National Day

Jokes apart, we set to our mission of making the cake at his home. I decided upon making a simple chocolate cake and started our job. Steve said with an air of authority, "You know man, the secret to making a chocolate sponge cake is to add flour with cocoa and do the beating of the butter and sugar really well." The guy seemed well informed so I got more confidence.

Our baking proceeded nicely and after mixing up all the ingredients, I poured the batter into a cake pan and put into the oven. Just then, Steve had to go out to meet his neighbor who called him. "Just take it out after twenty minutes" said Steve before going away. "Don't worry bud, I know." I assured him.

I sat on the couch and started browsing the pages of some magazines. And then I just went off dozing!!! Yes, my friends - I just dozed off! Suddenly, I was awakened by a yell -- "Bob! Bob! Your cake! Why are you sleeping???" Steve shrieked as I rubbed my eyes and looked at him. "Cake?" I stared at him blankly. I caught the view of the burned chocolate cake on the table. The world seemed to be crashing on me!

"Noooooo!!!" I screamed but before I could say anything else, the doorbell rang! Steve went to open the door. It was Aaliyah. Aaliyah, looking beautiful as always, handed him a box as she stepped into the room. "Hi guys! I brought a cake for you," Aaliyah said happily. I felt like crying! I stood there affixed.

"Hey Bobby what's that smell?" Aaliyah asked casually as she kissed me on the cheek.

I looked at the cake with a heavy heart and a burden of guilt. Aaliyah was clearly perturbed. "Well, I'm sorry, Aaliyah", Steve said, "Bob wanted to bake a cake for you but I mistakenly told him to put it in the oven for a longer time. It got burned. I am really sorry -- I mean, I didn't mean that to happen." Of course, I was totally surprised but Aaliyah was more surprised than me. She looked at me with disbelief and then with a scream she fell over me hugging me tightly. "Oh, Bob! My Bob! You are such a cutie! Your burned cake is better than any other cake." she chuckled.