Taste of Life

28

Ate and Margarette are already home. Actually, wala akong nagawa from all the things I planned while I am on the plane last time. So I have been doing lots of sleepovers. Pinapalayas na nga ako ng Ate ko. After the enrollment and everything, I just want to chill and be with my pamangkin.

"You have to get your own life. Yung mga hindi mo magagawa when you enter the seminary."

"Ate, I am going to enter the seminary to study. Not like I am going to jail."

"Yeah right?" She just rolled her eyes at me at iniwan kami ni Margarette. Patuloy niyang pinapaniwala sarili niya na hindi siya thankful na nandito ako to take care of her baby. Eh parang lagi silang puyat ni Kuya Ian.

"Hello, my baby girl" I babytalked my niece. She's just looking at me.

"I wish naantay ako ng mga magulang mo matapos sa seminaryo para ako magbibinyag sayo. Pero sige ako nalang magkakasal sayo." I hopefully said. It was exciting at first but when I realized that I may be the one to hold the funerals in this family too, it's not fun anymore.

"I invited Eli next sunday. For your dinner party" Atchi suddenly said. Akala ko she's sleeping. Hindi ako nagkapagsalita. She should actually be there. She's part of the family naman talaga.

"She didn't know it yet." I shyly said. Papagalitan nanaman ako nito.

"Huh?"

"We fought."

"Both of you seem okay noong nasa ospital."

"Fake stuff."

"You are so bad."

"I know. "

After the weird confession last time, Eli and I didn't talk. No one wants to talk about it. So hindi pa rin niya alam na I will enter the seminary. I still don't have a heart for it. I just want to push all of the thoughts away.

"Fix it before Sunday. Para makapag-dinner tayo."

"Fine." I rolled my eyes.

I was planning in my head what to do but I keep losing the purpose which is to tell her that I will go to the seminary.

Ate left me and took Margarette with her. She says she needs to feed her. I texted Annie for help pero lately, busy siya sa crush niya. I was just sitting in a bean bag in Margarette's nursery, just contemplating. I am both excited and lost. I will settle in on Tuesday since our class will start on Wednesday. A few days left.

I tried going to the Atchi's kitchen. Her helper is on day off today so we either order food or we are going to cook.

"I will try to cook, if not edible order pizza or something." I shouted.

"Noted." She shouted back.

I always watch my Father cook, so I can do this right? I decided to check what's in the fridge. Ate has beef brisket. So I searched, 'what food can I do with beef brisket'

"Oh I can do that. You just have to put it in the oven." I whispered after browsing it.

I started watching a video on how to make the bbq sauce. It's so easy. I just followed every step. Kung hindi to masarap, the recipe is a scam.

After making the sauce, I pour it in the brisket. I was also instructed to put an aluminum foil in it before putting it in the oven. I preheat it first and consult google again what are the side dishes I can do.

Mashed potatoes sound so easy. So I picked that. I was peeling the potatoes and just watching the tutorial when Ate went down with Margarette.

"Do I need to order pizza now?" She said. Parang duda siya sa mga ginagawa ko.

"Yeah but make it a small one, I am a little confident." I answered without looking at her.

She went to the sofa and babytalk Margarette. I just continued my adventure.

When the timer's done, I put the brisket in the oven. It will take 3 hours pero bahala na.

"Ate, this will take long so we can just eat it on meryenda. We can have light meals nalang."

"It's okay. I'm not that hungry. We can wait but finish the potatoes first so we can munch on it."

So I obeyed. I realized that the hard thing to do is the gravy. How annoying. I can call dad but he's gonna tease me.

After a few hours of being a slave in the kitchen, I'm done. Ate's munching on pizza now. She said she'll only eat one. I can even see her grinning. She wants my downfall.

I sliced the beef and even put parsley on top of the mashed potato. Dad should be really proud.

"It's done." I called her. She put Margarette on the crib and walks towards me. Pinipigilan matawa.

"What's with the face?"

"Are you super stressed you need to cook?" She asked. Umiling nalang ako.

She actually wants rice so she eat it with rice. I ate it with my mashed potato since the gravy is my hardwork.

"It's actually good." Ate praises. I just shrugged. Thanks google.

Even my mashed potato is good. Although I'm still not confident about the gravy.

"It's okay naman ah." Ate said when I told her I don't like the gravy.

I just nodded. We are almost done when Dad and Mom suddenly pop out of nowhere.

"Your Ate said you cooked. We have to try." Mom excitedly said. Izabelle's a traitor. She's just grinning. Dad will definitely bash me.

They both liked the beef. Dad said it's so soft. and the sauce is nice. I'm actually receiving praises from a Chef. It's flattering.

"But yeah your gravy sucks" he added and I laughed. That's true.

"It tastes okay." Atchi and Mom argued. Pero hindi na namin sila pinansin. Lahat naman okay sakanila.

Dad's actually surprised about me cooking but I'm glad they liked it. We are having our usual fun in the kitchen when Ate brought Eli up.

"Guess who? May isang guy na papasok ng seminary pero hindi alam ng best friend niya." This is her way of making sumbong. I hate it. I rolled my eyes and Mom turned to me.

"What's wrong with you?" I can even sense she's mad.

"We fought. I just don't want na dumagdag pa 'to."

"Then make up." Mom said.

"Or make out." Dad whispered to me pero siniko ko siya. He's just laughing.

"Troye, you are better than that." Can you hear my mom's disappointment? Yikes.

"Fine, I'll hang out with her tomorrow." I finally gave in.

"How about a yacht trip? We can ask someone to sail while you guys are eating." Dad winked at me. Pero sinimangutan ko siya.

"It's actually a nice idea para di naman masayang mga impulsive buy ng tatay mo." Mom said. I don't know if sakin pa rin ba siya galit o pati na kay Dad at sa pagbili niya ng yacht.

"Fine. I'll text her. But 4pm pa ata uwian niya."

"Then you'll pick her up ng 4:30." Mom said rolling her eyes.

"Okay. I'll text her now."

Margarette cried so the three of them went to her crib. And I was left alone in the kitchen washing the dishes. Luto ko, hugas ko. I love this family.