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.