"Sorry," he said.

"Why did you do that? I have been looking forward to it for two months!" Tears came to her eyes and she was yet to realise that.

He did not say anything. But his heart was racing. He felt a little guilty but he was more scared of what she'd do next. To think that she'd cry.

"Get out. Get out now!" she raised her voice but it was still levelled.

He looked down, saying nothing and he continued eating.

"I'm talking to you."

"I'm eating!" He had a frown but it eased completely when he looked back at her face.

She was not just angry anymore. She felt done. She contemplated if she should snatch his food and dump it away. But she was a person of her own and she liked to respect the other person just as much. However, sometimes it was simply impossible. She let him be.

"Please leave after you are done and don't ever come here again." Her tears flowed out and she quickly turned away.

She went into the bedroom and closed the door shutting him out. Outside, in the dining room, the man had no appetite anymore. He still chugged the food.

...

Later he knocked on her door gently. Of course she did not respond.

"I'm sorry." All of this was way better than being strangers who met for sex every once in a while. Now they had something to bother each other about, even if it was unpleasant. 2 hours later, his mood wasn't that down anymore.

"I'm sorry. Why don't I take you to a park? I just searched and there's one nearby."

"Are you asleep?" he said after 5 minutes.

"Should we eat out for lunch or shall I make something?"

"What's your favourite dish?"

"Fine, but I do have something very important to tell you. Are you sure you won't regret not knowing it?"

He heard some shuffling inside from time to time. She was definitely not asleep.

"I won't tell you if you don't open the door."

She opened the door then, asking him harshly, "Just move yourself out of here. Please."

His heart kept sinking yet, he didn't know where his guts kept coming from. He was even slightly enjoying this. He gave her a sad smile.

She felt guilty too but more than that she felt outright discomfort from seeing him in her house. She felt invaded. "You forgot the contraceptive." He said after some thought. The frown on her face went away as she blinked.

"Ah.. I did forget this time." She said more to herself. He was being so hard to deal with, that he ate up half her brain. No wonder she forgot. She quickly opened a nearby drawer, pulled a tablet out and took it.

He stood there watching her. Every other time she'd take one as soon as they were done and then she'd leave. Yesterday he kept kissing her until she fell asleep after they were done. His original intention had been to impregnate her.

This was the longest time he had spent with her alone and at one stretch until now and he had a better idea about her. Even if they had a baby, she'd leave them. Or worse much, she'd simply get it aborted the moment she knew she was pregnant.

"Thanks," she said softly.

"I want to live with you." He held her hand and said looking her in the eye.

She looked at him and did not know what to say. Handling a situation like this was easy to her but considering he just did her a favour just before, she did not have the heart to reject him outright. It was just like what happened when he asked her out. Out of respect for their friendship, she said yes.

"How... How long?"

He again gave her the same smile she would often on his face. It was bitter and grim.

"I can manage my work from anywhere. So for a long time." He wanted to say forever but he'll keep it for a time when she'd be more accepting.

Five minutes passed and she still did not say anything.

"Why do you want to live by yourself like this?"

She still did not answer.

"Do you bring people here? Men?" There had never been such a doubt in his heart but how was he to get an answer?

"What?" When he saw her slow reaction, he squeezed his eyes shut.

"... Do you bring men here for the night?" He still said. The words he uttered were't going to erase themselves from history. Adding on would not do any new damage. Who knows, he might get an answer.

"You've known me since school. Do you think I will?"

"Then why?"

"Fine, think whatever you want." She ended the conversation.

"I didn't think anything like that. I don't think like that, alright?" He said desperately, but she didn't acknowledge. She left the house quickly. She hoped he would lock the door when he left. There were quite a few valuables in there.

...

She returned late. She could have gone home earlier but she contemplated if he left yet.

In the quiet space, the click of the door was sharp.

The lights were off and the house seemed empty. But something felt off. It was warm. Was he still around?

She walked a little in and turned on the light. Silver shined on the table. The food was still wrapped hot. She sighed.

She had already had an early dinner and then strolled through the city square for three whole hours before she returned. She was hungry. She sat and ate peacefully.

When he heard the door open and close, he was finally relieved. He tried to sleep but he was wide awake.

When he walked out to greet her she was eating what he had cooked. She looked a little lost and a little dreamy.

"If you like that food so much, you should consider having me around."

She looked at the sudden interruption startled. He watched for some time leaning on the wall. Then he left her alone and went into the bedroom, finally falling asleep as soon as he fell into the mattress.

After she was done eating and cleaning, she was ready for sleep too.

When she saw their bed, she shouted, "Sleep on one side!" The man was sprawling across the bed leaving her no space.

He did not budge.

She pulled him off the bed holding one hand. She moved him a foot and that was enough for him to wake up.

"Hmm?" he squinted his eyes. He pulled her onto the bed, adjusted himself and her.

She struggled. It was outright embarrassing, and uncomfortable, the way her breasts were squeezed together, and one half out of her slip beneath her nightgown. "Roll over, roll over!" she kept disturbing him.

"Shh..."

And he hugged her till morning.

...