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Sarad shook his head, glad his back was to Dale. his hair brushed across the welts and he wasn't sure if it hurt or not. just felt-odd. "My Uncle," he said softly, "he came after you'd left. I-had made cookies and he was angry. i'd forgotten the lessons he taught me and forced him to teach me again." he hugged himself, "i'm to go to his place for Thanksgiving to reinforce the lessons since i'm stupid enough to have forgotten already." Sarad had never hated himself more than he did at that moment. it was his fault. if he just hadn't been so weak-

Sarad let out a shaky breath, "it is his right. he took me in when he didn't have to. he's only trying to teach me. it's my own fault i'm too stupid to understadn without a phycial reminder." he lifted his head and gave Dale a small smile, though he still couldn't look him in the eye. "sorry to show you something so distasteful. take your shower and i'll get dressed so you won't have to look at it anymore." he stepped away from Dale, wanting to hide behind the sheltering layer of clothing once more. "please, you were so happy earlier, can't we just go back to that? forget my failure and celebrate like we were going to?" he wanted that desperately. to pretend Dale hadn't seen, though he knew both of them weren't ever going to forget this moment.

Sarad felt relief bubble up when Dale agreed. "Yeah, see you in a few." As soon as Dale was out of sight, he washed up the best he could, unable to fully reach some of the areas, and wrapped bandages around his torso. he was able to finish quickly, used to it to some degree, and dressed in loose clothing. his back hurt, but it was his butt and thighs that were going to be a problem. every time he sat down it would put pressure on them and there would be nothing he could do to relieve it. he took another pain pill and sat on his bed, the softness of the surface helping to not hurt as much. Dale came back and Sarad looked up from his book, smiling, "ready when you are."

Sarad stood and followed Dale, "it's my treat since you are the one that worked so hard to earn those ribbons. how about we go to that restaurant you liked so much? the Thai place that was so good. let's sit down and enjoy it, and afterwards we can go to the bakery so you can get whatever dessert you want as well." the medication was slowly starting to kick in and he was able to walk with a little more ease now. "or we can go to the Indian place we wanted to try. they''ll have some pretty spicy food there too."

Sarad laughed, "Dale, I'm Indian. spice is our quizine." he'd found the Thai food mild and had also been hoping that the Indian place would have a proper amount of spice. "there it is, looks like it's not too busy either. good." they were able to sit right down and Sarad lowered himself gingerly into the wooden chair. "just water for me, please." he told the waiter, glad that the pain killer had kicked in fully before they had arrived. the chairs would have been torture otherwise. he kept the pain off his face, though, making sure that he didn't remind Dale of his failure.

Sarad nodded, "They do. actually president was trying to talk me into joining one that is coming up next month, but i don't think i will." he looked down, terrified of what his family would do if they learned he was still cooking. he's been thinking about it before his uncles visit, but now? no way. flaunting his family name in such a way? unforgivable. the welts across his back would be child's play compared to what they would do.

It hurt to hear Dale say that. to hear how good he was and that he could have a future in cooking if he wanted and knowing that it wasn't possible. no matter how good he was or how much he wanted it, Sarad would have no future in cooking. it could only ever be a hobby. something he did in his spare time. "maybe-" he said softly, knowing it wasn't true, but wanting to appease Dale. "on the side."

Sarad laughed, "well, then. tika masala is one of my favorites, i usually get it with chicken. Pav bhaji is good, so is Aloo gobi and of course you can't go wrong with kababs. and, curry, of course. all of them are good so i'd recommend any of them." he looked over the menu and saw there was a family style section. "want to do this?" he pointed at it to Dale, "we could get a couple different dishes and try them out, i'd vote the chicken tika masala, curry and pav bhaji with basmati rice and naan. sound good to you?"