The Side Away

Gino's first touch

A five-star restaurant in suburban Manhattan becomes Gino's choice place to celebrate his relationship with Laura. At first she refused when Gino offered the restaurant as their first date. That luxurious place did not match his simple taste. However, Gino insisted that Laura choose the place. The reason is that Laura enjoys her life like most people in general. While Gino doesn't know, Laura once lived a hard life in New York before they met. And being in a fancy restaurant, it's no longer Laura's pleasure to enjoy life. He would rather be in a simple stall with cheap food, but make it comfortable. Compared to a luxurious place with French dishes that do not match the tongue.

Laura stared at the escargot on the plate without any taste. He imagines the animal crawling on a rice stalk and eating young rice leaves. Although not exactly the same, but the appearance of the skin and shell was enough for Laura to withstand her nausea. While Gino looks greedy eating the dish in an elegant style. Ignoring Laura who has not touched anything or tasted a bit of that French dish.

"Nob No?" ask Laura.

Gino nodded. "Good boy, why don't you eat?"

"I'm not a snail." said Laura honestly.

"Sorry La, I don't know your taste." said Gino regretfully and called the waiter to bring another dish. "Wait a few more minutes." said Gino then the waiter left their table.

Laura nodded. "What did you order?" tanyanya.

"Pasta" said Gino and continued to eat his food.

Pasta made him think of Mario. In the past, the man often cooked pasta and hoped Laura would like it. Although he often protests for making him fat. However, Laura still ate the dish with a heavy heart. And Mario doesn't stop apologizing then promises to cook another meal. Laura had forgotten about the incident. Maybe four years ago, when they first lived together.

Now, pasta actually made him think of Mario. Even the man was already in the Aussie accompanying Lucy to therapy. He misses others while there is a Gino he loves. Sometimes people find it hard to be grateful.

"La?"

Laura stared at the fork proffered by Gino then turned to look at the man.

"I can eat by myself" said Laura taking over the fork from Gino's hand. "I'm not used to being bribed by other people."

"I'm your girlfriend La, not anyone else."

"I mean other than my own hands No." said Laura then put the paste in her mouth. He frowned because it tasted different from Mario's pasta. Reluctantly, Laura put the fork back down. "I was full" said Laura, then got up from her seat.

Snow touched her hair as soon as Laura left the restaurant and stepped down the street. He did not wait for Gino to take the car, it felt uncomfortable to be in that place for longer. Not because of the luxury in the restaurant. But the pasta he tasted did not suit his taste.

The sound of the car horn did not stop Laura. He continued to step up until he felt someone holding his arm.

"You why La?!" gino asked loudly between the sound of the vehicle horn.

Laura shook her head then took off Gino's hand which was on her arm.

"I want to be alone No. Don't follow me."

"Why can't I follow you?!" Gino blocked Laura's steps by stretching out her hands. He looked at Laura with a astonished expression. "I'm your girlfriend La, it's only natural that I follow you." said Gino.

"I can't No."

"What can't?"

Laura looked at Gino completely. "So your girlfriend."

"What the hell are you talking about La?!" gino asked, becoming annoyed with Laura's attitude.

Laura shakes. "I want to go home."

During the drive home until arriving at the apartment, Laura did not utter any sentences. He walks into the apartment and lets Gino follow him from behind. Laura took off her coat and hung it behind the door. Then he went to the sink to wash his face. Gino followed him into the room. Laura remained silent as if she had not seen the existence of the man there.

"Sorry La if you are not comfortable with the atmosphere of the restaurant. I'm sorry, but you objected. Sorry, do not know your taste and not sensitive to your desires" said Gino.

Laura sat on the edge of the bed then looked at Gino who was standing at the door of her room.

"You're not wrong" said Laura briefly.

"Why did you go and make me go wrong?" ask Gino.

"I don't know No."

"Why don't you know?"

Laura shakes.

The tears were dripping without warning until Gino hugged her while apologizing. Laura had no idea why her mood had deteriorated that night after tasting the pasta. He couldn't tell Gino about it or the man was getting upset. Facing his childish demeanor, Gino must have been overwhelmed and almost forgotten about his anger in silence.

"Sorry La, I've been talking rudely to you" Gino said in the middle of the hug.

"I'm sorry, too."

"La, tonight can I sleep with you?"

Laura had not answered him yet because Gino first kissed her lips. Either way, Laura lets Gino continue to kiss her.

***

An hour ago, Gino was out of control and did something that violated his principles. He forgot himself to do that with Laura and the girl did not prevent his actions. Gino regretted his actions when he saw the stain on the bed. Laura is not who she thinks she is and Gino has misunderstood the girl.

In the midst of her raging thoughts, Laura's cell phone rang. Worried about waking the girl up, Gino decides to look at the phone.

Mario's?

Gino got up from the bed after grabbing a towel to cover his body. He walked to the balcony and put the phone in his ear.

"Lala, I cooked pasta today. You must have missed my pasta, Lucy even spent two servings and forgot about her body. She looks like a bear now, do you want to see her?"

Mario's tone sounded happy. Gino just listened to the man's story in silence. She had not asked Laura about their relationship. If it ends, Mario should not have to contact Laura so often and tell the daily life of the man. Although Lucy is the topic of conversation, but Gino can not accept Mario interfere with Laura's life. He took a deep breath convincing himself to open his mouth for Mario to stop talking from across there.

"Mario, it's Gino."

Pause long enough until finally Mario reply to his words.

"You're with Laura?"

"We are more than just together" Gino said.

"I'm happy for you guys."

"I'll marry her, Mario don't call Laura. Your relationship is over."

"I know, I'm sorry I won't call her again."

The connection ended unilaterally because Mario disconnected the call. Gino breathed a sigh of relief, Mario's problem was resolved. He erased the male contact and placed Laura's phone on the table. The girl was still sound asleep as if exhausted by their activities an hour ago. Gino lay down beside Laura and looked at the girl's sleeping face.

"Sorry La, I hope you don't regret this" said Gino.

A shadow about the incident stuck in his mind. Gino could not forget Laura's facial expression as well as the girl's voice. Damn, Gino's been tainted like David. The man would not stop blaspheming him if he knew what he was doing. His lifelong principle is over. And Gino is no longer the innocent man he once was.

It was all because of her feelings for Laura.

"Mario."

The name is again mentioned, as it used to be when Gino first kissed Laura without permission. Now, despite being his, the girl still mentions Mario by name.

"Don't go!"

Laura's breath was hunting with sweat rushing down the girl's forehead. Gino was still glued to his place when Laura grabbed a glass of water and gulped it down. He only watched Laura in silence, between not believing what she heard.

"Why Mario?" tanya Gino was suspicious. She sat leaning against the bed support watching Laura closely.

"I dream he died."

It was enough for Gino to throw away that suspicion just because of a dream. He tried to calm Laura by hugging the girl to forget the incident.

Laura is no longer the same person.

***