The next stage
Time flew by faster than Melody wanted or expected. Cooking with Hunter's grandparents in the kitchen was fun and educational. They treated her the same way they did Hunter and Rebecca, and even forced her to call them grandmother and grandfather. Cooking was even more enjoyable anytime Hunter closed from work early and decided to join them.
They began to cook and take them to different orphanage homes as the food was too much for them in the house. Even if Melody did not contribute the money used in buying the ingredients for the food, she felt fulfilled that she was among the people who prepared the food.
She loved to see the smile on the faces of the children at the orphanage, it served to remind her that her life was better and that so many people were wishing for it. It made her want to work hard so that one day, she could own an orphanage and help other kids too, including the ones that have been abused.
Arianna, Zain and Samantha left after the arrival of Walsh and Callista but always dropped by to visit and also help out. Melody noticed the way the girls were around Hunter and his grandparents.
She could not understand why they were always jumpy and extremely quiet. Arianna was the worst of the lot. She who was the most talkative would prefer to lock herself in Rebecca's room than come out to help. Hunter and his grandparents were nice, so she was unable to understand it.
The one Melody could not really understand was seeing them bow in greetings to Hunter and his grandparents. She couldn't remember anywhere one would bow in greetings to elders in the twenty-first century.
Morgan was a different case. Yes, he dipped his head in greetings, but he still behaved like his normal self, so Melody thought that the problem must be with the girls, though she did not ask about it.
The time for the first competition came and Melody almost wanted to say she wouldn't compete again, but every one of them was having none of it. Rebecca outright slammed her hand on the dining table and said that she would skin Melody alive. Callista and Walsh showed concern and tried to alleviate her fears. Hunter asked her not to push herself, she did not have to ace the competition. All she had to do was give it her best shot and even if it did not work out, he would still sponsor her in the school.
Arianna threatened to drop out of school, as she had already announced to almost half the population that her student would emerge as one of the lucky ones to gain the scholarship.
The pressure increased and that was why her hands were cold, clammy, and shaky as she stretched it out to receive a card that had her number from the woman at the door.
She was in the school, but she had no time to admire its beauty because of her frayed nerves. Rebecca and the rest could not come in with her because only contestants were allowed. They were waiting for her in a small eatery just outside the school. She had asked them to go because she did not know for how long she would take and that she would find her way back home, but they were having none of it.
Melody blinked twice when she saw the number that was staring back at her from the card. Number nine hundred and fifteen. She looked behind her and her anxiety increased when she saw a large crowd behind her. They were yet to get their cards.
She wondered just how many there were that would be doing the competition. She knew that this competition was to select the first five hundred people. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if she failed from her first attempt.
They were shared into smaller groups and had to wait for her group's turn to cook. She tapped her feet anxiously on the floor the whole time. She tried hard not to be intimidated as she watched others immediately start cooking professionally when it got to her group's turn.
All these people here were professionals who might have been preparing and waiting for this opportunity their entire life. She shook her head to clear her thoughts as she picked up her apron. She had people who were waiting for her to succeed. She could not lose hope.
Even if she was scared, she needed to pass this competition so that she could get the scholarship and work hard to pay them back for all they have done for her. They did not know her but have been treating her will like family. She was doing this for them. The first stage of the competition was to cook any food of your choice for two hours.
Melody walked out of the school two hours later with a racing heart and tears in her eyes. She did not know whether she did well or not. The tasters had no expressions on their faces as they tasted her food. They could not know the results of the competition until tomorrow. She wished it could be announced now. While others were rejoicing, she was the only one who looked dull.
Melody hesitated as the door of the eatery, but it was yanked open, and she was enveloped in a warm hug and a familiar scant wrapped around her. She did not need to look at the face of the person to know who it was. They must have known that she was coming.
“You look pale, are you okay?" Rebecca asked as she released Melody from the hug.
“It's the competition. She must have been scared”. Callista said as she pushed Rebecca away and took Melody's hands in hers, “you did well. No matter the result of today's competition, in our hearts you are a winner”.
“ She will pass this stage. I know it”.
Melody's head snapped to Arianna, surprised that the girl had spoken two sentences in Rebecca's grandmother's presence.
“Come inside, let's get some food in you before leaving for home”.
“ How did you see this stage? Was it hard?" Walsh asked her with a kind smile as they returned to the table. Samantha, Zain and Walsh were seated already.
“It wasn't really hard”. It was because she was scared. She had nearly messed up her cooking multiple times from how much she was shaking.
As they started encouraging her not to be scared, Melody's mind wandered to Hunter. He had said that he had an important meeting today and won't be here, but she still felt disappointed. She wished that he was also here, encouraging her right now.