(Ahmed suddenly turns, as if his heart felt eyes creeping towards him. He sees Misaki standing on the stairs, watching them. He smiles immediately, an innocent smile full of a childlike apology, and says in a sincere, gentle Japanese voice:
"Misaki-chan… I'm sorry if I embarrassed you. I didn't mean anything."
Before the apology is complete, Misaki descends the stairs with quiet steps, a smile on her face that combines annoyance and playfulness. The opportunity was before her, a gentle opportunity for revenge, and she wanted to make the most of it.
She said with playful cunning:
"Okay… if you are really sorry, then make me a new Yemeni dessert. Something I have never tasted before."
Ahmed's eyes widen in astonishment, he did not expect this sweet request that hid within its layers a kind of endearing teasing. He laughs, and nods his head with childlike confidence:
"Agreed! Your wish is my command… I will make you something special, something you have never tasted before, and you will fall in love with it."
And the next morning, he kept his promise.
He woke up early, prepared his tools in the kitchen, and started making "Zanud al-Sitt"—one of the luxurious Yemeni desserts. He rolls the dough gently, and stuffs it as mothers do in Sana'a, and decorates it with sprinkles of syrup and almonds, as if he is planting in it the flavor of nostalgia and joy.)