ENCOUNTER OF A LIFETIME (REVISED VERSION)

~DINNER FOR TWO~

PART 6

"The House of Hajima: Home of the Original Ramen 🍲 Noodles" says the sign as the two of you walk inside. You were greeted by a woman 🙎🏼 who is around her 30s. She's not Japanese but she's wearing a kimono 👘 and her blonde hair was tied up on a bun with a chopstick.

Woman 🙎🏼 on her 30s: Oh, hey! How you been? (she said directly looking at Jared and the tone of her voice sounded like they've known each other for a very long time).

<^Jared gave her a hug.^>

Woman 🙎🏼 on her 30s: Same room as before? For how many? (she said while looking at him).
Jared: For me and her (he said as he puts his hand behind your waist).
Woman 🙎🏼 on her 30s: Right this way, please follow me (while leading the two of you towards a small private room).

She handed separate menus for you and Jared and left the room after saying "Let me know if you're ready, i'll be back in few minutes". Jared then winked at her 😉 . You silently said "Why is he so flirty?". Then the two of you sat on the table facing towards each other (just like when you had breakfast 🍳 ) Jared took off his hooded jacket but kept his beanie on.

Jared: We go to this place whenever we get the chance. Me, Shannon and Tomo along with my assistants. We visited this ramen 🍲 house during our previous tour last 2014.
You: Oh, you must love this place then. It brings you a lot of memories (you suddenly thought if he had brought some other girls on this ramen 🍲 house while they were on 🌏 tour).
Jared: Yes, we do. We love it very much. Anyways, what were you trying to tell me earlier before we got here? (the flirty Jared was suddenly gone. His face starting to look serious).
You: Oh about that, i was just trying to tell you that i have an unfinished report 📝 that i've been working on which will be submitted on the last day of the convention.
Jared: Why didn't you say so? We could have grabbed it before we got here so you can finish working on it and maybe i could help you as well.
You: If you didn't interrupt and stop me, i could have told you (your face suddenly turned annoyed).

Before he even got a chance to reply, the door 🚪 sprang open. The woman is back asking if both of you are ready to order. She then started with Jared.

Woman 🙎🏼 on her 30s: Are you having the usual just like last time?
Jared: Yes, absolutely honey (he was flirting again, damn it Jared, cut it at out).
You: .... (thoughts inside your head, is this his idea of fun or he's just trying to make fun of you).
Woman 🙎🏼 on her 30s: What about you miss, what would you like to get? (she said as she looked at you).
You: Can you please give me a few minutes?
Woman on her 30s: Sure, take your time.

Jared: Hey, is there something your not telling me young lady 👧 ? (he's looking at you with a suspicious look on his face because he noticed the way you looked at her as she walked away).
You: Nothing. What are you talking about? (you acted like nothing was going on).
Jared: Hmmm (he's still unconvinced about what you said) You do know what i'm capable of doing, do you Amanda?
You: (OMG! What did i do now? Wait a second, i didn't do anything. He's the one who's flirting with that woman) I want to get this one.

*You said to divert his attention*

Jared: Okay. How about this one? (he said pointing on a different picture from the menu).
You: No. Maybe this one instead? (you pointed from another).
Jared: Whatever you like then (he rolled his eyes 👀 at you) We should call her back. I'm so hungry. I could eat...

*You notice a mischievous look on his face*

You: (you took a deep breath and said) Yes, excuse me.

<^She then came back.^>

You: I would like to get this (you were showing her the picture from the menu, you couldn't read it because everything was written in Japanese).
Woman 🙎🏼 on her 30s: That's one of our house specialty. What would you like to drink?
You: A matcha green tea 🍵 (but on your head you thought of ordering a sake 🍶 but getting drunk won't be such a good idea. So no, no alcohol.)

Moments later, the ramen 🍲 is finally being served. The room suddenly felt warm because of the steam coming from the ramen 🍲 noodles you both ordered. You decided to take off your red fleece jacket because you'll start sweating if you don't take it off. So you stood up and then Jared noticed.

Jared: Hey, you haven't touched your food yet. Where are you going?
You: Nowhere. I'm just going to take off my jacket. I should have done this earlier when we got here (you started taking it off by slowly pulling down the zipper, you carefully stretched your arms off the sleeves and then your left arm got stuck. Damn it. It's your wristwatch ⌚).
Jared: You better start eating that before it gets cold.
You: Yes. I'm about to (you said as put your red fleece jacket next to your lap).

Minutes had passed. Both of you were done with the ramen. So time for a dessert 🍨🍦🍰 (you know that he's a self-admitted 'cheagan').

You: Should we order some dessert 🍨🍦🍰 ?
Jared: You could be one. I mean, if you want one.
You: What did you say 🤤? (your voice sounded shocked).
Jared. I said, if you want one.
You: Oh, i thought i heard something. Aren't you going to order?
Jared: I'm good (he said and took out his phone 📱 from his pocket).

<^While you were looking at the menu for a dessert 🍨🍦🍰 , his phone 📱 rang. You notice his phone 📱 screen that says, "Shannon Leto calling" and then he answered it.^>

Jared talking over the phone: Yes, i know. I got this. Let me call you back, okay? (he then hang up and put his phone 📱back on his pocket).
You: I'll try this carrot 🥕 cake (showing him while pointing at the picture trying to pretend you didn't hear the phone 📱 conversation).
Jared: Great choice.

So dinner was fun. He was right. The two of you needed it. Hours had passed. You noticed the clock against the wall which says "9:30 pm 🕥 ". The two of you spend dinner for two and a half hours. You suddenly thought that it's getting late and you still haven't finished your report. You really should head back to the hotel so you look at Jared. You saw him already signing the bill.

You: Jared, this has been fun. I think this the most fun i had since i came here in Japan 🇯🇵 . All those times we shared together. I will cherish every second, every minute of it (oh God, if only he knew how much it means to you. How you wished you could tell him everything, tell him what you feel).
Jared: You sound like we are not going to see each other anymore and it seems that you are saying good-bye 👋 . Have i done something that upset you? Tell me princess 👸.
You: I should have told you this before. Tomorrow's my last day here in Japan 🇯🇵 . After that i'm heading straight to New York.
Jared: (his face looking 😔 sad ).
You: Can we please go back to the hotel now?
Jared: Yeah sure.

***End***