Four Fish Turned into Eight: The Bittersweet Tale of My First Cooking Experience

Hello dear friends,
I hope you all are doing well and spending a beautiful life with your loved ones. I wish you all happiness and peace.

Since childhood, my life had one golden rule—“I don’t cook, I only eat.” My mother or sister used to cook, and I just enjoyed the food. During high school, I lived in a hostel, so meals were always ready. In university, I stayed in a student mess where a maid cooked for everyone. Sure, the food wasn’t always perfect—sometimes too salty, sometimes too bland—but I never cared. My job was simple: eat and move on.

When I started my job in 2015, nothing changed. Cooking remained a mystery to me, something I never bothered to touch. Then came 2022—I got married. My wife, Alhamdulillah, turned out to be an amazing cook. Delicious dishes, new recipes, surprises on the dining table—it felt like I was living in food heaven. Best part? Whenever she went to her parents’ house, she would cook in advance and fill up the fridge. All I had to do was reheat and eat. Life was smooth and easy!

Sometimes, jokingly, I would tell her:
“You only cook all day, what else do you even do?”
And she would reply with a smile, “Try cooking for just one day—you’ll see.”

At that time, I never took it seriously.

The Trouble Begins

A few weeks ago, my younger sister came to Dhaka and later left with my wife for the village. Before leaving, my wife said, “I’ll be back in one day, so I won’t cook and keep food this time.”

One day passed. Two days. Three days… now it’s been eight days!

For eight long days, I ate at restaurants—breakfast, lunch, dinner. At first, it felt okay, but soon my body started to rebel. My stomach was crying for mercy, and my wallet was crying even louder. I realized if this continued for a few more days, I’d end up in the hospital with empty pockets!

Entering the Battlefield: The Kitchen

Finally, I decided—no more hotels, I will cook today! I checked the fridge: fish and tomatoes. Perfect, let’s try fish curry with tomato.

As soon as I entered the kitchen, I felt like I had stepped into a sauna. I put oil in the pan, dropped the fish in, and suddenly—splash! Hot oil attacked my hand. The pain was so sharp I almost screamed for an ambulance.

When I tried to flip the fish, disaster struck again—four fish broke into eight pieces. 😂 At that moment, I realized fish too cannot survive my cooking skills.

The Outcome

I somehow chopped onions, garlic, and tomatoes, tossed them in the pan, stirred, and pretended to be a master chef. Finally, I managed to produce… something. Was it curry? Was it medicine? Hard to tell. But I proudly served myself a plate and ate it.

Surprisingly, I felt like a warrior who had just won a battle.

What I Learned

Now I finally understand. All those times I teased my wife saying, “You just cook all day,” I had no idea how tough it really was. Cooking is not just about food—it’s about patience, focus, and surviving oil splashes while fighting with broken fish.

Honestly, I think my wife planned this as revenge—leaving me alone so I would taste the real challenge of cooking. And yes, she succeeded.

Today, after work, I’m going straight to my in-laws’ house. At least there I can enjoy my wife’s cooking again. And I promise, from now on, I will never again say, “You just cook all day.” Instead, I’ll proudly say—
“You are my survival secret weapon.”