"I wanna go to the park" Haru cries.

"I want a to eat a warm meat bun and feel the seasonings eclipse on my tongue" Elma says.

"Well if we can't go outdoors why not bring the outdoors to us?" I say.

"What do you mean?" Elma asks.

"Elma, I need you to gather some things for me like some old wood and bricks. We'll need a flat piece of metal."

"Hm I don't know what you have in mind but there's a construction site right opposite our building" she replies.

"That's good."

"ON IT!" She speeds out of our home.

The rooftop is perfect for outdoor cooking.

I take out some seasoned chicken from the freezer and thaw it. I prepare some curry paste, cut up herbs, carrots, potatoes, ginger, onions and garlic. Next I cook some white rice for us and rice porridge for the babies.

Elma returns with wood and concrete bricks.

"That's perfect" I tell her.

"Aren't you telling me what we're doing?"

"We're having a 'bush cook'. We did it a lot in the country. The roof is perfect for it!"

"Woah that sounds wonderful. I'll help you."

I grab some beers, and sodas and put them in a cooler bag.

"Elma, please take those stuff you brought to the rooftop."

"I'll bring some more stuff."

"I wanna help too" Haru says, putting down his tablet.

"Ok. Haru you take these ingredients and chicken"

I carry a big spoon, some plates, napkins, spoons and a big mat.

The mat is spread on the roof.

"It's so sunny today" Haru comments.

"Yeah baby. I'm going down to get your brother and sister."

After bringing them up, I put them on the mat.

"Elma, this is how we should set up the 'fireside' I show her a picture on my phone."

"Simple. Nai, you can arrange the wood together in a pile."

"Ok" I do as she says.

Then she takes the two concrete blocks and place one at the right side of the pile of wood and the other at the left side.

The pot is placed atop the metal.

I ask Elma to bring up our big cooking pot from the cupboard.

She returns with the big pot and I place it on top of the metal.

"Well guys you know what time it is"

"It's time to light up" Elma replies.

"We're making Kare Raisu, so we need a nice fire."

"I wanna do it. Pleeease lemme do it" Haru pleads.

"Oh alright" Elma says.

Elma's mouth opens and she breathes fire.

Haru claps.

"See that's how you do it" Elma says when she stops the fire.

Haru tries it and instinctively, fire escapes his mouth too.

He lights up the wood.

I hug him from behind. "That was fantastic, Haru-kun. But don't use it again, unless we ask you to."

He nods.

I heat some oil in the pan and saute onions after it heats up.

Elma continues to saute it while sipping some of her beer.

I then add the ginger and garlic. After a minute, Elma adds the chicken.

"It's sizzling. The chicken's gloss, the freshness of the veggies, mmmm" Elma says, drooling.

"It looks so juicy" Haru says.

"I'm getting hungry myself" A grumble escapes my stomach.

After the chicken becomes brown, I add some potatoes and carrots. Then I add some water.

"My Indian college friend told me that technique is called bunjalling. It makes the curry flavour stick to the protein"

"How interesting. India...I want to go to there. I heard authentic paneer and samosas are delicious" Elma says.

I add some curry paste, and salt after the curry comes to a boil.

We leave the curry to simmer for a while.

"The potatoes are ready" Elma says. She puts out the fire.

She and I take plates and take out food for the three of us. I take out the rice porridge for the twins.

Elma feeds Yuka and I feed Ryou.

"They're smiling. They're happy to be outside" Elma says.

After they have eaten, we dish out our food.

"The taste of the poultry after being well-cooked on the fire ...the texture. Oh my! Tswaa"

"It hits the spot. Bush-cooked food is the best, isn't it?"

"Yep" Haru says, taking a big spoonful.

"There's just something about the smoky taste that's different from traditionally cooked curry. I want to eat 'fire side' food everyday" Elma says.

"Ha me too, Elma"

She and I touch our beer bottles.

"Cheers"

"What are we cheering to?" She asks.

I look up at the sunny sky and blue clouds above me.

"We're cheering to life."

"Cheers to life and better days" Elma touches my bottle again.

"You said it."

A/N: This was inspired by a family activity which is common in the author's country. Thanks for the follows. Stay safe and indoors!