Kitchen Lessons with A Shirtless Cowhand
1072 Words
"KOKOROKOKOOOO!"
The rooster screamed like it was announcing the end of the world.
Levi instantly sat up, hair in full chaos, eyes half-closed but already furious.
“I swear, that rooster is testing me. One more morning and I’m gonna chase that dimwit rooster with a hot frying pan!,” she growled, stomping out of her room.
Meanwhile, Khaleb shot awake too — but with pure panic.
“Lintik na, late na naman!”
He ran a hand through his long hair, almost ready to sprint straight out the door.
Levi.
He froze mid-step.
He pictured her in the kitchen.
Burning water.
Dropping pans.
Setting eggs or noodles on fire.
Smoke everywhere.
His eye twitched.
“Diyos ko… iiwan ko ba siya dito?” he whispered to himself.
His conscience immediately scolded him.
Pag iniwan mo ‘yan, mauubos bahay mo. Mauubos pati kaluluwa mo sa stress.
He sighed.
“Oo na, oo na… sa kusina na muna ako.”
Defeated, Khaleb turned around and rushed to the kitchen instead of the ranch.
He grabbed his apron and tied it around his waist — still shirtless, still half-awake — and started preparing ingredients
He was cracking eggs and mixing butter when Levi burst into the kitchen.
“Your rooster is a menace. And your signal is trash. And your WIFI is nonexistent. How do people survive here? what era is this!”
Khaleb didn’t look at her.
“Umupo ka muna.”
But Levi didn’t sit.
Because she suddenly froze.
Her eyes locked on him — broad shoulders, inked tattoos across his back, up to his neck and down to arms, long hair tied low, wearing nothing but jeans and an apron.
For a solid five seconds, she forgot how to breathe.
He looks like some Greek god who farms… or a lost anime character who chops wood for fun.
She snapped out of it instantly when he spoke again.
“brat princess.”
She blinked hard. “W–what?”
“Halika dito,” Khaleb said, tapping the counter beside him. “Dito ka. Panoorin mo ’ko.”
“Why?” she demanded. “I’m the guest. Guests are supposed to be FED.”
He sighed like a tired parent.
“Kasi ayoko nang masunog ulit kusina ko.”
She gasped. “That ONE SMALL fire was not my fault!”
“Uh-huh,” he replied, in that calm, mature, annoying voice.
Levi stomped to his side, arms crossed. “Fine. But I’m not touching anything.”
“Hindi mo kailangan humawak. Manood ka lang muna,” he said, adjusting the pan.
Khaleb cracked an egg smoothly.
“Ganito. Simple lang. Dahan-dahan. Huwag mong bibiglain,” he explained.
Levi rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, I KNOW. The egg just… exploded that one time.”
Khaleb didn’t tease.
He nodded, serious but with a hint of playfulness.
“Okay. Next time, mas kontrolado na kamay mo. Kaya mo ‘yan.”
Levi blinked again — surprised he wasn’t mocking her.
He pointed to the bowl of flour and milk.
“Hotcake butter naman. ’Pag nag-mi-mix ka, steady. Hindi kailangan parang may kaaway ka.”
Levi scowled. “This is how I mix normally!”
“That’s the problem,” he said calmly, stirring the mixture with smooth, practiced motions.
She leaned closer to watch, pretending not to pay attention to his tattoos even though they were right in her line of sight.
“Why do you make it look easy?”
“Sanayan lang ’yan,” he said. “Kapag marunong ka na, madali lang.”
He stepped aside a little.
“O, tingnan mo yung pan. Kapag may bubbles na, saka mo i-flip. Huwag mo gagalawin pag hindi pa.”
Levi muttered, “This is so boring.”
“It’s basic,” Khaleb replied. “Kaya mo ’to kahit brat ka pa.”
She glared. “I’m NOT bratty.”
“Mm-hm.”
“I’m not!”
Khaleb handed her the spatula.
She stared. “What am I supposed to do with this? Fight the rooster?”
He shook his head, half smiling.
“Gamitin mo pag ikaw na magluluto next time.”
Levi scoffed. “Yeah right. If your house burns down, that’s on YOU.”
“sa kwadra tayo matutulog,” Khaleb said.
"Wow! I must be a horse in your eyes".
Khaleb just barely chuckled.
Levi bit the inside of her cheek, refusing to look impressed.
But she stood there quietly, watching every single move he made.
They both sat at the table, hotcakes stacked neatly, eggs perfectly cooked, and bacon sizzling lightly. Levi poked at her hotcake with her fork, scowling, clearly scrutinizing every bite, while Khaleb ate calmly, smirking at her expression.
Khaleb leaned back, tilting his head toward her.
“So, ano nga ba ginawa mo pagkatapos nung halos masunog mo yung bahay ko?”
Levi froze mid-bite, fork hovering.
“Reading novels,” she said quickly, crossing her arms. “Obviously. What else would I do?”
Khaleb’s smirk widened.
“Romantic novels? Romantico ka pala”
Levi’s eyes narrowed instantly, defensive.
“What? No! I… I don’t even read… stupid romantic nonsense!” she said, voice sharp. “I’m not… one of those people who swoons! I just… I just like interesting plots, okay? Adventures, action, survival! Not… lovey-dovey stuff!”
Khaleb leaned forward slightly, smirking like he had already won.
“Talaga? Yung wild animal na palaging galit sa mundo… nagbabasa ng love stories? Hala!”
Levi bristled, leaning forward herself.
“I AM NOT a romantic! I don’t care about flowers or kisses or any of that mushy stuff. I read novels because they’re exciting and fun. That’s it! NOT romance!”
Khaleb chuckled softly, shaking his head, still calm and teasing.
“Mm-mm napaka defensive mo naman ata.”
Levi’s cheeks flared slightly, arms crossed even tighter.
“Fine. But I’m telling you—just because I read one romance novel doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a story. I don’t— I repeat—DON’T swoon over anyone!”
Khaleb smirked, still teasing but calm.
“Hmmm buti kung ganon kawawa yong magiging partner mo”
Levi groaned, stabbing her fork into her hotcake, muttering under her breath:
“For your information! I can live without any single man in my life!”
Khaleb chuckled quietly, shaking his head.
“Sige, sige. sabi mo eh"
- Writer
