Chapter 32: Chef Skye
"Isn't that a little small?" Penelope said while I was on a video call with them. Kasalukuyan kong ipinapakita sa kanila ang kabuuan ng apartment ko. It has a single bed and a bedside table with lamp. A working area is included, composed of a desk with chair and lamp. It has also a wardrobe with hanging space and a shelf. May maliit na shower room and toilet. It's very small, but that's fine with me. After all, I'm here to learn not to take a vacation.
"Ayos naman, a!" sagot ko. I placed my phone in a mobile stand and began to unpack my clothes from my luggage. Traveling from one location to another is exhausting, but what can I do? There is no time for whining because this is my passion and I chose this life.
In Spain, I worked as a commis chef for eleven months before being promoted to chef de partie. I enjoyed my time there, but I had to transfer to another country, which is where I am now.
France!
"Are you using the money Miss Aboitiz sends you?" Marie Jane asked.
"Nahihiya akong galawin ang mga perang inililipat niya sa account ko. Nagagastos ko naman ang iba pero siyempre may hiya pa rin ako. And besides, may sahod naman ako."
"Then live somewhere more decent!" She seemed overly concerned with my well-being.
"Buang ka nga babaye, kaya nga binibigyan ka para may panggastos ka riyan," sermon ni Cattleya. It's their opening time at our restaurant, and they're bothering me.
"This is already enough for me. Basta may hihigaan ayos na," sabi ko.
"You work sixty to seventy hours per week and yet you treat yourself like that? Come on, Skye. Maghanap ka ng ibang malilipatan."
I chuckled. If only they knew how much this room cost kapag na-convert sa Philippine peso. Ginto ang lahat ng bagay dito sa ibang bansa. "I will find a new place kapag may extra time ako but for the time being, I need to sleep. It's already 2:15 in the morning here."
I yawned and decided not to unpack. Bukas ko na lang itutuloy ang pagbubukas ng ibang gamit ko. Three month na ako as a chef de partie in La'Cuillère, a not-so-famous restaurant in Rue Castagnary, Paris, France. But here I am, contented with only my chef clothes and other belongings outside my three suitcases.
They all pouted. "Umuwi ka na lang kaya? Naaawa na kami sa 'yo. Grabe din ang dinanas mo sa Spain tapos magpapaalila ka na naman diyan," Marie Jane said. I could tell she was about to cry. That's why I made fun of them.
"Marami pa akong pagdadaanang mas mahirap. Maayos naman ako, a! Tiyaka, I love what I am doing. Huwag ninyo akong alalahanin dito. Mag-ayos na kayo riyan. Tingnan niyo, o!" turo ko sa likuran nila. Paisa-isa na kasi ang pumapasok sa restaurant namin.
Umalis nga si Penelope at inasikaso ang grupong nakaupo na malapit sa entrance door. Si Cattleya naman ay pumunta na sa kitchen. We already have a 16 kitchen servers pero hindi pa rin kaya kapag business hours kaya pinag-uusapan namin kung magdadagdag pa.
"How are things going?" tanong ko kay MJ dahil siya na lang ang natira sa screen.
Nangalumbaba siya at ngumiti. "Maraming set of appointments. May wedding day sa makalawa and an anniversary party sa Biyernes, then may limang set of dinner party next week."
Our restaurant is also available for dinner parties, festive family gatherings, workplace outings, and weddings. Malapit sa dagat ang location ng restaurant kaya perfect for all gatherings.
"Kailan ang pirmahan ninyo ng second restaurant kay Miss Aboitiz?"
"Next month kaya siguradong hindi na kami masyadong makakatawag ng madalas. Sa Mactan ang proposed location."
BINABASA MO ANG
June ( Gugma Series 3)
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