The kitchen warzone

Today is my day off, and now an opportunity to show that I can be wife material. Today I will show my boyfriend, I can cook. We usually both eat out due to our work schedules being hectic, and everytime we’ve cooked it’s been a rush so it ends up being semi cooked and we're so hungry to the point that we just eat it or get takeout. Last time he cooked, he burned burgers and our fire alarm went off due to all the smoke engulfing the place. Last time I cooked, I actually don’t remember. I usually don’t cook due to hating washing the dishes or getting lazy to do the bare minimum and prep. Today is the day I prove I can do it if I put my mind to it. I ended up video calling my mom discussing various receipts that I cannot mess up and she suggested chicken katsu and white rice. She showed me all the ingredients needed, and off to the store I went. 

I put my headphones on and grab a cart, standing in the veggie aisle. Why is it freezing here? The time is 2 pm and he gets out from work at 6 and basically comes home around 7ish. I got this, right? My list requirements are: 

1. White Rice
2. Chicken Breast
3. Bread crumbs??? 
4. Flour 
5. Eggs (we have some at home I THINK) 
6. Vegetable Oil 

My first objective is the rice, I pick out Goya Medium Grain Rice and oh my this bag is heavy. I seriously need to go back to the gym. Dashed to get the flour and vegetable oil. The traffic in this store and the no windows really give an apocalyptic feel. 

Mom video calls me and I show her all the items i’ve gathered so far. 

“Honey, wheres the chickens and breading. You’ve been there for hours.”

“Yeah, Yeah it’s super cold in here” I flip the camera and show her the chicken breasts. “Which looks good?”

“Get the 6 pieces that should be enough for you two.” 

I make my way to the bread section. “Mom, what do you mean bread crumbs?”

“Breading mix– not” The call drops due to losing service, before I call back. I noticed the time and it’s 4:40pm. I have bread at home, we are fine. I jog with the cart to self checkout and make my way back to the car. I throw my headphones to the backseat and begin driving felonious speeds, I hear all the groceries moving side to side praying there's no flour in my back seat. I manage to put the rice over my head and grab the bag, I rush up the stairs. Put the key to my door and drop everything on the floor. 

“Oh my” Gasping for air. I chug a cup of water and throw my full body weight onto the couch. “This is tiring” My phone has died from listening to music and not turning off my bluetooth so relying on the time on the microwave, I have no time to rest. I managed to get the courage to get up. Let’s do this. I open my bags to see vegetable oil, chicken breast, and flour spilled all over the bag. I let out a big sigh but I'm not surprised, at least it wasn’t my car. Before cleaning this mess up, I begin with the rice. Washing the rice and then putting it in the rice cooker is nothing special. I just need to get the easy things done. I begin pre-heating the oil and separating the flour, 3 eggs, the chicken and-

“THE BREADING” I yell aloud, I look ontop of my fridge no bread, cereal boxes. My phone is dead so I can’t breakdown to my mother to fix this for me. 

“Alexa, Alternatives for bread crumbs” 

“Some options are oats, crackers, cornflakes-”  

“Okay, enough alexa” I interrupt. I dash on top of the fridge and grab frosted flakes. This should do. I continue preparing the ingredients, crushing the cornflakes with my hands. The oil already has bubbles forming. I wash, trim the fat and pat dry the chicken. With one hand I grab the chicken and coat it with flour, then move it to the egg wash. Without thinking I use the egg wash hand to coat the chicken in the cornflakes, rookie mistake. My hands became clumpy and these are the only eggs I have to make work. 5 more chickens to go. I look at the time and it’s 6:20. I rush preparing the katsu, before dumping the chicken into the oil, I check on the rice and it is soooo tasty and sticky. I begin salivating. Slowly I dump the chicken into the oil, using the lid to the pan as a shield, I successfully done it. I do a happy dance and hear the keys fiddling with the door knob. 

“Honey, I’m home” 

“LOOK DOWN NATE” I yell aloud. 

“Oh okay, it smells really good here, are you cooking?” Nate slowly puts his duffle bag onto the floor and removes his shoes. 

“Yes, Yes, look down and get into the shower, food is almost done.” 

“Yes ma’am, do you need any help?”

“GOOOO” 

“Okayyyy” 

I flip the chicken and it’s a little burnt, dark brown has a little crisp to it. I got distracted. I hear the shower run turn off the oil and remove the chicken and begin plating. I cut the chicken katsu in thin slices and garnish with soy sauce on top.  I light up some candles, and go to charge my phone to attempt to play music before he comes out. 

“Dinners readyyyyy” I shout aloud my voice echos through the hallways

“Ooo this smells delicious” He kisses my forehead and rubs my shoulders. 

“Thank you, now sit here and eat.” 

“Whattt, I’m admiring. Thank you for the meal.” 

We both dig in at the same time. I close my eyes and bask in all the flavors. I hear nate grunting and chewing loudly. 

“Amazing job, ari” 

“Edible” 

He chuckles “Yes, edible” we both eat in silence, enjoying each other's comfort and food. I completely forget about the music. 

“How’d you get the chicken to be so sweet and thick?” he continues chewing loudly. 

“It’s chicken katsu, trust me” 

“Uh huh, I love you so much” 

“And the chicken, right”

“Yes and the chicken, I'm impressed you didn’t give up.”

“Impressed I made a good meal and would make a amazing wife” 

“Oh my, you will be my wife soon, continue eating your meal”

“Fine, I love you too” That’s all I needed to hear. Was it worth it? I mean a solid meal but looking at the sink. I’m reconsidering.