In the heart of the sprawling uptown district, Sergeant Sarin occupied a two-bedroom unit on the fifth floor of a grand residential apartment complex. The backdrop of a widespread infection outbreak had led the government to enact a plan aimed at safeguarding the survival of humanity. In this scheme, the most prominent and indispensable communities were carefully isolated and protected. Though it may have seemed unjust at the time, it was the most sensible course of action.
To execute this plan, the central government had established luxurious accommodations, complete with stringent security measures, exclusively for military personnel and their families. These fully-equipped apartments were reserved for high-ranking officers, and among them was Sergeant Sarin, a distinguished leader of a strike team.
Sarin graciously offered the guest room of his opulent abode to Nika. As she stepped into the room, her eyes sparkled with excitement. Never in her life had she encountered such comfort and luxury. A spacious bed, expansive wardrobes, and a vibrant carpet adorned the floor. But what truly stole her breath was the massive window that bestowed upon her an unparalleled view of the city.
However, in one corner of the room, numerous packed boxes were stacked upon each other, occupying a considerable portion of the space. Nika couldn't help but cast an inquisitive glance at them.
"What are these?" she inquired, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Sarin stole a quick glance at the boxes and replied with a hint of bitterness, "Nothing of importance, just remnants of my failed engagement."
"Engagement? Do you have a fiancé?" Nika pressed further.
Sarin's response was tinged with sorrow. "Not anymore..."
With that, the sergeant left the room, leaving Nika pondering the unanswered questions. She chose to disregard the boxes and followed him into the corridor.
"From this moment onward, this room is yours," Sarin declared, extending a key card to her. "My parents reside in the nearby township, and due to the perilous conditions of the roads, I've asked them to stay there temporarily."
He continued, handing her the key card, "I don't want you to feel like a prisoner, but I must request that you refrain from leaving the premises without permission due to security concerns."
Nika leaped up with enthusiasm, her voice filled with determination. "I won't! I swear! But I want to be of use! Please allow me to assist with housekeeping—cooking and cleaning!"
Sarin raised an eyebrow. "Can you cook?"
A confident smile crossed Nika's face. "Yes! I've worked in restaurant kitchens for several years. I promise to whip up delicious dishes for you, but first, I'll need to stock up on groceries."
She beseeched her newfound guardian, "May I go grocery shopping?"
Sarin, growing somewhat irritated, replied, "I'll have one of the privates handle it. What do you need?"
Nika's frustration welled up as she flung open the empty refrigerator door. "Everything!"
True to his word, the next day, a private appeared at their doorstep, bearing several plastic bags brimming with groceries, including vegetables, eggs, meat, oil, bread, rice, and even some snacks. It was the first time in Nika's life that she had seen such an abundance of food, but she remained composed, silently resolving, "I'll show him."
With unwavering determination, she set about cleaning the house, diligently wiping, dusting, sweeping, mopping, and tidying up every nook and cranny. She left no glass window, mirror, kitchen utensil, or piece of living room furniture untouched.
The rest of her day was spent in the kitchen, conjuring a delectable stew with rice for her benefactor. However, the sergeant didn't return for lunch and remained absent until after nightfall.
As night descended, Sarin finally made his entrance. The alluring aroma of the stew wafted through the air, guiding him to the living room. There, he discovered Nika curled up in the corner of the sofa, fast asleep. On the dining table, a feast of stew, rice, salads, and appetizers awaited him, arranged with utmost care.
Sarin couldn't help but be moved. He fetched a blanket and tenderly covered Nika with it. Then, he seated himself at the dining table and enjoyed the meal, dining alone.
It had been a long time since he had savored homemade food, and the nostalgia was overwhelming. Sarin's face lit up with sheer pleasure as he thought to himself, "This is truly delicious!"
P.S:
Hello everyone, I’m a writer and a manga artist, and this is a piece that I’m working on. Later on, I’m going to put my art as well, piece by piece, for everyone to enjoy. I’ll welcome critiques, but plz don’t be too harsh.
Here is the link to the picture comic (manga) I'm currently creating, feel free to visit and leave a comment, subscribe, etc.
