Reordinate the Fate

Third Destination: Wooden Cottage

The sun had set and the four people besides Max waited in front of the door while the man opened the cottage's entrance. There are not only a cottage in this area. This third location looks like a village with many cottages arranged at a distance of each unit. Still beautiful.

They enter the cottage and immediately smell the distinctive aroma of wood. Plus a spring-scented air freshener that is very identic with a brand. "The interior of this cottage is made of wood!" Risa walks to observe the room and the existing rooms. Wooden cottage is simple and related so much to nature.

"How long will we be here?"

"The day after tomorrow we'll check out at noon." Max answers Cliff's question.

"Only one room?" It was Stevan's turn to ask as the man followed his best friend around while the others sat themselves in wooden chairs with soft cushions for their backs and cradles.

"Yes." Max answered, "There are 3 bunk beds, right?"

The 10 × 10 meter villa has a 3 × 3 meter room in the back right that contains 3 2-storey bunk beds. "How could you booked a room with the right amount of beds including for me?"  Cliff asked.

Max shook his head, "It's just a coincidence. You are something outside the plan that I thought would be a bit troublesome at first.” Max said to the others by yelling a little afterwards, "You have to take our things out from the car and separate the leftovers. We also still have to cook for dinner."

"I'll go to the convenience store then." Will shook his head firmly replying Risa's words. "You better stay here. I recommend Stevan and Max who are not working in our industry leave. Be careful because this is not entirely natural destination. There are people who might recognize us."

"I'm up to you," Max looked at Cliff, "You just have to take things out first."  Cliff snorted lightly when he knew Max meant those words to him. The man moves from his seat, "Help me, lazy bum."  Cliff forcefully pulled back the collar of Stevan's shirt.

"I'll use the toilet." Max gets up. Before leaving, the man turns his back and says to Risa, "You'd better wash up while we're gone. You have to cook tonight's dinner. He will accompanying you.” Max pointed to Will. Risa looked at Will excitedly, while Will shrugged and said casually, "It's easy."

★★★

"Already completed?" Max returns and looks at the items that were originally in the camping car, lying on the chair he was sit on. Leftover foods and stuffs is placed on the table in front of the sofa.

"As you can see," Cliff throws back the camping car key to Max, "Come back quickly, my stomach has begged for food to be digested."

Stevan moves into the cottage just as Max walks out. Max patted Stevan's arm, "We're leaving now."  Stevan chuckled in protest, "Please, at least let me drink a sip of water first!"

Ignoring Max, Stevan stepped into the cottage and sees Risa sticking a bottle of water at him. The girl is eating the rest of the sandwich in the paper bag Claire had given earlier. "Thanks."

"Go," Risa takes a bottle of water as soon as the guy finished drinking, Stevan hasn't even closed properly, "This sandwich won't make me full. I need dinner."

"I thought you were really done a good thing by gave me the bottle, Freak! I'm sorry to thank you.”

"Hurry up, Freak!"  Stevan walks hurriedly as Risa pointed at the exit with her hand.  If only Risa was not his most loved person, he would not obey to the girl. Oh no! Maybe he already threw that annoying girl into a cage of tigers. She's always playing with his guts.

Stevan gets into the camping car and the car moving. "It won't be far, only about 15 minutes." The man replied Max, "Well, you better drive faster than that, or my ears have to be ready to accept Risa's scolding again."

Max laughed, "You really like being her best friend."

Stevan sighed, "I know Risa is a selfish and temperamental person. She is also very easily disturbed by something around her. But if you have known her for a long time, you will know that she is actually straight with her methods. Stevan smiled a little, "She is also funny and sweet."

Max turns to Stevan for a quick glance, "I know, usually I don't say much for things that are not important. But I really desperately want to ask a thing, only this time, "

"Do you like her?” Max clearing his throat, “I mean, Risa.”

Stevan gave a small snort, "What do you mean? Of course I like her. More than that, I love her too. Whatever Risa's behavior, she is still the person closest to me. She is also the one who can always makes me worries about, and also the one who always nags at me. How can I'm not in love with... my best friend?"

Max smiled wryly when he heard Stevan's voice swell at the end. No need to ask for a direct answers anymore.

"But now I am still fond of her more as a friend than a man's love for woman." Stevan tried to explain when he saw Max's smile, "I admit that feeling is slightly appear deep down in my heart, but I am not growing it. I let it, because I do not want to lose a friend. So you can be calm down, I don't intend to change any relationship with Risa in the near future, at least not in this tour. Our vacation will be fine. "

Without losing his smile, Max concluded, "Even weeds can flourish without needing to be grown, Stevan.  You better be careful. "

★★★

"You are arrived?"

Risa who had been sleeping on one of the mattresses on the floor, beside the sofa, heard the sound of someone opening the door. Immediately, the girl stand up and her small feet stepped toward the origin of the sound.  "What did you bring?" Risa takes a paper bag from Stevan's hand and placed it in the cottage's simple kitchen. "This kitchen is pretty equipped. They provide several plates, cups, cutlery, and cooking utensils. I was so worried we have to buy cookware just for today."

Stevan follows Risa to the kitchen and puts another paper bag in his hand. "You will cook, right? I am tired." Risa nodded. "Leave it to me today!" Risa pointed to herself with a large amount of energy. Stevan shook his head looking at the girl's enthusiasm.

"I'll take a shower first." Max passed behind Stevan and patted the man's shoulder meaningfully. Stevan gritted his teeth in annoyance. "Don't try to tease me with that, Max." Max's laughter came afterwards.

"What was Max teased you about?" Risa asked with her innocent face.

Stevan looked at Risa sharply, "Never mind, hurry and cook our dinner. I'm hungry." Now it was Stevan's turn to force Risa to move quickly.

Risa lined up the materials purchased by Stevan and Max on the table. For a long time the girl put a hand on her chin and thought of something.  Stevan, who was still standing beside her said abruptly, "Aglio e Olio."

"Huh? Alo-Aleo?? What?”

Stevan moves into the kitchen and washes his hands, “Are you confused with the menu?" Risa nodded. "You can cook Aglio e Olio and grilled some of the meats. That's the easiest and fastest menu in this late dinner time."

"What is that? Aglio e olio?” Risa approaches Stevan who grabs a packet of instant pasta and opens it.  Stevan holds the pasta right in front of Risa, "It's a kind of pasta. But the ingredients are simple. We only use garlic, little bit sliced chillis, and olive oil.” The boy continues his explaining, “The spices we can use salt an pepper. Very simple, right?” Risa nodded in understanding.

"I just found out something like that."

Stevan, who was fetching water for boiling, looked at Risa sharply, "You should help me to finish faster.  Now cut the meat and grill it. You know how to do it right?” Stevan goes to the cooking bar and press the electric stove, putting the pot on it.

"Okay." Risa smiled broadly, but after that she remembered, "Eh? But that means you cook again? You said you are tired, right?” The girl pulls Stevan's arm to stay away from the stove, "Get out of the kitchen, I'll take care of it."

Stevan releases his hand, "Seeing you move slowly makes me feel more tired!" The man folds his hand in front of the chest, "Now do your job!"

"Yes, sir!" Risa makes it without any complaint.

★★★

"I don't think you can stay away from the kitchen. Finally the only place that suits you well besides the bed is the kitchen table.” Cliff ate the pasta. “Luckily you came with us."

Stevan takes the grilled meat with his fork, "Yes, of course you are lucky. You cannot rely on Risa for cooking.” Risa pursed her lower lip, "You're such a mean best friend."

"You know, in this era women don't have to be able to cook. Many chefs are trained to be specialized in this cooking things.” Will defends Risa.

Stevan pointed at Risa with his chin, "The problem is that she can't even use an electric stove. She doesn’t even know how to do the basic. Plus she asked me how to distinguish between sugar and salt for meat seasoning.”  Stevan hissed, "If you can't tell the difference, all you have to do is taste it, Freak!"

Risa ate the pasta that was almost completely made by Stevan, she only added pepper in the end, and that was still under Stevan's supervision. "I know I’m suck. I will learn again later.” Risa looked at Stevan, "You must continue to teach me Stevan."

Risa shrugged her shoulders, "Looks like I have a lot to learn from you.  We have to cook more than buying foods when we're at home after this.” Risa takes another Aglio e Olio which feels right on her tongue.

"I will definitely cook delicious food for my husband later."

Cough Cough!

Stevan and Cliff coughed together. But Stevan, who choked in shock while drinking, feels more pain in his nose after that. "Why are you suddenly saying that, Freak?! I'm drinking!"

Risa was stunned, "So what if I said that? It is have to be you who shouldn't be shock with that words right?"

Stevan massaging his upper part of the nose in annoyance. He could see Max smiling teasing him. Hah!  Why is the situation too perfect and allowed Max to tease him shortly after knowing his slight feeling to Risa? Stevan can also usually hide and ignore it. What happened with today? He was a little shaky, again because the situation is so right.

★★★