The man next door

Cooking lesson

Another day came. Anika did her daily chores as usual and then after leaving Pinki to gossip with her friends, she dropped by at Shivaay's place.

She went to see Shivaay rehearsing on his violin. Anika sat on the mattress while he continued his music.He stopped practicing soon after.

"I seem to have heard it somewhere", Anika commented.

"I was trying the last night's one only" replied Shivaay.

"Last night?" Anika asked confused.

"Yes, the one the violinist did in our concert" he stated.

"You had a concert?" she was shocked.

"Yes, in the cafe. You were there" he tried to remind her.

"Oh, you were there in that concert?" Anika had started realising something by then.

"You did not see me? I was playing the guitar" a hopeless Shivaay asked, irritated.

"I was busy eating", Anika revealed.

"But I heard the music. You guys were excellent", trying to control the damage.

"Teach me how to cook" Shivaay said in a fit of anger and took steps towards the kitchen. Anika followed him like a small child and poked him again and again to get his attention till he looked at her finally. 

"A musician should be known for his talent, not his face. I heard your songs and they were really good. Didn't you see everyone cheering? People from far-afar go there everyday to listen to you guys", Anika tried to reason.

He turned away and went towards the fridge. Taking out a bottle of chocolate boba tea, he passed it to her and said, "Your tuition fees for teaching me to cook" without any facial expression.

"You are gonna give me gifts if I teach you?" Anika asked excited.

"No. Its because its the first time", he told and gave a smile.

"Ok fine" Anika had no choice but to agree.

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"Can you make rice?"

"I have a rice cooker."

"The rice made in the rice cooker is not that tasty, its sticky."

"Its saves LPG."

"That makes sense. Can you make roti?"

"No. I replace it with bread."

"Then we will start from that. Bring out the atta and water."

"I don't have atta."

"Maida?"

"No."

"Very good! So what do you have?"

"Chicken, fish, vegetables and milk."

"Spices?"

"I don't know."

"Fine, bring out all you have."

Shivaay gathered all the spices he had and kept them on the counter. 

"You actually have all the spices", Anika appreciated.

"I told the shopkeeper to give a packet of everything", Shivaay admitted, proud of his work.

"So we shall make paneer. A very basic dish."

"Ok" he said and started listening to her attentively.

She took a pan and poured the milk on it. As the milk started boiling, she started telling him, "We shall put one lid of lemon vinegar in the milk" and did it, soon the milk started changing into paneer.