Every Flight Counts

Kabanata 38

Bra

"I'm nervous,"

Sinilip niya 'ko habang mahigpit ang hawak sa kamay ko at tuloy-tuloy ang pagdala sa akin sa kusina ng Bright Bite.

I just got back in the country yesterday but here I am again in Zaid's safe place. Parang naging second home ko na rin talaga to. Magiging totoo ata yung sinabi ni Uncle na dito na lang ako tumira.

I chuckled at what he said. "Bakit naman?"

He sighed. "The one I'm going to let you taste today is the ultimate recipe that I'm going to cook for the competition. So if you'll not like it.. then, it's over,"

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. "Grabe ka naman! Bakit sakin naka-depende? Ako ba yung judge?"

Nakarating na kami sa tamang lugar kaya huminto na siya sa paghila sakin at dahil dun ay napahinto na rin ako.

He then turned to me. Looking at me with his excited eyes. His lips curved.

"Actually, your opinion is more important." he grinned. "Ayos lang na hindi manalo basta magustuhan mo,"

Napatitig ako sa kanya. My lips automatically  went hanging at his cool delivery. I was in awe at how soothing his voice was when he said that. Walang preno ang pagkakasabi niya at tila ba yun ang pinaka-natural na bagay na maaaring lumabas sa bibig niya.

His playful grin was replaced by a genuine smile.

"Wait, I'll just get a stool for you," he said then lightly squeezed my hand.

Aalis na sana siya nang pigilan ko.

"Wag na, Zaid.. I'd love to watch you this way. No need for a stool,"

He raised his brow at me while the same smile was plastered on his face.

Damn, he'd been smiling proudly since a while ago. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay sobrang sarap ng ipapakain sakin nito kaya ang yabang. I can't help but feel thrilled.

"Okay then.." he smoothly said with the same hint of arrogance on his expression. "I'll just put the finishing touches,"

Saka niya lang binitawan ang kamay ko. His face maintained the pleasant look though. He still seems glad as heck. He started doing his thing with that same expression. It feels so good to be able to watch him like this.

I placed both my elbows on top of the counter which caused my body to bend over a bit. Sa posisyon ko ngayon ay mas napapanood at natititigan ko na siya nang maayos.

He piped the potato puree and my eyeballs almost went out from its sockets when his biceps flexed at that small and subtle move.

Napalunok ako at iniwas na lang doon ang tingin.

Nang ibaba ko ang tingin sa pagkain ay naglaway naman ako sa nakita. Ano ba yan. Nakakatakam na nga yung niluluto tapos nakakatakam pa yung nagluluto. Unfair.

He moved his hands to garnish the dish. After that, he then drizzled the demi - glace around the plate using a spouted saucier.

Matapos niyang gawin iyon ay nalaglag na nga ang panga ko sa kinalabasan noon. More so when he wiped the edges of the plate with a clean towel. His every motion was governed with precision.

Habang nakaawang pa ang mga labi ay lumipad ang mata ko sa mukha niya. His face was still focused on what he was doing. But just right on time, he finished the classic landscape plate.. so he stood straight.