“THIS TASTE IS LIKE MOTHER’S LUGAW WHO LOST 20 YEARS AGO!”

“THIS TASTE IS LIKE MOTHER’S LUGAW THAT LOST 20 YEARS AGO!” — THE CEO CAME TO SORRY WHEN HE TASTE THE LUGAW IN THE CARINDERYA… WHEN HE LOOKED AT THE SELLER, HE ALMOST DIED BECAUSE IT WAS THE MOTHER THE FAMILY SAID WAS DEAD!
Adrian is the CEO of the largest Food Corporation in the country. No matter how delicious the food is in 5-star restaurants, he is still not happy. He still misses the taste of his mother Isabel’s Arroz Caldo (lugaw).

Twenty (20) years ago, his Aunt and Grandfather said that his mother died in a boat accident. No body was found. Adrian was young at the time so he believed it. He grew up feeling lonely.

One rainy night, Adrian’s car broke down in a remote area in Manila. While waiting for the towing service, he felt hungry and cold.

He saw a small, dirty cafeteria on the side of the road. The sign said: “Hot Lugaw – 20 Pesos”.

Adrian went in. “Manang, here’s an order.”

An old woman with disheveled hair, white hair, and a sly face placed a bowl on his table. “Eat… hot…” the old woman whispered.

Adrian took the spoon and sipped the soup.

Adrian’s eyes widened.

The taste… The right blend of ginger, roasted garlic, and the secret ingredient kasuha…

It was exactly like his Mama’s cooking!

Adrian’s tears flowed. He couldn’t be wrong. This was the taste of love he had been looking for for 20 years.

He stared at the old vendor. She had her back to him, washing dishes while singing a familiar lullaby.

🎶 “In the swing of the hammock… I hope it doesn’t get too shaky…” 🎶

Adrian’s whole body trembled. He stood up and approached the old man.

“Manang…” Adrian called.

The old man turned around. Adrian pushed his hair away from his face.

On the old man’s forehead, there was a scar shaped like a crescent moon.

Adrian almost fainted. That scar… his mother got it when she saved him from falling down the stairs when he was little!

“M-Mama?!” Adrian shouted.

The old man was scared. “Who are you? Don’t hurt me! I don’t have a child! My child is dead!”

“Mama! It’s me! Adrian! Your child!” Adrian cried as he hugged his mother.

“Adrian?” the old man was stunned. “The… my baby?”

The old man suddenly had a headache. Memories came flooding back.

He didn’t die in the accident. His father-in-law (Adrian’s grandfather) and Adrian’s aunt kidnapped him because they didn’t like him (because he was poor). He was exiled to a distant province and left for dead. Due to the trauma, he lost his memory and became a vagrant, until he ended up here and sold porridge—the only thing he remembers doing.

“My son… You’re alive…” Isabel sobbed as she held Adrian’s face.

Adrian took his mother home. He treated her and dressed her.

When Adrian found out the truth, he had his aunt and her accomplices imprisoned in Illegal Detention and Kidnapping.

In the end, the CEO who was searching for the perfect taste found his satisfaction. Not in expensive food, but in a bowl of porridge cooked by the mother he thought was gone forever.

THE END.