It was a cool evening on a Saturday. The birds chirping, on the tree made the environment a little more serene. The winds swayed the tree branches, giving off a tiny noise.
Alison sat down close to the window, watching as people walked past. She smiled when she saw a child nudging his mom to take him in her arms because he was tired.
Her gaze finally fell on the book she had been reading and since she was tired of it already, she closed it, placing it back on the shelf where it belonged.
She heard a car horn and without even looking, she knew immediately who it was. Of course, she definitely would as she knew that car horn even in her dreams.
She dashed downstairs like she was being chased and waited for her mother to to highlight from the vehicle before hugging her tightly.
Pearl was a little surprised at the reaction and immediately she knew something else was attached to it, though she was careful not to show it.
"Good afternoon mommy. Ehm, how was the shopping? Alison asked, smiling."
Pearl chuckled lightly before responding. "It was fine, though I couldn't find some of the things I needed in the supermarket." She went ahead to open the booth of the car.
"Ohh, I hope it's not that important? Let me help you with some of these."
Pearl declined. "No no no, don't just bother. You'll ending slipping and wounding yourself." She paused a while. "Lucas, Lucas come and help me here."
The gate keeper came running at the call. "Yes ma'am. Don't worry I'll bring everything inside one after the other."
Pearl nodded gratefully to him, "thank you." She started walking into the house with Alison following after her. "Uhm, what would we be having for dinner? I noticed you didn't let the maid come to work today, so I'd assume you want to take the cooking?
Pearl nodded affirmatively. "Well, yes. I want to make this local vegetable soup. I have been craving your grandmother's recipe for days now." She said smiling to herself, "You can have pasta if you're not interested though." She added immediately.
"Oh no, I'd love to have a taste of it and maybe have pasta later on." Alison responded, laughing.
"Oh yes, trying to play safe." Pearl went straight to the kitchen and Alison never left her side.
She started by preparing the meats and the different types of fishes she had gotten for the soup. Alison proceeded to wash them when she was not looking.
"Sweetheart, don't worry. I'd wash the meats myself. I don't want any spec of dirt left in it, okay."
Alison refused. "No ma, you hardly let me do anything in the kitchen. How would I learn to cook?
"How did you learn to feed your stomach, huh? Sooner or later, you'd learn it and trust me, it's not that hard. Meanwhile, you've never liked the kitchen work, so what's up with the new vibes?
"Nothing." She said reluctantly, abandoning the meat, but didn't leave the kitchen. "Do you need warm water, perhaps I could heat some for you?
Pearl turned to her and smiled calmly. "Well yes, make yourself useful then."
The making of the dish took quite some time and Alison ended up helping her mother effectively though as she had wanted. When they were done, Pearl dished the food, while Alison set the dinner table.
"Wow, I didn't know this soup would come out this nice. I think I have another favorite food now." Alison commended, devouring the food placed in front of her.
"Yes, that's because you always chose pasta without trying out other dishes. Whatever made you try this one today must be worth something."
Alison cleared her throat. "Well, uhm, about my friend Rachel, I overheard the principal tell our form teacher that she could be stopping school soon if her school fees isn't paid yet."
Pearl stopped eating. "Really? Your friend hasn't paid yet? That's, strange."
Alison nodded. "You know about the death of her uncle. He used to be her guardian. Her mom can't fund her in school, that's what she told me."
"Hmmmm. What about her father?
"Step father." Alison corrected. "She isn't in good terms with him, I don't know the details anyway." She continued, "But mom, can you help my friend, in anyway you can?
Pearl stared at her. "Honey, that wouldn't be easy. Your father and I just started a project that takes huge sums from our pocket. You and your brothers school fees isn't a small feat, you know that."
Alison nodded sorrowfully. At that point, she had lost her appetite. "Thank you mom for the food, it was really delicious. I'd just take my plates to the kitchen. Enjoy your meal."
Pearl watched her as she left for the kitchen. "I knew something was up when she came to assist me in that kitchen."
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