Inspired by books he read as a child, and those notions (and hope) still locked in his brain, S went to the forests to meditate and seek knowledge. Four years hence, he returned with knowledge and proof - a diploma of a degree in Eastern Philosophy.

As someone named Bob Dylan once said: Times they are a-changin'. Unfortunately, not everyone knows that.

Character Arc

Ok. While making stir-fry make sure you don't use too much water.

hmm.

Did you listen to me? What are you doing?? I said don't use too much water.

Alright. Alright. But how do I get the water out? It's frozen.

How would I know? Google it?

Nice. You tell me to take out the water, and you can't tell me how to remove the water.

Listen OK. (in a tone as if asking a question). I'm the reason you are cooking at all. Else you would be eating those unhealthy sandwiches outside, of which you have already told me you are sick and tired.

Alright. I hear you. Now what do I search for?

Do I need to tell you everything?

What have you told me so far apart from telling me not to use too much water in the stir fry?

Listen. Now don't make me start.

Ok. I was joking.

Let's see. stir fry frozen vegetables. OK I see something promising. What's this? Where is the recipe?

What??

The search results mentioned recipe with frozen vegetables. I clicked it. It just shows a list of other recipes, but not one with frozen vegetables.

What? Show me.... See if there's a cached page.

Good idea. Well. Same thing.

OK. Try another link. Hmm... Quick and easy... many frozen food manufacturers... try that one. Try searching for frozen. OK. Good option... Just toss in a wok and fry.

This says just put it in a wok and fry. Where did you read about not using too much water?

I learnt it from experience.

What?? What do you mean?

I used frozen vegetables once and the fried rice came out soggy. Almost like pulav.

Then what did you do?

Nothing.

What? So you mean, you never tried cooking another way?

No.

And from that one experience you told me to make sure I don't use too much water.

Well. I saw and I learnt.

What did you learn? How could you be sure it was the frozen vegetables that made the rice soggy? Did you cook with the lid on?

Yeah.

What about the rice? May be you put too much water in there.

I don't think so.

But are you sure? That could have done it too. And if you cooked with the lid closed, the water couldn't have evaporated because of that.

Ok. Let's cook now. I'm hungry.

Looks like I'm the better cook here. You are doing the dishes.

What? Why?

The deal was I do the dishes because you promised to help with the recipe. But you are not keeping your end of the deal. I know what I need to do. You are doing the dishes.

No. I'm not.

OK. Then have your soggy pulav yourself. I'm going out and eating a sandwich.

What?? No. Wait. I'll do the dishes. Can I use the dishwasher?

What for three vessels? You'll get this big a bill at the end of the month.

OK. I'll wash them myself. But can you help?

I'll  put them in the cupboard tomorrow.

OK. But will you wash your plate?

I always wash my own plates.

OK. Now cook please. I'm hungry. By the way, we've almost out of salt.

Is there enough for tonight?

I doubt it.

Well. Good in a way. I won't be putting too much salt in there.

After the storm, the cumulus rode the blue skies

looking nonchalantly at the mayhem their predecessors had left beneath

Watching them was akin to watching people doing small talk,

walking behind a funeral march of a distant relative.