Amala's Heritage

19

As Orion was returning home after a long day at the dance school, he noticed a cruise ship was already docked. As he made his way onto the deck, he saw a person in the distance, dancing gracefully to the beat of the music. 

The Dancer's face shimmered in the sunlight, and his hands stretched to the sky as if reaching for something beyond his grasp. Orion watched in awe as the dancer moved with effortless grace, his body flowing with the music. It was like he was in another world, lost in the moment's beauty. Orion felt his body become alive, aware of all the sights and sounds. It was as if the dancer had cast a spell, and everyone on the deck was mesmerized by his performance. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow on the deck, and the music filled the air, pulsing with energy. As the dancer moved, his body seemed to tell a story of its own, a story of love and loss, of joy and pain. Orion could feel the emotions in the dancer's movements, and his heart swelled with feeling. 

He had never seen anything like this before and knew he would never forget this moment. The dancer's movements grew more intense, and his body seemed to defy gravity as he spun and twirled. The crowd on the deck was cheering and clapping, caught up in the moment's magic. Orion felt himself swept up in the crowd's energy, feeling alive and free. As the dance ended, the dancer bowed gracefully, his face glowing with sweat and joy. The crowd erupted into applause, and Orion joined in, his hands stinging from the force of his clapping. The dancer looked up, and his eyes met Orion's momentarily. 

Orion was feeling energized after witnessing the mesmerizing dance performance on the deck. As he turned to head back home, he heard a familiar voice calling out to him. It was the owner of the Omakase Restaurant, where Orion worked part-time. The cafe owner said, "Hey, Orion, if you have some time to spare, could you come and lend us a hand? Maurice is on leave today, so we could use the extra help for the evening shift."

Orion nodded and replied, "Sure, I can take the 5:30 shift." and went home to get changed and ready for work. As he walked through the city's bustling streets, he couldn't shake the memory of the dancer's performance from his mind. 

Orion walked into his home. As he went to the kitchen, he noticed a note on the fridge. It read, "I've been called away for work. I won't be back home for a couple of days. Orion's father was a police guard who took his job very seriously. He was always stern and strict, and his presence alone was enough to make anyone nervous. As he looked around the kitchen, he noticed that his father's dishes were still in the sink.  With a sigh, Orion decided to go and check out his father's room. When he got there, he found that the room needed to be made, and his father's things were scattered around the room. He sat on his father's bed and recalled the last conversation. He couldn't remember talking to his father for more than a few sentences. It made him feel like they were strangers living in the same house.

Orion arrived at the restaurant just in time for the evening shift. He quickly changed into his uniform and got to work.  Orion had been working at Royale Omakase Restaurant for quite some time, and his role as a plater had become second nature. Each day, he meticulously arranged the colourful and tasty components of the restaurant's signature dishes on beautifully crafted plates, ensuring that each creation delighted the senses. One pleasant evening, a family from a majestic cruise ship graced the restaurant with their presence. The parents, a young girl of about three years and a boy around seven settled into their seats, eager to embark on a culinary journey at one of the city's most esteemed dining establishments. 

Orion couldn't help but smile as he noticed the little girl perched on her mother's lap, her eyes wide with wonder, taking in the elegant surroundings of the restaurant. Her innocence and curiosity tugged at Orion's heartstrings, stirring memories of his childhood. Approaching the table with a warm and welcoming demeanour, Orion initiated a conversation with the family, attentively engaging the children and playfully explaining the intricacies of the dishes to pique their interest. As he interacted with the little girl, he couldn't help but recall the tender moments when his mother took him to restaurants and fed him with her hands, infusing those memories into his approach to the family. 

 With genuine enthusiasm, Orion began to serve the meticulously plated dishes individually, each creating a masterpiece in its own right. As he delicately described each dish, a symphony of flavours and aromas unfolded, accompanied by his carefully curated presentation. His eyes sparkled with passion as he shared the stories behind the culinary artworks, aiming to make the family's dining experience as enchanting and delightful as possible. The children's faces lit up with curiosity and excitement as each dish was presented. The little girl's eyes widened in awe, mirroring Orion's wonderment when he first encountered the art of fine dining. In his own right, the boy was eager to explore and savour each offering, immersing himself in the culinary journey that Orion had skillfully orchestrated.

Once his shift was complete, the restaurant staff surprised Orion with a birthday celebration."Happy 19th Birthday, Orion!" The room was warm and happy as everyone cheered to honour him. The Team had gone the extra mile and baked a delicious blueberry cake, filling the air with an irresistible aroma. Orion could almost taste the succulent sweetness of the blueberries, blending perfectly with the light, airy texture of the cake.