Her Indigenous Surrender

CHAPTER 11 THE UNEXPECTED SURPRISE

Charlene wakes up to the sound of voices and clashing of pots from the downstairs kitchen. As she pushed out from under her comforter, she inhales a heavenly aroma. Her stomach let out a loud rumble, making its demands known and her mouth begins to water as the scent invades her senses.

Saying a quick prayer, she goes to the bathroom to handle her toiletries. Her hungry stomach did not allow to linger in the bathroom for long. After putting a bra underneath her pyjama top, she makes her way downstairs following her nose to the kitchen. The sight that greeted her is something she did not expect. Her children are making breakfast with Kitchi manning the stove.

"Good morning, people. What's all this?" She says walking further in the room. Heading in the direction of the stove to investigate the divine scent that has her stomach speaking. Being this close, she begins to distinguish from the aroma homemade cocoa tea, fried potatoes, eggs and vegetables. Her path gets blocked by Amaziah enveloping her in a hug.

"Morning, ma. Sleep, okay?" He asks releasing her from her hug. But Charlene is more interested in what's cooking than holding a conversation with her firstborn. The others call out their greetings but none seem interested in holding a conversation with her.

Not bothered, Charlene distractingly replies, "My night was good. What's cooking?" Tiptoeing to look over Amaziah's shoulders, she wonders when her son got this tall since she has to lean slightly to the side to get a view. Just as she thought a lot of cocoa was boiling and in a skillet were potatoes and eggs with something sprinkled on top.

Amaziah realising what she is doing gently pushes her away and turn her around. Pressing his hands into her shoulders he walks his mother into the dining room and admonishes, "No peeking ma. It is a surprise breakfast."

"Surprise breakfast what for? What's the occasion?" Charlene responds surprised, trying to gaze into the kitchen. She glances from her younger children at the island to Kitchi manning the stove and back to her eldest, waiting for an answer that never came. Actually, they all avoided eye contact. This causes her to move with the intention of walking back to the kitchen.

Heaving a sigh, Amaziah, who was trying to pull out a chair, gently chides his mother, "Ma, stop. Enjoy being treated like the queen you are without looking for hidden agendas. Please? Ma?"

Turning to peer into hazel brown eyes identical to her own, Charlene releases her own sigh, then nods. She settles herself comfortably into the dining chair after brushing his hold on it before pulling it out herself. Satisfied with Amaziah's line of reasoning, Charlene patiently waits to be served breakfast but her curiosity gets the better of her.

"So, what is that thing you're making with the potatoes, eggs and vegetables?" She asks curiously. Kitchi answers her, now that he knows the storm has been averted, a hungry Charlene is not one to be tampered with. He learnt that a few weeks ago, after his visit to the Challengers' home.

"We are making my version of the Parsi dish, Sali Par Edu. It is an Indian breakfast meal."

"Your version?" Charlene inquires shocked.

"Why'd you have to say it like that ma?" Ariel demands annoyed. She likes Kitchi cooking nothing was wrong with even though it's mostly international dishes.

"What? I am just asking a question. What's wrong with that?" Charlene defends.

"Yes, my version. I don't use just salt and pepper for taste like most recipes. I also add parsley, onions, and chives," Kitchi cuts in before the conversation goes left. "It's done, so you will tell me if you like it."

"I am finished with the salad. Are you done with the bread, Ari?" Ashhur speaks up.

"Yes, I am. Just a little garnish and voila," Ariel answers while sprinkling chopped parsley on the garlic bread.