A Sick Day

A few hours later at Alfie's house, there were sounds of crackling and popping of water coming from the kitchen. Usually, the kitchen is always quiet at this moment of time but today was a special day. I stood still behind the kitchen stove, waiting patiently. A small amount of stream started to come outside from a pot, creating a louder boiling sound.

"Beep. Beep. Beep." A sudden sound of a timer rang into my ears, I turned off the timer and quickly opened the lid of the pot, stirring it gently. A delicious scent emerged into the air, making me mouthwatering.

"Jay?" A sudden voice appeared, Alfie was standing behind me wearing pajamas.

"Alfie? You're awake. You must be hungry. I just finished cooking congee," I replied as I filled a bowl with congee.

"Thanks. How long did I sleep?" Alfie wondered, he was still dozing off from his dreams. But his face was much better compared to the time I saw him in the morning.

"Hmm....around six hours, I think. Are you feeling better?" I placed the bowl with a spoon on the table and touched his forehead, his fever had gone down.

"Jay." Alfie called my name again.

"What's wrong?"

"After I finished lunch, let's go down to the street." said Alfie, I felt strange why he wanted to go now when he was sick.

"Why? Is there something you need to buy?"

"I need to buy today's dinner." He explained, I opened the fridge and took a look at it, there wasn't much food but it was enough for today.

"Don't worry. We have enough ingredients for today. We can go to the supermarket tomorrow." Alfie seemed a bit disappointed, I didn't understand why.

"......err....not just dinner, I also want to buy some snacks." said Alfie. I sighed, believing he should pay more attention to his body.

"Alfie, you're sick! No snacks until you are well," I determined. I could see Alfie's eyes, he didn't look happy and started to mumble again.

".........err......I want to buy......"

"That's enough! No going to the street today. Right now, focus on recovering your body and take some rest." I scolded him.

"Err..........I want to go to the street to breathe in some fresh air." Alfie ignored me and kept on insisting on himself, his reasons were getting more and more ridiculous. I didn't know why he wanted to go out so badly.

"Why do you keep on insisting that you want to go to the street today?" I gave up on thinking and asked him directly.

"Err........." Alfie remained silent and refused to answer. I felt more curious and shouted.

"Come on, Alfie! Tell me!"

".........Err.....I promised you to go to the pearl milk tea shop yesterday right? Today is the last day of that shop. If we don't go today, you may not be able to have drinks from that shop anymore. I want to fulfill my promise," said Alfie, wiggling his fingers. His answer shocked me. I was worried about him all day long and had totally forgotten what I said yesterday. I couldn't believe Alfie still remembered it!

Alfie always values these boring things very much. From the day I knew him, he was always a person who liked to care about details. I never understand why he needs to put so much effort into remembering these things. It is not necessary.

But this is why I like him.

Thinking, I felt I lost and gave up on arguing with him and said.

"Alright! Let's go then. But if your condition worsen----"

"Don't worry. I will report to you immediately. Let's go to the shop after I finish my meal. I'll try to eat it as quickly as possible..........." Alfie interrupted me, he grabbed the spoon and poured some congee into his mouth.

"Ouch!" All of a sudden, he cried out and licked out his tongue. The congee was hotter than he expected, his poor tongue turned red, creating pain. I gazed at him and sighed.

"Calm down, Alfie. Don't eat so fast. There is plenty of time," I comforted.