00:00Come on, hurry up. At this rate, the Halwa won't even be ready by tonight.
00:07My mother chided me for being so slow. Should I just sit at the stove myself, then?
00:15You always think I'm too slow, I murmured, feeling a little annoyed.
00:21In frustration, I brushed my hair back, only to find bits of carrot sticking to my forehead.
00:28My mother tried to hold back her anger, but the sight of my pink cheeks and the red carrot specks was too much.
00:38You see, I've always been a foodie, and carrot Halwa is my weakness.
00:45That morning, my mother had bought five kilos of carrots, and I spent two whole hours peeling them,
00:54though she insisted it should have taken only fifty minutes, like at a food factory.
01:02Here's the coir and nuts, she said, moving with her usual speed.
01:08Mix half of it in, garnish the rest on top, and deliver a few plates around the neighbourhood.
01:15A little later, the Halwa was ready, spread across several plates.
01:22Is this all that's left? I wondered, feeling my heart sink.
01:27But then, my mother smiled and placed three large dishes in front of me.
01:32This is all for you and me.
01:37Eat freely, really. Stuff yourself.
01:40Mum, you'll make sure to serve this lavishly to every guest now, won't you?
01:47I joked, but her stern gaze stopped me.
01:51Child, always have a big heart, she said kindly.
01:57Share your blessings, Allah rewards generously.
02:01I often complained about this.
02:04Whenever my mother cooked something special, portions were always set aside for neighbours or for charity.
02:12I always felt like I was missing out.
02:16One morning, a loud crash woke me up.
02:20I ran to the kitchen to find my mum.
02:23Oh, it was just a steel plate that fell, she said calmly.
02:28It's already eleven.
02:32Look, I'm preparing to bake pizza.
02:35We'll make your favourite together.
02:38The joy of eating pizza soon overshadowed everything else.
02:44Wow, the pizza is perfectly baked, I said, taking the tray out of the oven.
02:50My mother had already prepared another tray.
02:55Put this one in the oven too, she said.
02:59Why now? I asked.
03:01Let's bake it hot tonight, no child, she insisted.
03:06Once it's baked, take it immediately to Syira Auntie next door.
03:12She loves my pizza.
03:13My excitement for pizza deflated a little, but then she pointed to another tray on the counter.
03:22This one is for you.
03:24We'll bake it tonight.
03:26Don't be stingy.
03:28The joy of making someone else happy is the sweetest joy of all.
03:33I took the fresh pizza to Syira Auntie's house.
03:39Wow, your mother did such a kind thing, she said, her eyes sparkling.
03:46I've been running the washing machine all day and I'm exhausted.
03:51May Allah bless you.
03:54On my way back home, I felt this unfamiliar happiness wash over me.
03:59My mother was right.
04:02Giving a little joy to someone else really does bring happiness to your own heart.
04:08Thanks for watching.
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