin. I’ll do that right away. Goodnight… and goodbye.
Gavin: Goodnight. Goodbye.
As the words left my mouth, a thought crossed my mind. Should I kiss her on the cheek? I hesitated for only a second. Yes. I should. It might surprise her, but before I could overthink it, I already leaned forward and kissed her softly on the cheek.
As I pull back, I looked at her face and saw the shock in her expression from the sudden kiss.
I walk backward toward Sparky, I turned to face the bike and opened the rear compartment, placing the extra helmet back inside before closing it. I got onto Sparky and started the engine. Then I headed straight home.
Sara saw him drove off back to his home, still in shock from his sudden kiss to her. “What a guy… be careful on your way home Gavin.”
When I got home, I turned off Sparky and walked to the front door. I unlocked it, stepped inside, then closed and locked it behind me. I headed upstairs to my room and took off my clothes, tossing them onto the chair nearby. After that, I changed back into my pajamas.
I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth. Once I was done, I made my way to bed. As I lay there, a smile slowly formed on my face while thoughts of Sara drifted through my mind before I finally fell asleep.