Last night's meeting continued into dinner.
On the way home, while driving, she suddenly asked,
"Are you hungry? I happen to be hungry. Want to eat together?"
I politely declined, making up an excuse about some work I had to finish...
"Come on. I don't like eating alone."
Then Sherly joined in with a meow.
"Even Sherly wants to eat. Right, Sherly?"
She tickled Sherly's neck.
And suddenly, my stomach growled loudlyâI was sure it was clearly audible in the enclosed one-by-two-meter space. I felt embarrassed and knew it would be difficult to refuse any further.
"See? You're hungry too, aren't you?"
Haaaah. Alright. I checked the time; it wasn't too late for a heavy meal.
"Okay, let's eat."
"What should we eat?"
"Do you want All You Can Eat?"
"Hmmm. Sounds good, especially when you're really hungry."
"But wait. Is Sherly allowed inside?"
I glanced at Sherly.
"Oh yeah, good point. I don't know, but don't worry. We can figure it out."
Talia answered confidently.
I felt a bit unsure, but why not give it a try? We then headed toward Gandaria, where one of the outlets was located.
***
The menu at the outlet was simple, but complete for an All You Can Eat place, and the prices were reasonableâranging from one hundred to two hundred thousand. The place was very crowded. We had to follow a waiting list to get a table, but luckily it wasn't a long wait. After about ten minutes, a female waiter called out the name "Wisnu." We were led to our table. Once seated, the waitress explained the rules for the All You Can Eat: 90 minutes total, 60 minutes to pick your food and the last 30 minutes to finish eating. Any leftovers would incur a fine.
Talia and I chose the Premium Beef menu. We took just enough of each meat cut: Bulgogi, Spicy Bulgogi, Honey Soy. There was chicken meat. But, we didn't take it because it wasn't very appetizing.
It was funny. For the first fifteen minutes, we ate with cool, hesitant to eat heartily. Then, we stare at each other awkwardly.
"Aren't you hungry?"
The question came out simultaneously from both me and Talia. We then burst into laughter.
"Okay, you stay here and watch Sherly. I'll get another the meat."
Oh, by the way, Sherly was allowed inside, as long as she stayed in the bag. If she was seen outside, we could be asked to leave.
While eating, we talked. I shared about my work as a financial consultant, and Talia revealed that she was a doctorâa cardiologist, to be exact. She graduated from a country in Europe and is now working at a renowned hospital in the capital. Her work hours are sometimes unpredictable, even though she has a regular schedule. Often, she has to work during emergencies. Even if she's off-duty, she must still come to the hospital for urgent surgeries. She's only been officially working for three months since taking her oath. So, why was she okay with eating meat? Isn't it bad for the heart? Well, it technically is. But she had two reasons: firstâshe also loves meat and had been holding back from eating it for two months; secondâsince I recommended the place, she didn't want to refuse someone who had helped her. Okay, fair enough.
"What made you decide to become a cardiologist?"
I asked curiously while flipping the meat on the grill.
"Hmmm. It's a long story."
"I think we have plenty of time."
"My grandfather died of heart failure."
She spoke a bit melancholily, her face showing signs of recalling past memories. Her chewing slowed down. I felt bad for asking.
"I'm sorry. Maybe we can save that story for later. I don't want to ruin your appetite."
She smiled.
"I couldn't finish all this by myself."
"It's okay."
She eagerly picked up the cooked meat and resumed the conversation.
"When I was little, I was very close to my grandfather. Since my parents were busy, I was often left at his house. He was kind and loving. He taught me many things, from gardening to making kites."
"You know how to make kites?"
"Yes, but I'm not good at flying them. They always get cut by other kites."
I laughed at her response.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Nothing. It's just funny to see your annoyed expression."
"Can you fly kites?"
"Hey, don't underestimate me. In high school, I won the kite competition three years in a row, beating fifty to a hundred participants aged fifteen to forty."
Talia folded her arms, looking skeptical.
"You don't believe me? There's a kite competition downtown next month. Let's join it so you can see my kite-flying skills in action."
I chewed my Bulgogi proudly.
"Show-off."
"Not showing off. Confident. Right, Sherly?"
I offered a piece of raw meat to Sherly.
"Don't take it, Sherly. That's from Mr. Show-off. Here, have some meat from Ms. Talia."
Sherly's head in the bag eagerly snatched the meat from Talia.
"Ahhh... That's not fair."
I grumbled in annoyance. Talia laughed at me.
For ninety minutes, besides talking and eating, Talia, Sherly, and I took photos together using Talia's phone camera. We took selfies and even asked the waitresses to take pictures for us. We both fell silent afterward, too full from finishing all the food we'd taken. Talia paid for the meal as a thank-you for today and offered to give me a ride home. In the car, we didn't talk much. Sherly slept comfortably in the bag. Besides feeling full, I was also fighting off drowsiness. I felt too awkward to fall asleep, even though we now seemed like old friends.
She drove me to the lobby of my apartment, where I thanked her for today and said goodbye.
"Wisnu."
"Yes?"
"It seems like you forgot something."
"What is it?"
I tried to think of what I'd missed.
"Hmmm. How will we meet again?"
"We'll WhatsApp each other."
I was about to open the car door again.
"Do you even have my number?"
I thought again and innocently answered, "No." Sorry, it must be the fatigue talking.
"Where's your phone?"
I took out my phone.
Talia typed in her number and called it. I heard the familiar ringtone of a half-eaten apple logo.
"Don't forget to call me."
"Alright. You be careful on the road too. Goodnight."
Sherly and I stepped out of the car.
Before I closed the door from the outside, I asked, "Was this a date?"
Talia just smiled without answering, only saying, "Get some rest." She then drove off, and I only entered the lobby once she was completely out of sight.
***
Once I reached my room, I let Sherly out of thebag, charged my phone, and immediately fell asleep without changing clothes. Islept the soundest I had in a long time.