Title : WINTER CHOCOLATE
CHAPTER 1 : FALLING IN LOVE WITH AN ENGAGED MAN
My name's Lal Mirch and I hate chocolate. Don't ask me why, I just hate it. I hate the extremely sweet taste of the chocolate and I hate the smell of it. The fact is, chocolate is on my top list of dislike. I don't get it why most of the girls in my class like it, like Haru, she loves chocolate and she always bakes it for the whole class. And everybody seems to like it, except me.
It was winter and the air was freezing, not to mention it was night time. I wore a thick coat and a black scarf around my neck. "I'm leaving." I told my mum and went out to the malls. Well, I don't like malls, but I have to go there due to my mother's sickness. And you'll never believe what she needs; a bottle of soy sauce. That's it. And I didn't argue at her like I used to because I'll always end up buying it, though. So I prefer to shut up and follow her.
As I enter the mall, I saw someone I knew very well; my art teacher Colonello-san. I decided not to greet him since he was busy browsing through the racks. So I walked pass behind him. And much to my surprise, a hand grabbed my wrist. I turned and saw Colonello-san smiling back to me. "Lal-chan, is that how you respect your sensei, kora?" his smile was more like a warning smile. I stared at him, speechless. Then I smirk. "Good night, Colonello sensei." I said sarcasmly. Colonello-san smiled and released me.
"That's better. So why are you her, kora?" he asked, staring at me. "Soy sauce," I replied and walked to the other side of the racks. "If you don't mind, kora, here's the soy sauce." Colonello-san handed me a bottle of soy sauce. I looked at him, weird. He blushed and scratches his face with a finger. "Well, you see, kora. I took extra so..." his voice trailed away. I burst out into giggles at his reaction. "Thank you, sensei," I said, walking to the counter to pay.
When I wanted to pay for the soy sauce, Colonello-san stopped me. "My treat, kora," He said, paying the cashier. I said nothing. "Mind to stroll with me?" he asked, when I took the plastic bag. I smiled and nodded. We walked along the shops and stopped at a candy shop. "Wait here." Colonello-san said and I arched an eyebrow. He smiled and disappeared into the shops. I squat down outside, waiting.
After 7 minutes, Colonello-san came out with a box. He smiled at me and shoves the box to me. "Your Christmas present," He said. I look at him weirdly. "Christmas is still a week away." I said, accepting the box. "By the way, what's this?" Colonello-san chuckled. "Go on, open it." He said, eagerly. I put the plastic bag down and unwraps the box. Then my face turns pale. "Ch-chocolate?" I asked, slowly. "Yeap. I guess every girl like chocolates so I thought you might like it too." He said, grinning.
I didn't want to hurt his feeling so I just smiled. "Err, thanks, sensei." I said, wrapping back the box. "Just call me Colonello from now." He said, and looked up to the sky. "Man, its snowing." He said, smiling as a snow fell on his palm. I looked up too, and more snow fell. I smiled and suddenly, a pair of warm hands took my hands. I turn and saw Colonello-san blushing. I blushed too. I didn't know why I feel like this, but I like this feeling.
"Well, you know, Lal-chan. You...you look pretty today." He started to say, his hand tightening around mine. My eyes widened. 'Pretty?' I thought. No one had ever said I'm pretty. They said I was just below average. And I didn't argue, because I don't live to impress them. "Thanks...sen-Colonello." I was still not used to calling him by name. "Lal." Suddenly he turns and stared at me. I can see his face was deep red now, and I wanted to laugh. But then his other hand stroke my cheeks. As his face drew closer to mine my heartbeat stopped.
Pushing him away, I look away. "Err, I guess I need to go home now. My mother is expecting me." I said, running home. In the train, my heartbeat hasn't slow down. I held my face. Hot. Was I blushing? Then I feel guilty to left Colonello-san there. He must feel embarrassed. I shook my head. 'He's your teacher, Lal Mirch!' I reminded myself. 'And he's got a fiancé!' the fact snapped me out to reality. Yes. Colonello-san is engaged to Luche, my cooking teacher. But why do I have this feeling that we loved each other?
The next morning I went to school as usual, greeted by Bianchi. "Morning, Lal-chan. Today we have cooking class, you know?" Bianchi said when I sat down on my place. "Cooking class?" I asked back, frowning. "Yes. You can cook anything you want. It's for the Christmas. Chocolate, cookies...anything," Bianchi said, clapping her hands eagerly. "I don't think anyone will dare to eat your 'poisoned' food, Bianchi-chan. I said sarcasm. Bianchi was not affected by it.
"I shall let my dear Romeo to eat my special chocolate!" Bianchi said, blushing red. I gagged. Poor, poor Romeo, I thought. "By the way, what are you doing, Lal-chan?" she asked suddenly. I was startled. "I...I don't think I will do anything. You know I hate cooking." I said, standing up. "Then you'll just help me to cook~" Bianchi said, pulling me to cooking room. I just followed.
"Let's see...1/2 glass of water...cocoa powder, wait. Lal-chan!" Bianchi called out. I stopped stirring the flour and turned at Bianchi. "What?" I asked. "How many grams of cocoa powder?" she asked. I shook my head. "I wrote on that list. Check number 4 or 5." I said, resuming my stirring. A figure stood beside me. "Lal-chan? What are you doing?" Luche sensei asked, smiling. And I really admire her beauty. "Err, I'm not doing anything, sensei. Just helping Bianchi," I said, honest.
Luche sensei frowned. "Lal-chan doesn't like to cook?" she asked. Bingo, I thought. "Well, it's not that I hate it...it's just. Troublesome..." I admitted, blushing. Luche sensei smiled. "I understand. It's hard to prepare the ingredients, right? But actually, cooking is fun. If you know just the way to cook it, the product will be delicious. And you have to know how to add the new spice. Like baking, you have to measure the flour, sugar and more, right? Wrong measurement, the taste will run." Luche sensei said and I stared at her. 'No wonder Colonello-san likes her. She's just like a mother, pretty and lady-like.' I thought, stirring the flour.
P/S: PLEASE READ AND REVIEW IF YOU WANT ME TO CONTINUE CHAPTER 2... GOOD OR BAD REVIEWS ACCEPTED~