"Hey Jaki I'm gonna enter your room now, I've brought you some food I just made."
"Yep, please come in."
I carefully walk in carrying Jaki's congee on a tray. I gently place it on her bedside table.
"It's still hot so be careful when you eat it."
"Also sorry if the congee is a bit plain, I couldn't find much material to work with and I am still an amateur at cooking."
"It's alright, if anything I should be sorry for troubling you so much."
"If you don't mind could you also spoon feed me, I am still feeling a little weak."
"Yeah sure!"
I take a deep breath, normally I would be super nervous. But with how crazy this day has been I have mentally prepared myself for this possibility. So right now despite the fact that I am going to be spoon feeding the school Ice Queen I am keeping my composure.
I take the spoon and blow on it before feeding Jaki. Jaki moves towards the spoon and tucks her hair behind her ear at the same time.
Seeing Jaki tuck her hair as she moves closer towards me made me lose all the composure that I thought I had. I was once again back to being a nervous wreck.
The way she gently tucked her hair back had a sense of grace and elegance that only someone with the title of Ice Queen can achieve. At the same time it also revealed more of her face.
Most of the times at school I avoid looking at Jaki in order to avoid making eye contact with her. However now that I have a much closer look at her, I realised how pretty she truly is.
Ahhhhh life is just unfair isn't it, how can someone be so smart, athletic and good looking.
I nervously hold the spoon as Jaki tries out my congee.
Suddenly after the first spoonful of my congee Jaki froze in place. Then she immediately stares at me with so much intensity that I felt like running away then and there.
"This is amazing!"
"Ahh-hh really?"
"Yes. Thank you for making it Sandy."
Although I was a bit scared when Jaki suddenly stared at me. Hearing that Jaki liked my congee, all my worries, anxiety and nervousness faded away. It felt really nice to be appreciated.
Although my family compliments me on my cooking all the time somehow it felt different to hear it from Jaki.
Also hearing Jaki saying my name for the first time made me feel all giddy and happy on the inside.
"I'm glad you enjoy it!"
For the next few minutes I was casual chatting with Jaki while feeding her the rest of the congee We didn't really talk about anything too meaningful most of it was just me telling her the stuff she missed at school. What content and topics were covered in various classes.
Even though the conversation might seem trivial it felt nice to just casually talk with Jaki. I also felt more relaxed especially compared to earlier.
* * *
As Jaki finishes all of the congee she lets out a slight sigh.
"What's wrong Jaki?"
"I was just thinking how great this congee was and there probably isn't much left for me to eat."
"Ooh. Actually about that, I accidentally made enough portions for a whole family because I'm used to cooking for my family."
"This is perfect!"
Yuki's eyes lit up and she springs out of the bed. Rushing towards the kitchen.
"Hey, you should probably take it easy. I'll bring you the congee."
But it seems like Jaki isn't listening at all as she has already left her room for the kitchen. She can act like such an eager child sometimes.
* * *
It seems like Jaki has regained all her energy by the way she dashed to the kitchen. As I sit across her at the kitchen table I also try out some of my own congee. It tastes decent to me but I wonder why Jaki likes it so much.
"Hey Jaki, what is it that you like so much about my congee?"
"Hmm, its a bit hard to explain and I'm not the best with words either."
"However I can tell that lot of care was put into making this congee."
"For one I know that the frozen vegetables you used have a lot of big chunks in it. However for the congee you have you have chopped them into smaller pieces so it is easier to eat."
"On top of that the warmth of home made food just tastes much better than heated up processed foods."
"Its the little things you know? I can really tell how much effort you put into it and I really appreciate that."
"Plus it just tastes good."
Ahhhhhhh! I feel so happy and embarrassed at the same time. I am really glad that Jaki noticed all these little details but at the some time it feels embarrassing that she knows how much effort I put in.
At the same time I also feel a little emboldened by Jaki's response.
"I-I see. Well if you want I can come by and make you dinner from time to time since we live so close and stuff you know."
"F-for example, tomorrow."
"Really? That would be great. Though I feel bad for troubling you so much already."
"Noooo, don't worry about it!"
"Anyway it's getting late so I better get home now! See you tomorrow!"
And with that it was my turn to dash away. I rush towards the door and leave after saying bye to Jaki.
I ran away because my heart couldn't take it anymore. I can't believe I asked Jaki if I can come by again tomorrow. After all this is the Ice Queen of the school that we are talking about. But what's even more unbelievable is that she said yes.
I just couldn't help myself. The more I interacted with Jaki the more I wanted to know about her. She was a completely difference person to how I imagined.
I also felt like I was able to see a side of her that no one at school knows about. Someone that isn't the Ice Queen but just Jaki. And if possible I would like to know more about that side of her.