ATOMS OF YOU

27

He seemed to be in front of something new. Not giving explanations was the new thing. But he was happy with it. I was really okay with it. He must spend time with his friends. I can't say the same since we all study and work, and when we go out we do it cause we're tired of not going out. That's the college life.

— Are you okay with staying here on the morning? Cause I can take you home if you...–he was tireless
— My love, Alex, it's okay, I can stay here and wait for you, we wanted to spend the weekend here, your friends need you, you should go.
— You can do everything you want here, I feel like it is necessary to say it, in case you doubt.
— I don't doubt when it comes to you, my man.
— I'm glad to hear it then. –his smile melted my heart
— Are you helping me with dinner or not? –I asked as I got up and waited for him to grab my hand
— Yes ma'am, on my way.

His kitchen was barely used. Seems like he lived alone all this time, or at least his girl wasn't into cooking and stuff. His pans and pots were new. We ripped off some tags as we got everything ready. He had a really nice kitchen knifes kit that caught my attention. He had all the equipment.

— We need to boil this water and then you'll help me with the mushrooms. –I handed him the pot with water to boil and some salt, he put it on the hob at high heat
— You scary me with that huge knife, it almost fits in your hands. –I handed him the mushrooms, and a bow to cut them in quarters and rip the stems
— I love big knifes, I've learned the best way to chop, look, eyes closed. –I chopped the onions as fast as I could and the garlic on the wood table, my restaurant works helped me with kitchen skills
— My mom would be cringing by seeing you doing that. –he laughed at me, as I denied with my head
— It is easy, chopped some fingers on the process but started from the bottom now we here. –I finished with the chopping and then grabbed the pan for the sauce, so we'd grill the mushrooms
— So I add this oil to the pan? —he asked me while I prepared the eggs, and I nodded— It is smoking hot, I'll throw them.
— Yes babe, don't forget to move them around, they must get brown.
— Don't you salt them? –he asked
— No, because they'll loose their juices.
— I'm learning a lot.
— You better...–I gave a look at the water, it was boiling— Throw the pasta in there, that green box. –I pointed at him, then he opened it
— These are shells, you picked these? –he looked confused
— Yes, they hold sauce, I love them, you'll like it, let them cook and stir the mushrooms, don't forget babe.
He nodded and seemed really into the cooking process. I left him some minutes while I prepared the last part of the recipe, the eggs and the pepper.
— These look brown and they aren't bubbling anymore, love. –he noticed me
— Ohh, let me see those...–I spied from above, and then handed him the chopped onion and garlic— Cook these too in there, and stir them too.
— Do I add the salt now? –he asked me
— Yes babe, and low the heat too, on medium it'd be better, they don't need to brown that much.
I checked on the pasta too, it was almost ready. I saved some pasta water and then turned off Alex's hob, it was almost ready. I grabbed the pan to drain the pasta, and then brought it back to where we were.
— Now you'll be the star, Alex. –I helped him with the pan, then dropped the pasta into it, as he kept moving it
— What's next, my beloved chef?
— We will add some of these pasta water...–he grabbed the cup and did as I said— Perfect, now stir it a little more, let it all get with the pasta.
— It smells really good, can't wait to try it.
— The surprise it's the parm in here.
— Did you said...? —now he was more excited
— Yes, parm, babe. –he loved it
While he kept it all mixed and nice I warmed up the eggs with the parm and the big amount of pepper, adding some water to it, and waiting patiently, we were a good team.
— Keep stirring my love, I'll pour this in there. –he nodded at me, while he followed my instructions— You want me to finish? I don't know where the dishes are, and this is ready.
— That was really fast, and yes, I'll set it all up. –he kissed my cheek then handed me two white and deep dishes to serve the food.