Without Memories

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Forget

I was in deep regret while staring at the ingredients for the dish that I'm planning to cook in front of me. I shouldn't have acted so confident that I can cook it properly just by watching at the videos on Youtube.

Hindi ko alam kung alin sa mga napanood ko ang gagayahin ko. Magkakaiba sila ng ginagawa. Ang iba'y may nilalagay pang rekados na hindi naman nilagay no'ng isa at sinasabing mas sasarap daw kapag nilagyan no'n. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang mas tama. Hindi ko alam kung alin ang susundin ko.

Lumabi ako at saka pumangalumbaba. Napagdesisyunan kong panoorin ang video na may pinakamataas na views. Siguro'y iyon ang may pinakamasarap na luto ng adobo kaya gano'n.

"You're still not starting?"

I didn't turn to look at Asher and just focused on watching the video. He's just here to disturb me. I wanted him to see that I'm dedicated in learning how to cook.

"I'm still watching..." sabi ko na lang.

"Isang oras ka nang nanonood ng videos," sabi niya at saka tumungo sa ref para kumuha ng softdrink in can. "Ilang videos pa baa ng papanoorin mo bago ka magsimula?"

"Nakapili na ako ng gagayahin ko," sabi ko. "Magsisimula na ako pagkaalis mo."

Inulit kong muli ang video mula sa simula dahil wala akong naintindihan nang simula akong kausapin ni Asher.

Halos mapatalon ako nang biglang humilig si Asher sa kitchen counter katabi ko. He was drinking his soda drink while watching the video with me. Mas lalo akong hindi nakapagconcentrate sa kanyang paglapit sa akin.

"Hindi ka pa ba babalik doon sa living room?" tanong ko naman sa kanya.

"Nope." He popped the "p". "I'm gonna watch you cook, instead."

Nervousness immediately crept inside my system. I put the video on pause before looking at him. He also averted his gaze to me and his brows shot up.

"Bumalik ka na roon," utos ko sa kanya.

"Why?" he grinned. "I like it here better."

Humalukipkip naman ako saka tumingin sa kanya ng diretso. "Bumalik na," muli kong pag-utos.

"Why do you want me gone?" he asked me.

"Para makapagsulat ka," pagdadahilan ko. "'Di ba gusto mo ng matapos ang sinusulat mo?"

"There's no need to rush. My deadline's 'til next week. I'm already at the last five chapters of the novel," he said. "We will still have time to stroll around the area before we go back to Manila. Gusto mong mamasyal, 'di ba?"

Gusto ko. Pero hindi ko sasabihin sa kanya dahil gusto ko, ako lang mag-isa ang mamamasyal at hindi siya kasama.

"But for now, it looks like you really need my help," he said and grabbed the knife to start peeling the garlic.

I pouted while staring at his skillful hands. I wish I was talented like him when it comes to cooking. Dapat ay mas marunong akong magluto sa kanya dahil ako ang babae.

He took a glance at me, and heaved a sigh. "Watch how I minced the garlic," he told me. "You do the rest. I already peeled the garlic for you."

Masunurin naman akong tumango sa kanya at saka mas lumapit upang panoorin kung paano niya tinadtad ang bawang. Dahan-dahan niya itong ginawa para mapanood ko ng maayos.

"Just like that... It's easy..." he said after he minced a clove of garlic. "Now, try it while I set the pan."

He carefully handed me the knife, and I smiled as soon as I got the hold of it.