Episode 76: Making Hotdogs.
Today was Monday. The day began much like any other, but this time, there was a refreshing shift in the rhythm of our morning. What used to be a quiet start with just Natasha and me had now evolved into something livelier and warmer. Natasha wasn't alone in preparing breakfast anymore. Today, Selene, Scarlett, and Layla had joined her.
The three of them had risen before I even stirred, bustling about the kitchen to create a hearty start to the day. Meanwhile, Alfred and Layla, ever dependable, were attending to the regular inspections and maintenance of our base, ensuring that everything was functioning smoothly.
Despite living in a post-apocalyptic world where survival was a daily challenge for most, our home felt like a haven of normalcy. Selene and Scarlett were gradually acclimating to this peaceful and serene morning routine. It was a stark contrast to the lives they had known—a world of chaos, where each dawn was uncertain, and survival came at a steep cost. Transitioning into the slower, more comfortable rhythm that Natasha and I had cultivated wasn't easy for them. Yet, they were adapting beautifully, finding solace in the tranquility that surrounded them.
Our breakfast was simple yet abundant. Natasha and the ladies, just imply reheated last night's leftovers, transforming the curry rice into a meal that felt as indulgent as a feast. In a world where food scarcity was the norm, our humble breakfast would have been considered a luxury. Scarlett, always the candid one, chuckled in disbelief as she commented on how surreal it was to enjoy curry rice for breakfast. Selene, ever observant, marveled at the idea of eating three full meals a day—and having the freedom to eat whenever she pleased.
Their amazement was a bittersweet reminder of how much the world had lost, but it also filled me with pride and gratitude that they had chosen to be part of this little family of ours.
As we shared our meal, the table was alive with conversation and laughter. Scarlett leaned back with a contented sigh, looking at her plate with wide eyes.
"I still can't believe how delicious this curry rice is," she said, her voice tinged with awe. "It's been so long since I've had food this good. It's like a dream."
Selene nodded in agreement, her fork poised mid-air. "Three meals a day," she murmured, almost to herself.
"And food like this? Back then, I wouldn't even dare imagine it. But now…" She smiled softly, her eyes meeting mine. "Now I'm starting to believe this is real."
Natasha chuckled, her voice warm and reassuring. "It is real. And it's only going to get better from here." She glanced at me with a smile that spoke volumes.
"I'm glad you're both enjoying it," I said.
"This is your home now, and there will always be plenty to go around."
The guarded expressions they had worn just a few days ago seemed to melt away entirely. Relief and happiness radiated from both Selene and Scarlett as they let themselves embrace the comfort of belonging. Natasha, ever the steady anchor of the group, exchanged knowing smiles with me as the conversation flowed effortlessly among all of us. Both of them had been living his harshness for far too long, I am glad that they were able to get comfortable faster, I supposed people of this world are resilient and very adaptable, which is a good thing.
Our family was growing, not just in numbers but in closeness.
By afternoon, I had a project in mind.
"Alfred," I called,
"Could you bring me the sausage machine and casings I ordered last night?"
"Yes, Sir".
Without hesitation, Alfred answer disappeared into storage and returned promptly with everything I needed. The shiny new sausage-making equipment gleamed under the kitchen lights as I rolled up my sleeves, ready to begin. The base ingredient? Meat from a mutated deer I had hunted earlier. I kinda wanted to taste what a mutated sausage would taste like, with Alfred beside me, I opened a Metube app of my phone and watched the guide to make sausage as I slowly making it.
Curiosity must have drawn them in because Natasha, Selene, and Scarlett soon wandered into the kitchen. They watched me with puzzled expressions, clearly intrigued.
"What are you doing?" Natasha asked, her tone a mix of amusement and genuine interest.
"I'm making sausages," I replied, holding up the casing with a grin.
Their reactions were priceless.
"What's a sausage?" Scarlett asked, tilting her head as Selene nodded in agreement. Even the word seemed foreign to them.
"Sausage is a food, Madam…".
Thankfully, Alfred stepped in to explain. His precise, measured voice provided a detailed explanation of what sausages were, their origins, and how they were traditionally made. The three women listened intently, their fascination growing by the second.
"Can we help?" Selene asked eagerly, her eyes lighting up. Scarlett and Natasha chimed in with their agreement.
"Sure, why not… making this thing is quite therapeutic… come join me…".
There Is no need to refuse their help I suppose, all 3 of them were filled enthusiasm and it was infectious to me too. Soon, we were all working together, preparing the meat, stuffing the casings, and experimenting with different seasonings.
The kitchen buzzed with energy and camaraderie as we worked, each of us contributing in our own way. Even Alfred couldn't resist offering advice on technique, his tone bordering on playful as he teased me about my "less-than-perfect" first attempts. Natasha, as always, took everything in stride, being a genius on everything cooking related that she was,
"Azra's always like this," she said to Selene and Scarlett, her voice filled with affection.
"He's constantly inventing or creating something new. As members of this family, you'll just have to go with it."
Her words earned a laugh from all of us, breaking the last remnants of tension. The harmony among us was palpable, a blend of shared purpose and genuine affection. As we worked, I shared my vision with them.
"I've been thinking about adding sausages and hotdogs to our Azra Family Co. menu," I said.
"I think people would love them. It's something new, something different. In a world that's lost so much, maybe we can bring back a little bit of what was good."
Scarlett's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I think it's a wonderful idea," she said, her voice brimming with conviction. Selene nodded in agreement, already brainstorming ways to present the new items to the people who relied on us for sustenance. Natasha's smile told me she approved as well. By the time we finished, we had a tray of freshly made sausages ready to be cooked and tested. Natasha then, volunteered to cooked the sausages with me on her side the entire time.
"Aren't this rather…. too simple?".
Selene breaks the ice; Natasha had finished making the hotdogs, sausages being hugged by buns, with mustards and ketchup on, it was a simple dish, almost bare looking even, but, for me looking at them, all that I can say was it was looking very good.
"It Is simple…it was made to be that way…. BUT… it was tasty a heck…
Ignoring the ladies' Suspicious looks, I sank my teeth in, and for that, I moaned instantly, it simply tasted so good, making the Mutated deer meat sausage, truly a correct move from me.
"Really? let me have a taste as well…
As expected, after watching me eat the hotdogs in bliss, Selene also tasted the hotdogs, and in an instant, he too falls in love with this simple dish as well, soon Natasha and Scarlett fell in love as well, I supposed with this kind of feedback our new menus would definitely be famous soon enough.