Petals & Rice

Mapo Tofu

Garlic sizzled on the pan, an aroma that made my mouth water. 

I love garlic.

But most people in my school hate it. And I have to agree with them, you know? Or else I'll be cast aside and laughed at for being different. 

People already do that to me. But it'll probably be worse if I actually admit that I liked garlic. 

But at home, I can act as different as I want. Especially when Wai Po is cooking my most favorite dish ever, 麻婆豆腐. Mapo Tofu.

I focus on doing my homework on the kitchen island, but I occasionally steal glances at Wai Po and can't help but be amazed. One day, I want to cook delicious meals for my grandchildren, just like her. It's almost mesmerizing, watching my grandma dance around the kitchen, splattering different sauces and sprinkling spices. Everything is almost too fast for my eyes to catch, but I do notice Wai Po tossing in some Sichuan peppercorns in the end. My stomach growls loudly.

Cooking is almost as good as eating the actual food.

"Hai Tao!" Wai Po calls as she's scooping fresh hot rice into a bowl. "快点帮孩子吃饭!" Quickly help the kid eat.

I lick my lips excitedly as Wai Po sets the bowl of rice and plate of mapo tofu in front of me. "谢谢!" I exclaim, clapping my hands together like I'm six years old again.

But I don't care. My grandparents don't judge.

They're not like the kids at my school.

"Ah, 吃饭前别急着说谢谢，你还不知道好不好吃" (Don't say 'thank you' before you even eat the food. You don't even know if it's going to be good!) Wai Po jokes, waddling a finger at me.

I grin. I know Wai Po's food will always be good, even without tasting it. 

Like reading my mind, Wai Gong walks in and puts his hat on the counter. "你的外婆做的饭永远都好吃，对吧? "(Your  grandma's cooking will always be good, right?) 

I nod vigorously, cupping my hands together and praying in my head super quickly. Thank you God for this meal and my amazing Wai Po and Wai Gong. Amen. 

Then, without a second that I grab my spoon and dig in.

Wai Po makes a sound, slapping my Wai Gong on the arm. "Yue is good kid! 看看她在吃饭前是怎么祷告的!" (Look how she prays before her meal!)

Wai Gong nods in agreement and they both watch me eat happily. 

I take a big bite and close my eyes.

太好吃了.

So delicious.