The Light in your Eyes

Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE.

They say when life gives lemon you make lemonade. In Jade’s case she wasn’t even allowed to pick the choice herself. No one likes at home and no job to keep her from said home. She wasn’t made for the classrooms and knew where her strength lays. Unfortunately for someone who wasn’t made for the classrooms she just had to pick a major that has to do with the classroom. In the past, basic human interactions were unnecessary for her as she has always been a lone wolf with no friends. At the university she did not participate in any group activities or projects and like someone forever in a daze, her life went on like that, just dull with no spice in it. Every day was the same and she had no other hobbies apart from reading and writing novels. So while everyone else had gone out to hunt for their daily bread, she was stuck in her little room staring into nothingness. All of a sudden as if possessed she rushed to the side of her bed where a backpack lay and brought out her laptop. She logged in to her author page on a novel app and started typing. Her hands flew over the keyboard gently and the sound of fingers pressing down on keys filled the room.

It was a tiring day for Loveth, shouting at the top of her voice to keep the naughty students in order was taking its toll on her and she should already be used to it but today the tiredness really overwhelmed her. The house was eerily quiet since the others are yet to get back from their various workplace. She glanced up at the clock that was right above the television which was directly in front of the sofa she was slumped on.

"It is just 3:30. The others won’t be home anytime soon. Better get some sleep before the house gets lively again." She said to herself as she tiredly lifted herself from the sofa. The house was built in such a way that the living was almost independent and the bedrooms were separated from the living room and kitchen by only a door. The master bedroom was the first to be encountered after turning the corridor that leads to the rooms. As Loveth was about to enter the master bedroom, she was stunned by the sudden sound of a keyboard coming from the room next to hers. The hand placed on the doorknobs paused as she slowly walked towards the next door and sharply entered the room. Jade looked up from her laptop to see her mom suddenly barge into her room, she looked at her stunned and confused, almost comical.

"Uh? Mom? What are you doing here?"

"Huh, I ju…just wanted to ma…ke sure everything is fine?"

The situation seemed confusing to even Loveth herself since she wasn’t sure what to be expected when she opened the door but definitely wasn’t going to admit to the fact that she thought there were ghosts in the house.

"What are you doing?" she asked while moving closer to the bed.

"I am typing?" came the reply that seems to be asking more than one question. They both came to a standstill as both don't know what else to say to each other. The room grew devoid of human noise as the younger woman continued typing while the older one watched.

"Do you want something to eat? I can make you something light and easy to digest." Jade stiffly raised her head. The suggestion was really unexpected.

"I know you must not have taken anything since morning." Loveth was feeling a bit nervous but as if she had come to a resolution. With a firm and sincere smile she looked at Jade.

"From today onwards can you please grace us with your presence at the family’s dining table?" Loveth looked relieved after saying what has been on her mind since the last awry breakfast Jade had with them. The latter silently stared at her. They’re once again at a standstill and Loveth patiently waited for her to make her decision.

"Okay!" Jade beamed at her.

"Really! You’re agreeing just like that!? Tell me what you like to eat and what you don’t."

"I can eat anything as long as it is edible. I’m not picky with food."

"What is your favourite colour?"

"I like all shades of Black and red and pink too. What do you like too?"

"I don't have a favourite colour. So would you like to join me in the kitchen and cook something nice for the family?

"As long as you don't find me annoying in the kitchen." They both smiled as they went out of the room to the kitchen. The air in their little kitchen was quite calm as one cooked and the other assisted with minor things. Little conversations were made as both mother and daughter bond with each other. This calm was broken when a loud voice was heard from the doorstep of the living room.

"Hello people! The baby of the house is back!" the twenty two year old bola said as he swung his backpack on the couch. "Damn! I am so hungry. Mom! Is anyone home?

"Jake, can you keep your voice down? Why are you disturbing other people’s rest?" Loveth hissed at the newcomer. "don't you Tony throw your socks and shoes about." She continued loudly. Jake ran to the kitchen excitedly but paused in his footsteps when he noticed the other occupant of the kitchen.

"…Erm… I didn’t know you were in there…"

"Huh… it is alright I was just about to go back to my room." Jade gave a little smile as she fumbled to place the spoons in her hands somewhere.

"Jade please stay, I really need to take a nap. Jake can cook and will guide you through." Their mom hurriedly pushed the boy into the kitchen and, well, ran away.

"Okay seems like we can only do this together." Jade laughed awkwardly.

"Yeah, it looks like we can only do this together. So what are we making and if you must know I am the second best cook in this family. You are very lucky, the best is teaching you how to cook." He joked with a cocky grin while leaning very close to her.

"No, I definitely don't want to keep that information. And can you please shift back a little, you are invading my personal space. Do you think you are the male lead in some romance novels?" Jade said while touching his forehead with her index finger. There was less awkward ice between them. The boy took the lead in preparing everything needed to cook and the other watched and learned.

"Jade, can you pass me the salt over there?"

"Baby call big sis, I am older than you okay." Jake looked sideways at the grinning lady and grinned back.

"You are merely three years older than me and you want to lord that over me? Impossible! I will rather eat raw okra." He sneered at her.

"You think three years is a child’s play? I have eaten more bowls of rice in the three years you were still in heaven." Remembering how Loveth had made her call one stinky man like that big brother, she was determined to make this little boy submit to her. "Call me big sis or I tell mom you are being disrespectful to me." She playfully threatened him.

"The day you cook better food than I do in this house will be the day I call you big sister. For now you are taking cooking lessons from me so my dear student pour me a big bowl of water and wash the rice in the zinc."

"What are you guys doing?" Jake and Jade were both startled by the new voice. They both slowly turned towards the door only to see Charlotte at the doorstep.

"Big sis you scared me, can you make some noise when you walk next time? The stunned Jake said, rubbing his chest with his right hand.

"Oh! So you also have days when you get stunned. I did not know that. Anyway, what are you guys doing? I am starving. It is past 6pm already I thought food will be getting served already by now"

"I am teaching Jade how to cook."

When Jade heard her name, she raised her head and waved at the newcomer.

"Hi." She said calmly the playful grin on her face had long been discarded.

"Jade, how are you?"

"I am fine, thank you." The kitchen got awkward again.

"Eih… sis Charlotte, why are you here and not in your husband's house and what is with the clothes box behind you?" It was only now that he noticed that his sister’s expression was not right and her eyes looked puffy like she had been crying.

"None of your business. Just continue with what you are doing and add James’s potion too, he said he will be coming over for dinner." Charlotte said and walked out of the kitchen.

"What is wrong with her?" Jake mumbled to himself to which Jade shrugged.

"I think she had a fight with her husband. Just leave her alone."

"Okay then let's continue cooking then. We should make more since big James will be coming over for dinner too."

"You used honorifics for an outsider but won’t use the same for me. How biassed."

"He is not an outsider unlike someone I just got to know." Jake replied, pointing his tongue at Jade playfully. The latter eyed him from the corner of her eyes and like that they finished making dinner for the family including an unwelcomed outsider since Jade grumbled inwardly after hearing that he will be around.