The Wish You Left Behind

Chapter 11: The Gang

Faye

“Onions.”

Faye handed Mr. Bunmi the minced ones on a plate along with the other spices and pre-cooked ingredients that she prepared as Mr. Bunmi’s sous chef.

Despite her hands feeling numb from chopping since that afternoon, the aroma of what’s cooking is definitely worth it.

And regardless of the sound from the boiling pots, Ryn’s voice booms from behind them. The kid is sitting on Tiny’s shoulders.

Faye puts a hand on her waist, trying to be intimidating but Ryn is enjoying her ride so much that her small hand grips Tiny’s forehead. Ryn’s other hand is holding Mr. Bunmi’s phone, talking to someone.

As per the kid’s command, Tiny stops in front of her. “Fai. The hungry doctor said hi!” Ryn said before they circle back to the living room.

“Hey! Careful!”

“Don’t worry boss!” Tiny said. “I got her.”

Faye shakes her head.

From beside her, Mr. Bunmi asks, “Dr. Papitchaya can’t come?”

“She has dinner with her family, Mr. Bunmi.” Faye looks at Ryn who’s now playing with a small, stuffed bear given by the doctor. “But she sent her a gift, anyway.”

Mr. Bunmi chuckles, looking at his granddaughter. “Ryn can’t wait to open that one earlier.”

“Did Aom call?”

“She did last night. Ryn talked to her mother the whole night.” He opens a pot and sprinkles some spices before regarding her again. “What time will your boss be here?”

Faye checks her watch. It’s past 4 pm. “They will probably be here in an hour, Mr. Bunmi. I’ll just check how Third and Fourth are doing.”

“Go ahead. The food is done anyway, so go ahead. Can you prepare the table too?”

“Of course, Chef.”

Just as she’s leaving the kitchen, Third called her.

“Cuz! Can you check if this aligns?”

Her cousins are busy plastering the cutout letters on the wall.

“Raise it a little on the right.”

Third plastered his part and help his sister on the other side.

Fourth let her brother.

“What’s cooking, cuz? I’m hungry,” Fourth said.

“It seems like Mr. Bunmi is completing an Asian Cuisine.”

“Ain’t that perfect?” Fourth slaps Faye’s shoulder. It’s only a friendly slap, but her cousin surely has a heavy hand.

When Tiny and Ryn pass through, Fourth offers her hands to Ryn.

“Let’s go to the kitchen, kiddo! I’m exhausted decorating the room.”

“You didn’t do anything.” Third, complain.

“Don’t be a crybaby,” Fourth said before retreating to the kitchen with an equally giddy Ryn in her arms.

“All those muscles for nothing,” Third added under his breath.

“Don’t bicker in front of my boss later. Oh, you included,” Faye said to Tiny, who widened his eyes.

“Boss, you know I’m an angel sent from heaven.”

Third wheezes. “I don’t think angels are bald, Tin.”