Work Text:
"Okay, everyone. Pick it up. Today's Friday. You know what that means, busy day tayo. Let's go! Chop chop! I clap my hands to emphasize the last two words.
It's the start of the weekend and in the restaurant business, that means more people, more food to serve.
I work as a sous chef at this swank French-European restaurant named "Le Nuage", which means "The Cloud" in French.
The reason it's named like that is because the restaurant sits at the topmost floor of a famous 5-star hotel in Pasig, giving the guests a perfect view of the Metro Manila skyline.
We pride ourselves at providing excellent quality in the food and beverages we serve, not to mention the extensive variety of European menu we have. People come here to have a taste of Europe. I am
lucky enough to be a part of all these for 4 years now. I love my job. It's stressful and demanding but seeing people enjoying the food we cook and serve is a feeling like no other.
"Chef! I got two orders for Coq Au Vin, one Pasta Amatriciana, Souvlaki, Seafood bisque and Sauerbraten", one of the waiters relayed to us another round of new orders.
"Okay. Narinig nyo naman si Marco. Let’s hustle up, guys." Our executive chef will be arriving shortly. When she's not around, I manage the kitchen.
I roam around the bustling kitchen area, checking my colleagues doing their tasks at hand, making sure they're doing everything right.
"How are we doing with our Filet Mignon? Make sure not to overcook the meat. Remember, medium rare". I approached one of the staff and gave his shoulder a "goodluck" tap.
"Steph, yung pasta ha? Al dente please. Nobody wants a soggy pasta, okay?" Steph removed the cover of the pot and took out a noodle, biting on it in the middle to test if the pasta is cooked properly. I
smiled para di naman sya matense.
"What are you doing, James? Sabi ko di ba, sweat the onions! Not caramelized. Come on! Discard and repeat. Sweating the onions enriches the flavor of tomato sauce. Alam mo na yan dapat." I pinched
the bridge of my nose. We can't afford making mistakes on a simple dish.
"Sorry, chef." He looked down and pulled another sauce pan and started heating the oil.
"Start another batch. Keep the heat in low. Kaya mo yan". I put my hand on his shoulder and give it a small squeeze.
"Chef, asan na po yung Chocolate soufflé? Yung customer po hinahanap na yung dessert." one of the waitresses said.
I ran towards the oven and pulled out the baking pan where the soufflé was placed to cook.
"I got it, I got it. Give me a minute". I started sifting confectioners' sugar on top and arranged the sliced strawberries and mint leaves for garnishing. I took the plate and placed it on the tray, tapping the
call bell to signal the servers that it's ready for pick up.
I looked around the busy kitchen and sighed as I was already feeling tired, standing and barking orders and doing some of the cooking myself for hours. I glanced at the clock, and it's almost time for
me to leave.
My phone buzzed, 'Future wifey heart’: I need my pahinga na :(
"Hey, guys! Sorry late. Grabe yung Friday traffic." Belle, our executive chef has arrived. I tucked my phone away and approached her, filling her in with where we are at handling orders. She just nodded,
as if taking everything I say to her mentally while she’s donning her apron. She’s gifted like that. You only need to tell her once and she will be able to memorize every detail you say, not missing a beat.
"Okay. Thanks, Alex. Ingat pauwi."
"Thank you, too, Chef, for allowing me magchange ng shift today." I gave her a warm smile, wanting to know I appreciate her consideration.
"Okay lang yun. Ikaw pa ba? That's the least I could do. Send my regards din kay Martine. Enjoy the night." Belle gave me a small tap on the shoulder before putting on her work mode persona.
I went to our mini office and removed my apron and chef's uniform and changed to my casual clothes. I checked my phone and saw 3 missed calls and a message from my fiancée
'Future wifey heart’: Baby, I might come home late na. Dami ko patients today. I'm sorry. My migraine's acting up na rin :(. I need lambing and alaga. I'll be there by dinner na siguro. Fingers-crossed.
Take care on your way home, okay? Happy anniversary, babi! I love you. Always.'
I frown seeing her message. Martine, my fiancée, has the worst kind of migraine. She works as an ER doctor at a tertiary hospital. I can't help but worry about her at times like this.
She puts her patients first above everything else, and that includes enduring her own pain just so she can take care of other people. Typical Martine. That's why I've been in love with her ever since she
helped me when I had a small accident riding my bike at the university, we both went to. I just knew she'd make a great doctor one day.
I sighed and thought of calling her but figured she might be busy so I settled on sending a quick message,
I replied: "Awww my poor baby. Paalis na ako ng resto. I'll cook your favorite for our dinner tonight. Did you take your medicine na, doc? Please take care of yourself. I'll see you later. I love you too.
Happy anniversary, love. Amping, alright?"
We both agreed not to give each other gifts today and just save the money for the wedding. It's more practical that way lalo na sa ibang bansa kami magpapakasal.
I tucked my phone away, took my bag and left the office. I passed by the kitchen doors with my hands in my pocket and looked at the staff, giving them a nod that I'm heading out.
Walking across the floor of the dining area, I glance at the tables and guests I passed by. Seeing them eating happily and enjoying the whole dining experience warms my heart. I looked to my left and
saw that the sun was already setting and the sky’s painted with a mixture of orange, pink, violet and blue hues.
It usually takes 2-3 mins to get to the ground floor, which takes longer when the elevator takes a few stops on some floors. I took that free time to think if I have all the ingredients I need to cook the
recipe for tonight's dinner.
Realizing I don't have them all, I told myself to stop by the grocery for a quick run.
6:00 PM
As I arrive at our unit, I immediately went to the kitchen and placed the 2 bags of groceries on the kitchen counter. I removed my coat together with my bag and placed them on one of the bar stools of
our breakfast table.
I rolled my sleeves and tied my hair up in a messy bun before I searched through our kitchen cabinets and refrigerator with my hands on my waist and took out the rest of the ingredients I'll be needing.
I checked the time and it's already 6 in the evening. I need at least 2 hours to cook everything.
To put me on the mood, I placed my phone on the speaker dock and played my usual playlist when I cook
After donning my apron, I start the fire to boil the pork while I nod my head and sang along to the music
‘I like shiny thing but I’d marry you with paper rings’
9:00 PM
I wipe the sweat that's trickling down my forehead using the back of my hand while stirring the broth. I peeked at my phone's lock screen , it's already 9 in the evening. Martine called me that she's on
her way home.
Taking the ladle, I give it a taste.
While in the middle of blowing on the ladle to cool off the soup for another taste, I heard the door click, and I instantly felt happy and relieved that she's home.
"Hon? I'm home!", I heard Martine shout from the living room.
"Kitchen, love!"
Moments later, I felt arms wrapping around my waist from the back and an all too familiar scent of vanilla, musk and sandalwood.
"Hey, you." I said softly turning my head and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "How are you feeling?"
She frowned, "Worse. Busy day as usual sa ER. Tapos, I had a hard time driving home kasi some people, di talaga marunong when to use high beams. Ang sakit sa mata” she sighs and closes her eyes.
"Alright. Come here, you big baby". I turned to her and cup both sides of her face, kissing both her temples and forehead. "Better?".
"No. Mas masakit here" she pouted and pointed to her lips.
I giggled, "Ok ok. Doctor's orders. I need to comply." I took her chin and capture her lips for a gentle, sweet kiss. As our lips touch, no matter how many times I've kissed my favorite pair of lips, the
feeling always felt the same, heart-fluttering and knee-weakening. And it only grows even more when she kisses me back with the same passion as she started to move her lips against mine.
As much as I want to continue this, I don't want to ruin dinner so I pulled away and run my thumb below her lower lip to remove the lipstick stain I made, "Missed me that much?" I softly say while I keep
my hand on her cheek as I stare at her eyes.
She gave me a cute smile that I can't help but to smile back even brighter "You have no idea"
She pulled me closer, resting her forehead against mine as she closed her eyes. "Have I told you that I Love You today?"
"Once or twice." I giggled. I let her stay like this for a few seconds before I tapped her sides
"Babe, I'm cooking". I pulled away again and grabbed a spoon. I took a small amount of soup, blew on it and offered it to her, with my other hand below the spoon, as if trying to catch a drop or two.
"Try this".
She tasted it and her eyes widened as it reached her taste buds. "Oooooh. Ang sarap ng broth”, she gave me two thumbs up.
"Alright. Just give me a couple more minutes and I'm done. Go for a quick shower muna then we'll eat after.".
"Okay." She scratched her nape, and I know that when she does this, she's about to ask something, "Uhhhh. Can we eat sa bedroom? I can't stand bright lights right now. I'll set the place up. We won't
make a mess. I promise." she gave me a pleading look.
I playfully rolled my eyes, "Fine. Go na and I’ll bring food."
As she headed to our room, I put the ramen bowls and plates on a tray to help me carry our dinner. Once I finished putting everything on the tray, I carefully took small steps towards our bedroom.
When I entered the room, she set up a blanket on the carpeted floor at the foot of the bed, with scattered throw pillows and candle lamps surrounding it. She stood in front of me and took the tray, “let
me help, babe" and I followed her.
We settled ourselves sitting on the floor and started to eat dinner, exchanging talks of how our day went, a small trip down memory lane of how she recalled the moment we met and how she knew that
we will make it to where we are now.
Despite masking her pain through the smiles she gave me, I knew better. I was gonna ask about her headache when she pulled out a box of sweet treats.
"Happy anniversary! Can't let this day be over without our tradition". It's our anniversary tradition to eat assorted chocolates as we did on our first date. It serves as a reminder of our commitment. Like
Forrest Gump said that "Life's like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get", same goes with our relationship. We will have sweet days, days that seem dull and plain, days that come
with surprises, dark and bitter ones, days that will have a few bumps in it but at the end of it all, we're here to stay and we will always have each other all the days of our lives.
She took one chocolate and offered it to me. I gladly bit on and widen my eyes at the flavors that exploded on my mouth, chocolate truffle with white chocolate filling. 'Lucky me'.
She took a bite of her own pick and gave a dissatisfied look as if she wanted to spit out whatever that was "Ewww. May liquor!". I laugh at her expression.
I took out the tray and brought it to the kitchen while Martine tidied up our room. I snuck a quick shower before heading to bed.
When I entered our room, I saw Martine sitting up in bed, her back resting on the headboard and she's massaging the right side of her head. I frowned at sight of her being in pain.
I walked in and like always, she just gave me a smile like she's totally fine.
I joined her in bed and I signalled her to rest her head on my lap, her face facing me with her eyes closed. There's only one thing I know she likes me to do at moments like this.
I position myself in comfort and started combing my fingers through her hair, from her temples, down to the back of her head, slowly massaging her scalp with my fingertips.
She smiled and gave out a sigh of comfort. "How does it feel?" I asked her.
"Beats all the pain-killers in the world" she said with a smile of content while keeping her eyes closed.
"How bad is it today?" I can't help but ask. It breaks me to know she's suffering and I don't want her to suffer alone.
"Pain scale 8 out of 10. I was nauseous buong araw. I can't focus my eyes properly and everything I hear was deafening. I took 2 painkillers but didn't help." she calmly replied.
"And yet you still worked despite all that?"
I continued to stroke my fingers.
"hmm hmm. I had a job to do. I have to take care of those people".
"I know. And I will always be proud of you for doing what you do. Right now, it's your turn to be taken cared of. Let me take care of you, baby." I kissed her temple and continued to massage her head.
"Thank you, hon. Can you sing me to sleep?" she asked then yawned.
"Ok". I clear my throat and recall the lyrics in my head.
"You with the sad eyes, Don't be discouraged, oh I realize ..~" I started singing one of my favorite songs in a soft, hushed way.
She smiled as she recognized the song and slowly opened those brown orbs that I love to stare at, staring back at me lovingly.
That made me continue singing the lyrics of the songs, meaning every word of it to her as she listens to me, lulling her to sleep.
"....And I see your true colors shining through. I see your true colors and that’s why I love you." I finish off by softly booping her nose with my finger and she smiled.
"I thought I could get you to sleep with my singing".
"You're singing is too good not be heard, baby. And thank you for the song. I love you, from the bottom of my hypothalamus". I giggled at the declaration. She once told me that it's more accurate to say
that instead of 'heart', medically-speaking.
"You're such a dork!" I playfully smacked her shoulder.
"But I'm your dork...." she grinned at me, showing all her perfectly white teeth.
"That, you are". I fixed some stray strands of hair that I messed up while I was combing through her hair.
We finally settled to our sleeping position. This time, I'm the one snuggling on to her chest while she locks me in her embrace.
"By the way, I love you, too. Happy anniversary, love". I silently breathe on her chest and I felt her smile on my temples.