CHAPTER NINE

Daniel and James-->yeah, it's really good, An.

Lyra-->hmm, it really is. Son of a chef after all.

An-->tries to hide the fact that its not like what it always seems. Yeah, you're right, thanks. Trying to shrug it off, but eyes never lie.

Kei-->who is actually good at understanding emotions; why do you look like that an?

An-->pretty surprised, huh, with a smile; what does that mean, kei?

Kei-->asking like its obvious; why do you look sad?Tilting his head a little bit.

Everyone is surprised and looks at An.

An-->with a nervous smile; Don't look at me like that, all of you. I guess kei got it all wrong.

Lyra-->no, kei is not wrong. You really do look so sad. Did I say anything wrong?

An-->huh, no, no, absolutely not. I just remembered something.

James-->a bit concerned; do you wanna share it?

An-->nah, with a beautiful smile; it's nothing intresting.

Daniel-->while having his mouth stuffed; if you are comfortable then do so. No need to hide it from us. You will feel lighthearted if you share it, right. You look pretty sad.

An-->nah, nah, its completely fine, trying his level best to hide his problems but still he breaks out; umm, You know.... I have a little cousin Brother.

Everyone looks at him.

An-->continues; He is really good at cooking since he was young. My father always appreciated him for his cooking skills, Takes a deep breath; I don't know if it was out of jealousy or if I wanted appreciation from my father as well. I wanted to make him feel proud of his own son. So, one day, I tried cooking without anyone knowing it and ruined the dish. Takes a deep breath again; I agree that my father is and he was and will be a great chef. I know, ruining the dishes saddened him and he is someone who keeps his pride no matter what. If anyone puts any scratch on his pride or on his dishes, doesn't matter if it's his own blood, you're outta that family in a second. That day when I ruined the dish he scolded me like hell, and didn't even gave me any food for two days straight. Takes a deep breath again, Everyone is listening patiently; and..... and you know, Just to make him feel proud of his own son, I learned cooking just by reading the Books which were published under his name. Takes a deep breath again, keeping his hand on his forehead; I tried to learn each and every thing and absorbed them like Plants absorb water. I never even dared to take participation in any food competition happening in the locality, because I was afraid that if I made a mistake on that stage I will just ruin his pride once again. Holding back his tears.

James-->notice it; hey..... but kei and Daniel stops him. James nodded.

An-->I..... I agree mistakes happen with everyone, But still my father seeks Perfection. Takes a deep breath again; It was hell. I wanna be a chef too. I wanna show him that I can cook too and cook better than him and my cousin brother. I can keep his pride ongoing too, But still he puts my cousin brother before me every time. I tell you, Last year we had a cooking competition, if you remember, I participated in that competition too but.... but....

Lyra-->hugs him really tight; hey, with a smile; No need to take it any further. I am really sorry I made you remember something painful, I guess; cry as much as you want.

James-->yeah, just let it all out.

Kei-->with that sweet and calm voice, rubbing his back and with a smile; yeah it will lesser your burden.

An-->hugs Daniel tightly, and starts crying really hard but silently.

Daniel-->smiles lightly; hey, shhh, it's alright. Now, now...

He calms down after an hour, stands up and goes to the room to wash his face. His eyes are as red as roses.

Lyra-->oh my gosh, still feeling guilty, I never thought that he could cry like that. I should have never said something like that.

Kei-->trying to comfort her; that's fine. It's a good thing, that you asked him and he could lesser his burden in front of us.

Daniel-->agrees with him; Yeah it's good. We don't know how many people have asked him such questions?

Jackson-->also agrees; yeah, he might have been trying to hold himself back all this time, controlling his tears, forcing a smile for no reason. It's a normal question anyone would have asked to someone who's parents are well known.

Lyra-->but stil... An comes out.

An-->I am sorry everyone. I wasted so much of our....

James-->hey, quit it, you dumbass. Who said you were wasting our time? It's good that your heart has lost this much of burden.

An-->with a awkward smile; yeah I guess. Thank you everyone, really.

Jackson-->stares at him for a bit and with a smile; why don't you cook for all of us.

An-->totally surprised; what are you trying to say Jackson?

Jackson-->with a serious tone; you wanna level up your cooking skills, then why don't you start practicing that with us. You can cook for all of us. This way you will get better at cooking.

James-->agrees with what Jackson has said; yeah he is right. This way you will know your weakness and your strength.

Kei-->happily; yeah its a good idea. What do you th....

An-->starts crying again, daniel gives a slight smile and hugs him really tight; ha, dumbass. Stop crying bro.

An-->while crying; th...sniffs thanks sniffs, everyone.

James-->wait.... wait a minute, with a confused tone; hey, boys aren't we forgetting something?

Lyra-->suddenly; did you turn off the gas knob?

An-->yeah, I did.

Kei-->umm, is it about our exams?

Everyone looks at kei and then starts laughing.

James-->while laughin; oh man, kei.

An-->but I think we have to go home now. It's already this late. I am.....

Daniel-->It's fine. Cheer up, bro. We can start preparing for the exams tomorrow onwards.

James-->intrepting; no need to think that you have wasted our time.

An-->I am not. Thanks everyone. So, shall we go home then. It's already past seven.

James-->yep, sure.

They packed their stuff and went home.

Kei-->oh man. Jackson looks at him, never thought someone who smile so brightly can hide something painful like that.

Jackson-->yeah, that's why people say smiles are scary, for what they can hide behind itself. What things are you hiding behind your smile, Princess? Hmm, realizes; huh what was that just now? Why did I think of something like that? What's wrong with me?

Kei-->yeah.

Jackson-->hah, forget it; come Let's study for a bit and then sleep.

Kei-->oh, okay.

This way the time went by. An used to cook dinner at Jackson's room, sometimes creating chaos as well. They all used to study together. Exam time came and they all aced it together. After this the time of festivals came.

At the cafe.....

Lyra-->oh my gosh, really exicted; the festive season is near.

An-->yeah man, I am so excited for that.

Jackson-->while working, agrees with them; yeah.

James-->well I will be going to my grandparents home. What about you guys?

Daniel, An-->happily; same with us.

Lyra-->that's nice, all of you. I will be going abroad.

An-->surprised; why?

Lyra-->my grandparents live there.

An-->oh my gosh, laughs; that's nice.

Daniel-->what about you, jackson?

Jackson-->lying; will be visiting our parents.

An-->they don't live nearby?

Jackson-->nah, with a smile; a bit far away?

An-->oh, okay. It's nice how you both can manage things altogether.

Jackson-->with a smile; thanks.

After a little while of talk they went home, to prepare for their holidays.

Jackson and kei while returning tho their room.....

Kei-->what festival is coming?