Attending At Twenty-Four

XI. Eating Habits

"Is she okay?" Mom asks as I come back to the living room.

"Yeah, she doesn't get much sleep usually. She's only just dozed off." I say to Mom when I sit next to her.

"Aw, but she's lovely though." Mom pouted, "Is she still up for dinner?"

"I think so."

"I was thinking of doing Tandoori."

"That sounds nice." I smile slightly, "Ruth's family likes the restaurant."

"Were you guys there today? You should've said hello to your father-"

"No, Mom. They go there for birthday dinners. It's their favourite Indian restaurant."

"Oh, that's wonderful. Ruth needs to let me know when they go next so I can say hi." Mom beamed, "She's so lovely."

"You did say."

"And she definitely likes you back."

"She does not." I shake my head.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Besides, she likes someone."

"Did she tell you that?"

"No, but I heard it earlier."

"She never told us who it was. It could very well be you."

"I really don't think she likes me."

"Okay, if you're so sure." she shrugged.

"I am."

"Okay, fine."

We sat there in silence. I was reflecting about my day and Mom was probably thinking about dinner and how lovely Ruth is.

"You wanna show me what you got?" Mom asked.

"Okay." I nod. I show her the books Ruth demanded me to read, all the clothes she bought for me and the reason behind the stack of notebooks I have.

"She's so kind. Oh! We should give her super voucher for the restaurant. I think I've got a few in the office. Let me go and get them." Mom said before getting up and carefully treading up the stairs. I follow with my shopping but we part ways when I go to my room to put my stuff away.

Ruth was sleeping peacefully on my bed. I noticed that she had cuddled one of my pillows to her chest and she looked so happy and content.

Just as I was about to leave, her voice called out, "Tammy." I turned around but she still had her eyes closed.

"Yeah?" I reply softly. A few minutes passed and she still didn't answer. I go to leave again.

"Tammy."

I turned around and she was still asleep. But she spoke again, "Tammy."

I walked over quietly and sat on the edge of my bed, "Tammy." she mumbled again. I gently ran my hand over her arm as she mumbled my name once again.

"Tammy." this one sounded more relaxed and blissful. My heart flutters at the sound.

"Tammy." she whispered. I wonder if she'll say anything else.

"Tammy." she repeated.

"I'm here," I whisper softly.

"You're here." she said.

"Yes, I am."

"Good." she mumbled and then turned around. I notice that there was a space in the bed. I take my necklace off and swap my outfit for a more comfy one, joggers and a t-shirt, and climb into bed with her. I cautiously place my arms around her and she sighed, "That's good."

I pressed my face into her back and held her while she slept. I did this for about two hours. She hadn't moved at all in that time. But I had to get up to go to the toilet. So I got up and placed the blanket over her and left the room.

Once I was finished and washed my hands, I decided to check back in with Ruth before going off to do something else. When I went back into the room, she was sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"Hey," I smile.

She looked up and then around the room, "Oh, yeah. Hi, I'm just a little disoriented."

"That's fine. Did you sleep okay?" I ask as I sit in front of her on the bed.

"Yeah. No nightmares or anything. It was strange."

"You kept saying my name." I tell her.

"Oh, that happens. I sleep talk when I do sleep and if I'm with someone else I'll say their name because they make me feel safe."

"I make you feel safe?"

"Yeah."

"Ruth, you're so sweet." I pout and pull her into me for a hug.

"I guess." she said, "Did you cuddle me while I was asleep too?"

I pulled away and looked into her blue eyes, "Yes, is that okay?"

"Yes. That's perfect, actually. I only knew because the space beside me was warm and there were cold spots on my body that felt like someone had hugged me and left."

"I see." I nod.

"That was a really nice nap. Thank you." she smiled at me.

"I'm glad I could help." I beam at her.

"I should probably get my trousers back on." she chuckled.

"I should probably get dressed too. Mom doesn't really like it when we wear pyjamas at the dinner table." I laugh.

"That's fair."

"I'll pass you your jeans." I say. I get off the bed and retrieve her pants and her shirt. I give them to her and take my clothes to the bathroom to get changed. When I come back, I see that Ruth has made the bed and is sat on my desk chair, scrolling through her phone.

"Hey," she smiled, looking up.

"Hi," I reply.

"When do you guys normally have dinner?"

"Uh, about six o'clock." I shrug.

"Okay, I just need to let Zoey know because she's all about me eating at proper times and such."

"Do you eat well at home?" I ask as I sit on my bed delicately.

"Not really," she says hesitantly, "That's pretty ironic, huh? I'm a doctor and I don't eat well."

"Why don't you eat well?"

"My lack of sleep schedule sort messes up my time management. All of the hours merge into one and before I know it, I have to leave for work. When I come home, I busy myself with work and such... I just don't have the time. Hence why I sometimes get food on the way into work. I'm pretty sure my cupboards are empty. I've never had any food in them."

"If my Mom heard you say that, she'd move in with you and have three meals a day prepped for you." I tell her.

"She's sweet." Ruth nodded.

"She's a feeder. If you're hungry, she'll whip out a tikka masala from thin air. I've seen it happen."

"Yeah, let's maybe not... Tell your mother about my eating habits. I've already got Zoey on my case and-" I'm out of the room before she even finishes her sentence to tell my mother exactly what she just told me.