Half-asleep. Half-awake.
It was a bit chilly, but it was a good change from the tropical heat. She sat up, allowed her surroundings to adjust its focus and exposure while her body temperature tried to find a middle ground from sleeping like a log to warm-blooded human being. Her head panned from left to right, then settled for the familiar back of the person who just sat up as well on the other bed.
They stayed like that for a few minutes, trying to force their bodies to finally get up and get ready for a new day at a new country. Her right hand crawled beneath her pillow and felt for the edges of her phone. She pulled it out and checked the time. With a deciding sigh, she got off the bed and fixed the beddings. She stretched up her arms while on tiptoes until she heard a certain snap. Her bones are definitely awake now.
The obligatory toilet visit was inevitable, considering the cold climate and even colder night temperature. She sat down on the ceramic bowl and had her senses jolted awake for a second, but a yawn broke off from her as she made peace with her bladder. She pressed the metal handle, and the sound of gushing water reverberated inside the bathroom. She had to give the faucet a few seconds to warm up before she could wash up and splash some water on her face without a cold snap.
She swung the door open and found him waiting for his turn. She chuckled as she stepped out to give way to him. With one last stretch up into the air, she shuffled with her slippers and headed for the kitchen.
Simple and homey.
That is how she will describe it if she was asked what was her first impression of the place. There is that distinct Korean aesthetic that she found so appealing, but they were laid back and not overpowering as well. It felt like it still catered to her own personality despite its foreignness. It was just the right fit.
A pair of footsteps became two. She looked over her shoulder and found him fixing up the Bluetooth speaker and propping it on the dining table. As a familiar tune played, they moved around the kitchen seamlessly. She prepared the kettle to boil while he did the toaster for the bread. There were some clinking of cups and plates as they try to get them from the rack.
The aroma of instant coffee settled in the air as she slowly poured hot water on their cups. She could smell the warm and crisp toast lingering just beneath her nose too. Her hands held the cups with care by their handles, and settled them down across each other. He placed their toasts on the table. She went back to the kitchen and got some utensils while he picked up the butter and jam from the fridge.
They sat across each other. Fingers sought the warmth of the coffee cup as they sipped the smooth liquid. A pause. An intake of comfort. She glanced at his plate and saw that he only had jam on his toast, but he knew that she loves both butter and jam on hers. She smiled at the thought.
Sometimes, they never really needed words after all.
570 words
Writing Under the Influence
A monthly writing prompt project with Jeff
