Without Toppings

Chapter 26

Between

"Anong gusto mong kainin, Hiro?" tanong ni Jester sa kapatid ko, na nakaupo ngayon sa kandungan niya. Hiro insisted on sitting with Jester, kaya ganito ang nangyari.

Beside me, Cid was frowning like a kid with denied attention. Malas niya lang, mas close 'yong kapatid ko kay Jester.

"Gusto ko 'yong kaldereta, Kuya Jeje," masayang tinuro ni Hiro ang pagkain sa mesa. Jester smiled, picking up the serving spoon to fill Hiro's plate.

Kukuha na rin sana ako ng panandok nang biglang magsalita ang dalawa.

"Yuno."

Sabay nilang binanggit ang pangalan ko. Napatingin ako sa kanilang dalawa, confused and slightly alarmed. Both of them are dead serious now. Gago, anong plano na naman ng mga 'to?

"Gusto mo ng kaldereta?" tanong ni Jester.

"Want mo afritada?" sabay naman ni Cid.

Nagkatinginan silang dalawa, and just like that, the tension rose.

"Are you competing with me?" Cid asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you threatened?" sagot ni Jester, nakangisi.

Napabuka ang bibig ko. Hindi ko naisip na dadating sa puntong magpapasikatan ang dalawa— over food, no less. 

"Bring it on," Cid, crossing his arms.

Jester smirked. He tapped the serving spoon against his plate of kaldereta. "Listen, Yuno. Itong kaldereta ko, hindi lang 'to basta pagkain, it's a life-changing experience. The beef? Slow-cooked for hours to achieve that perfect tenderness. The sauce? Rich, hearty, and loaded with nutrients that could power you up for weeks."

"Kaldereta? Life-changing? Get real," Cid interjected, holding his plate of afritada like a trophy. "My afritada has sauceee, it isn't just a pagkain, it's a masterpiece crafted to perfection. The manok? Moist, lean, and perfect for muscle growth. The sauce? A blend of tomatoes and spices so balanced, it'll make your skin glow."

"Skin glow?" natatawang pangutya ni Jester, raising an eyebrow. "Who cares about glowing skin when my kaldereta can make you the ultimate thirst trapper? Imagine mo, Yuno— every bite of my kaldereta enhances your jawline. The protein? Perfect siya para sa braso mo na gustong-gusto mong ipost online."

"That's ridiculous," Cid scoffed, laughing with irritation. "Isang tikim of my afritada, Yuno, and you'll feel your metabolism kicking into high gear. It's like having a personal trainer in every bite! Do you want abs? My afritada will bigay you abs."

"Abs? You think abs are enough? My kaldereta will give him powerful pecs!" Jester shot back, leaning closer to me. "Imagine all the people thirsting over you on social media when they see the results of my kaldereta."

"I don't need to imagine," Cid snapped. "My afritada already makes him irresistible. One photo after kain mo ito, and your followers will double overnight."

Nag-aalangan akong pinanood silang dalawa.

"Yuno, you can't possibly pick his kaldereta over this masterpiece, you-know," dagdag ni Cid, gesturing at his plate.

"Masterpiece daw?" Jester scoffed. "Let's be honest, Yuno. This kaldereta? It's comfort food at its finest. It reminds you of home, of family. Hindi mo makukuha 'yon sa afritada ng isang sosyalero at conyo."

"I'm not being sosyal, I'm being authentic!" depensa ni Cid. "It's not my kasalanan na mas refined ang taste ko. Some people just can't keep up."

"Taste mo refined?" Jester quipped, grinning smugly. "Refined tastes, but no refined attitude."