"What is that delicious aroma?" I exclaimed. The rich scent drifted through our flat and made my stomach rumble. "I think it's Aunty Lim's pasta!" My younger sister, Ana, chirped, her eyes bright. We wanted to learn the recipe, but our older brother, Adam, was sick and sleeping in his room. If he knew that we were going to ask Aunty Lim to come over, he would definitely tell our parents and get us in trouble! Instead, we hurried to Aunty Lim's house and asked whether she could teach us over Zoom. Luckily, she agreed, and we sent her the link!
On the screen, Aunty Lim smiled warmly and guided us step by step. Under her patient instructions, we took out the necessary ingredients, which included tomatoes, pepper, cheese and even milk. I added them to the pan, and a delicious aroma soon filled the kitchen. As the sauce bubbled, Ana and I stirred it into a thick, creamy mixture. While she set out plates, forks and spoons, I mixed the noodles into the sauce. When Aunty Lim said the pasta was ready, we thanked her and ended the call.
Ana and I sat down to eat our delicious pasta, unaware that a faint wisp of smoke was curling up from the pan behind us. Suddenly, the sweet, savoury aroma was replaced by a smoky smell. "Wait, what's that smell?" I asked as Ana scanned the room anxiously. Had we left the pan on? I wondered. From the corner of my eye, I saw thick smoke and in the reflection of my phone, blood drained from my face and I dropped the spoon in shock. Whipping my head around, I confirmed what I had seen in the reflection.
Golden flames consumed my apron and continued its path of destruction by roasting everything in its way and spewing out the charred remains. I was paralysed by shock and fear. Oh no. Shaking myself back to reality, I had to react fast. "Adam, Ana! Fire! Quickly!" I screamed as I sprinted to Aunty Lim's house while Ana woke Adam up. The door flew open and Aunty Lim rushed out, her face tight with alarm. We bolted back to get Adam and Ana. Aunty Lim grabbed us and hurried us to ground level while she picked up the phone and called the fire brigade. In no time, residents gathered in the open space below our block. As we waited, I clutched Ana's hand and stared at our windows, terrified that the fire would reach Adam's room or destroy our home. Soon, the long awaited siren of the fire engine rang in the air. Firemen in heavy uniforms uncoiled a hose and directed a hissing spray of foam towards the kitchen window. White foam swallowed the flames until the orange glow faded, and only grey smoke drifted out. A gush of relief rushed over me.
As the residents stared at me, I apologised for causing the fire and promised it would not happen again. After Adam, Ana and I explained what had happened, Mother wanted to sternly reprimand us. Mother’s face was red with anger. I lowered my head, too ashamed to meet her eyes, but, sensing how apologetic we were, she did not. As I looked at the blackened kitchen, I finally understood how one small moment of carelessness could have cost us much more than a ruined meal.
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