Chapter Twenty One

"Max," Mina called weakly as she entered the house. "Coming!", was the answer that was shouted back. She waited for a few seconds, but still, he didn't come, so she went in search of him. "Where are you?", she called out as she checked the rooms. "Kitchen," he called back. Her heart skipped a beat. What the hell was he doing there? She quickened her pace and hurried into the kitchen. She found him hard at work cooking God knew what. He was sweating profusely like a Christmas goat being prepared for slaughter. "What are you doing?", Mina asked in alarm, rushing forward to see the pot's contents. "I'm cooking beef soup," he announced proudly, sporting a Cheshire grin. The food had not started steaming properly, so there was no aroma yet to judge from. Mina was a little undecided what to say or do. She looked at the food again and hesitated. At last she said: "But you should have waited... for me to come back home." "Nothing wrong in cookin