"This is a disaster, Dei!" The executive chef shouted. "I thought you're better than this!" Padarag niyang inilapag ang report na buong araw naming pinaghirapan.
I bit my lower lip as I gathered the papers that scattered inside his office.
"That was the original plan that was given to us, Chef." I said meekly.
"Well that plan was stupid! Do you think Mrs. Amelia Richards will be happy pagkatapos mong magcost cut? She wants it extravagant and we have to oblige with the clients no matter what!"
"Chef, if we do that, all the plans for other guests will be cut as well. Wala po tayong budget—"
"Just do it, Dei! Is that fucking hard?!" he spat at me.
"I'm sorry, chef." Napalunok ako. "Let me talk with the team again. We shall present the revised menu in a week."
"Make it three days, Dei. Kailangan na nilang makita yan at the soonest possible time." He said and dismissed me.
Paglabas ko ng opisina ng Executive Chef ay nakaabang na si Janelle at may hawak na isang baso ng tubig. Nginitian ko siya at kinuha ang baso.
"Sorry... hindi talaga kaya eh." I told her as I drank the water she gave me.
Napabuntong-hininga si Janelle at ngumiti sa akin. "Ayos lang yan, Chef Dei. Tutulungan ka po namin sa pagrevise ng mga menu natin for caterings."
Tumango ako at bumalik na sa office. Kinailangan ko pang i-retrieve ang mga naunang plano namin na naapprove na ng chef before at i-revise ito. There are a total of ten reports and I have to revise them all, in three days.
Agad akong nag-start sa pagcost cut ng mga menu isa-isa. Halos hindi na ako nakatulong sa kitchen dahil sa mga reports na 'to. I also cancelled all my appointments for the next three days dahil sa trabaho.
On the second day, halos hindi na ako nakatulog. Literal na umuwi lang ako ng bahay at naligo at agad din akong bumalik sa hotel para sa reports. Anim na ang natatapos naming at ang isa ay ginagawa din ni Janelle. I have to treat her after this, I thought to myself.
I was about to start the next report when Janelle handed me a cup of coffee.
"Pahinga ka muna, Chef. Sorry isang report lang 'yung natulong ko. Hindi naman po kasi ako marunong mag food costing."
Nginitian ko siya at tinanggap ang kape. Agad ko itong ininom kahit napakainit nito. Ngayon ko lang napagtantong hindi pa pala ako nanananghalian.
"Thanks, Jan. Pasensya na din at hindi na ako nakakatulong sa kusina. Ang dami lang talagang trabaho ngayon. Work piled up."
"Ayos lang yun, chef! Alam naman po namin na medyo masungit yung executive chef lately." Napahagikgik siya.
"No..." I stopped her from saying anything further dahil alam kong pagsisisihan niya iyon. "The client is very picky lang kaya napressure siya."
Lumabi si Janelle. Akmang may sasabihin ngunit itinikom din niya ang bibig. After 1 cup of coffee, I got energized. Natapos ko ang lahat ng revision ngayong gabi!
Ipinusod ko ang aking buhok at iniunat ang mga kamay. I think I might have typed so much that my whole arm is already numb.
Later that night, I turned my PC off and went home to catch up on all my sleep. Kinabukasan ay halos alas-diyes na ako nagising. I freshened up and went back to the hotel. Mamayang 1 PM ay ipe-present ko na sa Chef ang meal plan para sa event ni Mrs. Amelia Richards.
Thankfully, it got approved by the chef. He was extremely pleased and even invited me to meet Alden's mother. Tatanggi na sana ako ngunit ayaw kong magalit ulit ang chef.
Ni hindi na ako nakapagpalit ng damit. Still wearing my chef uniform, we were invited inside Amelia Richard's unit na nirentahan niya sa hotel. This is the grandest room we have and this is also my first time entering this place.
We were greeted by the lady na kasama nilang nagcheck in. If I recall correctly, her name is Anne.
"Hello, Chef Dexter." Anne widened the door and invited us in. "Tita Amy is at the balcony. Nagpahanda na rin kami ng pagkain to thank you for all the effort."
Wow... she's so pretty. Like a mannequin who came into life.
"Thank you, Ms. Dalton." Chef Dexter responded at iginiya kami sa loob.
We saw the luxurious Amelia Richards sipping a tea. If I remember correctly, that was a Darjeeling Tea.
"Welcome, Dexter and..." her voice trailed off.
"This is Nicomaine Dei Mendoza, Mrs. Richards. My sous chef." Pagpapakilala sa akin.
Tipid akong ngumiti. "Magandang hapon po, Ma'am."
Tinignan lang ako nito at bumaling ulit kay Chef Dexter. Is it just me or she's somehow ignoring me?
"I appreciate the effort you extended during our stay here, Dex." She said sweetly. "Na-review na ni Anne ang menu and she's very delighted."
"That's good to hear, Ma'am." Ani Chef Dex. "But if you don't mind me asking, para saan po ang event niyo next month?"
Ngumiti ang ginang at bumaling sa akin. "It's for my son's engagement party."
