Destined You & I (Completed)

Chapter 19

2013
(K19, A18)

People rising all around town getting ready for another day of hustle and bustle. Everyone is looking for a meal to start their day on a full stomach. On the streets of Thonglor road, breakfast is abundant in all sorts of varieties. The wonderful smell of fresh bread in the air, and the sound of woks sizzling stretched down the mile. People don't mind standing in long queues waiting for their favorite breakfast food even in the early hours.

Ugh. Not again. "Mom!"

I peeked my head out of the kitchen to see if help was on the way. I can see my mom collecting a few dishes from a table that just vacated since Ranee was busy taking orders. The breakfast rush hour had started dying down. So, my mom turned around to make her way to me.

"Kong, how much longer are you going to play around in my kitchen? You've wasted five eggs already. Why don't you just let me make the pancake? Huh?" My mom bumped my shoulder.

"I almost had it, mom. I just flipped it too early on my last try."

"Then what did you call me for? How may I be of service, my prince?" My mom stood akimbo looking at me stretching the roti.

"I can't get the roti to thin out just right. It's either too thick, or it gets too thin, and it ends up tearing when I lift it. Can you show me again?" I've seriously tried like a million times. It just keeps tearing. The last one was okay, but I just had to flip it too early, and it fell apart on the pan. Why is this so hard?

"Baby, why don't you just let me make it?"

"No, mom. Please just help me stretch it. I really want to make it myself."

"Who is this for, baby?" My mom stared at me with a little smirk.

"I never said it was for anyone." I quickly turned back to my roti. Well, more like just a lump of dough right now.

"Baby, I wasn't born yesterday. Besides, you've already eaten all your failed attempts. You can't possibly still be hungry. So, who's the lucky girl? Is it Jane?" My mom asked as she rested her chin on my shoulder, looking at me.

"No. It's not like that, and Jane is just a friend. I just want to learn from the best. My mom makes the best pancakes. Please." I tried to distract her from further questions.

"So, if it's not Jane, then who is it? You've never even made one for Aim." My mom reached for the lump of dough in my hand.

Shoot. She didn't fall for it. "It's for a good friend that likes pancakes." Actually, I don't even know if Arthit likes pancakes at all. All I know is banana egg pancakes make me smile like he does.

"Is she pretty?" My mom asked as she thinned the dough perfectly without tearing it.

"It's a he." Crap. Why did I say that? "Ah, that's so perfect. Thanks mom."

I avoided looking into my mom's eyes. She stood aside letting me pick up the roti off the counter to put it on top of the oiled pan.

"Baby, you know I'm happy as long as you are happy, right?" My mom said.

"Mmm." I tried to focus on cracking the egg into the center of the roti. I don't want eggshells to fall into it like my second and third attempt.

"Baby, I was really just teasing. I didn't think you are actually involved with anyone. I thought you said you didn't want to start dating before you finish your studies in the US. Is this new?" My mom asked, sounding very serious.

"I know, but it kind of just happened. Are you disappointed in me?" I nervously spooned the banana mixture in.

"Of course not. Baby, I'm just worried that now you will be sad when you leave. Also, I'm afraid you will be distracted from your studies. You've worked so hard to get into that program." My mom guides my hand to flip the edges of the pancake.