Anna and Robert are so in love with each other, and so they decided to tie the knot as soon as possible. But they have one big problem. Anna must first pass the approval of Consuelo, who is Robert's mother.
If you would look at Anna, there is really nothing disagreeable about her. She is beautiful, kind, well-mannered, charming, educated, smart-almost everything a good lady possessed-except that Robert's mother is not really looking at these qualities. Consuelo is only concerned if her future daughter-in-law knows how to cook or not. She judged the character of a wife by the way she cooks a meal.
She often told Robert, “You know son, I really don't care whether the woman you choose to be your wife is rich or not, pretty or ugly, as long as you love her and she loves you and the most important of all is that she could cooked at least a decent meal.”
This is where the problem lies because Anna cannot cook anything without burning it. She really was not fond of cooking or staying in the kitchen for so long. Robert knew this and he really is worried that her mother will not approve of Anna, his only love. Robert told Anna the condition of his mother for his bride to be approved. But Anna was not worried, not even one bit. Even if Robert told her that his mother would send their faithful servant Selina to watch over her when she cooks a meal. Robert said that his mother wanted to make sure that it is really Anna who will cook the meal she will served to them.
She just laughed this off saying, “Relax, Robert, my love. If that what's your mother like, then I shall cooked her a meal she will never forget for a long, long time.”
Then she told him to bring her mother over for dinner the following Sunday. And so it was set that Robert and her mother will have dinner at Anna's house at 7 pm next Sunday.
Soon it was Sunday. Anna told Robert to send Selina over to their house early in the morning because she might want to witness also how good she is at marketing and she will have to prepare quite a number of special dishes to impress his mother. And she may start to cook early. Then Selina added with humor, “Your mother may not want Selina to miss all the action, so please send her over here now and fast.”
At exactly, 7 p.m., all the special dishes that Anna prepared are all ready now to be served, except that the guests have not yet arrived. An hour had passed, and still no sign of Robert and his mother. At last, at exactly 9 p.m., Robert and his mother arrived with their tongue almost coming out from exhaustion.
“Sorry, we are late, my love. We have flat tires-all 4 of them, and I have only one spare tire. There were no vehicles passing and we just decided to walk…By the way, I was trying to call you on your cellphone, why are not you responding?”
“I'm very sorry, love. But look, I didn't notice that my cellphone has to be recharged. I was so busy and excited cooking for you that these things passes my mind. Anyway, do get some rest and dinner will be served. I hope that what I cooked for you could somehow remove your fatigue and nourish you”, said Anna apologetically and giving her future mother-in-law a very sweet smile.
The dinner was a success. Consuelo could swear that was the most delicious meal she has ever eaten. She hugged Anna and asked them to set the date of the wedding as soon as possible.
After the wedding and the honeymoon, Robert asked Anna to cook him some special meal. Anna laughed and said that she cannot cook. To which Robert asked Anna, “But how were you able to cook all those delicious meals for me and my mom?”
“I didn't. Selina did”, said Anna, and then continued, “You see, I befriended Selina and learned that she has a daughter whom she misses so much. Your mother only allowed her to have a vacation once a year. I told her that if she will help me win the approval of your mother, I will get her daughter to work with us, and if she wants, we will also help her to attend college at night. That way, they can see each other more frequently.”
“I don't understand. Selina is not our cook. Even if she can cook, it failed to pass my mother's high standard” said Robert still puzzled.
“I know. Selina told me that, but it is enough that she at least knew the basics in cooking. So what I did, I asked somebody to scatter spikes about one kilometer from our house the moment he saw your car coming. And as planned your car were flat tired. I knew it the moment you failed to show up at our house at 7 pm. I also assumed that you would be forced to walk because there are hardly any vehicles passing that way at that hour and you will come here tired and so hungry that you will find everything delicious to your taste. I also intentionally did not charge my cellphone so you will not be able to contact me to come to your rescue. And so that is how I had trapped you, my one and only love, to marry me…” said Anna teasingly.
Robert gave Anna a quick tender kiss and said, “My, my, I married one smart woman.” And then kissed her again, this time, a long, sweet and lingering kiss.
