Into the Spotlight

Chapter 11

"What's that smell?"

Bagama't antok na antok, I strode my way to our kitchen when I noticed that they all left me here in my room. I can also smell a delicious aroma of something that's being cooked in the dirty kitchen kaya naman nagmadali akong bumaba kahit pa nakasuot pa ako ng pajama.

I was still on the second floor but I can clearly hear laughter and shouting from the dining room which is on the first floor. Para bang may nagkakasiyahan habang kumakain at hindi ako invited. Awts, gege.

Pagkarating ko sa baba ay sumilip muna ako sa dirty kitchen dahil doon galing ang naaamoy ko. I saw Shin staring at nowhere while leaning on the counter. He's probably waiting for whatever he is cooking since he keeps on glancing at his watch and is wearing an apron.

I knocked on the door at bahagya pa siyang nagulat bago tumingin sa direksyon ko. "Hello, good morning!"

"Morning." he gestured me to sit at a chair that's only beside him kaya naman naupo ako. "I'm cooking ramen. Since you're here and the others seem busy, you will have to assist me."

I smiled awkwardly at napakamot sa likod ng batok ko. "Ah, eh, huh? Sure ka na ba sa decision mong 'yan, Shin? Nakalimutan mo yata na muntik na akong makasunog ng kusina the last time you asked me to help you."

It's quite embarassing but I know nothing in the field of cooking kahit pa ang tatay ko na mismo ang chef. I have a best friend who is a chef in the making pero nganga pa rin ako sa kusina.

"You know what? On a second thought.." he placed a small bowl of rice and egg in front of me. "Just eat breakfast and assist me in platings when I finish instead. You won't be eating ramen for lunch unless you eat breakfast."

Pabiro akong umirap atsaka kumuha ng kutsara upang kumain. "Fine. You got me on the ramen threat."

"Good." he said and went back to checking if whatever he's cooking is doing well at hindi nasusunog.

I felt my tummy growl and yes, I really do think I need to eat. And I really need to stop waking up at lunchtime during weekends. Hindi pa naman ako dapat ako kakain kahit kumukulo na ang tyan ko. My excuse? Mabubusog ako at hindi makakakain ng ramen.

But I only know that when I reason out, magsasagutan lang kami at ang ending, kakain lang din ako. I'll never win an argument with Shin lalo pa't laging nasa katuwiran ang ipinaglalaban noon.

"You can slice boiled eggs, right?" tanong niya nang mailagay na sa boil ang nilutong noodles at sabaw. Tinuro niya sakin ang mga nabalatang itlog sa plato. "Do those and I'll do the rest."

I finished cutting around seven eggs in half, right before he finished cutting all the other toppings. Oh diba? Ang tagal kong naghiwa ng mga boiled eggs? That's how terrible I am in the kitchen.

"Not bad." puna niya nang iabot ko sa kanya ang gawa ko. He quickly put a piece on each bowl. "For a first timer."

I watched him closely as he was busy adding other toppings. "Not bad lang? Sure na 'yan? Am I not receiving a very good on slicing the eggs?"

"Asa ka. Why, are you impressed with your own work?"

Umirap na lang ulit ako. Okay, aaminin ko nang matagal akong naghiwa. Hindi rin pantay-pantay at halos madurog na 'yung pula ng itlog so... For now, tatanggapin ko ang 'not bad' na 'yon.

"Bakit nga pala fourteen 'yan? Sampu lang naman tayo." tanong ko, tinutukoy ang mga nahiwang itlog.

Bahagya siyang sumulyap sa akin habang iniisa-isang ilagay ang mga bowl sa mga tray. "So you won't steal mine, then Chris', Ryan's and your dad's, respectively."