Prompt: The restorative capabilities of a nice cup of tea
suggested by reddit user "G-OLD_C"
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Whether it’s matcha, chai or English - tea is a brew loved by all. A cup doesn’t only quench your thirst, it warms you if you are cold and cools you if you are heated. A cup of tea cheers a depressed soul. Calms an excited self. Brew it correctly and it’s a panacea. Brew it wrong...well…
Little Cherry screamed in panic as the kettle whistled in high-pitch tone, demanding attention and care. She turned off the stove and tried to pick up the kettle, only to throw it up in the air, almost burning her hands. She stared, her green eyes wide and horrified, as the metal pot traversed in a parable in the air, looking away the moment the kettle acquainted with the floor.
Crash! Clang! Splash!
Cherry gave out a yelp as the hot water almost reached her clothes, she grabbed a towel near the sink and began to wipe the floor, blowing on the water to cool it down.
“Cherry, is that you in the kitchen?” an old voice asked, it came from upstairs and footsteps followed soon after. “You know that you shouldn’t play in the kitchen, it’s too danger- Cherry!”
An older woman had opened the kitchen door. Her grey hair was knotted into a tight bun on top of her head and crow-feet wrinkles surrounded her eyes. She looked old and frail, but then you saw the eyes. They were wide open and alert.
“Cherry, are you okay?” The woman took three quick steps and dragged Cherry into a hug. “Are you hurt?” The older woman scanned the smaller girl for wounds and burns and relaxed when she found none. She stroked Cherry’s chestnut hair and kissed the child’s rosy cheeks.
“Sorry, Nana,” said Cherry, the girl threw her arms around the older woman’s neck, hugging it dearly.
Nana continued to pat Cherry’s head with loving strokes when she noticed the kettle on the floor, its lid open and the content spilt out except for two bags stuck halfway.
“Cherry, what were you doing?” Nana asked.
The smaller girl released her hold and shrank, her eyes cast downwards, shoulders slumped and hands wringing her stained shirt. “I was making tea,” Cherry confessed.
“It’s too dangerous for you to use the stove,” said Nana, her voice chiding. “You almost hurt yourself.”
“I was making tea,” repeated Cherry. She was pouting.
“I can make tea for both of us,” said Nana. “If you want, I can brew some now.”
The older woman started to stand and reached for the kettle when Cherry grabbed hold of the hand.
“No, I want to make tea,” said Cherry, her voice defiant, her eyes turning watery.
“Cherry, don’t be like this,” said Nana, her voice growing stern.
“I want to make tea,” repeated Cherry, tears ran down her cheeks. “I want to cheer Nana.”
Nana’s eyes grew wide in surprise, “What do you mean?”
The girl wiped her eyes with her small hands, “Nana drink tea, Nana is happy. But Nana not drink tea for five days. Five!” She held up one palm, all five fingers outstretched. Her eyes stared into the older woman’s, tears once again forming. “Why is Nana not happy?”
The older woman grabbed hold of the child in a tight embrace. She kissed the smaller child on the cheeks, the forehead and cooed soothing words. They sat on the floor for a while, rocking back and forth.
“Do you miss grandpa?” Nana asked.
Cherry nodded. “I miss grandpa very much.”
“I do too,” said Nana, her eyes looking far away. “I miss him so much that I forgot to drink tea.” Her eyes focused on her grandchild and a smile bloomed. “Thank you for reminding me, Cherry.”
The smaller child responded by hugging tighter.
“Now, let’s clean up and make some proper tea,” said Nana and patted Cherry on the back. She rose up and grabbed another towel from the kitchen sink, she turned around and looked at Cherry with glistening eyes, “Do you want to help me?”
Cherry nodded, her whole face beaming and they began to clean the mess.
Brew it wrong… doesn’t matter. As long as you do it with good intentions, even the worst brew turns into a nice cup of tea.
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