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Kova placed the large pasta bowl I didn’t even know I had on the counter. I glanced inside as he twirled the food around then spooned it into two bowls and placed one in front of me. My eyes widened. Grilled chicken and asparagus in an Alfredo sauce. The steamy delicious aroma filled the air and my stomach growled. I hadn't had this kind of meal in ages.
"Wow. I didn't know you could cook like this." I laughed.
Kova sat next to me. "I actually love to cook. Last time I did, you did not eat."
I definitely didn't know that about him.
"Thank you," I said.
My heart shifted, like a small piece that had broken was glued back in place. Kova was a good guy. Despite his outlandish ways, he had a good heart. Albeit a tarnished one, but nothing that couldn't be cleaned and wiped anew.
"I know we do not have a normal"—he looked at me in search of the right word, but typical Kova and his lack of English mixed it up—"relationship, but I am always here for you. And I do not mean that on a coach/gymnast level. I hope you know by now I sincerely more than care about you."
That was the thing. He had been there for me, and much more as of late. I didn't loathe it, but I didn't love it either. I needed to find a way to come to terms with it.
"Just please, don't baby me. I know you were probably careful with me since you found everything out, but don't be. In order for me to be the best, I have to train hard, and part of that is you treating me like any other person training under you. Otherwise it will mess with me."
He stared at me for a long moment and rubbed the back of his neck. I thought he was going to disagree, but he surprised me.
"I will promise to go hard on you the same way I used to, if you promise to tell me when you are not feeling well. It can be as simple as a headache, but I need to know. Deal?"
I lit up. "Deal."
Kova put his hand out to shake on it, but instead, I threw my arms around his shoulders and sealed the deal with a hug.
Twirling the pasta on my fork, I took a bite and the flavor exploded in my mouth.
"Oh, my God! This is amazing!" I said, then twirled more onto my fork.
Appreciation spread throughout his face. This was restaurant quality. I should've known better. Anything Kova sets out to do, he does well.
An easy calmness settled in the air while we ate. Rain drenched my patio and hit the sliding glass door, but there was something rather peaceful about this moment. There wasn't an awkward second between us and I loved that. Kova had seconds, but I was too full after the rather large portion he'd given me.
Once we were finished, Kova took our bowls to the sink. I watched as he cleaned up my kitchen and thanked him again.
"I can't remember the last time I ate something so delicious or was this full. I probably won’t need to eat again until tomorrow."
He chuckled, and I loved how light and airy it sounded. Relaxed. It was surreal how this moment felt completely normal, like there was no huge age gap between us, no rules, no one to offer their two cents to us or look at us in disgust. Like we'd done this a million times. I wondered if this was what it was like to be in a full relationship with him.
"Oh God," I said suddenly, clutching myself as cramps rocked my abdomen. My stomach quivered, little bubbles swaying and popping inside me.
"What is wrong, malysh?" he asked, turning off the sink and drying his hands with a cloth. He eyed me with concern.
I shook my head. Hunching over, a cramp tore through my stomach and bile climbed up my throat. Heat curled through me raking its claws across my lower abdomen. Kova came over to help me up, but I couldn't stand. My legs trembled, and I felt weaker than I'd been in years. My hand gripped the table for leverage just as Kova was there to catch me.
"My stomach. It hurts so bad. I need the bathroom. Now," I insisted, chewing my lip raw. Anything to not focus on the shredding of my stomach.
I tried to take a few steps, but my legs were of no use. My knees buckled and I almost fell to the floor in a heap, but Kova was quick and scooped me up, cradling me to his chest.
"I have you," he said, his lips pressed to my forehead.
I covered my mouth, and muttered, "Hurry, Kova. I'm gonna be sick." I felt the food I’d just eaten coming up and prayed it stayed down, trying desperately to not vomit all over him.
Kova flipped on the lights and then let go of my legs, keeping a hold on my chest to help me stand. My sluggish body slid down his tall frame.
The sight of the toilet triggered me. I gagged and covered my mouth, fighting the vomit, but it was of no use. My stomach clenched and cramped. I ran from Kova's hold and lunged for the toilet. My knees slammed down to the tile floor with a loud whack and I bent over. The pain didn't register in my head. I was just in time to expel everything I'd eaten. My fingers curled around the ledge and the smell of the water coated my nostrils. Everything came up.
Tears slid down my cheeks as every conceivable disgusting sound spewed from my lips. Embarrassment burned my cheeks. I wanted to die. This was not how I’d pictured tonight going.
