Congee Part 1

I quickly try to change the topic in order to hide my embarrassment after the compliment from Jaki.

"Anyway Jaki do you know when your parents will be back?"

"My mum will probably be back at the end of this month though I don't know for sure."

"Wait what!? Why is your mum gone for so long and what about your dad?"

"My mum goes on a lot of business trips and they always get extended while my dad is working overseas so he won't be back anytime soon."

I was shocked to hear this but this explains why the house felt so empty. In a way I was also impressed about how nonchalant Jaki seemed about all this. At the same time I can't help but feel a little bit sad for her.

I know I definitely wouldn't be able to live on my own and be independent. I would miss the warmth and love of my family too much.

"I see. Then what about food?"

"Mum always leave me enough money for living expenses before she leaves. So I normally just buy some pre-packaged meals and instant noodles."

"Wait don't tell me that is all you have been eating recently!?"

"Mmm? Is there something wrong with it?"

"Of course there is! They have little nutritional value especially instant noodles!"

"Huh. But the instant noodles I have been eating says its healthy on the package."

"Oh Jaki! They are as healthy as "healthy" chocolates you can't trust them, its all a marketing ploy!"

"Huh, I see. You learn something new everyday."

Jaki was surprisingly gullible, quite the contrast from her title of Ice Queen.

"Anyway now that I'm here, the least I can do is to make sure you eat some real food and not that processed junk!"

"Ok, thank you."

* * *

I went to the kitchen looking for any fresh ingredients I can use to make food with however there really was nothing but instant noodle packages.

Just as I was about to give up I spotted some bags of rice.

"Well thank god you at least have the basics."

With this I will at able to make some congee. I proceed to further raid the kitchen to search for more ingredients I can use.

In the end I was only able to find a packet of frozen corns, peas and carrots. Not the most fancy stuff around but at least the congee will have some vegetables. Way better than just instant noodles.

I quickly get to making the congee. I have made congee hundreds of times before for my family however for some reason I feel a little bit nervous. Weird thoughts start floating into my mind.

What if Jaki doesn't like my congee? What if it tastes too plain? What if I it comes out too watery?

Jaki and I are also the only ones home right now. It feels weirdly intimate to be caring and cooking for her with no one else around, it almost feels as if I am her partner.

AHhhhh!??!? What am I even thinking!?!?!? What is up with me today!

I went back to focusing on making the congee. The last thing I need is being distracted when cooking and accidentally making a mistake.

* * *

I added some soy sauce that I found in the kitchen cabinet as the final touch to my congee. Though after I poured some congee into Jaki's bowl I realised I did make one mistake.

I made too much! I was too used to cooking for my whole family that I made the same portions as I normally do. Enough to feed an entire family.

Ahhh well I guess this is a problem that I'll have to solve later. But for now the most important thing is making sure Jaki eats some proper food that will help her body regain some energy and recover.

I carefully grab onto Jaki's hot congee and walk towards her room.

I hope she likes it.