I stood in the kitchen, cutting vegetables on the chopping board. The knife made steady chopping sounds as I prepared everything. I washed the rice and put it on the stove to cook, then started making a simple chicken dish. The smell of spices slowly began to fill the house.
"Ohhoo, look at the handsome man here cooking on his own," Aeri said with a playful tone. She peeked from the living room and walked into the kitchen, still wearing her oversized hospital gown.
"You are supposed to rest, Aeri…" I said, exhaling as I looked at her.
"I know, I know, mister," she replied, smiling. She came closer and patted my shoulders in a teasing way. "I just came to tell you that I am going for a bath in the meantime while mister chef Ezra is busy cooking for me." She gave my shoulder one last pat and walked past me toward the bathroom.
"Alright, that sounds good," I said, smiling as I watched her go.
