Chasing Stars

Move School

"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 work on this order right away after 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.

 

*********

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?).

Four years. People say time can heal wounds. But Laura can't forget Niko. (Are the next four years I can just forget about it?) thought. Laura scolded. He really doesn't know. As long as he hasn't forgotten Niko. He cannot open his heart to others. He knew he was stupid to remember Niko for so long, but his heart could not lie.

 

*********************************

"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?"

 

*****************************

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?"

"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.

 ****

"You're not sleeping?" ask mom suddenly.

Laura looked at the mama who woke up in the middle of the night. It's been three days that Laura has been in the hospital accompanying mom. Mama's condition is getting better, the doctor has said tomorrow you can go home.

"Sorry, I woke up mom." Laura walked up to her mother while presenting a glass of water.

"Sleep. Mama's fine" said the mother half-sleep.

"I'll sleep a little while longer" promised his daughter.

Moments later, Laura saw her mother fall asleep again. Laura's eyes were fixed on the desk calendar next to your bed. Today is reunion day. Laura could not come, but she did not regret it.

Mama's the most important person to him, more than a reunion or a job. Without her mother, Laura didn't know what to do. My mom supports her work now. Mama said as long as Laura was happy, whatever Laura did, she would support her one hundred percent.

Laura looked at mom with haru. Mama has been slamming the bones raising him all this time. He stroked her hair slowly and then kissed her forehead.

"The best mom in the world" she whispered slowly.

After that he turned to the window and looked up at the sky. Full moon night. The stars in the sky are shining brightly. Laura was reminded of her past memories at school. About his meeting with Niko, seeing him from a distance, returning his painting, the car together with him, asleep on his shoulder, until his separation. He took the paper DON'T GIVE UP Niko from his pants pocket.

"Maybe it's time I forget my past" he said slowly. "Goodbye Niko. Wherever you are."

When Laura was about to dispose of the paper, her intention came to a halt. However, the paper accompanied him at the most difficult time of his life. Laura folded the paper and put it back in her pocket. (Only one of these memories) he said in his heart. (Let me just keep this one and forget about the others).

 

*****************************

One month later, Laura faced Antonio nervously. His boss's face looked scary. That means he must have made a serious mistake.

"Antonio..," he said slowly, "this is how the new restaurant menu today, the mixed spagetti, I know I should consult you first. Sorry."

Antonio looked at Laura in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

It was Laura's turn to be confused. "Didn't you call me here because you don't like my new menu?"

Antonio laughed out loud. "No. I love your new menu."

"Then, why is your face so creepy?" ask Laura frankly.

Antonio pouting. "Because it looks like I could lose my best assistant."

"You fired me?" Laura protest. "Don't you say you like my new menu? So why did you fire me?"

"Laura, sit down and listen to me first." Antonio ordered.

Laura had no choice but to sit down and listen to her boss.

"I didn't fire you" his boss said later. "Last month when I went to Italy, I went to my old friend and coach, Alberto Luceri. I told her about you. So, if you're interested, you can learn a lot from him."

Laura was shocked to gawk. "You mean.. Can I learn from your teacher?"

"So, how? you interested?" asked Antonio curiously. "You'll learn a lot from him. You just have to go to Italy. I'll bear the accommodation."

Laura was very interested in Antonio's proposal. "But how long do I have to stay in Italy?"

"Maybe a year" said Antonio. "I don't know. It's up to Alberto and you. You want to take this offer?"

Laura laughed happily. "I'd be crazy to turn down an offer this good. It's just that I should discuss it first with my mama."

Antonio nodded in understanding. "I hope your mother understands and lets you go." "I'm going to talk to my mom today" Laura said.

"Laura," Antonio warned. "If you go to Italy, don't forget to come home and work here."

Laura smile. "Of course I'll be back. You don't have to worry."

 

**********************************

"Do you still need to ask Mom's permission?" she looked at her daughter with a proud smile. "Of course my mom will let you. It's a rare opportunity. You gotta get it." "I know." he said carefully. "But..."

Mama shook her head. "You don't have to worry about your mom. My mother is completely healed.

Go awayl. Pursue your dream of becoming a pasta chef."

Laura hugged my mom tight. "Thank you ma. I promise I'll call often. And mom also had to promise to call me if anything happened. I'll definitely go home."

"Mama promised to take good care of herself. You don't have to worry." She hugged Laura tightly. "You should also take care of yourself there."

"I promise," said Laura earnestly.

 

**************************************

Two weeks later, the restaurant waiters, her co-worker, Antonio, and mama drove Laura to the airport.

"Call mama when you get there" said the mother, giving her daughter a final hug before leaving.

Maya also hugged Laura and whispered, "Don't forget to go back. You're the only assistant Antonio can accept. I don't know how long he can last with his new assistant coming tomorrow."

"I promise I'll be back, ma'am. "Laura took off her embrace and said goodbye to the others. Then his feet stepped away towards the entrance of departure.