“What do we have here?” the female council asked.

Lia took a deep breath. “This is Ox bone soup. But in our house, we called it Bulalo. The Ox bone is the main ingredient as the bone marrow brings out the rich flavor of the soup.”

She noted their apprehension to taste her soup. The judges got over their initial impression rather easily though, got their serving and began eating. They sipped the soup with the mayor and the female council nodding their head in satisfaction. The other two judges savor the taste and took a bite at the vegetables.

“I love how you managed to keep the vegetables crunchy. They are not overcooked,” the chef noted.

“So tell m– us,” Eldric said, “why did you choose this as your dish?”

Lia stared at the soup she made. Bulalo was their comfort food. But both she and her mom were poor and the meat was expensive so they reserved it for special occasions. Sometimes her mom would create her own occasion to make Lia cheer up. Even in cold weather, when they did not have a heater to keep them warm, this food would be on their table as the two of them exchange tales of their daily lives. Ah, good times.

“Because it reminds me of my mother and beside her is the only place I consider home.”

She did not explain further, afraid that the next time she opened her mouth, her voice would crack. So as the wall she built around her memories. She missed her mom. She missed all the good times and the bad times they had together. She could only hope she was well and not grieving so much for losing her only daughter.

Lia prayed that her bastard of a father would not pester her mom so much. He could disappear at the edge of the world for all she cared. He betrayed her not just once, but four times. Worst, her mom forgave him every single time. He only went away when Lia threw him out after she learned that there was a new mistress. Enough was enough.

When she looked up, the judges were discussing among themselves and only Eldric remained staring at her.

“What happened to your mother?” he asked softly.

“She– she is dead.”

Eldric nodded in understanding as the host called the next contestant. Lia went back to her table and waited until the last contestant finished their presentation. The judges huddled on the table, compared notes, and deliberated. The host went around, congratulating the participants. Lia also took this chance to ask if she could bring home her food, to which he answered positively. In fact, they could even bring home a sample of the others’ dishes. Lia smiled widely at that. They would not worry about their food for dinner.

When the judges broke their circle, Lia knew that they were ready to announce the winner. ‘Just announce it already,’ she thought. She wanted to go home and sleep. She thought of Tamara and wondered if she was worried as Lia was running late.

“So here are the winners for the cooking contest,” the host’s voice boomed all around. “For the third place… Lin!”

It took Lia a full minute to realize that was the name she used when she registered. The host beckoned her to come in front and she crossed the middle looking stunned. She scanned the faces of the judges for any signs of mistake or maybe jest or anything.

She swallowed, trying hard not burst out with laughter. “I won?”

They looked back at her in surprise. For a third placer, she seemed so happy.

Eldric smiled at her and nodded. “Congratulations.”

Lia giggled. She won. She won! For real. Oh, this was madness. But a good kind of madness. She placed a hand over her mouth to stop herself for laughing out loud as the host called the other winners.

The host handed them their take-home foods as the judges made their rounds to congratulate the participants. Lia was just itching to go home. She thought of slipping away as the others chattered. She turned to leave when someone called her.

“So your name is Lin.”

Lia paused in her steps but then it hit her. She recognized his voice so she did the most rational thing she could think of – ran for her life.