The Remnants Of Forgotten Love

chapter 23

"As long as your hands are in mine, I'm fine"

(Liam's pov)

My heart raced as I surveyed the other chefs’ creations. And soon my eyes landed on Isla, she stood out from the rest of the audience as if her light was too obvious. Isla looked at me too and smiled, her smile calmed down my racing heart.

I see the judges finally approached my stall, i put a smile on my face and greet them. I have poured my heart into “Fruilower,” a dish that combined with delicate flowers with juicy fruits. I notice the judges’ scrutiny intensified as they reached my stall. Would they appreciate the fusion of nature’s bounty and an unspoken memory that I had crafted?

The lead judge, a stern-faced woman with a discerning eye, stopped in front of me. Her gaze bore into mine, dissecting every detail. My mind raced, replaying the memory, the creation of this dish in my mind. I feel my hands get sweaty.

“Tell us about your creation,” the judge said, her tone neutral. And just as she said that, my mind took me to the day of the creation of Fruilower.

                        ....

In the heart of the kitchen, a sturdy wooden table stood, it's warm honey-brown surface scratched from the years of loving use. On the table, two wicker baskets sat, each overflowing with something in it.

One basket, adorned with a soft pink ribbon and filled with fruits.
Next to the fruit basket, a second basket sat, wrapped with a delicate lace trim, filled with various beautiful flowers.
On the side of the table stood Isla and Liam.

"Let's see who can make a great dish out of these flowers and fruits" Liam challenged Isla, with a mischievous smile on his face.

"Challenge accepted!"

"I pick fruits, I'm going to make a dish out of these fruits" Liam said, picking up a basket full of fruits hurriedly, before Isla could even reach it.

"Ugh! Now only flowers are left, what can I make out of these flowers!" Isla cried out. Not knowing what to do with the flowers  infront of her.

"It's your choice, those flowers are in your hands, you get to decide what to do with them" Liam said in a teasing tone, showing off his basket of fruits to isla and dancing around.

"Ugh!"
"What can I make out of this?" Isla looked at the flowers, wondering with a pout on her face.

"Uhhuh" Isla smiled an evil smile, as an idea popped in her mind. grabbing the flowers isla started going out of the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" Liam asked, tilting his head a little, with confusion written on his face as he saw Isla walking out of the kitchen instead of complaining or trying to make something out of the flowers.

"I'm going to cook" Isla stated. With a wide smile that reached her eyes making her eyes almost closed shut. on this strange behaviour of Isla Liam raised his eyebrow but ignored it anyway.

After hours Liam came out of the kitchen just to find Isla watching TV on the yellow colored sofa in their living room.

"What are you doing here?"
"Did you make it already or did you... quit‽" Liam teased Isla, leaning on the door frame with his hands crossed across his broad chest.

"No baby no, isla never quits" isla said, shaking her head in a no as well.

"I'm already done with my dish" she added with a grin on her face.

"Then let's bring our dishes together?"

"Nope, not now, she is resting" Isla said, refusing to show her dish to Liam.