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16
KYRA
It’s another day living here in the safety of Zy’s house. For him, it’s a rare day off and he’s using it to help me clean the house, citing guilt over me having to be the one looking after everything.
“How on Protheka did you manage to clean your house before I came along?” I ask.
“Well, I uhh…” mutters Zy, scratching the back of his neck. “I just maintained it really. Is it that bad?”
“I’m only fooling around with you, don’t worry,” I laugh. “Are you almost done with the laundry?”
“I’ve just finished folding all your clothes. Getting started on my pile now.”
“Thanks Zy.”
“How’s lunch coming along?” he asks, his eyes looking at the pots and pans on the stove.
“It won’t be long, trust me I’m hungry too.”
“You’d best eat a generous portion for the baby.”
“I know, don’t worry.”
I grab hold of a long kitchen knife and run it along a sharpener, repeating the motion a few dozen times. From the cabinet at my feet, I pull out some somana and bulbs of frisse. After removing the peels and skins, I grip the knife firmly and start dicing away.
“Damn somana,” I whisper, wiping away the tears from my eyes. I pour some oil in a pan and put it over the cooker.
“Are you okay over there?” chuckles Zy.
“Yeah!” I snap. “What the fuck is so funny?” I ask, turning to him with eyes red from crying.
“Well I never thought humans could get so emotional over some vegetables.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”
“Humans, funny creatures you are at times, yet so wondrous.”
After dicing the somana, I put it into the pan, causing a loud sizzle to ring through the air. With it comes the release of their sweet aroma. I then slice some frisse, adding it to the pan. Combined, the aroma of the two vegetables alone are enough to make my mouth water. As I salt them and lower the heat, Zy comes up behind me.
“I’ve just finished with all of the laundry. What’s next to be done?”
“If you could change the bedsheets, that would be nice. I’ve been sleeping in the same ones for three weeks already.”
“No problem. By the way, I think the dripir meat is done,” he says, gesturing to the oven. “I’ll take it out.”
Zy opens the oven, releasing a huge wave of steam that he brushes aside with a rag. He wraps his hands around the hot tray, seemingly not hurting him as he pulls it out and rests it on top of the kitchen counter.
Hmm, and I thought I had tough hands,I think to myself.
Zy goes off to continue with chores as I slice the meat and add it to the pan. As the food finishes cooking, there comes a slight kick in my belly. It’s not strong enough to make me yelp but pain but I freeze in place at the sensation of it.
Praying it’s just my imagination, I brush it off. From the cabinet, I remove a block of hard, white cheese that gives off a pungent aroma. I slice off some pieces before moving them to our plates, being sure to give Zy an extra large serving of them. I then remove the meat and veg and plate them.
“Okay,” I call to Zy. “Lunch is ready.”
He drops the sheets from his hands and eagerly takes a seat at the table. I bring over our food and take the seat facing him.
“Dig in.”
