Chapter 24
"Ohayou! (Hello!) I'm Clarinelle! I'm the new pastry chef. I worked at Tart Pablo in Shinsaibashi for one year. I look forward to working alongside each and everyone of you!"
The newly hired pastry chef offered her hand to us. We accepted her hand as we introduced ourselves. She's going to replace Chef Shin, the ex-pastry chef of the restaurant.
Maagang pumasok ang lahat upang maipakilala ang bagong kasamahan namin sa trabaho. Ibinilin ko iyon sa lahat kahapon kaya't binatukan ko si Juliet nang makitang kapapasok lang.
"Sorry! Ang tagal ng tren! Sorry," she apologized. "Oh! Hi, I'm Juliet!" she offered her hand to Clarinelle with all smiles.
Yesterday, I went here in Nakanoshima after my meeting with my father in Umeda Tower. Chef Shin bid farewell to us. He is one of the best chefs I have here in my restaurant at ang mawala siya ay malaking kawalan sa akin. Hindi lang iyon, naging matalik ko rin siyang kaibigan.
I went inside my office after the little introductions. I put my hair into bun and then wore my toque. I removed my trench coat and my leather boots so I could wear my coat and non-slip shoes. As soon as I put my apron on, I am all ready.
When the opening-hour came, we went to our designated places inside the kitchen. The fours chefs, including Juliet, and I are the ones who are assigned in cooking main dishes.
"Chef Racela!" I glanced at my back. "Help!"
Agad akong dinaluhan ni Juliet nang makitang nahihirapan akong ilagay ang malaking portion ng karne sa malaki at mataas na kaldero.
Pagkalagay ng karne ay dumiretso ako sa kabilang countertop at sinimulang imarinate ang karne ng manok.
After a few minutes, we received many orders from the customers. All of us became busy doing our duties. I started frying the chicken I was marinating a while ago. I was very serious on what I'm doing when I heard Kristina yell the next order.
"Steak and watermelon shake!"
My brow raised when I heard the watermelon shake. Sa tanang buhay na iniukol ko rito sa restaurant, ngayon lang ata kami nakatanggap ng order na ganoon.
Habang hinihintay ang manok na maging kulay golden brown, tinawag ko si Juliet.
"Yes, Chef?" she said without looking at me. She was busy grilling a meat.
"Dati ba nakarinig ka na ng umorder ng watermelon shake dito?" I asked her.
"Oo," she responded while flipping the steak.
"Huh? Sino?" inangat ko ang fry basket upang tignan ang kulay ng manok.
"Ikaw."
Nang marinig ang sagot niya ay muntik ko nang ihagis sa pagmumukha niya ang mga manok na hawak.
Nang maibalik ang manok sa nag-iinit na mantika, nag-ikot ikot ako upang tignan ang ginagawa ng bawat isa. Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita si Chef Clarinelle at si Kristina na kilig na kilig sa kung anong pinag-uusapan.
"Ilang beses nang narito 'yon! Inaabangan ko nga ang pagbabalik, eh!" nanggigigil na kuwento ni Kristina na nakatalikod sa akin.
"Sobrang gwapo! As in! Tapos! Sobrang tangkad!" pagpapatuloy nito.
"Talaga?" natatawang tanong ni Chef Clarinelle na nagpeplating ng chocolate cake.
"Oo! Sa sobrang tangkad niya, mapapaisip ka talaga kung gaano kaya kahaba!" humalakhak si Kristina at napahawak sa kaniyang tiyan.
Pinalo ni Chef Clarinelle ang balikat ni Kristina nang matabig nito ang kaniyang kamay. Kumuha ito ng tisuue at pinunasan ang chocolate syrup na pumaling.
Halos mabitawan pa ng chef ang platong hawak nang tumalikod ito at napaharap sa akin. Nanlalaki ang mata nito habang nililingon si Kristina na patuloy pa rin sa pagtawa.
"Ang haba siguro! Grabe!" sabi ni Kristina na humarap sa akin, patuloy ang pagtawa.
"Anong mahaba, Kristina?" I crossed my arms over my chest as I raised a brow at the waitress.
"C-Chef!" huminto ito sa pagtawa at tumayo nang maayos. Siniko nito ang katabi at bumulong na narinig ko naman. "Bakit di mo agad sinabi?"
The pastry chef's face crumpled while looking at Kristina. "Tinatanong ka, ano daw yung mahaba mong sinasabi..."
Nakangusong humarap sa akin ang babae. Tumingin pa ito sa kisame, siguro'y nag-iisip ng puwedeng isagot.
"Ano kako yung mahaba?" istrikto kong tanong kahit na gusto ko nang humalakhak.
"Sus! Si chef! Kunwari di alam! Pero mas marami ka pa sa'ming alam! Sus!" nakangising lumapit sa akin si Kristina at kiniliti ang tagiliran ko.
My face heated after that.
"Hey!" natatawa kong hinawi ang kamay niyang patuloy sa pagkiliti.
"'Di tinatanggi! Aminado!" natatawang sabi ni Kristina.
Napatingin ako kay Chef Clarinelle na natatawa sa amin.
"Tigilan mo ako, Kristina. Kunin mo 'yong chocolate cake at iserve mo na," itinuro ko ang platong may lamang chocolate cake.
"Sige po, chef. Pero tignan ninyo muna ang tinutukoy ko! Ikaw na ang humusga kung gaano kahaba..." hinawakan niya ang gilid ng coat ko at hinila patungong gilid ng kitchen.
I crouched and took a glimpse on the dining through the serving hatch.
"Nasaan ba? Saglit lang tayo, ha! Masusunog ang mga manok kong niluluto!"
"Iyon oh!"
Pilit kong sinundan ang itinuturo ng daliri niya ngunit hindi ko makita.
"Iyon! Ang gwapo talaga!" she giggled.
"Sunog na ang mga manok kong niluluto, hindi ko pa rin nakikita 'yang tinutukoy mo," I said as I turned my back, ready to leave.
"Teka lang, Chef! Iyon oh! 'Yong may strawberry shake sa lamesa!" pilit akong pinaharap ni Kristina doon kaya't wala akong magawa kundi hanapin ang tinutukoy niya.
My eyes narrowed while looking at the man who's sitting on the table that has strawberry shake. I glanced at Kristina briefly and then back to the man.
He was comfortably eating his food, laptop and papers were on the other side of the table. I swallowed hard when he sipped on his shake.
And then for a fleeting moment, I realized that it is not a strawberry shake, it's a watermelon shake! So he was the one who ordered it!
What is he doing here?
"Hindi naman gwapo," I turned my back and then walked away, not throwing even a one glance at Kristina.
"Hoy! Nasunog ang mga manok!" Juliet pointed an accusing finger at me. She lifted the fry basket up and then grinned.
I rolled my eyes when I realized that she was bluffing. I reached for the golden brown chickens so I could put them on a plate already.
"Fart mo," I said while putting the chickens on a big plate.
"Fart mo rin," she said.
After frying the third batch of chickens, I went straight to the serving hatch and passed the plate to the waitress. I took a peek outside, checking if he is still there. I exhaled deeply when I noticed that he had already left.
The next three days, I consistently took a peek on the dining, worried that he was there. Thank God, the luck was on my side.
Friday, I realized that luck is fugitive. Fuck, lucky. It isn't loyal.
"What's the problem, Sir?" I asked the man in front of me with a smile, showing some respect since he is a customer.
I was busy cooking ramen inside the kitchen when Kristina said that a customer has a problem with his food. I was confused because the customer asked for the owner instead of the manager. But I still went out... just to realize that the customer is him.
"My watermelon shake has a strand of hair," inusog ni Vidales ang baso. His face crumpled in disgust.
I crouched a little as I narrowed my eyes, inspecting the shake. Embarrassment crawled throughout my body when I saw the strand of hair he was talking about.
"I'm very sorry about that, Sir. We will replace it with our best seller. The sakura-flavored milkshake," I said, a wide smile was buried on my lips.
The man looked at me, brows were furrowed. He shook his head.
"Replace this with the same flavor. I like the watermelon flavor."
"The watermelon-flavored shake isn't available at this moment, Sir," I stood a bit straighter, maintaning my posture. "That's the last one, Sir."
He stared at me for a few moments, eyes were full of snow flakes. I looked away when I couldn't take the coldness anymore.
"Alright, then," I looked at him when he surrendered. "Give me the sakura-flavored," he looked away.
I didn't respond after that. Nakataas ang noo kong tinahak ang daan papasok sa kusina, parang walang nangyaring kahihiyan kanina.
"Kahiya, fuck..." I muttered to myself.
Sigurado ako na ito ang kauna-unahang may kababalaghan na nangyari sa resto! At sa kaniya pa talaga!
Dumiretso ako sa mga naka-assign do'n sa drinks. Pinagsabihan ko sila tungkol sa buhok na kumawala. Lahat naman ng buhok nila ay nakaayos ngunit kinausap ko pa rin sila tungkol sa pag-iingat.
Ibinilin ko kay Kristina ang milkshake ni Vidales. Bahagya akong nakaramdam ng inis nang kinilig ito.
"Umayos ka, Kristina, ha," I said and then gave her the milkshake.
"Opo, chef! Balitaan na lang kita!" she said as she giggled.
Binalikan ko ang beef bulgogi kong niluluto kanina. Kalahating oras ang lumipas at hindi na ako binalikan ni Kristina. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang marealize na okay na siguro. Siguro ay naresolba na ang problema.
While plating the salmon sashimi, someone poked me from the back. Sinilip ko iyon at nakita si Kristina. She was all smiles while looking at me.
"Yes?" I said as I continued plating the sashimi.
"Chef, hinahanap na naman po ang owner," she said.
"Huh? Sino naman?" I asked and then passed the plate. "This is done! Table twelve!"
"Yung kanina din pong lalaki," she said, giggling a little.
I glanced at my back with a furrowed brows. "Na naman?"
"Opo, chef. Tinanong ko naman po kung ano ang problema, baka kaya kong gawan ng paraan. Pero nagpumilit po na ang owner ang gustong makita," she explained.
He is pissing me off. I'm sure of that!
Mabilis kong nilisan ang kitchen at duiretso na sa dining. Marami ang napapatingin sa tuwing nadadaanan ko sila. Hindi ko na iyon pinansin at tinanggal na ang toque na suot.
Nakalugay ang mga buhok ko nang harapin ko ang lalaki.
"I'm really busy inside the kitchen, Sir," I paused, controlling myself not to burst in front of him. "If you have a problem, Sir, we have a manager," I said calmly.
"I'm sorry. I just have a concern," he said.
I sighed heavily when the man's lips pouted.
"W-What is it?"
"The ladies on the other table are looking at me. I'm trying to finish the designs today but they are distracting me. I can't focus on-"
"What?" I cut him off, suppressing a smile.
"Look, I'm serious," he said.
I glanced at the other table and my brows snapped together automatically. The Japanese girls were throwing wistful glances at him. They stopped looking when they saw me staring.
"They already stopped, Sir," I glanced at his laptop briefly. "May I go now?" I gestured the kitchen.
"I'm still distracted," he said, nodding his head.
"What do you want me to do?" I groaned. "Paalisin ko ba?" I asked sarcastically.
Tumingin ako sa mga pagkaing nakaharap sa dalawang Haponesa na wala pa sa kalahati ang bawas. Paaalisin ko?
And why would I do that? What is he? VIP?
"Dios ko..." I muttered to myself when I saw the Japanaese girls giggle while looking at Vidales.
"No," he paused and then licked his lips. "Sit with me."
"W-What!? W-Why!?" kunot noo kong tanong sa lalaking kaharap. Anong connect ng pagtabi sa kaniya?
"They will stop staring if you're here. So please, if you want me to finish the designs. Or for your customer's sake."
"No, kung gusto mong makapagfocus ka sa ginagawa mo, go to a café. O umuwi ka ng bahay mo. Kung saan ka man nakatira," I said.
His forehead wrinkled. "Sa condo ako nakatira..."
"H-Hindi ko naman tinanong," aligaga kong sabi. Baka akalain niya na gusto kong malaman!
"Just sharing," he said cooly. "Now, sit with me," he commanded.
"No," matigas kong sabi.
"Okay. How about you?" his gaze drifted from my eyes to my back.
"Sir, sige po! Ako na lang po!" I heard Kristina's voice.
Nilagpasan ako nito at patalon talon na lumapit sa lamesa ni Vidales. Aktong hihilahin na niya ang upuan sa harapan nang inagaw ko sa kaniya iyon. Umupo ako roon nang maayos. Ang likod ay hindi inilapat sa sandalan.
"Kristina, bumalik ka sa trabaho mo," I glanced at her.
Agad itong umalis sa kinatatayuan nang nakanguso. Iniwas ko ang tingin ko rito at minanmanan ang paligid.
I looked wary while glancing around. My eyes stopped on Vidales when he snorted. The straight line between his lips curved.
"What's funny?" I raised my brow.
"Nothing," he responded with a glimmer of laughter in his eyes.
I rolled my eyes at him and looked at the papers on the table. Those were the printed designs for my restaurant.
We didn't waste our time sitting there. We, thankfully, talked about the designs for my restaurant. My head hurt while choosing.
Nasa harapan ko ang tatlong magkakaibang design. Location ng kitchen ang pinagkaiba ng mga ito. Kitchen ay nasa dulo, ang isa nama'y kitchen na nasa kaliwang bahagi at ang isa naman ay nasa kanang bahagi.
Pinatigil ko si Vidales sa huling design na ginagawa niya. Ang kitchen roon ay nasa gitnang bahagi. I don't want that.
Pinlano ko na dati na ang kitchen ay nasa pinakalikuran ng restaurant ngunit nang makita itong mga design, nahirapan ako.
"Para sa akin, mas gusto ko ang kitchen na nasa gilid. So when the customers are bored, they can watch the chefs cook through the serving hatch," he said as he pointed the printed design of it.
"Iyan ang gusto mo?" I asked him, looking at the paper he was holding.
"Yes," he nodded.
"Okay," I paused. "Ayoko n'yan."
Pinagtaasan ko ng kilay ang kaharap nang kumunot ang noo nito.
"What?" maarte kong tanong.
In the end, I decided to have the kitchen on the back. I stood up when everything was already settled. I was about to go back to kitchen when Vidales talked.
"Where are you going after work?"
I assumed that he was making moves at me but then I stopped myself. From now on, hindi na ako magiging assumera.
"Why do you ask?" seryoso kong tanong.
"I will go to Dotonbori later to check the lot," he paused and then bit his lips. "Can you go with me?" his teeth let his lips go. I was distracted by its wetness and redness.
Ten-thirty pa ang uwi ko, hindi ko siya masasamahan mamaya. I know I couldn't but then I nodded.
"Can you wait for me until 8PM?" I asked as I glanced at the wall clock. Alas-tres pa lamang ng hapon.
"Of course. I can wait..." he said and then looked away.
I sneaked a peek of his outfit before leaving him. He was wearing a plain black long sleeve polo, the first three buttons were unbuttoned and the sleeves were folded until his elbows. He paired it with black pants. He was also wearing a black watch, which completed his outfit.
My lips parted while looking at the watch. It looked like the watch I gave him on our first anniversary. I shrugged when he hid it. Baka magkamukha lang.
Bumalik ako sa kitchen at puro tanong ni Juliet ang bumungad sa akin.
"Tagal mong nawala. Saan ka galing?"
"Sa tabi tabi lang," I answered as I tied my hair into bun. I wore my toque and then continued cooking.
"Huh? May ganoon bang lugar?" she asked. "Gusto din doon!" she sarcastically said.
"Shut up," natatawa ko siyang inirapan.
Mabilis na dumaan ang oras lalo na at sobrang busy ng restaurant. Sabagay, Biyernes ngayon. Madami ang mga pamilya at estudyanteng dumadayo sa Nakanoshima.
I get my trench coat on the coat rack and wore it. I also wore my leather gloves before I bid goodbye to my co-workers.
"Maaga ka, ha! Date na naman!?" pahabol ni Juliet bago ako makalabas ng kitchen.
Bago tuluyang lisanin ang restaurant, ibinilin ko kay Hazel, ang manager, ang resto. Lumabas na ako nang makitang wala na si Vidales sa loob ng restaurant.
Malamyos na umihip ang pang-Enerong lamig ng hangin sa kinatatayuan ko. Nang bumuntong hininga ako ay gumuhit ang usok sa tapat ng bibig ko.
Inilibot ko ang tingin ko sa mataong daan ng Nakanoshima, nagbabaka-sakaling mahanap ang hinahanap. Tumigil lamang ang mata ko nang makita ang lalaking naglalakad palapit sa akin. Napako ang tingin ko sa mga mata nitong kumikinang.
Pinigilan ko ang sariling hawakan ang dibdib nang kumirot iyon. Muli akong nagpakawala ng buntong hininga.
"Let's go?" he asked.
I nodded my head as I stared at his eyes. Lalong lumalim ang kirot sa puso ko nang talikuran ako nito at nauna na sa paglalakad.
He is with me because we are working. This isn't a date. Juliet is wrong.
I crossed my arms while looking at the space in front. We are now in Dotonbori, checking the lot.
Ibinaling ko ang aking tingin sa katabing lalaki. Palipat-lipat ang tingin nito sa loteng nasa harapan at sa papel na hawak.
From here, in my side, I can see his sharp jawline, his lustrous eye, thick eyelashes and thin lips. He is also wearing a black trench coat. Even though his outfit is all-black, he looked radiant.
Tears started to form in the sides of my eyes. Looking at him this near feels like heaven. Kahit na hindi ko siya nahahawakan, sapat na. Ang makita siyang may buhay, ang makita siyang nakatayo't humihinga ay labis pa sa sapat.
Pero naisip ko, ano kaya ang alam niya tungkol sa nangyari dati? Alam kaya niyang naghintay ako? O ang alam lang niya ay ang paglisan ko?
Ang madilim na paligid ay nagliwanag. Ang araw ay sumikat. Mas lalong nagliwanag ang mukha niya. Agad kong kinusot ang mata ko nang humarap siya sa akin, binubura ang mga luhang namumuo.
"Ms. Fontanilla?" he cocked his head to the other side. "Are you fine?"
Tumango-tango ako at bumaling na sa harapan.
I nodded because it was easier than saying I was not.
Mapait akong ngumiti habang pinapanuod ang sementadong pader ng restaurant ko sa Dotonbori. Dalawang linggo na ang lumipas simula noong sinimulan ang paggawa nito. Marami na ang pagbabago dahil marami ang gumagawa.
Nakita ko si Engineer Riaza na kalalabas lang ng ginagawang resto. Malawak itong nakangiti habang kumakaway sa akin. Lalapitan na sana niya kami nang may tumawag sa kaniya sa loob. Kumaway kaway ako rito kahit na nakatalikod na.
"Ayos lang ako. Tears of joy lang..." I looked at the man beside me and then forced myself to chortle.
His cold face remained. He looked away when he saw my tears fell.
"Ano ba naman 'yan!" I muttered to myself as I wiped my tears.
"I'm proud of you."
I stopped wiping my tears when I heard that. Bahagyang nanginig ang mga labi ko habang pinapanuod siyang nakatingin sa harapan, hindi man lang ako tinatapunan ng tingin.
"I'm not on your side during the process but please know that I'm very proud of you. Not as your boyfriend but as a person from your past," he said and then walked away.
Malapit ko na siyang maabot. Pero akala ko lang iyon. Sa simula pa lang naramdaman ko na ito, malayo siya sa akin at hindi ko kayang abutin, sobrang taas, sobrang tayog. Naabot ko man siya, hanggang doon na lang iyon. Dumulas din siya sa mga kamay ko.
I clutched my chest when I felt a sickening wave of pain inside. I feel so disgusted with myself. Inside those four years without him, I forced myself to move on. But here I am, still hurting with his words.