CHAPTER 5

"Of course, I can. I'll be cooking today, and I've been missing eating rice."

"I'll help then."

"What would you like to help with?" Rose asked.

"Anything I can. I can cut the meat, slice the onions, or make spaghetti."

"Okay," Rose said, looking at Aslan. It seemed like he was familiar with kitchen utensils.

Aslan watched Rose cook rice using a rice cooker set on low heat. He observed as she cut the meat and took out the ingredients she had purchased earlier. Aslan grabbed an onion and started slicing it.

"What will you be cooking?" Aslan asked.

"I'll be making beef stew. It's an Indonesian specialty, and it's delicious. Luckily, I bought instant seasoning at the supermarket earlier, and I've decided to cook it. I'm also making my own seasoning to enhance the flavor."

"What does it taste like?" Aslan asked curiously.

"It's savory, slightly spicy, and rich. You'll definitely enjoy it. Indonesian cuisine is rich in spices."

"I won't be picky about food. I'll enjoy anything," Aslan said, slicing the onion and then cutting some chili peppers.

Aslan watched Rose blend the spices like onions, pepper, and chili. She seemed very skilled in the kitchen, even though she mentioned that the spices weren't complete. Several minutes passed as she sautéed all the spices in the pan. The aroma filled the room, and she added the meat.

Half an hour later, the meal was ready on the table. Aslan observed the spiced meat and salad. The dish looked very appetizing. He and Rose sat down, and he watched as she scooped rice onto her plate. He did the same, having eaten rice a few times in Asian restaurants, so it wasn't entirely foreign to his taste.

Aslan watched Rose pour the spiced beef over her rice. He noticed her expression as she savored the dish; it looked very delicious.

"Is it good?" Aslan asked.

"Of course, try it," Rose said with a chuckle.

Aslan then tasted the dish, his first time trying it. To his surprise, the mixture of rice with the spiced beef was incredibly tasty.

"It's really delicious," Aslan admitted.

Rose smiled. "Eat as much as you want."

***

Aslan and Rose ate their meal in silence, glancing occasionally at the TV screen. It was broadcasting alarming news about the escalating COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, with a significant increase in cases. At the moment, there were 9,172 confirmed cases and 463 deaths, numbers that were both shocking and unsettling. The city of Padua seemed to be the most heavily affected.

Aslan took a bite of rice and observed Rose. He couldn't deny that the woman in front of him was exceptionally beautiful. They were both tourists initially on vacation to unwind, but they found themselves caught in the midst of a pandemic. The situation grew more ominous by the day, with increasingly strict government regulations.

He didn't mind being stuck in the apartment, especially not with such a beautiful woman. As a visual creature, he admitted that he appreciated the company of attractive women, and she wasn't just beautiful; she was also intelligent.

"In your opinion, why are there so many cases in Italy?" Aslan asked, taking a sip of his bottled water.

Rose finished her meal and looked at Aslan. "Because Italy is a major tourist destination in Europe. The first case in Italy was traced back to Germany, and the spread was rapid, like a migration that quickly spread throughout Europe."

Aslan smiled, having heard about the first known case originating in Germany.

"Why are there so many deaths now?" he asked again, knowing that Rose was a knowledgeable doctor.

"From what I've observed, most of the fatalities are in people over the age of 45. Italy has a significant elderly population, and the government seems to be overwhelmed by the virus, so not everyone is receiving proper care."

Aslan knew that the government had implemented measures like closing businesses, enforcing work from home, closing schools until May, suspending flights, quarantining 11 provinces, and facing shortages of medical equipment with hospitals nearing capacity. The situation was dire.

Even though the death rate is very low, let's assume the virus can spread rapidly. It's not about the deaths but the discomfort it causes. Everyone is not allowed to go out freely, cannot gather with others, and if they feel sick, they must contact local authorities instead of hospitals. The community is advised to maintain cleanliness as much as possible and work on strengthening their immune systems. Only one family member is allowed to go to the supermarket. He saw on the news that many people were fleeing by train and heading south to avoid the risk of contracting the coronavirus. However, that action surely carries the risk of spreading the virus even more.

He thinks those who flee are very selfish, and one should never do that because a vaccine has not been found. In Italy, there are currently only 5000 intensive therapy equipment, and the government suggests not focusing on treating people over 60 and prioritizing children. So, it is recommended to stay at home, as it speeds up the containment of the virus. If it continues to infect others, it will lead to a deep recession.

Rose looked at Aslan, "We can't go anywhere; we have to stay here. I don't know how long we'll be here."

"Well, what can we do? This isn't just happening in Italy; it's happening in many countries," Aslan said, finishing his meal.

They got up from their seats, walked over to the dishwasher, and placed their dirty dishes there. Aslan washed his hands with water and looked at Rose as she moved away.

"How are your parents?" Aslan asked, still reluctant to part with Rose and wanting to talk about many things with her.