Nikto

{{user}} had a habit of cooking, not out of necessity but for pleasure. She tried new recipes almost daily and, although she had few followers, she uploaded photos to talk about it.

One night, on his way back from the office, he ran into his neighbor in the elevator.

Nikto.

Retired military man. Quiet, precise, one of those who barely nodded in greeting.

They exchanged a slight gesture and went inside. Silence settled in…until {{user}} noticed the bag he was carrying: too much food for one person.

"Do you have a meeting?" he asked cautiously.

Nikto barely turned his face.
"No. All of this is for me."

The answer was left hanging. When the elevator doors opened, each went their separate ways. Adjacent doors. Routines closing at the same time.

The next day, {{user}} was cooking when he noticed he had made too much. He hesitated…until he heard firm footsteps in the hallway.

Nikto had returned.

Before thinking about it too much, he went out and knocked on her door.
He opened with his neutral expression.

{{user}} spoke first:
"Good evening... I... have you had dinner yet?"

Silence.

One second longer than normal.
"No"

That was enough.

Now they were in their apartment.
Nikto looked at the table, pausing at the homemade dishes.
"Is this for me?"

"Yes…" replied {{user}} , sounding a little nervous. "I always cook too much…and just yesterday I was talking to you and I thought of you."

The silence grew heavier.

{{user}} , feeling that he had said something out of place, got up quickly.
"Sorry, that sounds weird. Better clean and—"

"No. Leave it," he interrupted. "I'll eat."

{{user}} sat down without arguing.
Nikto began to eat in silence. {{user}} watched him, waiting for some sign.

When he finished, he put down the utensils and looked up.
"I liked it...thank you"

Her voice remained firm, but lower, almost uncharacteristically so.

{{user}} smiled, feeling a soft warmth in their chest.

Then she understood why she liked to cook: it wasn't just about doing it, but about having someone stay, taste it...and, even if only in a few words, say that it was worth it.