1000 Season of Dream Chasing

part 15's

Laura, 22 years old

"Robi, you cook baked lasagna for table eight, Donna you cook pasta salad for table five, Johan you cook house tortellini for table sixteen, and I cooked a pasta combo for tables ten and eleven."

The kitchen feels hot. Restaurants are flooded with customers, which is common on weekends. Laura shared the work with her three co-workers whom she had known for two years. Since Antonio raised her as an assistant chef a few weeks ago and started having Laura call her name without signor frills, little by little Laura gained the respect of the other three chefs. After all, in the kitchen space Laura never considered them her subordinates, but her co-workers.

Because Laura wasn't as bad-tempered as Antonio, these three co-workers felt more comfortable working with her. Laura sees Maya bringing a new order.

"Shrim parmigiana with spaghetti, table three," Maya said as she read her order.

Laura scrunched her forehead. "Sir, please tell table three, the order may be a little late. I'll go straight to this order once the two combo__pastes are done."

Maya nodded understandingly. "I'll tell them." "Thanks, ma'am," said Laura on the sidelines.

"Meat balk spagetti for table seven." another waiter came in carrying his order. "I'm going to take this order" Donna suggested. "I'm almost done with the pasta salad." "OK," said Laura relieved.

In the next two hours, Laura's hands never took a cooking break. When tired, he pauses, takes a breath, and resumes his activities. No matter how busy or tired she is, Laura feels lucky to be able to do the thing she likes the most.

When the clock showed at eleven p.m., the restaurant had already started to quiet down. Only a few customers left. Laura cooked the last order before finally being able to sit down to rest her legs.

"A very busy day" Maya comments from the kitchen door.

Laura smiled tiredly. "Yes." Yeah."

"Had Antonio been here now, he would have been proud of you" Maya said 

"How long will Antonio be back from Italy?" ask Laura who sometimes can no longer remember the day and date. "I really hope he gets home soon. Our kitchen is lacking people. Especially for the weekend like now."

"He's going home the day after tomorrow," Maya said as she offered Laura a glass of cold water. "it's a drink. Looks like you really need a drink."

"Thanks, ma'am." Laura took the drink that Maya offered. "Mother must be tired too."

"I'm used to it" Maya said.

Laura looked at her three cookery friends. "You can go home early. I'll clean up the kitchen later."

"Thanks, Laura," said the three friends together.

Laura looked at the three one by one. "Good work today." "You too" they said.

"We go home first." Donna and Johan had already taken off the apron and were wearing jackets.

"Be careful on the road" Laura said.

He waved his hand and then came out of the kitchen. Laura knew they would want to quickly get back to her family.

"It doesn't feel like time is passing" Maya said, her mind glaring back in time.

Laura drank water from her glass. "well, almost four years. I never thought I could be in this kitchen."

Maya smiles. "I never doubted your ability. Since tasting your bolognese__ spaghetti, I know Antonio has found the assistant he's been looking for all this time."

Laura drank the water in her glass, then went to the laundry place and began to wash all the equipment she used.

"Let me help you" Maya said.

"Thank you" said Laura.

The two closed the restaurant at twelve.

 

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That morning. Laura started the day as usual. After breakfast he took a shower, then read the newspaper on the living room table. His gaze fell on the advertising page. It was written that his high school would hold a reunion for his class. All alumni are expected to attend. Erika's name and phone number are listed there as the chairman of the alumni committee.

(Shall I go?) ask Laura in your heart. (I can come and reminisce in my old school. Meet Niko. Maybe now he's at the end of medical school).

Laura put her newspaper back on the table, then walked into her bedroom. He opened the paper DO NOT GIVE UP from Niko slowly. (I'm afraid until now he hasn't forgiven me), he thought again. (His relationship with Erika must be getting closer). They may have been engaged. Can I see Niko without feeling sad?).

 

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"You look a little confused today." Maya's eyes watched Laura sharply. "Not as usual. Is there anything that bothers you?"

Time shows at three o'clock in the afternoon. Laura was wiping her cooking equipment. "I could never hide it from you, yeah."

Maya smiles. "No. I'm used to watching people around me. One of my job demands. You okay?"

Laura smile. "I'm fine. I read the paper this morning, my school wants a reunion."

"You hesitant to come?" ask Maya.

"Well, that's it." Laura took a slow breath.

"Is there anyone you don't want to meet?" Maya looks at Laura's gaze and assumes her question has gotten an answer. "You assistant chef now, let the past be the past."

"I know." Laura's down. "Just, I'm afraid to see him again."

Maya speechless. "The Laura I knew dared to challenge someone who almost fired her two years ago."

Laura smile. "I wasn't like that at school."

Maya touches Laura's hand. "Laura, you'll never know what's going to happen in that reunion. Don't you want to go?" Laura remained silent.

Maya smiled gently. "You didn't say no right away. What's wrong with nostalgia for an old friend?"

"Thanks, ma'am," said Laura solemnly. "Better to come than regret later, right?"

 

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In the afternoon, Laura held onto her HP nervously. He had already entered Erika's number in his HP. His fingers moved hesitantly between wanting to call or not. But before he could decide, his HP had already rung. From mom's office.

"Hello" said he.

Shortly after, Laura's face turned pale. The phone was from my friend at the office. She said she passed out at the office and is now in the hospital.

Laura immediately left the house and rushed towards the hospital. In the taxi, he sends Maya a message that he can't work that night.

Laura ran to the hospital room where she was being treated. Breathing gasps. He saw his mother lying in bed with an infusion tube in her hand.

"How's mama doing?" laura asked in panic. "What's sick, ma? What did the doctor say?"

Mom tried to calm her daughter. "Mama is okay. The doctor estimated that my mother had dengue fever. So it needs to be treated." "I'll stay here" said Laura firmly.

"What about your job?" mama asked worriedly.

"I told Maya. He said not to worry. Antonio is back from Italy tomorrow. So my job is already there to replace." Laura took off her jacket and sat down beside the bed. "would you like to eat something?" Mama shook her head.

"Then my mom rests." Laura shrouded the mother and noticed she was starting to close her eyes. Laura couldn't sleep last night. She was worried something might happen to her mom. In the morning, the doctor said that her condition had improved and Laura was a little relieved.

"Go home" said the mother a little nagging. "You look so tired. Just take a break."

"Alright," Laura said without arguing. "I'm going home. I'll get my mom's clothes to bring here. And I'm gonna stay in the hospital tonight with my mom."

Mama was about to interrupt him, but Laura already said again.

"No objection this time. Anyway, I'm staying here until mama's healed."

Seeing his daughter's unwavering determination, mama finally gave up.

 

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆