Not knowing what was going on, Monica wiped her hands quickly and went to the door.
"Hello, who's there?" Monica looked down the hallway but saw no one or no thing in sight. She was expecting to see a gift box, any size was enough, but there was nothing in sight. Just when she was about to return inside dejectedly, some strange noise scared the ghost out of her.
'BOOOO!'
'AHHHHHH' Monica screamed as she ran back in and jammed the door but she didn't hear the 'katcha' the door would have made.
"Monica wait, its me" that voice was the only thing she needed to calm down as she came to an abrupt stop.
This voice kept hunting her night and day. She has always loved this voice since she was young. The voice that she could recognize in the midst of many other voices flowed fluently into her ears and it put a big and bright smile on her face.
"BROTHER!!" She exclaimed as she rushed into his embrace.
"When did you get here?? How are you here?? No wait, how are you doing? Is everyth-"
"Monica hold on a sec" Max quickly interrupted Monica who continued throwing questions at him nonstop.
"Won't you invite me in?" Max asked with a loving smile.
"Sorry brother. Common, let's go in" Monica quickly led Max into the living room after locking the door.
"I can't believe you are back in country F. I mean how long has it been?? 1 year, 2 years..."
"3 years Monica. Its been 3 long years since we last saw each other." Max smiled.
"Oh right. 3 years. Men, it felt like eternity. I've missed you so much brother." Monica said before jumping onto the couch.
"I've also missed you Monica. There was no day that went by without me missing you." Max said with emotions hidden behind his eyes.
"So Monica, what have you been up to?" Max questioned as he loosen his tie.
"Well, school is goi-" Monica paused mid sentence.
"Be right back." Monica screamed out as she rushed to the kitchen.
"I hope my meal isn't ruined" Max said with a smirk as he followed behind.
'Sigh' " Thank goodness. It didn't get burnt." Monica breathed a sigh of relief.
"So Monica, do you want to guess what your gift is?" Max asked as he rest on the cabinet.
"Gift?" Monica was confused.
"Aren't you my gift?" She questioned.
"No. I'm the sender of your gift. " Max said with a smile.
"So what was I saying, your gift. So guess what I bought you." Max then brought out a small box from his pants and placed it within arms reach from Monica.
"Well, it should be.." The naughty Monica tried to act all smart and collect the box while talking but was caught mid-air when she reached out.
"Ah ah ah, no naughtiness allowed." Max threw the box from one hand to the next with a satisfied smile on his face seeing Monica's pouted lips.
"Stop it brother. Just give me already." Monica said with pouted lips as she stared at Max with her mesmerising eyes.
"Fine. Take it." Max threw the box over to Monica.
"I'll make sure you are blindfolded next time so you can't hypnotize me with those eyes." Max let out a fake sigh of frustration as he watched Monica open the box eagerly.
"AHHHHH" Monica screamed.
"How did you get this??" She asked excitedly as she stared at a photograph embedded in a pendant.
"That's for me to know and for you to never find out. So do you Like it??" Max questioned with anticipation in his voice.
"I love it." She screamed while caressing the picture. The person in the picture was none other than Mara. Mara is an outstanding woman who became a world renowed chef at 17years of age. As A small girl, Mara loves cooking and her love for cooking inspired young girls like Monica to develop same affection towards cooking.
Monica ever since she started her life afresh as Max's sister, has been following up Mara's receipe ever since she tasted Mara's dishes at the first event she attended in country F. And up till this point in time, there have never been a day she skipped any of Mara's cooking shows.
Although Mara is already in her mid fourty and on the verge of retirement, her only daughter Kate, who is also aspiring to be like her, is taking over her mother's legacy and doing a good job at it.
Monica kept on caressing the picture with a bright smile on her face the whole time.
"Lets go hang it on our wall of memories shall we" Max said before leading Monica to a small portion of the wall towards the far left corner of the kitchen.
"There. Its so beautiful." Monica said with admiration in her voice. She placed the pendant on a rainbow looking spoon that was hung on a nail. The wall was filled with various ornaments and kitchen equipment of different size and shape. It was a spot containing memories of she and Max over the 7 years she has been in the university.
"Monica..... I'm starving!!!" Bella grumpily walked into the kitchen while dragging her feets.
"Ahhhhh" she jumped back.
"When did he get here??" She questioned Max while rubbing her eyes.
"Hey Bella" Max waved at her before walking back to the cooker to continue the dishes.
"Why are you here?? And Monica, why isn't dinner ready?? I-m s-t-a-r-v-i-n-g..."Bella complained with pouted lips.
"Why?? Do you want me to go back??" Max asked with arched brows and a sly smile on his face.
"If I'm not wanted, then I can only return home sorrowfully with the best cook in country F." Max said with face full of smiles as he took off the apron he just wore and approached Monica.
"NO NO NO NO!!!" Bella screamed out.
"You-you are welcome dear lovely brother Max. Very welcome. I'm honoured to have you in my humble apartment so make yourself at home and don't leave." Bella said as quickly as she could speak with her most welcoming smile.
"So you want me to stay while Monica should leave??" Max smiled as he observed her distraughted expression.
"No no no no... I didn't say that. Monica stays as long as I'm here, no no, anywhere I go she goes. But I don't mind if you tag along" Bella smiled at Max.
"Enough you two. And Bella, didn't we just had lunch some hours ago, how can you be hungry. Godd, you really need to starve for a week." Monica interjected with a sigh seeing how Bella argued like a hungry beggar.
"It doesn't matter Monica. There isn't a limit to how much one can eat, so I can eat as many times as I want." Bella said.
"Yes. As long as your name is Bella, you can eat a thousand times and wouldn't blow up." Max taunted with a funny accent.
"Monica can you see why I don't like him. You always say he's nice but obviously not to me." Bella pouted.
"Its enough brother. Must you guys behave like kids everytime you meet? Although I must agree brother isn't wrong..."
"Monica..." Bella called out.
"Sorry sorry sorry." Monica said as she burst into laughter.