The kitchen, which in the morning looked like after a war, now smelled of garlic, onions, and something new. The sun was already setting, an orange light falling through the window, casting long shadows on the clean floor.
Tomas placed the bags on the table. Laura was already digging through them like a small child on Christmas.
– Oh, look! Pasta, tomatoes, chicken, cheese, salad, bread, milk, eggs… – she lifted a package like a trophy, her voice full of joy and surprise. – You bought food for an entire army!
– I didn't know what you liked, – Tomas muttered, turning his eyes away, his voice carrying a hint of embarrassment. – I took whatever was cheaper…
– Cheaper? This is half the store! – she laughed loudly, lightly, and nudged him in the side. Tomas froze – unused to physical contact, his skin tingled from the unexpected warmth, but he didn't pull away.
– Alright, chef, – Laura said, tying the apron around her waist (it was Tomas's, reaching her knees). – I'll chop the vegetables, you fry the chicken. Or… wait, you chop and I fry? Just don't tell me you can't cook – you look like the type who can do anything!
– I can, – he answered, taking the knife, his voice defensive, but inside – warmth, as if he hadn't spoken like this with anyone in a long time. – Just… haven't done it in a while. I don't remember the last time.
They stood side by side. Shoulder to shoulder. Laura cut the tomato – quickly, professionally. Tomas watched, his eyes stopping for a moment on her hands, feeling a strange pull.
– You work as a waitress, but you cut like a chef. How?
– I worked in a kitchen for a couple of years, – she shrugged, her voice with a sad note. – Before Obsidian. Until… until… – she fell silent, her eyes turning sad, her voice breaking off.
Silence. Only the knife on the board. Tok-tok-tok.
– And you? – she asked quietly, her voice trembling, trying to hide her emotions. – Why so many medical books? Were you a student? Or… something more?
Tomas froze. The knife stopped in the air.
– I was, – he answered after a pause, his voice low, heavy with sorrow. – My parents worked in the pharmaceutical field, so they wanted me to be involved with medicine too. But I quit because it didn't interest me. And besides, I don't have my parents anymore.
Laura set down the knife. Turned to him, her eyes full of sympathy.
– I'm sorry… I didn't—
– It's fine, – he said, cutting again, his voice softer, but inside – a storm of memories.
The pan heated. Oil sizzled. Tomas tossed in the chicken pieces – too many at once. Smoke rose.
– Oh no! – Laura grabbed the spatula, her voice filled with laughter and panic. – Too much! It's going to burn!
– I said I haven't cooked in a while, – Tomas muttered, a small hidden smile in his tone.
She threw in onions, garlic. The sauce began to smell like Italy.
– You know, – Laura said, stirring, her voice soft, tinged with sadness. – When I was little, my mom made pasta with sauce like this every Sunday. Back then it felt like we were the happiest people in the world, but reality…
She fell silent.
Tomas stayed quiet. Then slowly, his voice warm and nostalgic:
– My father made an omelette every morning. Even before shifts. He used to say: "A person must eat first, then save others." I… I miss that.
They both went silent. The pan sizzled. The rain outside had stopped.
Laura poured the sauce over the pasta. Sprinkled cheese.
– Enjoy, – she said, handing him the plate, her voice cheerful, trying to lift the mood.
They ate at the table. Quietly. But not awkwardly.
– It's very good, – Tomas said after the first bite, his voice sincere, surprised.
– Really? – her eyes lit up, her face brightening.
– Yes. Very. I haven't eaten something this… home-like in a long time.
Laura took a bite. Then suddenly, her voice lively:
– You know… tomorrow I'm going back to work at Obsidian, so when I get my pay I'll give you money for rent. I promise!
Tomas, chewing quietly:
– I don't need money. It's enough if from time to time you cook dinner and keep the place clean. That's all I need. By the way… do you like working at the bar? – he asked, his voice curious and warm.
Laura thought for a moment:
– Yes, I do like it, but it has its downsides, like drunk customers who get too pushy. And besides, the bar owner really helped me a lot — he's a good person.
Laura asked Tomas:
– You once said you work various jobs but nothing stable. Why don't you look for one stable job, like something in the medical field? Maybe it would get you interested again?
Tomas replied coldly:
– Because no job interests me. Nothing… triggers any emotions.
Laura said:
– I understand. You just haven't found what you like yet. If you want, I can help you find something you might enjoy.
Tomas looked at her. For the first time – really looked.
– Alright, – he said, his voice with gentle surprise.
Laura smiled – wide, to her ears.
– Deal!
They finished eating. Tomas put the dishes in the sink and started washing them. Laura went to the living room, turned on the TV – for the first time in months. Some old movie was playing, and she sat on the sofa.
Tomas brought a couple of beer cans, handed one to Laura, and sat beside her on the sofa. Their shoulders touched.
Then he spoke:
– It's been a long time since I watched TV.
She answered:
– Me too.
They watched quietly. The movie was almost over when Tomas felt Laura's head fall onto his shoulder. Tomas thought: she's probably tired, after all she cleaned the whole apartment — it was a lot of work. He slowly placed her head on a pillow so as not to wake her, stood up, took a blanket, and covered her with it. Then he went to the kitchen, grabbed another beer, sat at the table, took out a notebook, opened the list, and thought: the third point needs to be crossed out. It's completed. Time to start doing the other points, maybe even add more. Then Laura's words echoed in his mind: I'll help you find what you like.
I came up with:
6. Spend a day having fun – "Something fun, something I haven't done in a long time. An amusement park? Games?"
7. Go to the seaside and watch the sunset – "The sea is calm. To see how the sun sets and to feel that life still has colors."
8. Use my medical knowledge to help someone – "My parents' legacy. Maybe help someone like I helped Laura. Use my knowledge for something good, so I would feel useful, not empty anymore."
Tomas stared at the list for a long time until he fell asleep at the table.