SINCE NINE Book 2: Reunited

Gastronomer

CHAPTER 17

Huminga nang malalim si Victoria. Ang lakas nang tibok ng puso nya. Pakiramdam nya maha-heart attack sya nang huminto ang kotse ni Ramcel sa parking lot ng Montoya Culinary School kinabukasan ng hapon.

“Relax.” Ramcel’s voice was soothing and she started to relax when she felt her warm hands on hers. “You’ve been cooking since you were a kid. Wala ka mang formal culinary degree, you got experience. Show him what you got.”

Victoria took another deep breath bago sya bumaba ng kotse. Hinawakan nya ang kamay ni Ramcel para hindi sya masyadong kabahan saka sila pumasok sa 3-storey building. Pagkatapos silang bigyan ng Visitor’s pass ng guard, binigyan sila ng direksyon kung saan ang opisina ni Chef Alejandro.

Ongoing ang classes sa mga rooms na nadadaanan nila. Nang marating nila ang opisina, nagpakilala si Victoria sa tingin nya’y secretary or assistant ng chef.

Tinignan sya mula ulo hanggang paa ng magandang secretary na nakaupo sa desk nito. Pinigilang sumimangot ni Victoria nang mapansing napatitig ito kay Ramcel at pa-cute pa itong ngumiti. Nawala ang kaba nya at napalitan ng inis. Gusto nyang tusukin ang mata ng babaing ito. Bumaling lang ito ulit kay Victoria nang tumikhim sya.

“M-May kausap pa si Chef. Mamaya ka pa nya mahaharap pero may request sya sayo.”

“Anong request?”

“Make him a sandwich,” ngumiting sabi ng secretary. “Gusto kasi nyang magmiryenda after his meeting.” Biglang kinabahan si Victoria. In-expect naman nyang susubukan sya ni Chef Alejandro but she still couldn’t help feeling nervous. “The kitchen is that way.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” Ramcel whispered.

Kahit ayaw nyang iwan si Ramcel kasama ng secretary, she had to do it alone. “I got this.” They smiled at each other before Victoria entered the fully equipped kitchen. Kumpleto ang mga gamit and it was spotlessly clean.

May nakita syang isa pang pinto at binuksan iyon. Tumambad sa kanya ang mga fresh produce at isang malaking freezer. Malaki ang kwarto at kumpleto ang mga gulay at prutas. She’d love to have her own room like this. She planned to have her own garden of fruits ang vegetables too para doon sya kukuha ng kanyang mga ingredients.

May ilang malalaking glass tank kung saan naglalaman ng live fishes, crab and lobsters. Hindi nya mapigilang mapangiti. For her, it’s paradise in there. Matapos nyang ilibot ang paningin sa loob, kumuha sya ng mga kakailanganin sa sandwich na gagawin nya- sage, chives, apple cider vinegar, turkey breast, smoked bacon, pear, kale leaves, gorgonzola cheese, hazelnuts and 10 inch whole wheat tortilla.

“Are you done?” Tanong ng isang lalaki.

Nagulat si Victoria. Pag-angat nya ng tingin, nasa harapan na nya si Chef Alejandro. Matangkad ito, mestizo na may neat haircut. Nasa late 40’s na ito pero mas bata itong tignan sa edad nito. Sa sobrang engrossed nya sa ginagawa hindi na nya namalayang pumasok na pala ito. Kita nya sa gilid ng mga mata ang wall clock. Lampas 30 minutes na pala ang lumipas.

“Yes, chef.” Sinikap ni Victoria na huwag mautal. Kumabog nang malakas ang puso nya. Kahit nakasuot sya ng jeans, sneakers at makapal na white top, naramdaman nya bigla ang panlalamig. His piercing dark brown eyes were fixed on her sandwich. Wala itong kangiti-ngiting sinusuri ang ginawa nya. “I called it Autumn Wrapsody.” She explained how it was prepared and discussed the ingredients she used.

Lumapit ito saka marahang dinampot ang platong pinaglagyan nya ng wrapped sandwich para rito. He scrutinized it before taking a bite.

Napalunok si Victoria at napakagat sa labi sa antipasyon. She was anxious and excited at the same time. Hindi sya makapaniwalang kaharap na nya ang sikat na chef at kinakain nito ang gawa nyang sandwich. If she didn’t pass his qualification, making him a sandwich was already an achievement for her.