The rice cooker lets out a happy little ding! just as I finish chopping the carrots. The kitchen is warm, filled with the soft simmer of curry bubbling away on the stove. Jiang stands right beside me, his sleeves rolled up, eyes locked on the frying pan like it's some high-stakes science experiment.
"Okay, now stir it slowly. Not too fast!" I remind him, watching as he clumsily takes the wooden spatula and pokes the curry like it might bite him.
"Why it looks like lava?" he asks, voice serious.
"It's not lava, dummy! It's just curry sauce," I say, laughing under my breath. "Don't stir it like you're defusing a bomb. Just go in gentle circles."
He tries, though his circles are more… squiggles. His brows furrow as he focuses with his whole soul.
I can't help but grin. "You look like you're performing some ancient ritual."
"Cooking is ritual?" he asks, completely missing my sarcasm.
"Well, in a way, yeah. Especially when you're doing it with someone you love."
