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"So then you pour the milk and the sugar in the pan and stir...just like that! See? You're a natural, babe."
Perlah's praise brings a smile to your face and you peck her cheek in thanks before she places her chin on your shoulder.
"Well, it would be pretty hard to ruin syrup," you laugh.
"You would think, but somehow the kids have done that a few times," Perlah sighs, shaking her head.
"Took me days to get the stove clean."
She wraps her arms around your waist and leans her head against your back, watching as you continue stirring.
"Speaking of, they're being really quiet..."
Turning her head to find the room empty, she raises an eyebrow. "Too quiet. I'll be right back."
Perlah gives your hip a quick squeeze before setting off toward the kids’ room, muttering in Tagalog under her breath. You hear tiny giggles echo down the hall—followed by a dramatic “Mama, they took my slippers again!”
Then, softer: “Shhh! She's making biko and if you snitch, we're not gonna get any!”
The second half of that sentence causes a giggle to escape from your lips, and you can picture Perlah rolling her eyes in response. After a few minutes, she appears back in the kitchen, running a hand through her hair.
"They think they're slick, 'whispering' at the top of their lungs."
She comes over to check the progress of the syrup and sees that it's thickened, humming in approval.
"Looks good! Now is when we turn the heat to low and set some of the syrup aside for later."
Perlah then tells you to add the cooked rice to the pan and you follow her directions until it's mixed together and the two of you are spreading it onto the baking pan. She lets you do the honors of spreading the rest of the syrup over the dessert before sliding it inside of the oven and setting a timer.
Perlah leans back against the edge of the counter, her gaze drifting over your face thoughtfully. "You're a natural at this, you know."
Her voice is warm, affectionate.
She reaches out, cupping your jaw and gently brushing a thumb over your cheek. "My own little apprentice."
You laugh softly, placing a hand over hers. "Well, with a teacher this amazing, how could I not be?"
Your answer brings a smile to her lips as she hums and draws you closer, wrapping an arm around your waist.
Her gaze drifts down to your lips, her thumb tracing light patterns against your skin.
"Mm, you're just being nice," she murmurs, the corner of her lip tugging into a smile.
She leans in, her face hovering just millimeters from yours. Her breath is warm against your skin, sending a shiver down your spine.
"Although I do appreciate the flattery."
Shaking your head ever so gently, you lean in and press a soft kiss to her lips, the pair of you wrapped in your own little bubble until the oven timer dings. Almost immediately after, multiple pairs of footsteps make themselves known and you share a knowing look with the other woman.
"And here come the vultures," Perlah says, straightening up and rolling her eyes in fond annoyance.
Her hand drifts down your arm, giving it a squeeze before she turns to the faces peering into the kitchen, eyes wide and expectant.
"Can I help you?"
"Yeah, when's the biko gonna be done?" The oldest asks.
His tone is barely concealed impatience and you have to bite your cheek to keep from laughing at Perlah's expression. The woman has her hands firmly on her hips and a matching a stern look on her face.
"A few more minutes," she replies. "You know you need to wait until it cools down before you can have any."
She then crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow. "And remind me why that's a rule?"
The kids exchange glances, silent for once—until the youngest blurts out, “Because what happened last year...”
Perlah nods dramatically “Exactly! And whose fault was that?”
A chorus of giggles erupts as she shoos them toward the living room. “Go pick a movie! You can have biko after.”
When she turns back to you, her eyes are twinkling. “Alone again.”
You laugh softly, coming to stand beside her, arms looping around her waist. "I'm surprised they didn't hover this time."
Perlah hums in agreement, her own arms slipping around your shoulders. Her touch is familiar and comforting, and you find yourself leaning into it instinctively.
The sound of the kids squabbling over a film drifts in and it elicits a sigh from the woman. "They'll come running back in soon, claiming they can't agree on anything."
"Then we should take advantage and steal the first piece, huh?"
The suggestion earns a laugh from Perlah that ends with her grinning from ear to ear.
"I like the way you think," she says, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
She takes your hand and leads you toward the counter with the cooling pan atop it, pausing to glance toward the living room. When she seems satisfied that the kids are still occupied, Perlah grabs a fork and cuts a small corner piece before lifting it towards your lips.
"Time to taste your masterpiece."
You open your mouth and accept the bite, your eyes fluttering shut as the sticky, semi-sweet taste fills your mouth. It's a perfect balance of the rice and the sugar, and a small hum of appreciation leaves your mouth.
When you open your eyes, Perlah's gaze is on you and she's smiling, her thumb lifting to swipe away a stray piece from the corner of your lip.
She then grabs a bite for herself and brings the fork to her own lips, gaze still trained on you as she does. A content sigh leaves her mouth and leans back against the counter.
"Damn, we did a good job," she murmurs, a proud smirk adorning her face.
You simply laugh, your own grin mirroring hers. "I can't argue with that."
Another kiss is shared, the slightest bit sticky from the syrup and both of you hum into it.
The sounds of the kids squabbling once again drift in from the other room, but this time they've grown in volume and intensity.
The next time they rush in, they ask for your help to choose the movie and Perlah's eyes are fixed on the interaction, nothing but warmth shining in them.