If We Make It to the End

The Shortage

Jay and Sunghoon adjusted rather quickly in a span of living 5 days as roommates. They agreed silently on staying away from each other’s business and would not spend the day with the other at the same place. Sometimes Sunghoon would go out to buy personal essentials, and Jay would enjoy himself at home. If Jay would be the one to go out he usually strolls around and buy appliances that are not in the dorm, in turn Sunghoon would clean around the house.

These things are avoided by the other, Sunghoon still use the plastic Dining ware, and would refrain from using the television, microwaves, and the air cooler Jay bought. He feels that Jay would make him pay for everything that he uses. And he doesn’t want that, as he is a struggling college student who is still jobless and would be penniless in the span of another week.

The two would only meet at the evening. They prefer to dine in the dorm rather outside, it was just too much hassle for Jay and scary for Sunghoon, besides Sunghoon could only afford noodles these days.

Every night after their first night however, Sunghoon can’t eat properly. After their staring contest where he felt that odd sensation, he couldn’t get his mind off it. This resulted into awkward glances.

Every now and then he would find himself looking at Jay, and when Jay would look back, he would direct his vision somewhere else, and this somewhere else is Jay’s food. This didn’t go unnoticed; Jay would feel two eyes looking his way but when he looks at the other his eyes are on his food.

“Stop staring at my food.” Jay broke the silence, Sunghoon lift his sight from the table and looked back at Jay. He was about to reply when Jay spoke.

“If you want it so bad you should just ask, or better yet order one for yourself.” Jay snapped, looking away from the other and ate the piece of meat in his fork.

Sunghoon felt ashamed, he just dropped his head and continued to eat his noodles. It was silent once again between the two, only the sound of slurping and metal hitting porcelain are heard.

Suddenly, jay pushed a bowl near Sunghoon. The latter looked at its content – meat, corn, and pineapple chunks. The smell flooded his nose, it has been long since he last eaten a proper meal. He was still jobless, and he was trying to make his money last which is quite difficult as it is not that much, and he also have a dream to pay for. He knows that letting go of the ice would make his life financially easier, but he couldn’t let go of it. It’s his first love after all.

“Eat that.” Jay stood up and left the kitchen to enter his room. Sunghoon looked at the other as it walked pass him and mutter a quiet ‘thank you’.

'Well that was new.' Sunghoon thought as it is out of Jay's character.

Naturally, it has been a routine for the both of them to be home by 9pm, no matter if they both go out or only one of them. When dinner time comes, which is 10pm, Jay would order something and Sunghoon would cook ramen if he didn't went out earlier, if he did he would grab a takeout on the way home and eat it. He do not know why, but he would usually wait for the other's food to come before he eats his own food. Maybe because while Sunghoon was growing up he would always wait for his parents, and he picked up that mannerism up to this date. Then they would eat in silence, Jay would stand up silently and walk to his room, leaving Sunghoon to clean up the dishes.

Sunghoon find it annoying at first, but as time goes by he felt comfort and happiness in washing the plates and throwing out the trash. It could be the thrill of responsibility, a realization that he is now going to be independent from his parents. That is why he chose to not complain, plus it help him let the time pass by. A part of their routine at night is taking a shower and since there is only one bathroom they always took turn. Since Jay is always the first to finish, he would be the first to clean himself and by the time Sunghoon finish the chores he would be out of the shower.