The delectable, enticing aroma filled the entire apartment on this late afternoon. Despite the kitchen floor being littered with peels of ingredients and an empty coconut milk carton, used utensils and plates scattered around the sink, and even a table napkin strewn on the floor, none of the mess could distract him. After two months of attempts, Fighter had finally succeeded in making his first dish, and it tasted absolutely savory and amazing.
"YES! FINALLY!" Fighter exclaimed, waving his hands in the air in sheer happiness as he tasted the savory Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Galangal Soup). The well-cooked chicken pieces, combined with mushrooms and plenty of coconut milk, made the soup incredibly rich and flavorful.
He looked at the wall clock, which read 5:40 PM. With a sense of accomplishment, Fighter plated the dish beautifully and carefully set it on the dining table, covering it with a plastic food cover. He grooved to the enjoyable music playing on the TV while waiting for Saint to come home. Plopping down on the sofa, he stretched his tired muscles after a long day of cooking. Fighter couldn't wait for Saint to taste his scrumptious dish. Would Saint like it? What would be his reaction? He smiled at the thought of Saint enjoying his food. It had taken him months to finally cook something for Saint. His excitement made him drowsy, and soon he fell asleep on the sofa, with the soft sound of the TV in the background.
Fighter delivered an elbow strike with his left arm, aiming for his opponent's jaw, but the latter swiftly defended himself. He seized Fighter's left arm and attempted to push him backward, only to be met with a counterattack—a straight punch to the opponent's stomach that elicited a groan of pain.
"Ugh! Your punches are getting stronger, Fight," Lexus, Fighter's best friend and role model, complimented him.
While Fighter possessed bewitching and prepossessing blue wings, Lexus's wings shimmered in a sparkling golden yellow hue, akin to a radiant gold bar under the sunlight. Lexus had served the God for nearly five years and had taken care of Fighter since he was a year old. He taught Fighter everything from combat techniques to healing, effectively serving as Fighter's young master, despite being only three years older than him.
"Of course! I have the best teacher," Fighter affirmed, poised to execute a side kick, but Lexus's robust defense sent him flying backward with the aid of his flapping wings. Fighter hovered momentarily, strategizing his next move. Without delay, he launched a full-speed straight kick, only to have Lexus intercept it with both hands, his grip tightening as Fighter's strength pushed him backward.
"I'm impressed," Lexus murmured between breaths. With a forceful shove, he sent Fighter stumbling mid-air.
"That's enough," an old man's voice interrupted them. Fighter landed gracefully beside Lexus, and they turned to see an elderly man with a white beard approaching.
"My Lord, why must it be me? Can't I stay?" Fighter began, gently taking the old man's hand.
"You must go, Fighter. There's something important waiting for you there," the old man replied gently.
"Then could you at least tell me what it is?" Fighter pleaded.
"I'm not in a position to reveal that, Fighter. You must discover it for yourself," the old man reminded him. Suddenly, the old man's necklace glowed brightly.
"I have to leave now," the old man said, tapping both men on their shoulders before departing.
"But..." Fighter started, his voice trailing off. Lexus embraced him, offering comfort.
"I'll miss you," Fighter murmured, a tear escaping his eye.
"It's alright. I'll be here waiting for you," Lexus assured him, holding Fighter close.
Fighter slowly opened his eyes, squinting at the light filtering through the ceiling. He jolted awake, realizing he had fallen asleep on the sofa. Hurriedly, he made his way to the dining table and lifted the food cover, only to find the once-delicious Tom Kha Gai now cold and soggy. A pang of disappointment shot through him, and he felt a dull ache in his chest. Fighter glanced up at the wall clock—it was nearing 8 PM, and Saint still wasn't home.
Aggressively, he covered the forlorn dish again. Looking around at the messy kitchen, he sighed deeply and stomped away. With force, he turned off the TV and lights before retreating to the bedroom, his emotions swirling with frustration and worry.
Saint arrived home after 8:30 PM to find the apartment dark and quiet. He switched on the lights in the dining area and noticed the kitchen was in disarray, sighing softly to himself as he took in the mess. Fighter must have forgotten to clean up after cooking, he assumed.
As he moved towards the bedroom, something on the dining table caught his eye. He approached it and lifted the food cover, revealing a bowl of Tom Kha Gai. It looked cold already.
"Did Fighter make this?" Saint murmured, furrowing his brow with curiosity. He spotted a spoon next to the bowl and decided to taste it. His eyes widened in surprise as he savored the delicious flavors of the soup, still present despite it being cold.
"Did he really cook this?" Saint wondered aloud, impressed by Fighter's culinary efforts.
Fighter woke up to muffled noises emanating from Saint's side. He noticed Saint's back facing him and leaned closer to confirm the source of the noises. Hearing Saint moaning in pain, Fighter immediately shook him awake. Saint was clutching his stomach tightly with his left hand, sweat glistening on his forehead, and his eyes squeezed shut in discomfort.
Reacting swiftly, Fighter hurried to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water for Saint. However, he stopped abruptly upon seeing that the table was empty. He remembered leaving the Tom Kha Gai there, but now it was nowhere to be found.
"Did he... Oh, shit!" Fighter cursed under his breath when he noticed the empty bowl he had used for the dish already in the sink.
Last night, when Saint tasted the Tom Kha Gai, he couldn't stop himself from devouring it until the bowl was empty. Despite the soup being cold, it tasted absolutely scrumptious. He felt elated while eating the dish. Seeing the evidence of the messy kitchen, he knew Fighter had made it, and leaving it on the table confirmed it was meant for him.
Fighter helped him sit up and handed him water. Saint was groaning in pain due to overeating last night and then consuming Fighter's Tom Kha Gai, despite being already full. This had upset his stomach significantly.
"Why did you eat it, Saint?" Fighter asked, wiping the sweat from Saint's forehead with the back of his hand.
"You... cooked it for... me, Fight," Saint countered between whimpers, explaining his reason despite the discomfort.
Fighter could not stand seeing Saint suffer in pain. Gently, he placed his palm on Saint's stomach, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. His necklace glowed in shades of blue and purple, brighter than before. Saint could only watch Fighter in silence as he felt the pain gradually subside.
Saint being grateful for Fighter's mind-blowing healing ability, he place his hand on top of Fighter's hand then all the pain vanished swiftly. Fighter finally opens his eyes and look straight to Saints then he smiled at him sweetly. Saint leaned closer to him and rest his head on Fighter's shoulder.
"Thank you, and I'm sorry about last night," Saint said, wrapping his arms around Fighter.
"I'm still mad, though," Fighter pouted, attempting to break free from the hug, but Saint held him tighter.
"I'm sorry. I had dinner with my workmates. Next time, I'll let you know beforehand," Saint explained.
"How?" Fighter tilted his head to the side, his face against Saint's neck. Saint could feel Fighter's warm breath tickling his skin.
"I'll buy you a phone. And by the way, your Tom Gha Kai tastes heavenly delicious. Thank you," Saint shared.
Fighter pulled away with wide eyes and mouth hanging open. "Really?!" He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Saint smiled and nodded. Fighter suddenly threw himself onto Saint again with such happiness that it made Saint lie back on the bed. Fighter clung on top of him like a koala.
"My baby angel," Saint said, gently patting Fighter's head. "I'm so proud of you."
