(Darkness settles over the city quietly, and sounds fade little by little. The tranquility of the evening creeps into Ahmed's apartment, after he and Misaki have spent hours of focus and study. They get up from their places, exchanging a silent look that expresses fatigue, but in Ahmed's eyes... a small glow has not yet been extinguished.)
(Ahmed heads toward the kitchen, takes off his jacket, and puts on his simple apron. He turns to Misaki with a warm smile, and says in a gentle tone:)
Ahmed:
"What do you think of me preparing something special tonight?… A small surprise."
(Misaki blinks in astonishment, then laughs softly, tilting her head slightly as she sits near the door separating the living room from the kitchen.)
Misaki:
"Is cooking one of your hobbies too? Or do you just not want me to go hungry?"
(Ahmed lets out a short laugh, then begins to prepare the ingredients on the table. Fresh tomatoes are carefully chopped, onions are finely minced, and the smell of hot oil begins to seep out of the pan. The scent of spices wafts: cumin, coriander, a touch of black pepper... and the eggs begin to mix with the tomatoes, forming a red canvas that comes to life.)
(In a corner of the oven, pieces of Yemeni cake are ripening, from which a warm scent rises, as if it's telling a story from a popular market in Sana'a. And on the shelf, golden pieces of basbousa are quietly lined up, and a box of "Dubai" chocolate waits for its special moment.)
(Every now and then, Misaki comes closer to help: she passes him a spoon, hands him a plate. Ahmed catches her shy smile, as she watches the cooking with eyes that hold the curiosity of childhood and the astonishment of first love.)
(A warm silence fills the space between them, one without embarrassment, but with a gentle harmony... as if the kitchen has turned into a quiet stage, where the flavors are words, the scent is music, and the silence... a faint confession.)
Ahmed (as he places the last dish):
"Everything is almost ready. We'll take this to your family tonight."
(Misaki's eyes widen in astonishment, then she lowers her gaze for a moment, and her heart beats with a new color.)
Misaki (in a whisper):
"You are strange, Ahmed... you overwhelm others with an unrequested warmth, and leave an unforgettable impression."
(Ahmed does not respond with anything, but looks toward the dishes, and smiles quietly... as if what he is preparing is not food, but a warm message from his homeland to her heart.)