I couldn't believe it when I found myself agreeing to marry my best friend that night.
**a ForthBeam short story**
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author...
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Leaving Kalayaan, I felt a sense of relief that I hadn't experienced all week. Pathcutters really came through for me by connecting me with two skilled laborers who were ready to start working the next day. These brothers had just finished a temporary contract with another company in a nearby town and were now seeking permanent employment. The administrator mentioned that if I approved of their work, they would likely be interested in staying on long-term.
It was like a stroke of luck when the woman found me two guys who had valid tickets and were ready to start right away. I was still in need of one more worker, and there was no telling if the new guys would be up to the task, but I had no choice but to make do with what I had.
I had somehow managed to make up for lost time over the past three days. We weren't too far off from our schedule, and for once, I was able to leave work on time. It felt like a little miracle.
When I arrived home, it was even more amazing to find Beam waiting with a delicious dinner. I had no clue what he had prepared, but since I had skipped lunch, I was famished. Even if he served me BBQ-sauce-covered shoe leather, I would devour it without complaint.
Well, maybe not exactly shoe leather, but I wasn't going to be choosy. I was simply grateful that I didn't have to cook or clean up afterwards.
Things was definitely starting to look brighter.
**
Version 1:
As soon as I got back, I noticed Beam's car parked in front of my building once more. Great! I was really hungry. I entered, hoping to catch a whiff of something... anything... but there was no scent at all.
"Are you here?" I shouted while bending down to untie my work boots.
"In here," he replied.
I took off my boots and then headed to the kitchen, guided by the sound of his voice. He was busy rummaging through the cupboards.
"What are you looking for?"
"Pancake mix," he replied.
"Pancake mix?"
He paused his search in the pantry and turned towards me, saying, "This is the only thing I know how to prepare."
"Seriously?"
"Jesus Christ, Forth! It feels like we've known each other for ages. Do you remember ever seeing me cook?"
I pondered over it, racking my brain for any recollection. I was certain there had to be something, somewhere. However, my efforts proved fruitless.
"How did I not notice that you don't cook?"
"I honestly have no clue. You were the one who devised the consequences for our bowling bet. Perhaps you should have given it more consideration."
