
Antonio laughed short. "Don't be sure yet. As usual, three months' worth of experiment." Fara nodded in understanding.
*********************************
After the three-month trial was over, Antonio told Fara he would give three more months of probation. And it went on continuously for up to two years. Antonio never praised him once during those two years, but Fara knew Antonio loved his cooking.
At the end of Fara's two-year tenure as a chef, Antonio approaches her. "You can try as my assistant from tomorrow."
At that time Fara knew he had succeeded in convincing Antonio of his cooking skills.
Fara, 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. Fara shared the work with her three co-workers whom she had known for two years. Since Antonio appointed him as an assistant chef a few weeks ago and started having Fara call his name without signor frills, little by little Fara gained the respect of the other three chefs. After all, in the kitchen room Fara never considered them his subordinates, but his co-workers.
Because Fara is not as bad-tempered as Antonio, these three co-workers feel more comfortable working with him. Fara sees Maya bringing new orders.
"Shrim parmigiana with spaghetti, table three," Maya said as she read her order.
Fara 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 Fara 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 Fara relieved.
In the next two hours, Fara's hands never took a cooking break. When tired, he pauses, takes a breath, and resumes his activities. No matter how busy or tired, Fara felt lucky to be able to do the thing she liked the most.
"A very busy day" Maya comments from the kitchen door.
Fara 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 Fara 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'll be home the day after," Maya said as she thrust a glass of cold water at Fara. "it's a drink. Looks like you really need a drink."
"Thanks, ma'am." Fara took the drink that Maya offered. "Mother must be tired too."
"I'm used to it" Maya said.
Fara looked at her three cookery friends. "You can go home early. I'll clean up the kitchen later."
"Thanks, Fara," said the three friends together.
Fara 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" said Fara.
He waved his hand and then came out of the kitchen. Fara knew they would want to quickly get back to her family.