In the early afternoon, the once empty park soon became lively as the people began to emerge either one by one or as a family to enjoy the warmth of the sun under the shade of the trees. Unbeknownst to them, there are two people whose day turned gray due to misunderstandings and constant denials.
Inside the multi-colored food truck, Adam was busy making his best pasta for the lovely man, who was sitting casually at the table in front.
Look at him, who could resist such face? No man could withstand it, not even me. But why is he so adamant towards love? Does it have to do with my age? I know I am younger than him, four years to be exact, but that doesn't mean I'm immature and worthless. I mean, hello? I have a stable job, more like I'm a businessman now, and handsome to boot. What more could he ask for?
The loud, incessant sighs could be heard outside the truck, and Ugetsu could tell he's the reason for all of it even without looking since he could feel the daggers right in his direction. He slumped over his chair, crossing his legs while propping up his head on an elbow to the table, musing over. Just bear with it, he will soon lose his interest anyway, he said to himself. I admit, I got too heated and wasn't in the right mind, that's why I got swayed easily. But nothing good will come out of it, so it's best to cut him off. I never wanted it in the first place anyway. He sighed, and mumbled, "I'll tell him after this." He stretched out his arms on the table like a cat, and yawned as he rested his head over his arm, staring into nothing. When was the last time I got off? Was it last week? He pondered, I should have done that this morning before coming here. And what's up with the "changing my pace?" All I've seen here was nothing but a horny giant.
"What is he thinking right now?" Adam peered through the open window while tossing the pan repeatedly over the stove. He anxiously waited for the bread to be toasted in the oven while tapping his feet, thinking, What should I do next? He's likely to run away if I tell him about my true feelings. Should I continue to play pretend? Or should I outright ask him for a date? He tore out his hair when his head becomes too overheated from thinking too deeply, unable to come up with a decision. "I can't think anymore!" He said in defeat.
Without him knowing, Ugetsu was watching him from afar, wondering what was wrong with his head. He knows it is rude to laugh at someone else's dilemma, especially when he's the cause of it. He couldn't help but to be amused, even more so when the big guy showed too many expressions in just one day. Suppressing his laugh, he called from the table, "hey Adam! How long does it take to cook?"
Adam flinched and jerked his head. He shouted, "um, in about a minute!" Then, he began to plate the pasta and bread together as fast as he can. And for the last touch, he sprinkled the pasta with dried chili flakes and fresh basil. Happy with his creation, he delivers the pasta and the freshly brewed Iced tea he made straight to Ugetsu's table with poise and confidence. "Enjoy your meal," he smiled widely.
Ugetsu glanced at the fine plated pasta before digging in. "So what is this called?" He poked at the naked shrimp with his fork.
"It's called 'ton amour' in French," Adam explained. "It means 'your love,'" he gave him a wink.
Why does that sound like a song title? Ugetsu cringed at the thought. "And the sauce?"
"It's tomato-cream sauce with a little bit of spice, straight out of fresh tomatoes," Adam explained. "I even sautéed the shrimps in my 5-year-old Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux, just for you," he added with bashful smile. "Take a bite, you'll forget your name."
"More like I'll forget yours," Ugetsu quipped while twirling a few noodles between his fork and spoon.
Adam was about to say something in retort, but Ugetsu shushed him down, beckoning him to take a seat next to him as he was worried that people may start to think he's getting special service, which wasn't the case since he didn't ask for it. It was Adam's idea to pamper him and please him with his innate skills and his otherworldly-like creation.
While waiting, Adam watched his every move, thinking, he look so sexy even when he's eating. His eyes follow the flick of his tongue, ogling at his moist, luscious lips.
"Enjoying the view?" Ugetsu said after finishing the whole plate. "Stop gawking at me like an old perv!" He flicked his forehead.
Adam flinched as he snapped back to his senses. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"The pasta was delicious," Ugetsu interjected. "I'm not an expert, but I can assure you my taste bud works just fine." He stood abruptly once he was full and satisfied, leaving a couple of cash on the table as payment for his food. His mind was already made up. He's about to reject him for good, but upon seeing his crestfallen face, he changes his mind. Damn it! Why does it look like I'm at the fault here! He bit his lips. Feeling regretful, he muttered, "do you have a pen?"
Adam's confused eyes met his. "Y-yes, I do," he stammered as he handed him the pen from his pocket with his shaking hands.
"Give me your hand," Ugetsu said, and thought, this should be enough for now.
Adam became more and more confused, yet when he realized Ugetsu was writing down numbers on his palm, he perked up with a big sunny smile on his face. Is this for real?!!
"If you need a customer, reach me out on that number," Ugetsu said after writing down his phone number on Adam's left palm. "Save it, before it fades out."
"Thank you!" Adam nodded with excitement. He took out his phone and saved his number in mere seconds. Then, with a seemingly ecstatic face, he bear hugged him, and lifted him off the ground, spinning him around while grinning like a fool. "I'll call and text you every minute, every day."
"Please don't," Ugetsu implored, "and put me down, people are looking!"
Elated, Adam spun him one more time before putting him down on the grass floor. "You don't know how happy I am right now," he smiled brightly, showing his perfect pearl white teeth. "Thank you so much!" He grabbed his face, leaning in for a kiss, but Ugetsu blocked his face with his hand and pushed him away.
"Don't, I feel nauseous right now," Ugetsu explained, but he still has the strength to send him a death glare. "You lifted me so high!" He clutched his stomach to prevent himself from throwing up in the public.
"I'm sorry," Adam said and helped him right away to the table. "Wait here, I'll get you a water." He ran back to his food truck and poured a glass of cold water without seconds to spare, then he came back with not just a glass, but also a pitcher. "Here, drink this," he offered the glass and sat down right next to him.
"Thank you." Ugetsu took the glass of water, finishing it in one go, before letting out a satisfied sigh.
"Good?" Adam asked as he refills his glass with cold water.
"Yes," Ugetsu nodded.
"Do you want more?" Adam said.
Ugetsu nods again. After finishing his second glass, he turned his attention to Adam. "What's up with your brute strength and surprise attacks!" He smacked him on the shoulder. "You could have killed me in an instant! You didn't even stop when I told you that people are staring at us!"
"I'm so sorry," Adam said, "I swear it wasn't intentional." He gave him another puppy-eyed look, trying to gain his trust while giving him a back rub.
"Don't look at me like that," Ugetsu said, "it's not gonna work.
"Like what?" Adam said, doe-eyed.
Are you kidding me? Does he even realize what look he has right now? Or was it unconsciously done? Ugetsu thought, but eventually, he gave in. "Never mind," he sighed, "at least give me a warning if you ever felt an impulse to do that again." He slumped over the table and rested his head. "Please, don't do that again."
"I won't!" Adam promised, beaming with joy and determination. He then coughed twice to get his attention once more. "Um, Ugetsu?"
"What now?" Ugetsu tilted his head and arched his brow, thinking, he got used to my first name. What comes next then? He sat upright, crossing his arms and waited.
Adam hesitates as he looks back and forth at him. "C-can I kiss you one more time before you go?" He said skittishly.
"Right here?" Ugetsu asked, terrified.
Adam stood up from his seat. He then looked around the park, but upon seeing tens of people, he made up his mind. "Not here…" he paused, "but back there." He pointed at the back of his truck.
Not good, if we went back there, I couldn't guarantee my sanity anymore, Ugetsu feared when he recalled the heated make-out session they had earlier.
"Ugetsu?" Adam called, waiting for him to hold his outstretched hand.
"I-I can't," Ugetsu declined in a panicky voice, "you already have my number. Wasn't that enough?"
"I…" Adam falters, "I guess so." He was looking uncertain, and somewhat dissatisfied.
"Good," Ugetsu smiled a little. "Well then, goodbye." He stood up and walked off in haste.
Astounded, Adam called to him. "Wait! Ugetsu!" Yet Ugetsu was already gone with the crowd. He scratched his head, he's quick on his feet even though he's small, and cute, and then chuckled, another unlocked knowledge. Guess I'll discover new things from now on. He kissed his ink-stained palm and skipped his way back to his food truck, not minding the looks he gets from the crowd.
All the while Ugetsu has never been good at running, but upon seeing his turned on face and his intimidating bulge, he ran for his life. He was certain that whatever Adam was plotting behind his truck, it's going to be painful, and tricky. He probably would end up in a wheelchair for days. And it would be an understatement to say he wasn't surprised at the tightness in his pants earlier.
Guessing its size, it's probably the same length of his hands when combined. And the girth… Ugetsu blushed ten times. Get a grip Ugetsu! Don't let him get to you! He banged his head thrice against the door to block out his dirty thoughts as he fumbles with his keys. After trial and error, he had finally succeeded in opening the front door of his apartment. He went inside and locked the door behind him before hanging his keys in the small key holder right next to a plastic plant. Exhausted, he dragged his sore feet towards the couch and laid down on his stomach. What the hell is wrong with me? Am I sexually frustrated? When was the last time I took care of my needs? When was it? He thought long and hard about it that he had a vexed look, as if irritated for being the only one who's affected from all of it. "Never mind, let's just sleep it off," he yawned, turning to his side and drifted off to sleep.
It was late in the evening when Ugetsu woke up, and the first thing he did was reaching out for his phone. It buzzed right away when he opened the screen. Unbelievable, he thought after seeing all the calls and texts from Adam, asking him just about anything, mostly nonsensical. Aside from looking for love, the second thing he hates the most are mobile phones. So he purposely ignored Adam's persistent calls and tossed his phone on the carpeted floor.
Does he have anything better to do? Ugetsu mused, making his stomach rumble even more. So he stood up from the couch and went into the kitchen to search for some food in the fridge, but when he found nothing, he decided to order out. Then, he returned to the couch and waited for his food. Out of boredom, he played some French films from his forty-inch flat screen tv, even though he's not really interested. While watching, his phone buzzed again. It buzzed twice followed by a retro beep sound, indicating an incoming call, yet he still ignored it. But when the sound didn't stop, he clicked his tongue and dragged himself out of the couch. "This has to be worth mentioning," he began in his grumpy voice when he picked up the phone. "What do you want?"
There was a loud thud at the end of the line, as if someone had fallen on the floor. "Oww!" Adam groaned in pain.
"Are you alright?" Ugetsu said in a slight worried voice.
"Y-yes," Adam replied, "I just had a bad fall, but I'm fine."
"Okay," Ugetsu said, coughing twice to hide the worry in his voice. "So why did you call?"
Adam groaned, and said, "I was just worried because you didn't answer any of my calls. I thought something bad happened to you."
"That's all?" Ugetsu sighed, "I said worth mentioning… alright, I'm hanging up-"
"Wait! Wait just a moment!" Adam panicked and winced through the phone.
Ugetsu rolled his eyes. "Hurry up then," he muttered.
"So, I, uh," Adam faltered and took a huge deep breath. "ARE YOU FREE TOMORROW?"
"Don't yell! I can hear you perfectly!" Ugetsu glared at his phone.
"Sorry," Adam whispered, and repeated, "so are you free tomorrow?"
"I am, why?" Ugetsu asked.
Adam clears his throat. "I'm trying out a new menu, and, uh, I wanted you to taste them… if you're not that busy."
We just saw each other this morning. Does he have no friends? Ugetsu thought, pausing for a bit, then he said, "alright, but no funny business for you. One wrong move and I'll sue your ass, heard me?"
"B-but…" Adam trailed off, looking for the right words. He whispered, "not even a kiss?"
There was a long, excruciating silence at the end of the line. Adam thought Ugetsu hung up the call, or he was just getting ready to rake him over the coals. But when he heard a click of a tongue, he suddenly wished for the former.
"Listen, young man," Ugetsu said sternly. "Get your mind out of the gutter. I am warning you, If you're up to no good, I won't ever see you again. So make it clear, this instant."
Distraught with fear and other emotions, Adam made a vow. "I swear from the grave of my grandma Claire, that I, Adam Travers, will keep his hands to himself for the entire day tomorrow."
"Good," Ugetsu said. "Break it and I'll break every bone in you," he warned, then he ended the call without hearing another word from him. I do hope he'll stay committed to his promise, he thought as the doorbell rings. "Finally," he sighed out of hunger.
