Savoring the Moment

Quickly days passed, only one day left before Ryder had to go to Scotland as he wanted. Akai was sad about the fact that he was leaving. For 4 years, he was going to stay there. She was getting anxious about his well-being. She had asked her grandma to prepare the dishes that Ryder liked, and she helped her grandma in the kitchen, chopping vegetables and marinating meat. Meanwhile, she herself prepared his favorite dessert, 'Chocolate Cake'.

"Grandma, is everything ready?" Akai asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Yes, dear," her grandma replied, her eyes filled with warmth. "We've made all his favorite dishes, and your cake is perfect."

Akai smiled, her eyes shining with tears. "I want him to remember me fondly while he's away."

Her grandma hugged her tightly. "He will, Akai. Ryder loves you so much, and he'll carry you in his heart always."

Her grandma's eyes misted over. "You're an amazing girl, Akai. Ryder is so lucky to have you. I'm going to miss him so much, but I'm more worried about you, my dear."

Akai hugged her tightly. "I'll miss him too, Grandma. Four years feels like an eternity. But I'll be strong for him, and for myself."

Her grandma stroked her hair. "That's my brave girl. You've always known that Ryder has to follow his dreams. And I know you'll make sure he doesn't forget you while he's away."

Akai took a deep breath and picked up the dishes. "I'll go now, Grandma. Wish me luck! And don't worry, I'll take care of myself."

"Good luck, dear. Tell Ryder how much I will miss him. " her grandma said, her voice cracking with emotion.

Akai smiled and headed out the door, her heart heavy with emotion. As she arrived at the Thompson residence, she saw Mrs. Thompson busy preparing Ryder's favorite snacks.

"Akai, sweetie!" Mrs. Thompson exclaimed, her eyes warm with welcome. "Come on in. Ryder is almost ready to leave. Oh, I can smell something delicious! You've made his favorite dishes, haven't you?"

Akai smiled, her eyes shining with tears. "Yes, Aunty. And a special dessert, just for him."

Mrs. Thompson's eyes misted over. "You're a wonderful girl, Akai. Ryder is so lucky to have you in his life."

"Go on, dear," Mrs. Thompson urged, her eyes shining with warmth and a hint of sadness. "You and your grandma have outdone yourselves. He's going to love them, and they'll remind him of home."

Akai's eyes sparkling . "Aunty, you all will have it. Today, I will serve you all," she said, her enthusiasm evident in her voice, but her lips quivering with emotion.

Mrs. Thompson smiled, her eyes misting over. "Okay, dear. Thank you, Akai. You're so thoughtful. I know this isn't easy for you, but Ryder has to follow his dreams."

Akai's heart swelled with emotion as she handed the dishes to Mrs. Mary, who was standing nearby, her eyes sympathetic. She then made her way to Ryder's room, her feet heavy with a mix of excitement and sadness.

"Knock knock," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly.

"Come in," Ryder replied, his voice muffled by the luggage, but his tone gentle.

Akai opened the door and stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room, taking in the half-packed luggage, the familiar surroundings that would soon be left behind. Ryder was packing his last few belongings, his face focused on the task, but his eyes softened as he saw her, and he dropped his luggage, rushing to her side.

"Hey Akai," he said, pulling her into a tight embrace, his voice cracking with emotion.

" Every thing packed up? "She asked .

"Almost done packing. I can't believe I'm finally leaving. It feels like a part of me is being torn away."

Akai's tears spilled over as she clung to him, her heart aching with sadness. "I can't believe it either, Ryder. I'm going to miss you so much."

Ryder's face contorted in a mixture of sadness and determination. "I know, Akai. But I have to do this. I promise to make it worth it, for both of us. We'll make this long-distance work, and before you know it, I'll be come back ."

"I have a surprise for you," Akai said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "After you're done with your packing, come downstairs."

Ryder raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "What is it?" he asked, but Akai just laughed.

"No, no, no! It's a surprise, Ryder. I won't disclose it to you," she said, her voice playful but her eyes hinting at the emotions beneath.

Ryder sighed, his face softening. "Okay, okay. I'll come down soon."

Akai descended downstairs, her heart racing with anticipation. She entered the kitchen, where Aunt Mary was busy preparing the final touches for the meal.

"Aunt Mary, shall I help you?" Akai asked, her eyes scanning the kitchen.

Aunt Mary smiled, her eyes warm with affection. "No, miss. You've done enough already. Your grandma and you have prepared a feast ," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.

Akai's eyes welled up with tears as she saw the dishes she and her grandma had made: the tender lamb chops, the flavorful chicken curry, and the fluffy basmati rice. She knew how much Ryder loved these dishes, and she had made them especially for him.

Just then, Mrs. Thompson entered the kitchen, her eyes shining with tears. "Akai, my dear, you're making me cry. This is too much," she said, her voice choked with emotion.

Akai's heart swelled with love as she hugged Mrs. Thompson tightly. "I wanted to make it special for Ryder, Aunty. He's going to miss us so much," she said, her voice trembling.

Mrs. Thompson nodded, her eyes understanding. "I know, dear. But we'll make sure he knows how much we love him, no matter the distance."

Mrs. Thompson and Akai were sitting at the dining table, chatting and laughing, when Ryder walked into the room. Akai's eyes locked onto his, her gaze never wavering. He was wearing his usual home wear - a fitted white t-shirt and worn jeans - but to Akai, he looked more handsome than ever. His hair was messy, his eyes sparkled with amusement, and his smile could light up a room. Akai felt butterflies in her stomach as she gazed at him, her heart skipping a beat.

"The surprise?" Ryder asked, his eyes teasing hers.

"Will tell you later," Akai replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "First, you sit and have your lunch."

Ryder raised an eyebrow, his eyes never leaving hers. "You're not having lunch with us?"

Akai shook her head, her hair falling around her face like a curtain. "No, I had my lunch at home. Let me serve you two, then."

Ryder's eyes narrowed, his voice low and playful. "You're going to serve? "

"Why can't I? Do you have any objection?"

"No, no objection," he replied.

Ryder chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good. I wouldn't want to be served by anyone else," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Akai's face flushed, her heart racing with excitement. she stammered, her eyes dropping to the floor.

Akai's eyes snapped back to his, her face burning with embarrassment. "Ryder, stop teasing me," his mom said.

Ryder's smile softened, his eyes warm with affection. "Sorry, Akai. I couldn't resist," he said, his voice low and gentle.

As they sat down to eat, Akai couldn't help but steal glances at Ryder, her heart filled with love and adoration. She knew that this moment, this lunch together, was a memory she would cherish forever.

As Akai served the fluffy basmati rice, tender lamb chops, and flavorful chicken curry, the aroma filled the room, making everyone's mouth water. "How does it taste?" Mrs. Thompson asked Ryder, her eyes shining with excitement.

Ryder took a bite, his eyes closing in appreciation. "It's tasty," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity.

Mrs. Thompson smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Then you should thank Akai for it," she said, her voice hinting at the surprise.

Ryder's eyes opened, his gaze locking onto Akai's, his face playful. "I don't think she made all these," he teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Akai's face flushed, her eyes dropping to the floor, but her voice was steady. "Yes, all these dishes are made by Grandma, but I helped her while making it," she replied, her eyes sparkling with pride.

Ryder's smile widened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Then I should thank Grandma personally," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "But..."

He stopped, his eyes locked onto Akai's, his gaze intense. Akai's heart skipped a beat, her eyes never leaving his. "But what?" she inquired, her voice barely above a whisper.