Chase and Courage (Youth Series #1)

24

#CAC24

"So, how's the school?" my sister said from the other line.

"Better than what I expected," I answered

Since it's weekend, I decided to bake. Nag-fail yung ginawa kong brownies last time kaya sinubukan ko ulit siyang gawin ngayon. Magkavideo call ulit kami ni ate at medyo nahihirapan pa ako kausapin siya dahil sa ginagawa.

"Move on ka na ba sa UP?" aniya

Napahinto ako sa paghahalo. Tumingin ako sa phone ko na nakasandal sa counter.

I smiled weakly and continued to stir the batter. "Ganun talaga eh, baka hindi siya para sa'kin. I already accpeted it and to tell you, I am happy with my school. I realized that it didn't matter anyway. Natutunan kong makuntento sa kung anong binigay sa'kin ni God. I'm already blessed to be able to study and I think that what's important."

"Wow sis, you've matured! Nakakaiyak, wait."

I giggled. "I just accepted the things that are beyond my control. Besides, less gastos dahil hindi ko na kailangan magdorm pa."

Tumingin ako sa recipe ng brownies na sinulat ko sa papel. I checked the ingredients that i already added to the batter. Pagkatapos ay kumuha ako ng limang itlog sa ref. I went back to the counter while holding the eggs. I cracked one and put it in a seperate bowl.

"But seriously, I am proud of you. Basta mag-aral ka lang ng mabuti at makapagtapos," she said

I smiled. "I know."

"By the way, how's your business going?" she teased

The next step I did is I chopped the chocolate bars and put it in a medium sized measuring cup. I added one fourth cup of cocoa powder and one tablespoon espresso powder.

"Hindi pa ako nagbubusiness ate," I answered

"Really?" she asked, quite unsure

I nodded. "I'm still practicing how to make the perfect brownies before I start my business."

I went to the stove and saw that the butter started to melt. Hinalo ko iyon saglit at pinatay ang kalan. Bumalik ako sa counter at pinatong iyon doon. I carefully poured the unsalted melted butter to the chocolate batter I made. I grabbed a whisk and started to stir it slowly.

"Pero bakit napapadalas na nagbabake ka sa tuwing mag-kausap tayo?"

"Nagkataon lang," I replied

I set aside the melted chocolate and got myself another bowl. I added two cups of granulated sugar and one half cup dark brown sugar.

"Well to me it looks like you want to start business anytime soon."

Binaba ko ang hawak na measuring cup at tumingin sa phone. "Maybe but I'm still thinking about it."

"Okay lang naman na magbenta ka ng binabake mo sa mga kaklase mo para extra income nadin ganun pero sana hindi mo mapabayaan ang pag-aaral mo. Still, know your priorities Talliah."

Umiwas ako ng tingin at tinuon ang atensiyon sa ginagawa. Kinuha ko ang vanilla extract sa tabi at tinignan iyon saglit. I opened it and put some on my batter. I also added a pinch of salt.

"Alam ko naman yun ate. Like I've said, nagpapractice pa ako. Maunti palang ang alam kong ibake," I answered after a few seconds of silence

"Tapos ka na ba sa mga schoolworks mo at puro ka bake diyan. Kamusta pala pagiging business student? Mahirap ba?" sunod sunod niyang tanong

I scratched my forehead and nodded. "Of course, nagawa ko na mga assignments ko. Tsaka sa totoo lang, madali pa naman yung mga pinapagawa sa'min. Akala ko mahihirapan ako pero kaya ko pa naman. Hindi pa ako nagbebreak down. I also practiced how to manage my time wisely."