The Gift of Chocolate

Akai and her grandma came home after their walk, exhausted from the sweltering heat that had drained the energy from their bodies. Akai's skin felt sticky, and her hair clung to her forehead in tangled strands.

She went straight to her room as she wanted to take a bath.As she entered her room, she craved the coolness of her bathroom, a sanctuary from the sweltering heat outside. After placing the precious chocolate box on the dressing table .She dropped her clothes on the floor and went to the bathroom.

As the water touched her body, she felt a wave of relief wash over her, like a cool breeze on a scorching summer day. The tension in her muscles eased, and her fatigue began to melt away, replaced by a sense of tranquility.

Afterward, she wrapped herself in a soft, terrycloth bathrobe, feeling the gentle fabric envelop her like a comforting hug.

After emerging from the bathroom, she slipped into a comfortable pair of distressed denim jeans and a soft, pastel pink sweatshirt, its worn-in fabric a testament to countless lazy days and cozy nights. With careful fingers, she unwrapped the delicate paper, revealing the iconic logo of Kakadu Dreaming Chocolates, a renowned Australian brand. Her heart skipped a beat as memories of Ryder flooded her mind. She recalled the time he surprised her with an extravagant chocolate box on her birthday, the same brand, the same luxurious feel. A smile played on her lips as she opened the lid, the aroma of rich cocoa wafting up. After a moment of nostalgia, she closed the lid and placed the box in her cabinet, the memory of Ryder's thoughtful gift treasured alongside the chocolates.

Went downstairs to prepare breakfast, Akai cracked some eggs into a bowl and scrambled them up, added some toast and fresh fruit, and called out to her grandma, "Grandma, breakfast is ready!"

"Did you open the box Mrs. Smith gifted you?" Grandma Grace questioned, her eyes twinkling with curiosity, as they sat down to eat.

"Yes, grandma. I am thrilled to get the chocolate as a gift," Akai answered, her face lighting up with a smile, the sweet aroma of the chocolate still fresh in her mind.

"Then don't forget to share it with Ryder. I believe he still likes chocolate," Grandma Grace spoke, her eyes sparkling with a knowing glint.

"But don't you want to have a taste of it? You too like chocolate, Grandma?" Akai asked, her brow furrowed in surprise.

Grandma Grace chuckled, her wrinkled hands cradling her tea cup. "My age has passed for having chocolate. Moreover, I don't want to have sweet teeth now. Besides, it's your gift, dear. Enjoy it with your friend." She smiled, her eyes warm with fondness.

"I will make sure to share it with him, grandma." She said, her eyes shining with promise. Then she started to dine on her breakfast, savoring the scrambled eggs and toast. Her grandma served her some more fruits, her favorite, and encouraged her to eat more with a warm smile. "Eat more, Akai." She said, her voice filled with love.

Akai's heart swelled with gratitude as she looked at her grandma, the one person who had been her rock since her parents passed away. She was terrified of losing anyone else close to her, especially her grandma, Thompson's family, Mrs. Smith, and all the others who had shown her kindness and care. She felt blessed to have them in her life, and she knew that their love and support were what kept her going. With a full heart, she continued to enjoy her breakfast, cherishing this moment with her grandma.

"Isn't Ryder's grandparents' anniversary nearby?" Grandma Grace asked, her eyes sparkling with reminder.

"Yes, it will be held within this month," Akai replied, her mind racing with the upcoming celebration.

"Have you thought about what gift you will give them?" Grandma inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"No, grandma, I haven't thought about it yet, but I have secured some portion of my salary for them," Akai said, thinking aloud.

"I was thinking to give them something valuable, after all, they are so good to us," Grandma Grace added, her gratitude towards Ryder's grandparents evident in her voice.

Hearing her grandma's words, Akai said, "Okay, then on the day, we'll go to get them a gift. I'll take you along with me."

Grandma Grace smiled, her eyes shining with trust. "Ah, that's not required. I know your preference. I have full support; whatever you choose will be good."

Akai had started working at her neighbor, Mrs. Evelyn's, restaurant a few years ago. After her husband's passing, Mrs. Evelyn was struggling to manage the renowned restaurant on her own. Grandma Grace had asked Akai to help her out, and since then, Akai had been assisting Mrs. Evelyn, learning the ropes and becoming an integral part of the restaurant's success.

Mrs. Evelyn adored Akai, who had become like a daughter to her. Akai and Grandma Grace were initially against accepting any money from Mrs. Evelyn, who wanted to compensate Akai for her help at the restaurant. But with Mrs. Evelyn's persistence and kindness, they eventually agreed to accept a modest salary. The amount Akai received was enough to support herself and Grandma Grace, and they were grateful for Mrs. Evelyn's generosity. With Akai's assistance, the restaurant was thriving once again, and Mrs. Evelyn was able to breathe a sigh of relief. The restaurant, which had been struggling after her husband's passing, was now sailing smoothly, thanks to Akai's hard work and dedication. Mrs. Evelyn was grateful to have Akai by her side, and the two had formed a strong bond, both in and out of the restaurant.

Mrs. Evelyn's eyes would often well up with tears as she thought about how she would manage to run the restaurant without her beloved husband by her side. The thought of single-handedly carrying the weight of the business, which had been their shared dream and passion, was overwhelming. She would miss his guidance, his encouragement, and his unwavering support. The restaurant, which had been their life's work, now seemed like a daunting task to handle alone. She would worry about the long hours, the staff management, the finances, and the endless decisions that needed to be made. The fear of failing and the uncertainty of the future would keep her up at night, her mind racing with anxiety and doubts. But with Akai's help, she began to see a glimmer of hope, and the burden of responsibility became a little more bearable.

Mrs. Evelyn had no children of her own, and her husband's passing had left a deep void in her life. The restaurant, which had been their shared passion, was now her only solace. She had always treated her staff like family, but it wasn't the same as having a child to carry on their legacy. Akai's presence in her life had brought a sense of purpose and joy, and she found herself growing more and more attached to the young girl. She began to see Akai as a daughter, and the thought of her running the restaurant alongside her brought a sense of comfort and peace. With Akai by her side, Mrs. Evelyn felt like she could face the future, and the restaurant's success became a testament to her husband's memory.