CUBBY LOVE - MANxMAN

Chapitre Vingt Quatre

COOPER

The thick smell of chicken porridge wafting in the air made me yearn for more despite having three bowls of it already. Angelo helped the cooks back in the kitchen this morning and by lunchtime the queue was growing almost endless.

It was more than sweltering inside with the amount of people and the effort that I’ve pitched in for the volunteer work but I wouldn’t want to send the wrong impression. I am neither spoilt nor fretting especially in front of him. This had been a really marvelous idea after all, a weekend well spent indeed.

“Do you think there’ll be more coming?”

He was standing next to me, scooping the chicken porridge that we had help prepared before lunch and putting them into bowls to pass to the crowd lining up for the free food. Most of them were definitely homeless and unemployed, secret vagabonds in the cruel streets of the big city.

“I am more worried whether the porridge will be enough for more or not.”

“You’re right.” I scooped some with a fixed amount using the chunky ladle and passed it into the plastic bowls enough not to fill it to the brim, copying Angelo and handed it to the next person in queue.

Apart from Angelo and I there were three more volunteers handing out bowl after bowl of steaming chicken porridge for the hungry people that began to fill up the huge dining hall. Each one of us had a huge pot of the food to serve from and I began to wonder if the kitchen people would prepare some more in case of incoming mass of people coming in the next hour or so.

“Chef Oliver said they’re making a third batch just in case and that should cover the next throng of people. Then we’ll wrap up for the day.”

Angelo turned his gleeful face towards me to flash me an earnest smile – he clearly enjoyed doing the volunteer work, in fact way more than I do – before focusing back on the task at hand. The qualms had been answered so we’ll survive. More people can get some free porridge and hopefully not get too hungry against the cold pre-winter air outside.

I wiped the sheen of sweat forming on my forehead with the back of my hand and nodded to each and every one of the people coming in for the food. I flashed them a genuine smile of respect and sometimes I would be replied with an equal warmth.

“I’m glad you agreed to join me for this weekend. I promise tomorrow I’ll take you somewhere special.”

“So it’s a date then?” I quirked a smile hoping that my chubby dimples would be visible enough for his viewing pleasure. He patted my back gently a few times and I giggled inside watching the both of us wearing silly aprons and kitchen workers’ outfit, complete with plastic headcover and gloves.

“Of course, mio caro. It will be a surprise but knowing you so far I believe you would like where I’m taking you.” I was so wrong; his one-sided dimple on his left cheek whenever he smiles would dethrone mine on any give day. He looked so damn sexy and smitten with me.

“I’m looking forward for the date then.”

“You should know that I’m not immune to your winks so I hope you’re not trying to embarrass me in front of these people.”

I cocked an eyebrow at him, tilting my head towards him while still multitasking efficiently. The other three volunteers behind the cheap foldable dinner tables were also chatting with each other so I don’t see any harm in chilling out a bit.

“Something is getting tighter down there, if you get what I mean.”

It took me a full minute to finally comprehend his adorable confession, his cheeks all flushed and bothered like a cute boy under the sun. His naturally tanned skin didn’t even falter the possibility of him not being able to hide his blossoming blush which made me giggle further inside. I almost missed pouring the porridge into the bowl before I recomposed myself and handed it to an elderly lady with unruly hair wearing tatchered worn-down clothes.