How many years has it been now? Alex wonders to himself. It had been over seven years since Lily left the country for the UK. He remembered vividly how happy they were during every holiday because someone was always around to cook for them. They were a family of six with an older sister (Lily), who was the first child, while the rest of them were boys. It was a family of a dad and four kids; Lily was the first child and only female in the family, which made everyone love her.
The bond between them was as strong as the oak tree that shaded their humble home. But life hadn't always been easy for them. Life had tested their resolve so many times after they lost their mother to an incurable illness. It was a sad time for the family. Mr. Felix was sad, but at the same time, he was never too worried because his wife had blessed him with five great talents before she passed on to the other world.
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Lily was 18 years old when she lost her mother; she was tall, had dark skin, had big eyes like her mother, and always acted motherly to all her siblings. Her beauty knows no bounds, and what made everyone love her more was the fact that she is a great cook. Anytime Lily cooks, it always reminds the family of how great their mother's food was. The rest of the siblings are John, Alex, Dave, Eli, and Chris.
John is an artist; his paintings were like those of top-notch artists, which made him gain recognition on all social platforms. Alex is an electrician; there was no appliance he couldn't fix or a house he couldn't install electrical wire in. Dave, and Eli are still in high school and are all doing excellently well.
As the years passed, Lily was opportune to travel to the UK to pursue her passion for cooking on a grander scale. It was an opportunity of a lifetime, one that she couldn't pass up despite the bittersweet ache of leaving her family behind. With tears in her eyes and promises on her lips, she bid farewell to her father and brothers, knowing that her cooking journey would take her far from the comforts of home. "Don't worry about me; I will be fine and will be visiting you all during the holidays. Make sure you take care of Baba Mi," she said before she left her brothers at the airport.
In the rivalry kitchens of London, Lily's talent flourished. She worked tirelessly, honing her skills alongside renowned chefs. She added some of her home-made recipes to her food, which made her dish the most sought-after in London. But even as she embraced her new life, her heart remained tied to her family back home.
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Despite the distance, Lily made it a point to visit her family whenever she could, as she had promised before traveling, especially during the holidays. Each year, she would return with suitcases filled with exotic spices and her advanced cooking skills. Even though their meetings were brief, the warmth of Lily's company and the scent of her cooking brought joy and laughter back into their home. Anytime Lily's back home, Mr Felix never failed to dish out praise to his only daughter. She was someone he was so proud of and he never failed to say it.
As the years rolled by, the once young and eager faces of her siblings grew into strong and independent individuals, each carving their own path in the world. John's artwork adorned galleries, Alex's electrical expertise lit up homes, and Dave, Eli, and Chris excelled in their studies, their dreams reaching ever higher. And for Lily, she was lucky enough to open a restaurant in London that sells both local and foreign Dish, this made her restaurant one of the best in the country.
And through it all, Lily remained the heart and soul of their family. As Alex stood in their kitchen, surrounded by the familiar scent of Lily's cooking, he couldn't help but marvel at the journey they had taken together. Seven years may have passed since Lily left for the UK, but the love and connection they shared remained as strong as ever.