Chapter 44

Mikayla's POV
As we walked towards the cashier, I felt that every step in this store brought me closer to the culinary world.
As I walked home with a full shopping cart, I felt someone staring at me intently. When I glanced over, I saw a woman standing on the side of the road with a familiar face, but I was sure I had never met her before. A strange impression came over me, but I felt no need to dwell on the situation.
I turned my gaze away and ignored the woman. Instead, I focused on my steps toward the house and on Chef Amarta, who was walking beside me. She had a lot of conversations and discussions about interesting things on the way home.
“So, after we cook tomorrow, is there a special dish you want to learn or try to make?” Chef Amarta asked her voice cheerful and inviting conversation.
I thought for a moment, imagining the various dishes I wanted to make. “Maybe I want to learn how to make pasta from scratch. I’ve always been fascinated by how it’s made,” I replied, anticipating how much fun it would be.
“Homemade pasta is amazing! It’s so different from store-bought pasta. We can do different shapes and flavors,” she said, her face lighting up in a pleasant way. “I will teach you the technique of making pasta from scratch, including how to make the perfect sauce to accompany the dish.”
We continued to chat, and my mind began to fill with new, appetizing information. This small talk brought joy as if all the anxiety from the mysterious woman had disappeared.
“Chef, do you often cook for special occasions? Or just general lessons?” I asked, curious about her culinary experience.
“Oh, I often help people prepare for special occasions. From small parties to big events, I enjoy every moment of cooking for others. It is an opportunity to create new experiences for them,” she replied, her voice full of enthusiasm.
As I listened to Chef Amarta, I felt fortunate to have a mentor who not only shared knowledge but also a real passion for cooking. This moment further strengthened my belief that I was on the right path with the steps I was taking.
As we approached the house, I realized how this conversation was making the time go by faster. Curious, I asked, “Chef, is there a particular dish that you like to make when there is a special occasion?”
“Oh, there are so many! But one of my favorites is tiramisu. It’s sweet and refreshing, and it always makes people feel happy when they eat it,” she said.
When we got home, Chef Amarta said goodbye because my cooking class was over. “Thank you so much for today, Chef! I really enjoyed our session,” I said with a smile.
“It was a pleasure teaching you, Mikayla! I can’t wait for the next session. See you tomorrow!” she replied, waving as she left, leaving me full of enthusiasm.
As soon as Chef Amarta left, I immediately put all the groceries into the refrigerator. I felt satisfied seeing all the fresh ingredients ready to be used for cooking tomorrow. We would make delicious dishes together, and I couldn’t wait to practice everything I had taught.
Not long after, the door opened, and Rudolf and my children—Emma and Daniel—entered the house. “Mom! We’re home!” Daniel shouted, his voice full of joy.
“How was your day?” I asked, welcoming them warmly, happy to see their cheerful faces.
“We played in the park after school and met new friends!” Emma answered enthusiastically, her eyes shining. “We also ran around and played ball!”
Rudolf added, “I heard about the games. You guys must have had a lot of fun. How about cooking, Mikayla? Did you do anything new today?”
“Oh, yeah! I just learned a lot from Chef Amarta. We’re going to cook together tomorrow, so I’m preparing the ingredients,” I replied proudly.
“That’s exciting! What are we going to cook?” Daniel asked, his face full of excitement.
“Chef Amarta and I are going to make the pasta and sauce. You guys will love it!” I said, imagining the fun surprise that was about to happen in the kitchen.
Emma immediately jumped up and down happily. “I want to help! I can cut vegetables!” she said excitedly.
Seeing the children’s cheerful faces filled my heart with happiness. “Sure, we’ll do it together as a team. Mommy will need your help!” I said excitedly.
We decided to prepare a simple dinner together while discussing the day that had passed. Rudolf jokes with the kids, making the atmosphere in the house feel warm and energetic.
When night falls, Rudolf and I sit on the sofa, sharing stories about our day. I see his curious glances and attention as I tell him about my meeting with Chef Amarta and my shopping experience at the supermarket.
“I really enjoyed learning so many new techniques from Chef Amarta. She is so talented and patient, and I can’t wait to cook with her tomorrow!” I said excitedly.
Rudolf smiled, “That’s great! I’m sure you’ll make an amazing dish.”
Then, I continued, “Oh yeah, there’s one strange thing. On the way home, I saw a woman staring at me intently. I felt like I didn’t know her at all, and she looked so serious. It made me a little anxious, even though I knew there was no reason to worry.”
Rudolf frowned but then nodded. “Maybe it was just a coincidence. Don’t think too much about unimportant things or people who don’t affect your life. Focus on all the activities and people that are important to you right now,” he advised, giving me a knowing look.
Hearing his words made my heart feel calmer and more focused. “You’re right, Rudolf. There’s no way I’m going to let that little thing bother me. I should focus on the positive experiences and fun activities that are coming up, like cooking tomorrow,” I said, trying to redirect my attention back to happier things.
We continued to talk about lighthearted things, like plans for the upcoming weekend and other fun activities that we could do as a family. Rudolf and I joked and laughed, creating a warm and intimate moment in the middle of the night.