Absinthe

I forced Jiwoo to shower first because based on experience, the two of us are not good at showering together. The moment he came out, he complained that he was hungry and asked if I wanted to eat some instant noodles with him.

"There's some chashu and soy-eggs in the fridge," I said. "I think there are some mushrooms you can use as well."

"Can I borrow something to wear?"

I pointed him to the other door leading to my wardrobe. "The PJ's are on the left most closet."

I showered rather quickly but took my time with my skincare routine. I'm sure Jiwoo would wait until I'm out before he cooks the noodles. After that, I donned my Paul Smith iconic multi-stripe printed cotton pajamas and headed for the kitchen.

"Yoh," Jiwoo greeted. "Perfect timing! The noodles are just about done!"

All my sleepwear were intentionally a size bigger than me so they're quite loose. But my navy-colored, silk-satin Dolce and Gabbana pajama set was a stunning fit to Jiwoo's frame. My feet carried me over to where he was without my express permission! My arms, too, rebelled against my will and took Jiwoo in a tight hug. My head started rubbing itself against the smoothness of the silk and the hardness of his torso.

I must have been doing that for some time because Jiwoo ruffling my hair and said, "The ramyun will get cold if you don't let go."

Hesitantly, I let go. "I'm sorry, too."

Jiwoo flashed me his boyish grin. "I told you, sex solves everything."

I frowned and walked towards the other side of the kitchen island where the high stools were. "Way to ruin the mood!"

Jiwoo laughed as he served the still smoking instant ramyun that did not look like instant ramyun at all. The noodles were arranged well at the center of the bowl. Half of a soy-flavored egg and thinly sliced pieces of chashu meat adorned the side. There was a generous serving of plump shitake mushrooms as well as green onions, and cut pieces of seasoned laver. And there's that unique aroma coming from it that I just couldn't quite identify. I sniffed it all in, all the flavors and the aroma, and was starting to salivate.

"I took out some side dishes," Jiwoo said. "Just in case you want some."

We ate in silence – or rather, we couldn't speak as we both busied ourselves with our bowls of hot, steaming ramyun. The only noise in the house was the sound of our lips blowing the noodles cold, and of our slurps as they slide down our throats.

"What's that smell?" I asked, still failing to identify that special aroma that made the ramyun exponentially tempting. "I can't seem to get it. It's like freshly ground nuts."

Jiwoo smiled patronizingly. "Almost there."

"I get it!" I exclaimed. "It's sesame oil. Did I have one in the pantry?"

Jiwoo nodded and suddenly spoke in fluent Korean. "You done with the noodles? Shall we mix in the rice?"

"Fuck! You can speak Korean?" I answered back in equally fluent but less than respectful Korean. "I can't believe this."

Jiwoo laughed loudly. "There's a charity institute that teaches us Korean-Filipinos about the language and the culture of the swines who left us to rot here."

Jiwoo was laughing but what he said felt like a heavy blow. Not to me, per se, but it was painful to hear nonetheless.

him?" I asked.

do you hate someone you haven't met? Anyway, you haven't answered

issue anymore and it wouldn't be respectful if I probed further.

his bowl and mine. We let the rice

"When it comes to instant noodles, Shin Ramyun really is

in agreement. "Eat some

culture? I knew that his father was a Korean

honest with you..." I began, "I have a lot

a spoonful of rice

used to work in Korea, you

turning to his chopsticks to get a piece of kimchi

Group's head

Jiwoo asked. "And you quit

head. "I got fired because

spoon but Jiwoo kept on

have something to

For getting

head again. "If not for him, then I

I couldn't stop myself

bowl. He

said. "Which is why

at me and it was making

mean; you know..." I didn't know how to put it the subtlest way possible. "I

more and more scared that I was somehow offending him with my

told me you were willing to date me if I pay up. You said you'd sleep me if I pay up.

spoke. "You have every right to

by looking

compared to that

not what I meant,"

I can't even afford an iPhone. It's natural to doubt people like me. And that's partly why

quiet

get me wrong, though." Jiwoo added abruptly.

ever;

"Just give me a few years, BJ. I'll make sure I

is he going to match up our accumulated wealth when he's doesn't have any capital to

do you like me?" I

in thought. "I was