It was bound to happen. I saw the fire in Mina's eyes as she walked over to me. It was almost as if I was watching some action movie where the hero's (or the villain's) grand entry is played out in slow motion, often accompanied by them taking out two pistols, one in each hand, ready to rain down the bullets.
Instead, Mina was doing that with two lunch boxes, one on each hand, shoulders exaggeratively spread, looking like a cowboy from the Wild West entering a saloon, but yeah, with lunch boxes.
I remember the day so clearly as if it happened yesterday. But it was two years ago. If someone asked me what was the cringest thing I've ever seen in my life, I would close my eyes and recall that day.
Yes, the day Mina made a lunch box for Juno - my childhood friend, the boy that Mina fancied at that time. She showed me the lunch box she prepared for him to ask me what I thought of it. All I could say was it was cringe. All the decorations, writing of his name in ketchup, and hearts were just out of this world.
"Nana, I made a lunch box for you"
The slow motion returned to normal speed as Mina put the lunch boxes on the desk and smiled. Normalcy of space and time resumed.
"Oh, thank you"
"Open it and try it!"
Mina said so cheerfully and I was bracing myself for what might come. I looked around to make sure that no one would see what I was about to see when I opened the lid. I think I can just about stomach an omelet with my name in ketchup. That much I could allow her.
To my surprise though, the lunch box was very plain and simple. Just as I like it. It was egg-fried rice topped with grilled spam. Lovely.
"Thank you, Mina"
I genuinely appreciated her effort in making this, respecting my taste. I felt bad now that I doubted her until just a moment ago.
"Dig in!"
Mina urged with unfiltered excitement and enthusiasm in her voice.
I took a big scoop of the rice and shoved it into my mouth. Lovely. This was great.
"This is really good!"
"Tehe. Just keep eating"
I will dutifully follow her order if this is the reward. I started to devour the lunch box. I was hungry to start with, but this was just so good.
And then-
:Choke:
Shit. What is this?
I felt like my throat was completely blocked and I couldn't breathe anymore. Was I eating too fast? Should I drink some water to gulp it all down?
I was flailing my arms and pointing at my throat to Mina to indicate I needed her help.
Mina panicked and just took whatever she could grab immediately, which happened to be the math book on my desk from the class just before. She got behind me and whacked me on my back with full force. My throat made a blob sound and something flew out of my mouth.
I could finally breathe and was coming back to my senses.
"Thanks, Mina, you saved my life"
"I'm so sorry, Nana…"
"Well, yeah. You probably didn't have to whack me with a book, but it's alright. It worked anyway"
"No… I mean…"
?
Mina seemed hesitant to say it.
"It's okay. Nothing to worry about"
I gave her a reassuring smile and ruffled her hair.
"I shouldn't have put that in… :sob:"
"Huh? What did you just say?"
"I didn't think this through :sob: I'm sorry"
I had a bad feeling about this. For someone so smart, Mina had an incredible talent for pulling off something super idiotic every now and then.
"What did you put in my lunch…?"
Mina just sobbed a little more and pointed at the thing that flew out of my mouth when she whacked me. I went to check it out and it was…
a frigging pingpong ball??!
"Mina! Why would you?!"
":sob: I thought it would be like a fortune cookie :sob: I hid it in your rice :sob: so you will find it while eating and read it :sob:"
I cleared some rice that was stuck on the ball and found there was something written on it, which said "I love you".
:sigh:
How can I be mad at her?
I walked over to her and hugged her, letting her bury her face in my embrace. I could feel the wetness of her tears. Man. She cries too much. But maybe I would too if I almost killed my girlfriend.
"It's okay. Don't cry"
I comforted her and patted her back, and after some time she was finally calm again. We looked at each other and I found her glistening eyes with just a hint of tears beautiful.
"Man, I gotta drink something. Is this for me too?"
I grabbed the thermo bottle that Mina brought over with the lunch box, turned the cap to open it, and took a big gulp to clear my throat.
"Nana, NO!!!!"
Mina threw herself on me but it was too late.
:Choke:
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.