It started with a lie

8

The smell from all the cooking was filling up the kitchen and my stomach growled even more. Then I heard the click from the rice cooker signaling that the rice was cooked. 

"Should I ladle out the rice?" I asked. 

"Okay," he answered without turning around. "The bowls are over that side," he nudged his head towards the right side. 

So I walked over to the right side and opened first the bottom cabinets. Pots. I closed it back. 

"On top," he said to me. 

I stood back up and opened the top cabinet. Even the cabinets were catered to his height. I had to reach for the bowls. I managed to grab two bowls without breaking them. Then I found the rice ladle hanging by the side. I took it and went to the rice cooker. As I walked past his back, I had this weird image of a back hug coming to my mind, like how it always show on TV dramas. Jeez... I cleared my thoughts. 

I switched off the rice cooker and opened it to ladle out the rice. He had cooked quite a considerable amount of rice. But I just ladled out two bowls, more for him. 

He was also done with his stir frying and was ladling it out onto a plate. Then he turned around to put on the island. Wow, it not smells good, it looks damn good too! 

He went to get the kimchi jjigae as well. 

"Is it okay if I just bring the whole pot over?" he asked. "I'm too lazy to ladle it into a bowl."

"Sure," I nodded. Save one bowl to wash. 

With a cloth, he brought the entire pot over which was still brewing and steaming. I was famished by now. 

He went to grab the utensils as well. Then he handed me the chopsticks and spoon, and I thanked him. 

"Let's eat!" he announced proudly. 

I dug into the rice first. Freshly cooked rice is always the best. Then I took some soup. I also tried a spoonful. He watched for my reaction. 

"How is it?" he asked. 

My eyes widened. It was delicious. Almost as good as my mom's, if I can say. 

"It's delicious!" 

He grinned. "Nobody who tried it has ever say it's not. My grandma's foolproof recipe."

"Your grandma?" 

He nodded. "When I moved out to stay as a trainee, I missed my grandma's cooking so much especially this kimchi jjigae. So she taught me how to prepare it."

"It does taste a little homely," I chuckled. "Similar to my mom's."

He grinned. 

I tried the stir fry pork next. The meat was tender and the taste was just right. He's talented, man! I envy his future wife! 

I suddenly felt homesick for my mom's cooking. It's been some time since I visited my parents. I'm overdue for a visit..

"I'm impressed," I told him as I finished up every single grain of rice.

"Do you want more rice?"

"Oh - no! Though I'm not on a no carb diet, but I shouldn't over eat as well."

He chuckled. He had two bowls of rice. 

"Do you cook often?" I asked.

"Not really. If I'm with schedule, I'll just eat out. I only cook when I have time, when I'm on a break." 

I nodded. 

"Do you cook?"

"Maybe the question should be, can I cook instead?" I chuckled. He raised an eyebrow. "I can cook ramen."