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“Alright, let’s go,” I replied as we walked out of the room.
I put my arm around her shoulder, and I loved how it fit perfectly there given how much taller than her I was.
“We’re headed to the Cherngtalay Local Market,” she replied as she pulled out her phone. “I would have loved to walk, but it will take too long, and I didn’t think you’d be up for it, so I have a car ready.”
I'm up for it if you are, but do you know the way?”
“No,” I replied, “because cell service here is too unstable, so let’s just go with the driver.”
“Alright,” I replied, and true to her arrangements, we met the man waiting for both of us outside of the resort. We got into his car, and soon we were on our way. It was a very vibrant market, I couldn’t help but note, as we arrived.
All around, there were stalls with fresh fruits and produce, as well as stalls selling local crafts and textiles. This caught my eye in particular, as well as the spices and handicrafts.
It had been so long since I had gone to a market of any sort that I almost couldn’t believe how much enjoyment I was getting out of just being here with her.
I followed her where she went, and soon enough, we stopped by a stall with smoke coming out of it. It looked like some grilled meat called moo ping.
“I want some of these,” I said, and when I reached my hand into my pocket, I realized that I didn't have any money whatsoever.
I had never felt so lost and unprepared before, and as I looked at her in shock, she burst into laughter.
“I’ve been handling a lot of things for you for a while,” she said, and I was taken aback.
“Jesus, you're invaluable. What would I do without you? Remind me to give you a raise when we return.”
At this, her eyes softened, but then sensing she might feel uncomfortable with this, I immediately took it back.
“I’m kidding,” I said, “I wouldn’t want you to feel as though our personal relationship is the reason for it.”
She, however, was surprisingly and particularly shameless in this regard.
“I don’t think anything,” she said. “I have absolutely no problems with that. In fact, I think I deserve it, and if you wish, I'll be willing to prepare a hundred-page PowerPoint presentation explaining why I am utmost positive that I had worked for and deserved a raise.”
“Given the way you rode me on the plane, I can tell you that you don’t need a hundred pages. You just need to do it again at a faster pace later tonight, and you're halfway to being approved.”
She gasped out loud as she indicated to the stall seller to package a couple of pieces for us.
“I agree, and I guess I'm going to have to fuel up then because I will be working harder than ever, I can assure you.”
I couldn't help it then; I kissed her once again, and she was startled. She looked around, and then she hit me on my chest. It was a soft hit, it was affectionate, and it made my heart flutter in a way that it hadn’t in years.
“Your pork skewer,” I said, and she accepted two pieces.
She turned to the vendor then, and after paying, we continued on. We watched and bargained for fruits while she found the ingredients she needed for her cheesecake.
“So far, I haven’t been able to find cream cheese and graham crackers,” she said, and I watched the disappointed look on her face.
“We might have to go to more international stores for that,” I said.
“Yeah,” she replied, but it's getting late, and I have a very important pay raise interview to prepare for and ace.
I smiled at this and gave a different suggestion.
“How about you just ask the resort staff to deliver it to you? I’m sure they have it and are more than willing to, for a price of course.”
“Wonderful idea,” she said, and then she turned to look into my eyes. I wondered why, but I soon got my answer when her hands settled on my shoulders, and then she lifted herself to the tips of her toes. She kissed me on the cheek, and then, extremely shy, she lowered down and looked away.
“Ooh, a salad!” she announced louder than was needed. “I’ve always wanted to try those.”
