JUST A LITTLE SIN
Episode 33
By AMAH’S HEART.
I was amazed not only at the size of the kitchen but how everything was decorated in it.
I saw two ladies in the kitchen, I believe they work there.
Maybe they’re dish washer.
One was washing the dishes, the other was drying with a napkin before putting them away
They hurried with what they were doing, there was water on the kitchen tiles, they quickly mob it up before leaving.
The man that led me to the kitchen, should be in his early forties
He was wearing a kitchen apron and hair cover, I believe he is the house chef.
He showed me where everything was, and even set up the electronics for cooking.
He showed me the cabinet where all the spices where kept, they where of different sizes and content with names on them and lined up accordingly.
He showed me the fridge and also the freezer where different types of meat where kept.
The beef from cow part, turkey, chicken, goat, sheep, different types of fish and even bush meats where in that big freezer.
After showing me everything that I needed, he wish me good luck and left.
I stood there staring at the whole place, the clock on the kitchen wall suddenly rang, which startled me a little in the wide kitchen.
I looked at it and the time says 1pm.
They gave me just an hour to prepare everything
How’s that even possible? Even a magician will use more than an hour for such a meal.
The time was too short for such food.
I don’t even know what I’m making, how do I start? What should I put on fire first?
Is it water or oil
I held the kitchen cabinet and bent my head in defeat.
Omie said I should apply for a driver and I told her that I can’t drive, she wanted to teach me but the timing wasn’t very friendly
She works and I don’t want to inconvenience her.
She said I can also apply as a cook, I told her that I can’t cook, she said I will learn on the job.
She said I should just let them un-derstand my situation and I will be a-ssisted
In my current situation now, I would have been dismissed immediately if I told them that I can’t even cook simple food, they will Chase me out like the first lady wanted to do, fortunately her sister showed up and for me to keep this job, i just need to pa-ss my first a-ssignment.
At the end they will still throw me out because I don’t know anything about Colaba de cape.
“You have not started cooking..?
A voice startled me from behind.
I turned and it was John.
“Stop sneaking up on me like a rat, I hate to be startled..” I told him
“Erm.. sorry, I didn’t mean to do that. But I heard them say that your a-ssignment is an hour yet you haven’t started..”
I didn’t reply back, I just picked up one spoon and a pot, atleast I have taken the first step, let me think of if I should fetch water into the pot or add oil.
“..You lied, is lying that brou-ght you to this confusing state that you are. So you don’t know that lying is a sin..”
I turned and look at him, he must be thinking I’m some teenage boy like him.
Why is he taking to me like a child.
“…You told me that you don’t know anything about colaba de cape but you told Miss Jenni and Zee that you can prepare it, look at you, you’re in a state of dilemma. Well, good luck to you then..”
“Can you tell me what to do, please give me tips on how to prepare it. I really need this job and I know you won’t un-derstand why I have to lie even if I explain it..” I said calmly to him.
I just have to ignore his childish talk and ask for help.
Swallowing my pride to ask him to help me felt so ha-rd to do initially.
“I don’t know how to make it, sincerely. I have only seen chef David, the staff that they a-ssigned to show you the kitchen, I have seen him making the food but the spices are confusing, can’t remember any. He parboil the rice with two different spices, marinate the meat with about four spices in a container, before putting it in the oven. That’s all I can remember but there’s so many things he does before it comes out perfect, just the way madam and her children likes it..”
Atleast the little idea can help. With John’s help I may come up with something.
“What type of meat is that? How is the marinating done, can you atleast remember two of the spices that was used? after the rice is parboiled what do he do next..”?
I asked and got ready to take note in my head.
“I said I don’t know. He uses a mutton.. you don’t know mutton meat are gotten from a lamb or sheep? They have some in the freezer there. He mixed the meat with different spices then wrap it up with a cling firm before putting it..”
I quickly interrupted
“Wait.. this whole thing is too much to know at once. I don’t even know some of the things you mentioned. You know what, you’re right John. I shouldn’t have told them that I know how to prepare de capy. I lied but lying isn’t really a sin, maybe is just a little sin because sometimes lying can save you from trouble..”
“There’s nothing like a little sin in the Bible, a sin is a sin. My mother always warn us against lying, stealing, jealousy and many other things you may categories into “little sin.
“We’re not here to talk about sin right? I’m here to cook colaba de capy, I need help to get out of this. Can you help me? I asked.
“No, I can’t help you. I told you that I can’t make the food you were asked to prepare. What’s your name..”
“Tomasi is my name. I thought I already told you, why are you still asking?
“No, you haven’t. Go back and tell them the truth maybe they will consider you, Tomasi..”
“Hey, put a respect to the name, we are not age mates. Call me Tomasi with a respectful tone..do you un-derstand? I can’t go to them, telling them that I’m not a chef or that I can’t cook their special, that will take me back home, to square one. I don’t want to return back the same way, I need a job desperately..”
“What exactly can you do… Tom..asi. hope that was respective enough for you..”?
“Nothing, except… except..”
I began to think, then it occurred to me that the only work I know how to do was plumbing..”
“… except plumbing. Well, I’m a plumber. Not much of a big professional in the field but I know more about plumbing work than anything in this entire kitchen.
“Good, since you’re plumber we’re having issue with the kitchen pipe. It seems something blocked the pa-ssage way, it takes lots of time for the water to pa-ss out from the sink. The plumber was informed since yesterday but he’s yet to arrive. He said he had something at hand and will come in first thing this morning or send somebody but he’s yet to come, he haven’t send anyone yet. So, can you fix it… this could be your saving grace…”
“Let me take a look at it first. I don’t actually have any working tools here, fixing it maybe an issue becau…”
“We have some tools in the sto-re, tell me what you need and I will fetch them for you..” John said.
I listed five of the major tools I needed, he left and returned with a bag, I was able to get three of the needed tools out of the five I listed and that was how work began.
I decided to work with what I have, hoping that I will be able to fix it and like John said, fixing the plumbing issue may be my only saving grace from the hideous food they asked me to prepare.
The a-ssignment has practically changed to “colaba de plumbing”
I’m sure this will be lot easier than “de capy”
(Do NOT take credit or plagiarize AMAH’S HEART stories)