Chapter 20

Freen stood by the table. She watching the three small figures seated neatly in front of her. The food had taken longer than expected but she had done it by herself.

“Now… you all can eat it,” Freen finally said, her voice calm but carrying a hint of nervousness she herself didn’t notice. This is her first time cooking after many year.

Fahnareeh picked up her spoon carefully, scooping a small amount of the chicken porridge into her mouth.

The warmth touched her tongue first, followed by a taste she couldn’t quite describe. Her brows furrowed slightly before she forced herself to swallow. Without saying a word, she turned her head, looking at Fastian, then Fosbein.

Freen noticed the look.

“Is it delicious?” she asked, leaning slightly closer, anticipation flickering in her eyes.

Fahnareeh hesitated for a second before nodding her head. She took another bite, slower this time, chewing carefully as if trying to convince herself that it was indeed edible.

“Daddy, I want a pancake,” Fastian said suddenly, his voice cutting through the quiet like a small bell.

“Here you go,” Freen replied immediately sliding the plate toward him. But midway, her movement stopped. Her gaze fell on Fastian’s bandaged hand, and her expression changed. “Wait. Let daddy feed you.”

Fastian opened his mouth obediently, but just as the pancake reached closer, his eyes drifted toward Fahnareeh. The way Fahnareeh had reacted to the porridge earlier lingered in his mind.

He immediately leaned forward and took a tiny bite of the pancake himself after that. He want to try his daddy’s food by himself for the first time.

He turned his head toward Fosbein, staring at him with pure seriousness.

“Is that too delicious?” Freen chuckled softly, relief mixing with amusement.
Fastian nodded eagerly.

“Phi, you should try it.”

“No need,” Fosbein replied calmly, lifting his cup instead. “I only want to drink my milk.”

Freen smiled faintly. “You three wait here first. Daddy wants to prepare water.”

They nodded together, small heads bobbing in unison.

As soon as Freen turned away, Fastian leaned closer to his siblings and whispered, “I want mommy’s food.”

“Me too,” Fahnareeh said immediately, her lips pouting.

“Mommy is at work,” Fosbein reminded them patiently. “Just drink milk until mommy gets here.”

Fastian frowned. “Didn’t mommy buy us snacks?”

Without waiting, he climbed down from his chair and walked toward the kitchen. Fahnareeh followed quickly, then Fosbein, their movements coordinated like they had done this many times before. They crouched in front of the bottom cupboard, opening it and rummaging through every corner.

“There is not a single snack,” Fastian complained loudly, frustration clear in his voice.

“Call mommy,” Fahnareeh suggested, already sounding desperate.

“No. Mommy is busy,” Fosbein said.

“I’m hungry,” Fahnareeh whimpered, her eyes growing glossy.

“Me too.”

Fosbein hesitated, then sighed. “Fine. We call mommy. Where’s our smartwatch?”

“Let me!” Fahnareeh said, already running toward the living room.

Becky, who had arrived at her client’s company, received a call from Fahnareeh. She didn’t think twice and picked up the call.

Becky
What’s wrong, Nareeh?

Fahnareeh
Mommy, we’re hungry.

Becky frowned. She was very sure that Freen was not that cruel to let her own flesh and blood starve.

Becky
Didn’t daddy prepared some breakfast before?

Fahnareeh
Mommy, daddy’s food is not delicious

Becky
Didn’t mommy ever tell you not to be a picky eater? please just eat  what daddy prepared first. When mommy is done with work. Mommy will come back and cook many delicious food.

Fahnareeh
I want now, mommy. We’re hungry.

Becky pinched the bridge of her nose. She didn’t know yet how bad Freen’s cooking was. She thought her children were picking out food.

“You can ask your personal assistant to replace you,” said someone behind her.

“But..”

“Just go back,” Mai insisted. “Your kids need you. Maybe your husband’s cooking really is terrible,” she added jokingly. “This meeting isn’t that important.”

Fahnareeh
“Mommy, do you hear me?”

Becky
“Mommy is coming now,”

Fahnareeh
“Okay, mommy.”

Becky then turned off her phone. She thanked Mai.

The triplets then sat back in the living room. Freen came downstairs and saw the food on the table, which looked like they hadn’t touched it at all.

“Are you all full?”

“Daddy, can we take a bath now?,” asked Fosbein.

“Of course. Come here.”

Becky has come home. She was sure that Freen had not taken them to check up because Freen’s car was still in front.

Becky went to the dining room and looked at the food. She immediately tasted the food.

“What the heck? Why this porridge so sweet?,” murmured Becky. She tasted other food after that.

“Since when did she not know how to cook? Wasn’t her food okay when I tasted it this morning?” Becky said to herself. “It’s impossible, Tian did it.”

Freen and the triplets go downstairs. Becky who heard the triplets’ noisy voices went towards them.

“Mommy,” shouted Fahnareeh.

Becky carried her. She caressed her hair.

“Freen, don’t you know how to cook anymore? If I’m not wrong you can cook,” said Becky.

“Why?,”

Becky invited Freen to the dining room.

“Taste it.”

Freen tasted the food she made.

“It’s terrible.”

“That’s why I’m coming back. The triplets told me about this.”

Freen saw the triplets.

“Daddy, we don’t want to tell you because this is the first time you’ve cooked for us,” Fosbein replied.

“Nareeh, Tian, Rox go to the living room. Wait there. Daddy will cook the breakfast again,” said Becky.

“But, mommy..”

“Just wait there.”

Becky told Freen to cook the breakfast again.

“Becky, this is the first time I’ve cooked since our divorce,” Freen scratched her unitchy neck.

“I don’t think that’s the problem,” said Becky. “Are you still unable to tell the difference between sugar and salt?”

Freen didn’t nod her head. She didn’t shake her head either.

Becky shook her head. Freen did not want to admit her weakness when talk about cooking.

“Admit it.”

Freen nodded her head.

Becky writes labels on all her cooking ingredient bottles. Freen saw what Becky was doing.

“Now, your problems already solve. You can cook now.”

“Thank you,Becbec.”

“It’s Becky,” said Becky and go away from there. She joined the triplets watching cartoon.

“Mommy, where’s the food?” asked Fosbein.

“Daddy will cook it again.”

“Mommy, daddy can’t cook,” murmured Fahnareeh.

“She can. Trust mommy, okay?,”

Fahnareeh then laid her head on Becky’s thigh.

“Rox, pick up the hair comb on the table. Mommy comb your hair. Your hair look so messy.”

“Daddy hasn’t brushed my hair.”