"Eat this, too."
Azer pushed the plate of roasted chicken to her, which made her raise eyebrows. 'Is this man going to stuff me food until I explode?' She thought inwardly, scanning the food in front of her. Almost all the plates they ordered were in her space.
"I can't eat all of this," Amara answered, pushing back the plate to him. Azer stared at her like someone testing the waters, "I'm not trying to look coy or holding myself back, okay? I really can't eat all of this."
Does Azer think she gobbled food twice the normal servings because of her physique? It was a bit annoying if that was the case. She pouted and pushed back the plate.
"Don't pout. I feel like you're misunderstanding me," Azer grinned. He could easily tell what she was thinking. "I didn't say to eat all of them. I just wanted you to taste everything I ordered. They're all my favorite food."
"All of this?"
"Yes."
"Do you eat them regularly?" She asked in disbelief. The table was full, and almost every source of protein was served to them. She was surprised to find that all types of foods were his favorite. "So, if I don't finish them, you'll do?"
"As I should."
Her jaw fell. All of that? Azer chuckled. No matter what she did, he couldn't find her less amusing. He seemed to be talking more, smiling more, and expressing himself more around her. That feeling was something he didn't want to leave behind or abandon.
On the other hand, Amara was amazed albeit shocked. She just found out that Azer eats the same amount ten people can eat in one sitting. Surprisingly though, the dishes he ordered were delicious. She enjoyed every bite of each meal, losing attention to her surroundings, even to her companion.
They were having lunch at an average diner in the capital proper after walking around the establishments and talking about random things. Azer insisted on buying her clothes even after she refused many times.
'I'm taking five pairs.'
'Why so many? One is enough!' She exclaimed and stopped the store employee from putting five pairs of indoor slippers into a box. Her eyes widened when she saw the price of each, but she stopped herself from scolding Azer.
'You'll need two. One for you, one for me. Two are spares, and the last one, you can display it on your bedside table, so you'll think of me every time you sleep,' Azer replied shamelessly.
Who would display slippers in their room? Amara laughed after recalling what happened in one of the stores they visited. Even when some people recognized her and gave her the same look she always got, she didn't lower her head or hunched her back. She was laughing at his silliness and didn't want anything to ruin that atmosphere.
"You laugh. Do you think I can't eat all of this? Watch me," Azer caught her attention again. He ripped a leg on the roasted chicken and ate it without caring about the sauce smearing on his lips. He ate like a starved knight fighting at the frontlines – like his life was on the line.
Not long after, the roasted chicken was nowhere to be found.
He took the napkin and wiped his mouth gracefully as if he hadn't just devoured a whole chicken in seconds. She broke into laughter. Where was the man who always made her uncomfortable with his piercing and mysterious gaze? The man who she thought didn't even know how to stretch his lips into a smile?
She shook her head and wiped the tears at the corner of her eyes. She was tearing in joy because of him – because of his silly antics.
Every moment spent with him was a surprise. She learned many things about him – from his favorite foods to his other personalities. Slowly, she was beginning to unravel the enigma surrounding him.
"Wait here. I have something to give you."
Amara took two small boxes from the cabinet in her stock room while she made Azer wait by the counter. She held the boxes with care, as they contained the mugs she created.
"What are those?"
"A gift. You gave me many things, but I haven't given you anything in return."
Azer leaned on the edge of the counter, crossed his legs, and folded his arms. He cocked his head and answered, "I didn't give them wanting something in return."
"I know. But I hate it when I'm the only one who keeps receiving. I want to give you something too," she gave the boxes to him, "It's not much, but I made it myself."
Azer accepted. He opened the box in her front, and a smirk showed in his face. He held the mug by the bottom rim, "Is this supposed to be me?"
Although Amara was confused, she just nodded as she sometimes thought how cunning and scary he was, just like a wolf painted in the mug. Since she remembered him saying that he likes wolves, she drew one on another mug.
"And this one?"
"You can give it to your friend – the one in the cash register."
"Pfft."
Amara wrinkled her forehead, "What?"
Was her drawing so ugly he'd laugh? She asked herself. If she were to choose, the bunny mug was cuter than the wolf one. She hadn't seen a wolf in her life, and only saw them printed on black and white papers, so she could only draw a black wolf with white eyes.
The finished product looks more like a cat, in fact. But he's laughing at the rabbit.
"Hans won't use this. This is too cute for him; he'd scrunched his face and shuddered," Azer replied and chuckled.
"Oh. I didn't think of it," she went to him and tried to take the mug, but he stretched his arm up while looking down at her. "Give it to me, I'll just make another one again."
Azer, still holding up the mug above, answered, "There's no need. You can use this every time you visit the shop."
"But, what about Hans?"
"Don't make one for him. I'll get jealous."
"W-What?" She stammered at his answer. Her cheeks reddened.
His free arm grabbed her hand and pulled her closer. She bumped into his hard chest, and his other hand, free from holding the mug, wrapped around her waist. He rested his chin above her head, which almost didn't reach his shoulders, and hugged her tight.
He played the ends of her curly hair with his fingers. Then, he softly mumbled, "I went home. I had to fix something back there, and it took me days. I can't tell you it won't happen again. I'm not certain I can stay here every day."
He sighed heavily and burrowed his face on her neck, "It's frustrating."
Amara stayed silent. She just wrapped her hand around his neck and caressed the back of his head. She never intended to ask about his escapades, she was determined to wait for him to tell her more. What she only wanted was to, at least, send her messages whenever he was away. Even just a single text or a short letter.
Is his home so far away that he couldn't even do that? She felt anxious if she didn't hear from him. What if he never returned? What if something happened to him?
"Are you going away again?" She whispered.
"No. Not in the meantime, but…"
"If…you're going in the morrow, stay with me the night before. Once you arrive at your destination, send me a letter saying that," Amara bowed her head and laughed bitterly, "I looked funny, didn't I? I'm acting like your wife already when it's only been a week since we're together…"
She paused, looked him in the eyes, and continued, "We're in 'that' relationship, right?"
She wanted assurance from his own mouth.
Azer bent down and pecked her lips lightly, then he mumbled above her lips, "I don't kiss someone I'm not in a relationship with. I don't do this to anyone but you. I've never done this to anyone except you. You're the only one, Amara."
Her lips were attacked again. It was a sweet offense, that even without knocking, the gates were opened and happily let the attacker in. The heat rushed into her head and her mind turned into mush once again.
She had forgotten her worries, her queries, and her curiosities. She was once again enveloped in that calming scent of the night forest, lulling her into oblivion.
As the golden rays of the setting sun abandoned the shop, and shadows disappeared into the night, she was again reminded of one thing that she wanted to know about him most. She doesn't care if he won't tell her everything.
Just answer the question that had been bugging her the most.
When their lips parted, she cupped his cheeks and mumbled, "Just tell me, who are you, Azer?"