Flavors of Elegance

Chapter 4

It's the day of our open house today and lahat kami ay busy. Andito ako ngayon sa tent na assign sa amin and piniprepare ang mga costumes, props and backdrops ng mga dancers para mamaya.

Heaven and I became friends after that small talk. I learned that he is assigned sa foods for today pero syempre he said na hindi nya kakayanin kung sya lang mag-isa kaya binigyan sya ng mga kasama.

"Amari!" Tumatakbo sya palapit sa tent namin. "Hi" hinihingal nyang bati. I laughed at him. Pawis na pawis sya at halatang napagod.

San ba galing 'to?

"This is for you." He said handing me a bento box.

"What's this?" Nagtataka kong tanong and he smiled sweetly.

"That's your favorite food. Pinagluto kita kanina."

"Thank you, nag abala ka pa." Nahihiya kong sabi. Ang dami nilang niluto for today's event then he's right here nagluto ng something for me.

"No, It's okay. Don't worry." He smiled sweetly. Nagpaalam na sya sa akin dahil tinatawag na sya ng mga kasama nya.

Pumasok na ako sa tent and opened the bento box. I was stunned because it was Pesto Caprese Stuffed Chicken with Balsamic Glaze. Yan ang palagi kong inoorder sa Palais du Saveur. May mga fruits and snacks naman sa gilid ng bento box.

I smiled.

Magsisimula na in a while ang event and everyone are busy preparing. Ang mga dancers ay minamake-up-an na and I am here assisting some of them sa pagsuot ng costumes nila.

Our theme is Sarimanok, a legendary bird of the Maranao People originated from Mindanao.

The Main Dancer's costume is different from the back up dancers. She has a big Sarimanok headdress that resembles the vibrant feathers of the Sarimanok. It has intricate details of multiple layers showing the birds majestic appearance. She wore a feathered bodysuit Blend rich shades of red, blue, green, and yellow for a visually striking effect. She also has A winged cape and sculpted tail feathers. We added gilded arm cuffs to fill the details. It is a small bells that accompany her to their dance. To finish her look, we made her wear a Peacock inspired footwear.

The back up dancers wore black bodysuit with gold Filigree Embroidery. They also has Sculpted Tail Feathers and gilded arm cuffs. They wore a gold ballerina footwear.

We put scattered an oversized flowers and foliage around the stage to create the atmosphere of a magical garden where the Sarimanok could live. We also put Gilded Sarimanok Statues around the stage. We put Glowing lanterns in the sticks na hahawakan ng mga props men. Their background is Celestial backgrounds and Maranao Filigree accents.

Their dance is to showcase the culture of Maranao People.

It was a successful performance for all of us. Kahit sinong manalo ay masaya parin ako dahil nagawa namin ang best namin. Sa 1 week na preparation ay successful naming nagawa ang lahat ng ito.

Kung sinong champion dito ay mage-earn ng perfect score sa final exam. So we are striving hard to be a champion.

After the performance, Heaven went straight to my direction to congratulate me.

"Congratulations din. You really did a great job sa mga niluto nyo. Nagustuhan ng mga bisita." He looked at me with his soft eyes.

"Thank you. I really need to hear that." He smiled sweetly. Nagulat ako sa sinabi nya. Wala bang nagsasabi sa kanya non?

After that week, palagi na kaming magkasama. We even introduced each other sa mga parents namin. Ako ang kasama nya sa pag experiment ng mga dishes even though hate ko ang kitchen. Taga tikin lang naman ang trabaho ko doon at taga suggest ng plating sa kanya.

After 1 month, tapos na ang negosyo namin for entrep and we earned 700k pesos in one month.

"Woah what a dope!" Neo exclaimed.

"Ew what kind of language is that?!" Luna said irritated.

"Tanong mo sa mama mo." Neo fought back

"Tanga wala na akong mother 'no!" Luna said.

Natahimik kaming lahat. Luna's Mom died when she was still a kid because of accident. Omg these two.

"Hey stop it." Inawat na ni Michael ang dalawa. Itong dalawang 'to parang mga aso't pusa talaga. I shook my head.

"Okay, si Amy ang naghahati-hati sa pera." Michael said at hinila nya ako palapit sa table kung saan nakalapag ang money.

"Since we earned 700 thousand pesos and 10 percent ang mapupunta sa school, 70,000 pesos ang mapupunta sa school." Tumango-tango naman sila Neo at Luna na parang mga bata. Si Michael naman ay tahimik lang sa gilid. "630,000 ang matitira and we'll divide it into 4, 157,500 pesos each tayo." Nagningning ang mga mata ng dalawa.

"You guys look like a puppy." Sabi ni Michael.

"Anong sabi mo?!"

"What did you said?!"

Neo and Leo exclaimed. We just laugh at them.

Dumiretso na kami sa school and para iremit na ang money.

"What's our plan, everyone?" Sigaw ni Luna at parang bata na gustong pumunta sa mall.

"Wala! Uuwi na ako at matutulog!" Sigaw ni Neo

"Edi don't join! Mags-samgyup kami" dumila dila pa si Luna para asarin si Neo.

Biglang lumapit sa amin si Heaven.

"Oh hi!" I greeted him. He smiled and greeted my friends. Yung tingin ni Luna and Neo ay nang-aasar na. Si Michael, ayun emotionless parin.

"Hi, Heaven. Do you want to join us? Mags-samgyup kami." Luna step infront of Heaven and then nagpacute. Si Neo naman ay parang naasar. Hinila nya ang kwelyo ni Luna.

"Hoy! Ang panget mo!"

"Ew Bitawan mo nga ako!" Pumapalag na parang bata si Luna.

In the end, sumama na rin sa amin si Heaven.

"Sorry, ang chaotic nila." nahihiyang sabi ko. Kahit kasi dito ay nagbabangayan yung dalawa.

"No, It's okay. Nakakatuwa nga silang tignan eh." Natatawa si Heaven habang nakatingin sa kanila.

"Hey, you should try this." Sabi ni Michael at may nilalagay na food sa plate ko. "That's their new dish here. Masarap 'to I know you would love it." Tinikman ko ang nilagay nya and it's so fvcking good! I looke at him happily while nodding my head.

"Hmm yes! Charap!" I said with my mouth full. Omg I'm so sorry I know it's unethical. Michael laughed at my face.

"Charap?" Pang-aasar ni Michael.

"Here, try this." Sabi ni Heaven habang naglalagay ng dessert sa plato ko. "It's not too sweet. I know you don't like sweets." Tinikman ko naman ang nilagay nya and it's so good din. I'm so happy!

Luna and Neo are looking at me.

"What?" I asked them. They just shook their heads and umiwas ng tingin. "Do you want some?" I offered them the foods na nilagay nila Michael and Heaven.

"Ah hehe hindi na." Sabi ni Neo habang kumakamot sa batok.

"I agree. I'm full na rin hehe." Sabi ni Luna at umiwas ng tingin.

Heaven offered na ihatid ako same kay Michael but I refused since susunduin ako.

"Thank you, everyone!" I said. I waved goodbye to them at nagkanya-kanya na.