The sun cast a warm glow through the dining room window as the three friends gathered around the table for lunch waiting for others to join in. Lyn's family members began to join them starting with her younger sister, Lavender, and her grandmother, who had been resting in her room, also came. Lyn's parents had a beautiful mahogany dining set that added a touch of elegance to the meal. They laid out the chapatis, chicken stew, salad, and a jug of freshly squeezed juice. The scent of the prepared lunch mingling in the air.
Samuel was the one missing. In his mind he wanted to join when the rest was already taking their lunch. The reason for this is because he wanted to draw Sharon attention when he will be joining to the table. He knew very well that coming late will make Sharon see him well and off course start to notice him.
Back in the dining room it was lively with the clinking of cutlery and conversation from people. Lyn's grandmother said a short prayer thanking Almighty God for the meal. "Let's dig in!" Lyn announced, and they all sat down to enjoy the fruits of their labour.
"Please, Harriet can you pass the stew," said Lavender, reaching out with her plate.
"This is delicious, girls. You've outdone yourselves," Lyn's grandmother praised, taking a bite of chapati. "This reminds me of my old days. Back then I was not joking when it comes to preparing sweet dishes"
"We're glad you like it," Harriet replied, smiling.
"But granny you still got it," said Lavender.
"Ooh year! But I can't compete you young ladies nowadays," answered grandmother as she dips her chapati in her stew.
Samuel stood outside the dining room, his hands trembling slightly. He could hear the chatter and laughter from inside. The table was alive with energy, with plates clinking and forks scraping. Among the voices is Sharon's his long-term crush. He imagined her glancing up, her eyes lighting up when she saw him. Perhaps she'd notice me today, he thought.
He lingered pretending to check his phone as he gathered his courage. He could see everyone, their laughter and animated chatter filling the air. And there she was her crush sitting at the far end, laughing at something her sister had just said. She looked stunning.
With a deep breath, he walked in. As he stepped inside, the clatter of utensils paused, and heads turned in his direction. He could feel every pair of eyes on him, but only one gaze truly mattered. Sharon looked up, her fork poised mid-air, and for the briefest moment, their eyes met, and he smiled at her.
His tall, athletic build is accentuated by broad shoulders, toned frame that suggests he's no stranger to physical activity. His movements are smooth and deliberate, a balance of strength and grace, as though he's perfectly aware of how to command a room without uttering a word. Truly, his practice worked.
His features are striking sharp cheekbones, a chiselled jawline adorned with a neatly groomed beard, and deep-set eyes that glint with curiosity and a hint of playfulness. His hair is impeccably styled, swept back in a way that suggests he cares about his appearance without being overly vain. Dressed in a white shirt that gave away his physic and dark trouser, his attire exudes understated sophistication, blending effortlessness with intention.
"Nice of you to finally join us," Lyn teased, breaking the silence in the room.
Samuel laughed awkwardly, sliding into the last empty chair. "Sorry, everyone I got held up," he said, trying to sound casual. But inside, his heart raced. For now, he'd won himself a moment in her spotlight and that, to him, was worth every second of nervous pacing outside.
Sharon, his long-term crush, the girl who always seemed just out of reach, sitting at the table with her radiant smile and effortless charm as she eats her food. Samuel steals gazing Sharon continuously as he takes the chair that is between his grandmother and his younger sister Lavender. In the room there was an empty chair near Sharon, but he dares not to take that one.
Also, the reason he took that chair is because it was opposite to where the lady was sitting and so, he wanted to sit facing. In that way he could admire and appreciates her stunning beauty. His grandmother passed him a plate, he took the plate, put two pieces of chicken in it, and place one chapati on top of it.
"We need to wash it down with juice but unfortunately we forgot to bring glasses with us," said Lyn.
"Ï will go get them," offered Lavender who was sucking bone marrow out of the small opening she from the drumstick borne.
She dashed out of the room to the kitchen. Meanwhile Samuel who was quiet all this time eating his food cleared his voice in readiness to speak. "Am finding this food quite enjoyable, congratulations to the sous-chefs of today."
"Ha!" chuckled Lyn slyly. "Who are you calling sous-chefs?"
"Is that not a nice title when the owner of the kitchen is away, you know you will always be the second to her in the kitchen in this house?" asked Samuel. "You Sharon what do you think of that?" he now found the opportunity of speaking to Sharon direct.
"Come again, I was not listing, I guess sweetness of this chapati made me not to concentrate," to his disappointment she asked him to pardon while staring at grandmother not directly to him while he is the one who posed the questions to her.
"Indeed, the food has been very sweet, I can't wait to try that juice now," confessed grandmother.
At that moment Lavender came back with six glasses on astray. "Pour me some first," said grandmother.
The lunch turned into a lively gathering, with everyone sharing stories and laughing at old memories. As the family continued to eat and laugh together, the sound of cheerful banter mixed with the clinking of silverware against plates. It was more than a meal. It was a moment of connection, a time where every joke, every story, and every morsel were shared with love. It felt like a reunion, even though most of them saw each other regularly. There was something special about all being together in this moment.
Samuel on the other hand hate the fact that he did not get the chance to engage Sharon thoroughly.