Twenty Four

When Tama came home that afternoon, he noticed that his stomach was rumbling. And that confused him for a moment. Because this afternoon after school, before he and Reki went to the distro, they took the time to eat first. So, yes, Tama's stomach is actually full now. So, why now there are noises coming from his stomach?

Ehm ... maybe because of that appetizing scent.

Tama immediately took off his school shoes in a hurry. Entered and strode quickly into the kitchen only to be flabbergasted in amazement.

"Wow!"

Tama circled the small dining table which was already full of the food. Without further ado, the boy put his school bag on the floor and pulled up a chair. Sitting there with sparkling eyes looking at the variety of food there.

He raised his face. Staring at Eshika who was wearing an apron draining the tofu that she had just removed from the frying pan. Then she turned off the stove.

"This is just a model wife!" praises Tama giving Eshika two rounds of applause. The girl was about to fold her face into a frown in response to Eshika's compliment.

Ignoring Eshika who looked sullen as she removed the apron from her body, Tama reached out to grab a piece of pastel. Without further ado, Tama immediately took a bite of the appetizing fried food.

Eshika looked at him with waiting eyes. And a few seconds later came Tama's panicked cry.

"Argh!"

Tama glared at Eshika. Quickly stood up and opened the refrigerator door to get a bottle of mineral water. He drank the cold water with his eyes glistening in annoyance at Eshika.

"You did it on purpose?"

Eshika sneered. "That's a new recipe. These days people like food all spicy. Spicy meatballs, even spicy fried."

"You..." Tama growled while sticking out his spicy tongue. Back drinking water, Tama coughed. "How dare you tease me."

Eshika slammed her apron. "I'm not going to bully you, if you don't get me into trouble first!" replied the girl.

Tama's hands are on her waist. "Am I wrong again?"

"Let's look back," said Eshika with tears in her eyes and tilted her head as she looked at Tama. "Who started all this?" His index finger pressed against Tama's chest. "You, Tam. You started to work on me and made my life uneasy."

Tama's lips twitched at Eshika's judgment. "Okay!" I'm Tama. "But let's look back." Tama deliberately parroted Eshika's words. "When was the last time I bullied you? It's been a long time. When I was in first grade."

Eshika closed her mouth.

"Well now?" asked Tom. "Obviously you were the one who did me first?" Tama narrowed her eyes. "Basically, I like spicy, Esh. How many cayenne peppers did you put in the pastel?"

Eshika didn't answer. Will Tama hang herself if she finds out that the pastel is actually stir-fried cayenne pepper?

Uh!

Just imagining it made Eshika tremble all over. Yes, shaking at the thought of the taste of stir-fried cayenne pepper in pastels. And imagine Tama's reply.

Tama cleared her throat with a rhythm. "Ehm... that means don't blame me, okay if I reply to your behavior later."

Eshika turned her head, but still didn't say anything.

"Because you started first!" Tama said while pressing Eshika's forehead with her index finger. "Just get ready to get a consequence from me."

"Y-you…," Eshika growled.

"What? What?" challenged Tama. "You were the one who started looking for me because of me. Even though I haven't asked you for a long time."

Eshika snorted. "Not bothering me?" asked Eshika scornfully at the boy.

"Indeed, the proof," said Tama lightly. "I haven't bothered you in a long time. Since grade 1. That meatball sauce was my last nosy."

"Whoa, whoa!" Eshika fixed her gaze on the boy. "That's what you realize. What you don't realize? So many."

Tama's eyes flickered. "Is it like I was the one who teased you when I wasn't aware of that? When I was sleeping?"

Eshika's eyes closed dramatically. When he opened his eyes, he looked at Tama with an annoyed look.

"You don't realize that lately all the problems that have happened to me is because of you?" asked Eshika.

This time, it was Tama who seemed to be contemplating Eshika's words. "Me?"

Listening to the surprised tone of voice, it instantly made Eshika feel irritated.

"You forgot?" asked Eshika furiously. "Who did Laura beat me up for? I had to call BK for the first time because of who? Who did I go too far with Alex all night because of who?"

Tama furrowed her brow.

"And earlier, I was confronted by a girl again because I just wanted to clarify our relationship!" Eshika screamed. "Just how many girls do I have to face just because of you, Tam?!"

"Hah?"

Tama stares.

Eshika seemed to be breathing passionately. And Tama was sure, if Eshika was a dragon, she must have been roasted by the fire breath that was emitted from the girl's nose.

But ....

"Bound by a girl?" asked Tama digesting the words spoken by Eshika. "Who blocked you?"

Eshika exhaled in annoyance. "Evil!"

"Oh, Esh! I asked. Who blocked you?" asked Tama while grabbing Eshika's hand.

Eshika immediately brushed away Tama's hand. He looked at the boy with a look that was difficult for Tama to interpret.

"Can you tell the group of girls who are fans of you not to ask me all kinds of things? After all, we don't have a relationship. Why are you even clarifying it to me?"

"Clarification?"

Eshika snorted again. "Just wait, Tam. If there are other girls who are still busy asking me about you, I will automatically bully you!"

"And if you make fun of me because of someone else, I'll automatically get back at you!" said Tama.

Eshika bit her lower lip. Seemed to think and then said. "Just look. I'm going to complain to your Mom and talk about you nonsense!"

Tama's eyes bulged.

"Anyway," continued Eshika. "I don't want to know! I don't want to deal with those girls who are waiting in line to be your girlfriends!"

Tama wanted to say something, but it seemed the irritation had really boiled Eshika's blood. The girl stomped away from the kitchen as she said as she pointed to the dining table.

"And these! Get rid of it all! Just be careful if you don't finish it! I told your Mom!"

Tama couldn't help but stare at how fierce Eshika's eyes and voice were when she said that before actually leaving the kitchen. Leaving himself alone with various foods on the table. When Tama looked at the foods, they tasted like pastels, risoles, stuffed tofu, corn cakes, and bakwan waving at her.

A moment later, when Tama sat down, he reached for the pastel he had only eaten half of. Looking inside, Tama just shook his head at the contents of the pastel. Then, Tama casually chewed the pastel.

After the pastel finished, Tama reached for the corn cakes which had almost turned green instead of yellow. Biting it, Tama frowned slightly.

"Um...."

He finished eating one corn cake while groaning.

"If you use Eshika's spicy standard, this is definitely really spicy. But, if I just need a little adjustment."

Tama smirked. Take another fry. Turning towards Eshika's room, Tama shook his head.

He exhaled. He wiped his hands with a tissue before taking his cell phone out of his uniform pants pocket.

Opening the Instagram application, Tama wrote a story by marking Eshika's account. He wrote this.

If you guys want to know my status, just ask me.

Once again asking via @es_hika, just watch out.

Tama smirked.

Especially when he heard screams from inside Eshika's room.

"TAMAA!!!"

*

tbc ....