ONE SHOTS MARINA (ENGLISH)

15. Pasta

P.O.V. MAYA DELUCA-BISHOP

The smell of fresh tomato sauce invaded the kitchen, mixing with the aroma of garlic and basil. The sight of Carina, with her flowery apron tied over her pregnant belly, swaying slightly to the rhythm of an Italian song that she sang, made me smile. She was radiant, and I felt an immense happiness just to watch her.

I was standing next to her, trying to concentrate on the task she had given me - making the pasta. There was only one small detail: I didn't know exactly what I was doing. Cooking wasn't my thing. And she knew it, but was determined to teach me. Or, as she put it, "challenge her in a cooking competition".

- Amore mio, are you sure you want to compete with me? - my wife joked, her eyes glowed with malice - I'm Italian, remember? This is not very fair.

My eyes turned back, but the smile did not leave my face.

- Of course it's not fair, but maybe I can learn some of your secrets. Or, who knows, surprise you?

She laughed, a sweet and melodious sound that always could light my day.

- Okay, okay. Let's see what you're capable of. But know that regardless of the result, I'll love you anyway.

That last sentence melted me a little inside. Carina always knew how to make me feel loved, even in the most trivial situations. 

I took the spaghetti wrap, observing the long strips of dough with a little hesitation. Carina, on the other side of the kitchen, had already prepared her fresh pasta, which rested on the countertop, covered with a clean dish cloth. Of course she had to raise the level, making the pasta from scratch.

I started to open the package, trying to ignore the pressure I felt.

- You're doing well for someone who never opened a packet of noodles, bambina. Just keep calm - Carina encouraged, laughing at me.

I took a deep breath and followed the instructions she had given me before we started. But when it came time to put the noodles in boiling water, I hesitated. It was too long, and the pan didn't seem big enough. She made it look so easy, but to me, it seemed like an enigma. I decided to break the spaghetti strips in half before putting them in the pan.

The sound of the noodles breaking was what broke the incantation in the kitchen. Immediately, my wife stopped what she was doing and looked at me with her eyes wide in disbelief.

- Maya! What are you doing? - she exclaimed, her voice full of horror.

My eyes widened when I realized the mistake I made.

- I... I thought it wouldn't fit in the pan...

But before I could fully explain myself, I saw his eyes fill with tears. Genuine tears.

- You broke the noodles! - Carina whimpered, her voice shrunk as she wiped the tears that began to run down her cheeks - In my house, that's a heresy!

I stopped fiddling with the noodles immediately, feeling my heart tighten when I see her so emotional. Knew she was more sensitive because of the pregnancy hormones, but I never thought that breaking the noodles could have such a devastating effect.

- Carina, I'm sorry! I didn't know... - I approached her, trying to hug her, but she was inconsolable, and I didn't know what to do.

Liam, who was sitting in his chair next to the table, watched everything with curiosity. When he heard the sound of the mother's cry, he uttered a cheerful giggle, as if he found the situation amusing.

She, hearing our son's laugh, stopped for a moment and looked at him, her eyes still full of tears, but now there was a small smile emerging from her lips. His innocent laugh, so pure and carefree, seemed to have broken the tension in the air.