*knocks*

“Syndesi? Can Mommy come in?”

She opened the door slightly, careful not to make any creak. She peeked through the gap. A poor little girl crawled up vulnerably in her bed like a starved cat with no food to eat. The dim light sieved through the translucent curtains. A streak of light shone across the bed.

*distant whimpering*

She entered the room, closed the door softly and sat beside her. Gently stroking her back.

*muffled crying*

Syndesi couldn’t bear to look at her. A wave of guilt hit her when she thought of Agape. She covered her face with her blanket and hugged her bolster. Every breath through her flared nostrils could be heard clearly in the dark.

“Sorry Mommy, I..., I was so frustrated and annoyed. I always feel so inferior. I don’t understand. Isn’t experience and skill more important than love? I don’t get it. I feel so confused and I..., I don’t know what to do.”

Mom listened and stroke her back. She paused and waited until Syndesi had nothing more to say. Allowing the silence beneath the stifled crying to linger for a while.

“Syndesi. When we bake...we bake with love. That’s all there is to it.”

She waited again. Giving her time and space. That was what Syndesi needed.

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“Ding!” The oven rang like it desperately wanted attention for its completion. The faint scent of freshly baked cookies permeated the room.

“Mommy...please don’t go.” Syndesi’s tiny hand grabbed Mom’s apron.

“Mommy’s right here. Mommy’s not going anywhere.”

Soon, the crying died down. Syndesi reluctantly removed the blanket. Exposing herself to the dim light, she sat up. Her voice was hoarse and barely audible.

“Mommy.”

“Yes Syndesi.”

“Can you tell me...”

Syndesi paused as waves of inadequacy hit her again. But the gentle stroke down her spine reminded her. She was not alone.

“Can you tell me how I can bake with love too?”

Mom placed her palm on her heart.

“This. This is my secret recipe.”

“Your secret recipe?”

“Yes. When you bake for the people you love, when you bake with your heart and soul, when you bake with love, you’ll be able to bake the best cookie you can bake. Because the cookie is made not for me, but for you. When I bake, I bake for you. I bake for Agape. And I bake for your father. Because each one of you means the world to me.”

Syndesi placed her palm on her heart.

“Mommy, I think I know what you mean now. Thank you. And I love you very very very much too.”

“I know it full well, Syndesi. Come and give Mommy a real big hug, will you?”

“Mommy!” Syndesi pounced into her open arms and hugged her so tight like she was hanging on for her dear life.

“I love you Mommy! I LOVE YOU SO SO MUCH!!”

Mom laughed and stroked her back again.

“Alright now. If you hug me any tighter, Mommy will have trouble breathing.”

Syndesi laughed too.

“No, I won’t let you go.”

Syndesi tightened her grip, refusing to release her hostage.

“Then, I’ll have to use this.”

Mom used her ten feathery fingers and tickled Syndesi at her waist. Syndesi tried to defend herself with her hands. But she had too many open spots.

“haha. Mom, stop. haha. I give up. haha. I surrender.”

Syndesi calmed herself and went on the offense.

“Now, it’s my turn.”

“If you can get me.”

As they ran in circles around the room, exploiting the bed as a strategic obstacle, Syndesi finally understood why her Mom’s cookies always taste better than hers.