HOLY NIGHT SEBASTIAN
This was the first time I'd ever stepped into the apartment of the student council president. We arrived ahead of her because she needed to park her car. As I glanced around, I couldn't believe that the daughter of the owner of Destine University lived in such a modest place. She was so down-to-earth, completely unlike her brother, who oozed arrogance and acted as though he was born flawless. The space is small, with just enough room for the kitchen, living area, and her bed. It feels like the perfect size for one person. There's no TV, but a computer sits on a desk to the left of her bed, while the window is on the right. The bed is pushed against the wall, probably the first thing she'd see every morning was sunlight filtering through the curtains.
Moryn was on the phone, likely informing her family that she wouldn't be coming home tonight. I was about to join her on the couch, but my gaze was drawn to Rhyme as he entered the kitchen, clutching a Kraft paper bag overflowing with groceries. I instinctively rushed towards him, but as he set the bag down on the table, he quickly pulled it away from me with a playful smile.
"Oops!" he exclaimed,
"I'm afraid I'm forbidding you from even touching any of these." I scowled, crossing my arms.
"How can I possibly prepare a the dish if you keep the groceries out of my reach?"
"Nope," he replied, shaking his head.
"I'm cooking, not you." He began unloading the bag, ignoring my protests. I marched over to him, my steps purposeful and firm.
"I already told you back in school that I'd be the one cooking!" I reminded him. He stopped what he was doing and sighed. He turned to face me, leaning against the table sideways and resting one arm on the surface. He leaned forward, bringing his face closer to mine.
"Why so persistent? Maybe when your mom was pregnant with you, she craved coconut shells, making your head as hard as one." After saying that, he continued what he was doing. I scratched my head in annoyance.
"I already said I would be the one cooking," I insisted.
"Have you ever cooked before?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. I paused, his question catching me off guard. I watched his every move as he retrieved the cutting board and knife from the wall cabinet, along with other essential utensils.
When he placed them on the table, he looked at me with raised eyebrows, as if waiting for my answer. Truth be told, I really don't know how to cook. But I'm willing to do anything just to be able to prepare a meal for Moryn, the dish she craves.
"No," I replied, with a pout. Then I heard him chuckle.
"And how about you? Do you know how to cook? For sure, you rely on the maids, especially for cooking," I said as he picked up the carrots and potatoes, heading to the sink to wash them.
"Since I was a kid, I've always watched my stepmom cook. She taught me, and that's how I learned," he explained. It's annoying how he always had an answer.
"What if you're lying?" I challenged, crossing my arms and leaning against the table as he continued washing the vegetables at the sink.
"Then you can see for yourself. Once you taste my delicious cooking, you'll surely fall in love with me," he said, a playful glint in his eye. I couldn't decipher the strange feeling that washed over me after his words. A tingling sensation, like a jolt of electricity, sent shivers down my spine.
"Yuck!" I reacted, which elicited a hearty laugh from him.
"Guys!" Leah called us as she walked in. "Are you comfortable?" she asked, approaching us in the kitchen along with Moryn.
"I should be the one cooking," I complained again.
"Alright, here's the thing. What if the two of you just work together?" Moryn suggested.
"Yes, that's a good idea," Leah agreed.
"What? No way!" Rhyme objected, his voice firm.
"I can completely handle this on my own without anyone's assistance."
But in the end, Leah and Moryn's decision prevailed. The two of us were forced to work together in the kitchen.
"Guys, remember this. No arguing for now. You need to work as a team because our dinner depends on you. If you don't want me to turn into a zombie and eat you alive, stand by that. Understand?" Leah's voice, laced with both humor and a hint of menace, commanded our attention. We both swallowed hard and nodded in response.
While Moryn and Leah were watching anime on the PC, we were busy preparing dinner.
"Here. Cut this," he said, handing me onions and garlic while he organized the cooking area. I rolled my eyes, but reluctantly followed his instructions. After I finished chopping them, I handed him a plate with the chopped spices.
"What the heck. What is this?" he asked, sounding puzzled, upon receiving it, his brow furrowed and his mouth hung open.
"Are you really the one who chopped this? Why does it look like it went through a food processor?" he added.
"It's not supposed to be like this, Night! Make the slices bigger." I faced him with a frown.
"Next time, make your instructions clearer!"
"Guys! Can you please hurry up? We're getting hungry," Leah said.
"Can you please wait? As if those parasites in your stomach will suffer a severe case of heartburn!" Rhyme retorted to Leah, looking visibly annoyed.
Rhyme told me to grab the roux cubes while he focused on the food we were cooking. I sighed in frustration but went along with his orders anyway. Rolling my eyes, I returned and handed him what he'd asked for. He frowned as he looked at it.
"No, not that one. Get the extra spicy ones," he said.
"What?" I exclaimed, my brows furrowing. No way! I don't like anything too spicy! I could handle spicy food, just not super spicy.
"What are you waiting for then? Go get them," he said, turning his attention back to the pot, checking on it casually.
"I said no!" I snapped. He glanced back at me, narrowing his eyes.
"Stop messing around," he said firmly. I avoided his gaze, already dreading what would happen if he knows the truth. If I told him I couldn't handle too much spice, I knew this ugly monkey would just make fun of me again.
"Oh. Don't tell me you can't handle spicy food." I immediately turned back to him, catching his intense gaze and a smirk playing on his lips. It was infuriating! He seemed to be getting to me.
"Of course I can!" I retorted, though my stomach churned with anxiety. I couldn't explain it, but spicy food always made my throat itch, leading to an inevitable coughing fit. Maybe I should just tell Rhyme. He'd understand, wouldn't he?
"Actually," I began, but he chuckled, shaking his head.
"You're so weak," he said, a smirk twisting his lips. I felt belittled, my blood starting to boil.
"Weak? I'm just worried that Moryn and Leah might not like spicy food!" I countered, my voice rising.
"Oh really?" He turned to Leah and Moryn, who were still watching anime on the computer, and called out to them.
"Girls, do you want super spicy chicken curry!" he shouted.
"Sure!" Moryn replied.
"Spicy is way better!" Leah chimed in. He turned back to me, his smile still in place, waiting for my response. In a fit of anger, I grabbed the spicy roux and shoved it into his hand.
"There! You can even put in a hundred spicy cubes, I don't care!" I snapped, my voice laced with frustration. He was so annoying! Fine, I'd just have to deal with the spice.
After a while, he took some soup with a spoon. He blew on it before handing it to me to taste. I paused and swallowed hard. Oh no! What should I do? I might not be able to handle the spiciness.
"Try it," he said. I took a step back and forced a smile.
"No thanks. I'll try it later. It's better with rice." I lied. The truth was, I hoped the rice would lessen the spiciness a bit. And I would definitely going to have a pitcher of ice-cold water ready.
"Is that so?" he teased. "Or are you just scared of spicy food?" His words instantly riled me up, and I snatched the spoon from his hand and tasted the broth. We paused and looked at each other. It was delicious, honestly, until the heat was creeping up into my ears.
"It's fine," I commented, turning to face what he was cooking to avoid his gaze.
"See? I told you. I'm a great cook," he boasted, but I didn't respond.
For a second it was fine, but the heat hit me a moment later, spreading from my throat to my ears. It was so spicy! My throat started itching, and I knew I couldn't hold it in much longer. Covering my mouth, I coughed lightly, trying to suppress it, but it was no use. My throat felt like it was on fire. I bolted for the bathroom, coughing uncontrollably as I slammed the door behind me.
"Night?" I heard Rhyme call out before I slammed the bathroom door shut. I couldn't do this. No way. Forget dinner! I need cold water to get rid of the spiciness. I quickly opened the bathroom door to run to the fridge, but I ended up bumping into something hard. I clutched my nose in pain. How unlucky I am. That Rhyme is so shameless. Why is he even blocking the doorway?
"I guess you need this?" He handed me the cold water with a grin. I snatched it from him angrily and took a sip. There was still a faint spiciness lingering, but at least I felt a bit better.
"Next time, just admit you can't handle it," Rhyme said with a slight chuckle before turning his back on me and heading to the kitchen. My face burned, not just from anger, but from sheer embarrassment. From this moment, I felt like his smug face deserves to be flushed down the toilet.
After that, I stayed as far away from the kitchen as possible. I plopped down on the couch and sulked. Moryn and Leah were too engrossed in their anime to notice what had happened. When dinner was finally ready, I refused to join them at the table. My appetite was gone anyway, and there was no way I could handle eating that curry.
They kept calling me over, but I stayed put, claiming I wasn't hungry. I moved to the computer, slipping on my headphones to block out their voices. My stomach rumbled, but I still had no appetite.
I was startled when a pair of hands landed on my shoulders. I turned and looked up, seeing Moryn smiling down at me. She removed my headphones.
"Don't worry, Rhyme made you some delicious chicken curry, but it's not too spicy," she said reassuringly. Before I could protest, she pulled me to the dining table and sat me down. A bowl of chicken curry was placed in front of me, and the aroma hit me instantly. My hunger returned with a vengeance. Moryn was right, the spice was mild. It was infuriating! Rhyme was right, I should have just been honest about my discomfort with extreme spice.
After dinner, we all gathered to watch anime.
"Your chicken curry was delicious, guys. You're amazing cooks," Leah remarked.
"Of course, sis. I'm naturally talented," Rhyme replied, a hint of boasting in his voice. I gave him a side-eye and remained silent. I wasn't even the one who cooked. I was just like his errand. Annoying. That said, I hate to admit it, but he really is a great cook.
Later, when it was time to sleep, Rhyme helped Leah pull out the mattress from under the bed since there wasn't enough space for all of us in her bed. She grabbed pillows and blankets for everyone and even lent us something to wear for the night.
I was about to lie down next to Moryn when Rhyme grabbed my arm and stubbornly refused to let me sleep beside her. Disgusting! He must be trying to keep her all to himself.
Leah threw a pillow at him, making Rhyme finally let go of me.
"Why'd you do that?!" Rhyme complained.
"You're sleeping on the mattress next to me," Leah said, glaring at him.
"Behave yourself, you pervert!" She added sharply.
Rhyme scowled but didn't say another word. He adjusted his pillow, lay down at the edge of the mattress, and turned his back to Leah. Despite having a pillow, he rested his head on his arm like a sulking child.
While we were lying down, before falling asleep, the three of us were still talking, with Rhyme being quiet on the side. Moryn was positioned near the window, while I lay beside her, occasionally observing Leah, who was resting on a floor mattress.
"Since it's Saturday tomorrow, how about we go to the amusement park?" Leah suggested. I turned to Moryn when she suddenly sat up.
"That's great!" she exclaimed excitedly. She moved closer to me, trying to catch a glimpse of Leah who was on the mattress.
"I've been so busy these past few days. I just want to enjoy myself for now," she said with a sigh. She's right. Lately, we'd barely spoken at school because of her packed schedule. She hadn't even been able to go home. I found myself wondering what her house looked like. Oddly enough, despite knowing Rhyme and Leah since kindergarten, I'd never been to their place. And for some reason, Uncle Erwin had always warned me, right from the start, never to set foot in the Dizon family's house.
"So, what now, lil bro? Are you in?" Leah turned to the person beside her who had been silent and facing away from her. Rhyme didn't respond and deliberately pretended to snore, pretending to be asleep. Leah smirked and moved closer, casually resting her leg on him.
"Get off!" Rhyme snapped, glaring as he pushed her foot away. Instead of backing off, Leah grinned wider and scooted even closer, wrapping her arms around him from behind and draping her leg over him again.
"Come on, it's been ages since I hugged my dear little brother," Leah teased, tightening her grip.
"I said get off! You're disgusting!" Rhyme squirmed, trying to escape.
Moryn and I couldn't hold it in anymore, we burst out laughing at the sibling antics, thoroughly entertained.