Key Ingredient

I sat at the tea table studying the courtyard with an empty gaze, why does my master's absence suddenly make the hall look so empty.

I wonder why I felt this way, I just met him but I can feel his absence, when he is and isn't around.

I'm supposed to feel even comfortable without him around but it was the opposite, I wanted him around and I couldn't tell why.

Is it possible we were close before I went into a coma, more like he's finding excuses not to tell me what happened and I wondered why?

The day passed as I watched the horizon drain of colors, the shadows slipping up the rocks as though the world was drowning in darkness.

My master still hasn't returned from wherever he went to so I thought I'd make a stewed fish for him. I hope he'll like it cause I suddenly thought of it and wondered why not?

I headed straight to the kitchen to make the meal and not to mention, I was hungry myself.

I stayed half an hour in the kitchen making the stewed fish. I really have no idea how I remembered this but it felt like my hands were guiding me and working their magic on it's own.

Maybe I was a great chef before I went into a coma, it could be possible.

I had everything set and tasted the tomato sauce right from the pot but I couldn't help but feel I was missing something, did I forget to add anything?

"I've added white pepper, earthly curry flavor and smoked paprika...." I kept listing sticking out my fingers as I did so, I've added everything but why do I feel something is still missing?

"Are you alright?" The hypnotic deep voice behind me, startled me I nearly jumped out of my skin.

When I turned to see who it was, my master stood at the entrance giving me a quizzical look, his enchanting face came into view and I forced myself to look away.

"I...I'm fine." I said with a sheepish grin, he studied me for a while but still had to ask.

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh uhhhh, I was just making some stewed fish with tomato sauce, that's all."

He stepped into the kitchen and I placed all my focus on the meal, with the hopes of not getting distracted, not until he draped an apron over me making me go still, frozen at my spot.

"You should learn to use the apron more often, else you'll have lots of washing to do if you keep getting your outfit stained." he dictated and when I felt him tie the belt around my small waist, I could feel the heat of his palm on my skin even though I was fully clothed, what is this?!

"Uhm Lord Qui." I immediately turned to look at him so he could release his hold on the belt.

"Do you know how to make stewed fish?"

The question escaped from my lips and I was glad it did cause it caught his attention.

"Why do you ask?"

"Uhm well, I've added all the ingredients but I don't know why I feel something is missing, the only thing that would make this meal perfect."

He seemed to contemplate my words for a while, giving me enough time to calm my racing heart.

"Can I have a taste?" he asked and I smiled.

"You didn't even have to ask, here."

He raised one of his fair slender fingers as he wiped the top of the fish I had already decorated with the sauce and stuck the finger into his mouth.

Was it just me or did I find that little move a bit arousing?

"Did you add basil?" He asked, jolting me back to my senses.

"Sorry you said.." Gosh how embarrassing this is, I was staring at him but didn't even hear a word that escaped from his lips.

"Did you add basil?" He asked again and I shook my head.

"What's a basil?" I innocently asked, he walked over to a plant which was kept beside the window and plucked two leaves from it, carrying a shade of purple leaves, he walked back to me handing the leaves to me.

"This is a basil, it's what your meal has actually been missing."

"Meaning?"

"You see, these leaves will make it slightly spicy, aromatic and pungent than regular Basil's, it'll give the meal more of anise and licorice - like scent to it, try it first."

I took the basil leave from him and pounded it, before adding them into the tomato sauce, he watched my every move and I suddenly felt nervous to meet his gaze.

Was I feeling this way because he was really good looking? He guided me over the steps and a familiar feeling welled up inside me, master knows about this things.

Maybe I really was a chef before this happened.

Maybe.

After letting it all boil for a while and certain the leaves had diffused, I decided to taste it again and the minute I felt it's content, my eyes widened in delight and I turned to meet the gaze of my master.

"It's amazing!" I exclaimed and he tasted it as well, I didn't miss the tiny sparkle in his eyes before it faded.

"It's good." he sounded impressed and I was curious to ask.

"How did you know basil was the key ingredient?" I asked out of interest and he took the meal from the table.

"It's not a key ingredient, but it's important, so don't forget to add it."

He suddenly paused. "Before I forget, practice is starting tomorrow, so try to be at the courtyard once it's breaking dawn."

And with that, he strode out of the kitchen, carrying the stewed fish on a plate while my mouth dropped open.

He took it away and I didn't even get a thank you?

What a cruel master.

Thank goodness I made extra, I'm sure he'd leave me to starve, what a smart move he made there and here I was thinking he was actually teaching me for my own good.

Even after nagging about it, it didn't stop the smile that was slowly starting to creep on to my face and I couldn't understand my sudden heartbeat.

Was it normal for it to raise so much?

He says my training starts tomorrow, what training could that be?