Flavors of the Heart

Chapter 1 The Lonely chef

In the calm foothills of the Himalayas, where the mornings are kissed by the gentle caress of mist and the evenings glint with the gold of setting sun, there lived a young girl named Ashi Nicawa. Her home, a charming cottage nestled among the trees, was filled with the tempting smell of spices and fresh herbs. The kitchen is a vibrant space, with colorful tiles and a wooden table cluttered with ingredients. ASHI NICAWA, a twelve-year-old girl with a passion for cooking, vibrate softly as she prepares a dish. Her GRANDMOTHER, a gentle woman with a warm smile, is seated at the table, surrounded by knitting supplies.

**ASHI**(excitedly) "Grandma, this apple pie is going to be perfect! I added a touch of sweet woody flavor of cinnamon this time."

**GRANDMOTHER**(looking up, smiling) "Cinnamon always adds a wonderful smell. You know, dear, you have a real talent for this."

(cheerfully) "I hope my classmates think so too. I'm bringing it to school for them". Few moments later. "I be going grandma." 

" Ok dear, be careful on your way of school and cross the road carefully, Bye."

Ashi had always been eager to help others, even if it meant sacrificing her own time. One day, her teacher had asked, "Ashi, could you bring these notebooks to the staff room?" 

"Yes, ma'am," Ashi replied, her voice filled with the usual enthusiasm.
After delivering the notebooks, the teacher said, "Thanks, Ashi. It's already break time. Go and eat your lunch with your friends; they must be waiting for you."

"Yes, ma'am," Ashi said, walking back towards her classroom with a small, hopeful smile.
In the classroom, the mood was different. "Here she comes again," one student whispered.

 "She's going to ask us to eat lunch with her, but we should decline."

Another student asked, "Why? It would be fun if we all ate together."

"You don't understand," came the reply. "She cooks her lunch all by herself."

"Really? That's cool,".

"Cool? What's so cool about it?".

"Well, it's impressive that she knows how to cook. We're the same age, and we can't even cut vegetables properly, but she can cook."

"That's the problem," the first student said, a hint of disdain in their voice.
"What do you mean?", confused.

"When we don't even know, how to cut vegetables properly and she can cook, she ends up making whatever she can. Last year, she shared her lunch with a classmate, and he ended up with a severe stomachache. It got so bad he had to be hospitalized for a week."

"Really?" the second student, shocked.
As the bell rang, Ashi approached her classmates with a hopeful look. 

"Hey guys, want to eat lunch together? I brought a very special dish today. Would you like to share it with me?"

The students exchanged glances before one of them said, "Sorry, Ashi, we would, but we already have plans for today. We can share our lunch some other time, okay?"

Ashi's smile faltered, and she replied quietly, "Okay."

That evening, Ashi sat alone, tears streaming down her face. She called out, "Grandma."

Her grandmother rushed over. "Oh, my little girl, why are you crying? Did someone hurt you? Tell me his name, and Grandma will make sure he regrets making you cry."

"Why does everyone hate my cooking?" Ashi sobbed. "I try so hard every day, but none of my classmates want to share their lunch with me. Why?"

Her grandmother gently hugged her. "Because they are jealous of you."

"Jealous?" Ashi asked, still in disbelief.

"Yes," her grandmother explained. "They are jealous because they can't cook like you do. They don't even know how to hold a knife properly, but you do."

"But I can teach them if they ask," Ashi said, her voice filled with sadness. "But they don't come near me. They hate my cooking. How am I supposed to teach them if they don't come near me?"

"You don't have to," her grandmother said softly.
"Huh?"
(gently) "You've tried so hard, Ashi. But remember, not everyone will appreciate your gift right away".
(pouting) "But why not? I just want to share something I love."

(supportively) "Sometimes, it takes a while for people to see the value in what's special to you. Don't give up. If they don't appreciate your cooking, find others who will. There are people out there who will value your talent and your friendship," 

Ashi looked up, her eyes wide with hope. "Is there really someone who likes my cooking?"

"Yes," her grandmother assured her. "If you don't give up and keep trying, I'm sure you will find someone who will want to share lunch with you every day."

(looking determined) "I won't give up grandma, I promise one day,

I will make a friend who eat their lunch with me everyday."

Her grandmother took her hand. "It's dinner time. Let's make our meal together."

"Yes, Grandma," Ashi said, a small smile returning to her face. "Today, I want to learn how to make curry. Will you teach me?"

"Of course," her grandmother replied warmly. "I'll teach you everything you want to know."

To be continue.....