may I episode 87 & 88

?MAY
I??
(R0m-nce is a Meal)

By Sommy Pearl F.

Chapter 87&88.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

May stared at the trophy as she heard the next word, the MC said….

His word felt so indistinct,, yet sharp. She blinked her eyes, as the MC gestured to her to come over.

May’s eyes wide-ned. She stood there for a while before walking close to the MC.

He gave her the trophy, shook her hand and a photograph was made. She was asked to stand on the podium which she did. Her hand was ti-ghtly clenching onto the trophy.

“How does it feel to be the winner?” The Mc asked.

Tears dropped down May’s eyes, which she quickly wiped. She couldn’t say anything. Probably, if she did,, the tears she was trying to hold, might rush down.

“Italian Cuisine from Korea? How do you feel now that’s you’ve won?” The Mc asked, again.

May slowly looked the three judges by her side. They were on air. Everyone around the whole world were watching them, live.

“Why… did you choose me?” May muttered, and at once, the tears ran down her eyes.

The 3 judges exchanged glances before looking back at her.

“Why did I win?” May asked, crying.

The head judge, who happened to be a health nutritionist, cleared her throat.

“It’s because, its healthy. You were thorou-gh,, in making a nutritioned meal. While most of the others, added sweeteness to their meals,, you added care and a good balanced diet. That’s why, I choose you” She said.

May smiled, even though tears were flowing down her eyes.

The 1st judge said;

“Maccheroni is an easy meal. I would spend 15 minutes, making it but you spend almost 31 minutes. You weren’t just making it to win,, I knew you were doing it to make someone proud. Your motive was different and unique…”

“Thank you,,so much” May smiled.

The 2nd Jugde smiled at her.
“You were good, no doubt. Anyone would have thought and said the same. The way you garnished your meal,, it seems you were thinking of someone you loved… Your spices and condiments weren’t too much, unlike others who added it for other purposes. You were simple,, yet very great. Kudos”

May nodded and muttered a thank you. She took the microphone to her li-ps.

“Chef god?” She called, crying tears of joy.

“You watching this now, right? You finally made mama proud,, now you can wake up. Please, wake up and remember me. I love you”

Hospital***

“He has woken? Finally” May heaved, and tried to go in. However, Carlos stopped her.

“What’s it now?” She asked.

“Sorry but he doesn’t wanna see you…”

“Huh…Why…why not?” She asked.

“I wish I knew” Carlos replied, and looked at her hand which was holding the trophy.

“Just give me that. I’m gonna p@$$ that and information to him” Carlos stretched his hand.

May looked at the trophy she was holding before giving it to Carlos.

“What’s happening?” She asked, tearing up already.

“When he’s ready to see you,, I will let you know but for now, you can leave” Carlos said, and went in.

May looked down sadly before walking away.

***

Carlos went in and saw Raymond on the bed, watching the already recorded event. He kept smiling as he watched May.

“I wonder why you don’t wanna see her” Carlos said, and dropped the trophy on the bed.

Raymond looked at it and smiled.
“I just don’t know why I don’t wanna see her. I feel low self esteemed… By the way, I told you to tell her I lost my memory of her instead. Why tell her directly that I don’t wanna see her? She might think I hate her”

“Don’t be silly. Memory losses are too cliché. You don’t wanna see her, thats the reality and the truth” Carlos said, and sat down.

Raymond looked at the trophy again and smiled.

“Thank you, May. Mum,, my baby made it for me. Hope you are glad in heaven?” He muttered, and tears of joy escaped from his eyes. He quickly wiped it with the back of his palm.

Carlos looked at the hu-ge bandage wrapped on Raymond’s head and sighed.

“You okay, right?” He asked.

“How many times have you asked this already? I told you,, I’m fine now… okay?”

Carlos nodded.

“What of Ryder, how’s he?” Raymond asked.

“Great… Wanna see him?”

Raymond nodded.

Carlos brou-ght the wheelchair to Raymond, who sat down on it.

“Before taking me outside, check if May is there” Raymond said.

“Geez,, she isn’t! I just saw her leave. I’m gonna take you out now” Carlos said, and pushed the wheel chair”s handle out.

Raymond inhaled de-eply when they went outside. They went out of the building ward, to the outside space.

From there, they moved to another building where Ryder was.

****

Ryder looked at Raymond shortly before taking his eyes down.

“How does your back and leg feel?” Raymond asked.

Tears fell down Ryder’s eyes.
“I should be the one asking you. How are you feeling?”

Raymond sighed and nodded.
“Better,, you?”

“Great… and that’s thanks to you. My back is good now. Its just my left leg but in time,, I’m gonna be better”

“That’s good to hear…”

“By the way, May came to see me. She asked if I was better, and I told her I was. Then, she asked of you. What happened? She said, you are ignoring her”

Raymond swallowed ha-rd.
“I’m not…I just…Never mind”

“Raymond? You don’t have to worry now. I finally know I’m not her present. You are. Please, stay with her and love her for a very long time. You guys share the best bond” Ryder smiled.

Raymond sighed.
“I’m moving to Italy soon…”

“What? Really?” Ryder opened his eyes wide.

Rymond nodded.

“May is also-

Ryder paused and shook his head. It was supposed to be a secret.

“What is it?” Raymond asked.

“Never mind,, It’s nothing actually”

“I heard you call May… Just talk”

“Alright…May is coming to my ward very soon” Ryder said.

“What! Why?!”

“She went to get food for me. I’m hungry-

“Sh!t,, Why didn’t you let me know on time!” Raymond shouted.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Ryder asked.

“It’s obvious. He’s hiding from May-

Carlos couldn’t say any more word. His eyes opened in shock when he saw Raymond stand up on his feet from the wheelchair.

“Fu-ck! That guy… He-

Raymond quickly ran out with his limping legs, leaving Carlos and Ryder in awe.

“Why did you bring him with a wheel chair then?” Ryder asked, looking at the opened door.

Carlos shook his head.
“I…don’t know. I just don’t Fu-cking know”

A Week Later***

Carlos and Raymond stared at the restaurant. It was already burnt to the ground.

Raymond scoffed.
“Can’t believe she went extra miles” He said.

Carlos looked at him.
“What really happened?” He asked.

“According to the CCTV outside,, At midnight, Coral came to the restaurant, for-cefully opened the door and poured fuel all over. She threw a match on fire and it burnt my whole restaurant. She burnt herself in there too,, to death”

“Geez” Carlos trembled.

“I guess she wants me to feel hurt and she also felt bad for causing unnecessary things”

“Let’s go… You have to forget about this restaurant. You know you have franchises to open” Carlos winked.

Raymond smiled and nodded.
“Let’s go, I’m already late… Don’t wanna miss my flight” He said, and pulled his luggage.

The two brothers slowly walked to the car.

“By the way, Did you tell May you would be leaving?” Carlos asked

“No. Don’t want her to know” Raymond replied, and entered the car.

Carlos began to drive after they were in. Raymond sighed de-eply and rested his head on the car.

***

May waved goodbye to her Mum who had tears in her eyes.

“Mum,, I’ve been waving goodbye since… Won’t you leave already?” May chuckled.

“I’m just gonna miss you” Sandra said, still crying.

“Mum. Stop being a baby. You’ve been saying this since last night. I’m gonna miss you more, okay? Now off you go before you miss your endorsement contract”

Sandra nodded, ran to her and hu-gged her ti-ghtly.

“I love you, May”

“Love you most, Mum”

Sandra kizzed her forehead and waved her another goodbye before entering her car.

May felt a tear leave her eye which she quickly wiped away.

***

“Is anyone sitting here?” May asked the guy who was seated, using his phone.

The guy looked up and used his hand, in covering the sunlight which was blocking the person’s face.

May was surprised when she saw it was Raymond. While Raymond was shocked. He took his raised hand down, shook his head and adjusted for her.

May sat down beside him. Of course, It was pretty awkward.

As they sat down waiting for the flight call,, May suddenly heard a growl. It was the sound of hunger coming from the stomach. She looked at Raymond who looked back at her, in embarr@$$ment.

He prayed she didn’t hear it. As if that wasn’t enough, The growl came again.

“Deva ju?” May whispered, with a smile.

Raymond swallowed ha-rd as he watched May open her bag and take out a milkshake drink and cookie from her bag.

Raymond saw her stretch her arm towards him. She was holding the drink and cookie.

“Deva ju?” He thought.

“Here,, You should always eat. Don’t go hungry… Cause a meal saves lives” She said.

Raymond took his eyes off her arm and looked at her face. She had a smile on it making her more beautiful and making his heart race the more.

Raymond took his hand to her stretched hand and held her palm ti-ghtly and p@$$ionatly, with the products still on it.

Raymond pulled her closer to him, and with his other hand, he held her cheek. He took his face to hers and smashed his li-ps on hers. May blinked her eyes twice, in fast motion before slowly shutting it. Raymond’s eyes were already gently closed.

He kizzed her de-eply and tenderly, allowing his whole lower li-ps grind into her mouth.

He broke the short p@$$ionate kizz and looked into her eyes. sma-ck ing his lower li-p, he whispered;

“I can taste it already. Your li-ps tastes like cookie and milkshake”

May smiled.
“We have 4 more minutes before the flight call… So, taste it more. Don’t want you hungry” She said, and pulled his sweetened li-ps back to hers.

They kizzed de-eply and onlookers and p@$$erbys stopped walking and began hailing and clapping. Many began to take photos and videos. Some wished they had their kind of R0m-nce…

TBc