The Moon Symphony

Pure Happiness

"I'm sorry big brother. I did not mean to say those words last night." Ester said. 

"I understand," I said and hugged her. 

"If I were in your position, I would be so mad too."

I'm sorry too, Big Brother Apo. She said and bowed her head. 

"No worries, I'm okay with it. I wish I had a little sister like you." Apo said and smiled at Ester. 

I'm relieved that everything turned out fine. Until now, the embarrassment from those series of events is still in me. I need to shake them off. 

I decided to leave them there so that they can talk and get to know each other. I know Baku and Ani missed Apo's company too. I strolled by and went to the kitchen. 

I saw mother was busy preparing dishes for lunch. 

I headed to the center table where the ingredients were placed and picked them up. I put them in the bowl and poured water on the vegetables. 

"Mother, let me help you." 

Mother was surprised when she heard me. 

"You never liked to work in the kitchen, and when I asked you to help me, you always ran away when you were younger." Mother said, laughing. 

I know she was talking about the old Ayari. It hits me every time they talk about him. I wanted to tell them the truth, but I know this will hurt them. I promised myself that I'd be with his family until the end. 

"Everyone changes, Mother, and I want to try something different," I said and continued washing the ingredients I picked up. 

"Let me try cooking; stay put, Mother," I said and smiled at her. 

"Okay, son. Let's see your skills." 

Luckily, all the ingredients I needed are available here in the kitchen. I never saw someone cooked this dish here at Bulan.

All set!

I picked up the knife and started to chop the onion and garlic. After that, I placed the pan over the fire and added some oil. Once the oil heated up, I added the onions and garlic and  sautéed them. After a minute, I added the chicken and seared them. Once the chicken was brown, I poured some soy sauce and vinegar and added some water to balance them. I also added some bay leaves and black peppercorns for aroma and flavor. I covered the pan and let the food simmer for around ten minutes. 

"That smells nice, Ayari." 

I looked at Mother and smiled at her. I lowered the heat by removing some firewood, and after that, I removed the lid from the pan. Everything is going well. Ughh, I hope I do not mess this up. 

I picked up the wooden spoon and tasted the sauce. It's not that salty. I reached out for the sugar and added some to thicken the sauce. I covered the lid again and have to wait for another ten minutes to cook the chicken thoroughly.  

The aroma coming from the food filled the kitchen. The helpers looked in my direction with curious faces. 

"Mother, what are you cooking?" Ester shouted and entered the kitchen. 

I saw mother pointed her fingers towards me and smiled. 

"Oh my goodness, is this real? You're cooking, big brother?" Ester exclaimed and hurriedly went out of the kitchen. 

I looked at Mother, and she was smiling at me. I felt embarrassed. 

After ten minutes, I removed the pan from the fire and poured the food into a wooden bowl that Mother gave me. She stood up and picked up a wooden spoon. 

Why am I nervous?

I looked at her and waited for Mother's reaction. After a few seconds, Mother tapped my back and smiled. 

"It's so good, Ayari!" She said, and her eyes were twinkling from delight. 

"Are you sure, Mother?"

"Of course, why would I lie to you? It's so delicious, the chicken is so tender, and the flavor is exploding in my palate."  

Am I in some T.V show? Is she kidding? 

"I'll bring some food to your Father. What do you call this dish? I never saw this before." 

"It's called Adobo," I answered. 

"Adobo? Never heard of it before, but it was so good. Just leave the utensils there once done and let our helpers wash the dishes." Mother said and left carrying a bowl of food. 

After cleaning up, I heard familiar voices from the kitchen's door. 

"Ayari, I heard you were cooking?" Ani asked and giggled. 

Oh my goodness! I knew it; Ester will call them. 

I looked at them, and they were all smiling and walked towards me. I glanced at Apo, and he just stood near the door and smiled at me. I can feel myself blushing. 

Ester and the rest picked up a spoon and started to eat. I walked towards Apo and asked him if he would like to eat. 

"Sure," he said. 

I walked backed to the table and picked up a small wooden bowl, and put some food. I carried it back to Apo. 

"It smells nice," Apo said. 

I can feel myself blushing again after hearing that from Apo.

"Oh my goodness, Ayari! It tastes so good. The flavor, superb! Amazing!" Ani said and continued to eat. 

"I never had this food before, and it's so delicious big brother!" Ester said. 

Baku looked at me and gave me a thumbs-up.

I felt relieved and happy hearing compliments from them. I don't usually cook in the real world because Mom would always do that for me. I just followed how she cooked this dish. I'm glad that they liked it. 

"How was it?" I asked Apo, waiting for a good response from him. 

He looked at me and smiled. "Good!" He said. 

I feel like I'm floating in the sky because of the compliments they told me.  

"I remember when Big brother tried to cook before, and he almost burned the whole kitchen," Ester said, laughing. 

Wait? What?

"Well, this is a surprise! Who would have thought your big brother could cook like this." Ani said and laughed. The others started laughing too. 

I was blushing again. 

I heard someone near me was trying to hold his laughter. I looked at Apo, but he shifted his body so that I can't see and then burst out of laughter.

"Sorry," Apo said and tapped my shoulders.

Well, this is okay. I hope that we would be like this always—pure happiness.