I finish up my bath. When I exit the bathroom, it's 7:30. At this time, both Elma and I would finish our baths and settle down for dinner- unless she's working late. This morning she told me she will have to stay back a little later with her team because their deadline was tomorrow and there were many corrections to be made. I didn't have any problem with her staying a little late to complete her work. After all, it's the company that feeds us!But it was indeed torturous peeling my eyes at the clock, waiting for her to get back. And it is stupid of me to worry about her but I can't stop thinking about her.
I turn on the television to drown out the sound of the clock hands moving, mocking me as the time went by waiting for the sound of her knocking the door. The anime takes my mind off of her for a while. As the commercials air, I anxiously glance at the time again to see it's almost 9:00.
"Maybe I should warm up her dinner" I thought, because knowing Elma, the first thing she would want after working overtime is food. To the kitchen I went and warmed up her food. "She must be so hungry. Hurry up and come home Elma." I switch channels, browsing to find something else to watch other than the 'late night anime' that will soon start airing.
My eyes are shutting but I forcefully try to stay awake. I make some coffee to keep me up. It's now 10:25 but I'm still on the living room couch, sipping coffee. I didn't want to go and sleep without her. I'm her partner, it's my duty to wait up for her, no matter how late she is. There is a quiz show on and it keeps my mind occupied with something else.
"Knock-knock"
My heart pounds in my chest from the feeling of relief that she's finally back. It's 11:00 on the dot. I quickly stand up and flee to to the door. I open the door to see a slouching Elma with flushed cheeks. Her clothing is all untidy and her eyes are dreamy.
"Elma where were you so late?" I place my hands on my hips. She wraps her arms around my shoulders and a loud hiccup is to be heard. "Nai, I'm drunk." I instantly think of Kobayashi. I shake my head in disbelief. I close the door and take her bag.
I know better than to start on her without her having a proper meal. "Elma sit here. I'm going to warm up your dinner, ok?" I say as I take off her shoes.
"Tha- *hiccup* you" she barely makes out. She looks exhausted. She hardly drinks and when she does get drunk, she's the 'tired drunk' type. I bring the food to her and she happily digs in like a dog when its owner feeds him.
In five minutes Elma is finished eating the udon I made her. "It was delicious. Thanks Nai." The heavy meal makes Elma feel less drunk I assume. Thankfully her energy has been restored. I know for a fact that eating makes you feel better when you're tipsy from my college days.
"Elma I ran a bath for you. But before you bathe, I want to ask you something. Did you went out to drink with Kobayashi again?"
She bends her neck, unable to look me in the eye. "Yes."
I sigh. "And why didn't you call me and tell me you were going drinking?"
"I'm sorry. It's just that we finished around 8:30 so Kobayashi-senpai asked me to have a couple of beers with her and Takiya-senpai. Yes she would always say something like that when she's inviting me to drink with her. I don't know how to turn her down without feeling back because they're my senpais who help me out a lot. They help me to finish on time too. I'm grateful for them. And I wanted to call you but my phone died and when Kobayashi-senpai and Takiya-senpai are drunk, they turn into totally different individuals. They always seem to argue about maids and maid outfits and it's useless asking them anything when they're in their own world." She paused for a moment and then continued. "Sometimes I just go along with them, without having any intention to drink but Kobayashi-senpai would say something like 'Elma, drink up! We're in the same slave boat after all!' and I would tell her 'Sorry senpai but I don't really imbibe' and then she would force me to drink and I wouldn't refuse."
I stand more closely to her. I place my arms around her shoulder this time. I say softly, "Elma look at me. I know your senpais are good people. You're a hard worker and you deserve a good social life. I don't want to take that away from you but when you are late I feel sorry for you. And you shouldn't do anything you don't want to do either. You should know when it's ok to just say 'no'".
She stands and bows in apology. "I'm really sorry Nai. Do you forgive me?" she squeaked. I could see the remorse in her eyes. I pat her head. "Elma, I already told you it's ok. It's getting late so take your bath and come to bed, ok?"
…
I hear the door of the bedroom click and her soft footsteps. She climbs into bed, my back facing her. She wraps her arms around me, in the spooning position I've grown so accustomed to. "Good night."
