Chapter 11: Sinigang

Nagsimula na rin akong magpaturo sa pagluluto kay Ate Michaela. I often went to their house these days when I'm not busy at the university or with my part-time job. At kapag may time lang din si Ate Michaela na turuan ako.

And we started with the basics. Ate Michaela was patient with me. And I thank her a lot for that. Until today I will already try to learn cooking Sinigang. Ito kasi ang sinabi sa akin ni Noah na isa raw sa favorite niya na ulam. At gusto ko siyang ipagluto.

So first, I went grocery shopping with Ate Michaela for the ingredients sa lulutuin naming Sinigang ngayon.

"We might need tamarind, Zeph. Mas masarap kasi kapag mas maasim ang Sinigang. But anyway, it's my personal opinion. Gusto ko kasi na sampalok ang hinahalo sa Sinigang kapag nagluluto ako. But you know, others just use instant seasoning or other souring agents." Ate Michaela said while we're inside the supermarket.

"What would taste better, ate? Iyon na lang." sabi ko naman.

Ngumiti naman sa akin si Ate Michaela. "Okay!"

And then we pushed the cart together. At isa-isa na rin namin kinuha ang mga kailangan namin. Mabuti na lang at halos nandito na rin naman lahat ng mga kailangan namin sa loob ng supermarket. Kaya hindi na rin kami nahirapan pa sa pamimili. Next time we can also try going to the palengke here. Pero madalas ay sa supermarket lang din kasi ako namimili ng mga kailangan ko since I moved here in Dumaguete City.

May alam na rin naman ako konti sa pagluluto. I can fry an egg naman, you know. Pero hindi rin ako madalas na kumakain sa bahay at sa labas pa kami madalas na kumakain ni Noah. Kaya naman hindi ko rin na-p-practice ang pagluluto ko sa apartment. But now napagdesisyunan namin ni Ate Michaela na sa apartment ko na magluluto ngayon.

At pagdating nga sa apartment ay maaga pa lang para sa dinner ay nagsimula na rin kami ni Ate Michaela sa kitchen ng apartment ko. Kompleto na rin naman ako sa mga gamit ko pang-kusina roon. Hindi ko lang pa talaga mas'yadong nagagamit sa ngayon.

Sinigang is a vegetable soup. Marami kasi itong sahog na gulay kahit may karne rin. And it's supposed to have a sour and savory taste. Malamang ay nakakain na rin naman ako nito noon. I'm still a Filipino, you see. Pero hindi ko lang talaga ito napapagtuunan noon until now that Noah said that it's his favorite na ulam. Mas masarap din ito mamaya sa kanin kaya nagsaing na rin ako sa rice cooker ko.

"Una, kailangan nating maluto at palambutin din itong karne." Ate Michaela instructed.

I tried sautéing the onion first until it gets soft. And then we sliced the pork and cooked it.

Meron din palang Sinigang na Hipon, and also Sinigang na isda na Bangus din yata ang gamit. But today we're making Pork Sinigang. Ito rin ang gusto ni Noah sa pagkakaalam ko, eh.

Pagkatapos ay binuhusan na rin ng tubig para sa sabaw. It's actually half water and half broth. Iyon ang sinabi sa akin ni Ate Michaela para raw magkalasa pa lalo ang niluluto naming Sinigang. And when it was already boiling that's when I put the tomatoes to blend in with the broth. Until added again with the other ingredients...

Medyo pinagpapawisan na rin ako nang konti sa pagluluto. It's not always easy for people to cook anything. Siguro ay madali para sa mga may talent na. I just want to cook something edible for Noah now.

And I think it was almost done. I can already smell its yummy sour taste. Parang nagutom na rin yata ako bigla sa masarap na amoy. And I prayed to God na sana nga ay masarap naman ito talaga at magustuhan ni Noah.

"Luto na 'yan, Zeph." sabi sa akin ni Ate Michaela.

Kumuha naman ako ng kutsara at tinikman na ang sabaw. Okay naman ang lasa ng soup. Pinatikim ko rin 'yon kay Ate Michaela, and she gave me a thumbs up. Napangiti naman ako but I still worry until Noah can taste it and comment on my cooking.

"Sige, aalis na rin ako at kailangan ko nang umuwi sa bahay. Tinawagan na ako ng Kuya Sith mo at hinahanap na ako. Thank you rito, Zeph! Ito na rin ang uulamin namin ngayong gabi." Ate Michaela smiled when she had to leave already. At tapos na rin naman kami rito sa pagluluto.

Hinatid ko naman siya sa may pinto ng apartment ko. Sinabihan niya ako na huwag ko na siyang ihatid pa sa baba at maghain na raw ako sa mesa ng pagkain namin ni Noah mamaya. Pinadalhan ko rin siya sa tupperware ng Sinigang na niluto namin ngayon. I smiled to her. "Thank you so much for all the help, Ate Michaela." I said to her. And I was truly grateful for her help and effort, too.

"Naku, ano ka ba. Wala 'yon. Sige, ipatikim mo na mamaya kay Noah 'yang Sinigang na niluto mo. I'm sure he will like it!" She said it confidently.

I smiled to Ate Michaela one last time before she left my apartment.

Sumunod naman akong naghain na nga ng ulam na Pork Sinigang sa mesa at may kanin din. I already told Noah to have dinner here with me in my apartment tonight. May pinuntahan lang din siya na trabaho at dito siya magdidinner na ngayong gabi sa apartment ko.

I heard my door just after I served everything on the table. I went to the door immediately and opened it to let Noah come in.

I smiled when I saw his gorgeous face. At oo nga pala, I just learned that Noah is actually the son of the then fashion model Patricia Tuazon. I remember that my Mom liked her and was her fan. And she was gorgeous!

"Good evening." He formally greeted me.

"Good evening. Pasok ka." Pinatuloy ko na siya.

"Wow!" And it's his reaction when he sees what's on the table that I prepared. Bumaling din siya sa akin pagkatapos makita iyon. "You prepared this?"

Tumango naman ako sa kaniya. "Kumain na tayo..." I said, at pinaghain ko na rin siya pagkatapos. I put food on his plate. While even praying again that he would like what I cooked for him tonight. Before I went to sit on my chair, too.

At nang tikman na ni Noah ang luto ko, I was waiting for his reaction hanggang sa tumango-tango siya. And the rest of our dinner nakita ko naman that he seems like he really enjoyed my Pork Sinigang. Huminga ako at kumain na rin na tinikman ang luto ko. And I can also say to myself na mukhang okay naman talaga ang lasa ng niluto ko ngayon. Good thing. Thank, God.

Halos first time ko lang din na magluto talaga. And I consider myself lucky na maayos naman ang kinalabasan sa naluto ko ngayon. Because back in our house we have a cook and I didn't really learn about cooking, while Kiah learned it since she was always at home and was even homeschooled...

After having dinner, Noah stayed in my apartment. I also prepared some movie for us to watch. Since it's also a Sunday the next day. Magsisimba na rin yata kami ni Noah, and Ate Michaela also invited us to go to church on Sunday together kasama sila ni Kuya Sith. I also want to go to thank God more for this chance to live my life like this now...

Back at home we also come to church with my family. But I don't really remember myself being so prayerful in the past. But now that I'm enjoying my life and I'm genuinely happy right now, I feel like I just wanted to thank God more.

But in the middle of watching movie with Noah, napatingin na ako sa kaniya when the two main characters were already kissing on the TV screen. Romance din kasi ang napili kong panuorin. Sabi naman ni Noah we can watch whatever I want.

Bumaling na rin sa akin si Noah. At nagkatinginan kaming dalawa...

At walang mga salitang lumapit na ang mga mukha namin sa isa't isa and we started kissing each other's lips...

Until our kiss became more passionate and deeper...

I gripped on Noah's clothes. Nakahawak na rin na medyo humigpit ang mga kamay ni Noah sa baywang ko. Gumalaw pa ako at halos mapaupo na ako sa mga hita niya na nadadala na rin sa lumalalim pa lalo naming halikan...