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Chapter 6

Khaiser lifts the bowl containing raw chickens in front of him carefully. His aunts and grandmother's voices echoed throughout the kitchen, surrounding him. However, they are barely bothering him at all. He walks towards the backdoor and steps out into the backyard. His eyes are drawn to the barbecue spot beside the house as soon as he slips his feet into his slippers. The spot is crowded with his uncles and cousins gathering there. But only a few of them are actually working. The rest are just talking and laughing with each other. However, it is not an issue as they agreed to take turns doing work and cooking earlier. The kitchen has turned into a storage area to store the raw foods for the party, so all the cooking has to be done outside.

"Khai, here. Over here!" Ares' hand is pointing up straight to the night starry sky. Upon hearing the call, Khaiser immediately brings his eyes to his cousin and quickens his pace. However, it is difficult for him to walk fast since there are kids sometimes running and playing around him. He needs to be extra careful with his steps. No one seems to be bothered so much by the kids since it is a family gathering. It is the only time they can meet all their cousins and play together. But the adults are still monitoring them, making sure that they are safe.

After a few steps of caution and anxiety, Khaiser finally reaches the barbecue spot safely with the bowl of chickens. He places the bowl on the table behind his cousins who are busy grilling and barbecuing. On the table next to them, two trays are placed undisturbed. One is filled with grilled chicken and the other is empty. Upon seeing the tray with grilled chicken, Khaiser knows he cannot rest just yet. He has to do more walking. Without delay, he picks up the tray and heads toward the front yard. Just like before, his steps are quick and full of caution. But since his destination is quite far this time, his pace is also quicker than before. He does not want to make his family wait for him to refill the food.

The sounds of people talking, laughing and utensils clinking begins to become louder in his ears. Khaiser approaches the buffet table and peeks into one of the trays that are arranged side by side. Only a few grilled chickens were left inside it. With all the people who are present there, it is surely not enough. Luckily, he manages to arrive on time before the tray is empty.

"Thank you, Khaiser. Have you eaten yet?" His grandmother's sudden presence almost sends Khaiser jumping in surprise. Gratefully, he possesses a high level of self-control. He manages to compose himself as he is about to refill the tray. He looks up at her face before cracking a smile and focusing back on his work.

"Not yet." He replies as he carefully changes the almost empty tray with the full one.

"Eh? When are you going to eat? What if there are no foods left for you?" Salma's voice is full of concern. Khaiser already foresees the direction of the conversation. He knew that his grandmother will be worried. He continues his nearly finished work without looking at her, trying to hide his slight discomfort.

"It's fine grandma. I'll eat with Ezlan and Ares later after we're done with the barbecue."

"Aren't there any other people to replace you while you're taking a break?" Her tone remains unchanged.

"We agreed to take turns with Daniel, Uncle Neil and the others. There are not so many things to do left anyway." Khaiser looks at his grandmother with a smile still carved on his face. He turns his body slightly, ready to return to the barbecue spot.

"Oh, alright. Go get dinner later, okay?" Khaiser nods before walking away, leaving his grandmother who is now checking on her other grandchildren.

***

"Grandpa told me while we were eating earlier that his orchard was being attacked by wild monkeys. He said some of the fruits have been stolen and some plants also have been destroyed. Luckily, the goats and chickens are fine." Izaac picks up a small stick on the ground and breaks it into a few chunks before throwing it lightly over the wall. He repeats his action as the conversation goes on.