Deyanik (Smoldering)
Ch 7.
Heracles wiped down the small round tables, clearing away trays of empty tea cups and plates scattered with crumbs. He set them in the sink, hearing Grandma shuffle around in the front room. She called his name,
“Hera…”
“Yes, Grandma?”
“Would you sweep the entrance? I need to get something from the back room.”
“Of course.” He gripped the broom and walked to the front door. As they passed each other he thought he saw a glimmer in her eyes. Heracles brushed off the wood in front of the door, making a little pile of dust, sweeping it into the dust pan and depositing it in the trash. Grandma re-emerged holding a small box in her gnarled bony fingers. She extended it to Heracles and smiled.
“This is for you and your roommate. It’s a special batch of tea I made. Please tell me if you like it and I’ll gladly make more. It’s very special. Just for the two of you. There’s only one catch. You must make the tea in one pot. And make sure that you two drink it together.” Heracles was an avid appreciator of Grandma’s hand picked teas. He admired her prowess when it came to the connection between tea and people’s emotions. She had never been wrong.
He gripped the small parcel in his hands, setting it gently in his side bag. He kissed her on the cheek, gathered his things and softly closed the shop door behind him, heading towards home. Sadik was waiting when the Greek opened the door with a smile on his face.
“Hey…welcome home.” Sadik was reclining on the overstuffed pillows on the floor of the living room, the strong relaxing smell of incense burning on the mantle greeted Heracles’ senses. He set his bag down and walked into the kitchen, not even bothering to change into comfy pajamas even though dusk was creeping through the windows like a curious feline.
“Sadik?”
“Huh?”
“Do you mind if I make some tea?” Heracles called from the kitchen, pulling down the tea pot and some cups.
“Not at all. What kind is it?” Heracles put the water on the stove and walked back out.
“It’s in my bag, something that Grandma gave me. She said it was for us. Maybe like a week-long employment gift or something. She’s really glad I’m working for her.” Sadik pulled the small box from Heracles’ bag and opened it, sniffing the fragrant tea. The scent of vanilla and the calming smell of cloves filled his nostrils. He could smell rose hips, orange blossom. It was like all of her favourite teas were combined into one magnificently crafted one, He breathed heavily again, not wanting to let the box disappear from beneath his nose.
Heracles walked back into the living room and gently took the box from Sadik’s fingers. Back in the kitchen he scooped some of the tea into the pot, pouring the boiling water over. He brought everything out and set it on the coffee table. The sweet and gentle aromas of the orange, vanilla and rose mingled with the sharp scent of the cloves. The cups steamed with the sweet spiced tea, mingling all of the smells of the house together into one heady, drowsy one.
The two men glanced at each other while simultaneously sipping at their cups, both relaxing at the flavour of the beautiful mixture of spices and flowers. Sadik closed his eyes. It tasted so good. No wonder Grandma was good at what she did. He glanced heavily across the table at Heracles, drowsy and content. It had been a long day for both of them.
“Hey, Heracles?”
“Yeah?” Those sharp green eyes softened at the edges by the calming effects of the tea.
“I have something for you,” Sadik mumbled, “But I don’t want to get up.” He smiled playfully. Heracles rested back against the pillows.
“Me neither.” They both sipped at the tea, refilling their cups over and over again, the liquid sliding down their throats, soothing and hot. Sadik started to doze, unable to keep his eyes open. Heracles soon followed suit, his head resting heavily on his folded arms.