Chapter 18

We left the library at five in the afternoon.

“You wanted to go somewhere to eat?” Nadia asked. Since we put our bags in the locker, we didn't bring any food or drink with us. I already have a drink, but I haven't yet eaten. I'm quite hungry.

“There are a lot of restaurants nearby.” Nadia showed us her phone.

This area had a lot of malls and good spots, albeit being in the center of the city, they could be kind of expensive. Carol pressed on the screen, picking a spot. The restaurant served ramen and was located inside the mall. We could take the bus there.

“Sure, we can go there,” Nadia said after seeing the spot Carol picked. “I'll order a car.”

“You didn't have your driver drive you here?” Carol asked.

“I thought we might take a while, so I told him to go back. Anyway, order made.”

… Guess the bus is quite crowded at this time.

As if confirming my thoughts, a bus full of people drove by. I already received payment from Nadia, so I do have the money for an online taxi, but I still prefer to take public transport when available.

The driver the app selected for us was quite far away. It might take around five minutes for the car to arrive.

“Guess we'll wait here.”

We stood by the side of the road, waiting for our driver.

“You really do like reading, Carol?”

“It makes my troubles melt away.”

“Huh, really?” Nadia asked.

“For a moment, I don't have to worry about real life.” Carol gazed at the orange skies. Clouds filled the sky when we arrived, but now, we could see none in the afternoon sky.

“It's like being a different me. One that is free to do anything I want.”

“... I see…”

“Do you not feel the same?”

Nadia smiled. “I can't get into it as much as you.”

I did notice Nadia checking her phone a couple of times after Rizka left. I wonder if the two talked about their jobs. They only talked for a short while.

Our car arrived, and we got in it. Cars filled the road, so the supposedly short drive took a bit of time.

“Here we are.”

“Thank you.”

Nadia already paid for the drive. We left the online taxi and headed to the building. Our first destination would be the restaurant Carol picked. I figured all three of us must be somewhat hungry.

We enjoyed a meal together, talking about various things. Our presence attracted attention, unsurprising considering the two people I had with me.

“Phew… Thanks for the recommendation, Carol. That was great.”

“Yeah, it’s really delicious.”

The ramen costs around thirty thousand Rupiah. While I would consider it expensive for food, it’s on the cheaper end for ramen. I don’t eat out often, so I don’t mind spending a bit when with friends.

“... Look at the time. I need to go,” Carol murmured.

It had gotten quite late. The clock showed eight in the evening. I should get going as well.

“Alright, see you on Monday, Carol.”

“See you.” Carol waved to the two of us as she disappeared into the mall.

“I should get going-”

“Do you want to accompany me?” Nadia asked all of a sudden.

“... Huh? Where? You're not going home?”

“We still have two hours before the mall closes. It's fine.”

“Well, I guess…”

“I'll pay for your taxi home, so don't worry about it.”

Since she already paid for the drawing, she didn't need to do that. Maybe she felt responsible for holding me up. Still, she only asked me. I wonder why.

“... Where do you want to go?”

This is a large mall. I doubt we could visit all the shops in the two hours we have left.

“Do you want to buy some clothes?”

Nadia shook her head. “I want you to accompany me grocery shopping.”

“You don't have someone to do that for you?”

“Actually…” Nadia scratched her cheeks. “I… might have someone I want to cook for.”

“Huh?”

“You know about how people say food can make you talk?”

“... Huh? As in an interrogation method?”

“Of course not.” Nadia laughed. “I can't remember the exact words, but basically, eating with someone can make you open yourself up to them.”

“I think I've heard something like that before.”

I remember seeing a sticker with those kinds of words in a food court somewhere. I couldn't recall where and the exact words, though.

“I can't cook, but I want to learn, I guess? Just one dish is enough.”

“I can teach you.”

“Huh, really?”

Since I live alone, I must cook for myself. I would love to rely on instant foods, but those weren't healthy, and it would make my mother worry, defeating the point of living alone. I need to be a responsible adult.

“What do you want to cook? I can help you find the ingredients.”

“... The person likes beef… I think.”

“Beef? I like beef, so I think I can help with that.”

I had several recipes under my belt.

“Do you want a main dish or a side dish?”

“... Main dish?”

“How about we try making rawon, then? It's really easy to make.”

“I don’t mind.”

We headed to the basement… well, maybe ground floor? The mall’s lobby was located higher than the surroundings, so if we used the lobby as a reference, then the grocery store was located in the basement. But that basement was the same level as the surrounding area.

“Alright, first things first. We'll go for the most important part of it all.”

The beef. Without the beef, there would be no rawon. We made our way toward the meat area, passing by the pasta aisle.

“Oh, I've cooked this before.” Nadia reached down for a box of instant macaroni.

“Those are great.”

“I know, right?”

“Yeah, they go well with rice.”

Nadia stared at me. “What?”

“I was in a rush that day, so I cooked them, packed some rice, and went on my way.”

“... Okay…”

She seemed baffled. Could the news of me cooking instant food be that surprising? After that little detour, we headed to the back. The store had many kinds of meat on display. We had a ton of options.

“I think we should go with this one.” She picked up one labeled with ‘premium Australian beef’. The price? Expensive.

“By the way, which recipe will we be using?”

Are you not going to consider that?

Maybe she didn’t consider the price of the meat too expensive. If anything, could she be using these kinds of ingredients daily? The premium ones? Wow, I would consider that even more surprising than me cooking macaroni.

“Is the recipe complicated?”

I took out my phone and looked through a recipe app. I had saved all the recipes I used and liked. It didn't take long to find the one.

“This one here.”

“I see… We’re using pre-made seasoning?”

“Yes, it’s better for beginners.”

She then listed all the ingredients she already had. We went around, putting more items in our cart.

“Let's get the seasoning next.”

Admittedly, using pre-made seasoning felt like cheating, but I’m not a chef. I could make regular salted soup with well… salt, but I use pre-made seasoning for anything more complicated. As luck would have it, some of the products in the seasoning section were on sale. I picked one up and was about to put it into our basket when she stopped me.

“... Isn't this brand better?” Nadia asked, pointing to a different brand. It had a fancier packaging and a fancier price as well. That said, I think I had heard about the brand before. Many claimed that it indeed tasted better. But it cost twice what I picked. Since this one had a discount, I could buy four for the cost for one package of the premium brand.

“Well, maybe, but it's way more expensive.”

“...”

Nadia seemed unsure. In the end, she would be the one cooking. She needed this for her friend or family. For whoever she wanted to cook for. If she wanted to buy the expensive seasoning, then I guess I had no choice. Maybe she liked the taste more, I don't know.

“I guess we can go for that one.”

“Yeay!” She smiled and grabbed two packs. We looked for more stuff we needed, and then headed to the cashier.