A Happily Ever After

Chapter Twenty-One

JONAH

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"All of these are free?" Tanong ko. "Lahat 'yan, Jarith?"

Jarith chuckles lightly before answering. "Lahat 'yan, Aurixy. Everything your eyes can reach!"

My eyes feast at the marvelous sight before us. What seems to be thousands of long tables are lined up from every direction full with different cuisines. Numerous crew walks around the tables, serving desserts from the trays they are balancing with their one hand. There are few crews standing at the sides of some tables, holding knives and big forks and are ready to provide assistance to everyone who wishes to get food.

There, at the farthest table, I can see jugs of cold drinks in different pretty colors, all different in flavor. On the right tables, there are fishes in different sizes and appearances. On the other side, there I see the lined up pot, with soups in distinct presentations. A delightful fragrance fills the air as distant sizzling of something floats around the wide space.

Lalong nakita ang dami at garbo ng lugar na ito dahil halos bibilang lang sa daliri ang mga nakikita kong costumers. Sinabi din kanina ni Jarith na sa araw na talaga ito, madalas nilang napupuno ang lugar na ito.

"Ngayon lang ako nakaharap ng ganitong karaming pagkain sa iisang lugar," Liam said from beside me. "Kaya na nitong magpakain ng isang baranggay eh!"

"I have already advised the crew about your presence," Jarith explains. "There is nothing to worry about now. You can use every table, room, foods and drinks that are available!"

Nalibot ko lang ang mata ko sa paligid.. Tama si Liam. Ilang pamilya na ang mapapakain nito! Gaano ba kayaman ang business na ito nila Jarith? Grabe!

"Pwede rin namin makain 'yun?" Tinuro ni Ate Selene 'yung mukhang malaking pulang alimango.

Napatawa si Jairth and even gestured for her to walk towards the food. "Yes! Lahat ng andito! There will be a crew who will assist you in that dish."

"Yown!" Hinatak ni Ate Selene ang braso ni Liam. "Let's go!!"

"Selene, ikalma mo!" Rinig kong hiyaw ni Liam bago na naglaho silang dalawa sa dagat ng mga pagkain.

Habang si Ate Jessa naman ay kanina pa walang imik sa tabi ko. "I'm overwhelmed." She finally said. Her eyes twinkled under the shimmering chandeliers and the golden glow washes her just right. "Hindi ko alam ang uunahin."

"Let's do it together." Sabi ni Stefan at marahan na nilagay ang kanyang kamay sa balikat ni Ate Jessa. "Let's start with the nearest table first, how's that?"

At naglakad na 'nga sila na para 'bang wala silang ibang kasama. Napangiti ako sa nakikita ko. Kinikilig na hindi ko maintindihhan kasi kapag napagmamasdan ko sila! Ang alam ko, sila ang unang nagkita sa mundong ito, kaya naiisip ko rin palagi kung paano ba nila napagsaluhan ang mga oras na sila lang ang magkasama.

Napansin ko na nakatingin din pala si Jarith kay Ate Jessa at Stefan. I let out a soft, silent laugh. "They're cute, aren't they?"

Hindi sumagot si Jarith at tinignan lang ako. A pained smile is in her lips with furrowed eyebrows, like she wants to laugh too but she can't understand well. Ay, nakakaloka naman. Wala sigurong word na 'cute' sa mundong ito, ano?

"Ay. Sorry. What I mean is that they look good together, hindi ba?" Bawi ko.

Doon na tuluyang ngumiti si Jarith. Ngayong napapalibutan kami ng mga nakakabulag na mga pailaw, lalong nagningnig si Jarith sa paningin ko. Lalo na't kumikinang din ang mga alahas niya. The shining golden jewelry highlights the stunning shade of her skin.