Chapter 36 - Dunbars Number (1/2)

”Morning.” I said.

The rest of them greeted me and I helped them prepare the food. We made Fried Boneless Bangus on top of Garlic Rice and an Eggplant Omelet. The first dish is Milk Fish deboned, seasoned and finally fried. The Eggplant Omelet is made by boiling eggplants then mushing them and finally mixing them with scrambled eggs to be fried with the stem still on.

After that, I helped with carrying them on the poolside while they prepare coffee for everyone. I was about to head up to wake the three but I saw the three of them walking down. We greeted each other and we went to the other houses to wake those who are not in the pool area yet.

Rin and Olivia went to the other side then me and Kaley went in the other. We first saw Ken sleeping soundly with Peanut on the couch then I woke him up while Kaley knocked on Kristine's room as well.

We then headed to Allan's room but there were a lot of rustling going on and we heard a female voice inside.

”We'll head down, thanks.” the voice said.

Kaley mouthed to me, ”Jenny?” I just nodded while we smiled walking to the next room.

*knock* *knock* *knock*

”Chris? Charlotte? You guys there?” I said as I knocked. No one answered for a while then I tried for the knob. I opened the door and I saw the bed with pillows bisecting it in half. The door from Allan's room then opened and the two came out. They looked at us embarrassingly first but they linked arms.

”Well, this happened, ahaha... We really like each other and we think that we'll continue to do so...” Allan said.

Jenny was older than us probably in the mid 30s and Allan is kind of explaining the situation.

”Hey man you don't need to explain everything, do what the heart wants, yeah?” I said.

”That's so cheesy.” Kaley said to me.

We all shared a laugh then they told us that the two are probably in the greenhouse. Me and Kaley went there and we found them harvesting tomatoes. Charlotte is eating one while Chris is carefully placing them in a basket. They saw us come in and they both gave a small nod.

”Sky! Did you grow this all by yourself?” Charlotte asked.

”Yeah? Why?” I said.

She handed Kaley a tomato and Kaley then took a bite from it.

*chomp*

”Hmm! It's good! Sweet too!” Kaley exclaimed as her eyes shot up.

”You're really good with your hands, this garden is well taken care of. I'm happy that you let me take care of it. I promise to do a good job and meet the same standard such as this.” she said earnestly.

”Thanks, I still really find this switch of personality too abrupt, can't you act a bit more barbaric like last time?” I teased.

”Last time?” Kaley asked.

”Hah! You should've seen her at the store, you wouldn't recognize her I'm telling you. In the store...” I told Kaley the story when I met the two at the supermarket.

She harrumphed while Chris laughed heartily. I saw the button on his shirt fixed now and then we all went to the back to eat breakfast. We brought the tomatoes in the table and we sliced a few of them so we could have fresh vegetables in our meals. We even made a dipping sauce with soy sauce and lime with chilies for the Bangus. We finished eating and I grabbed a cup of coffee after putting some sugar and creamer. I also made one for Kaley which she promptly accepted.

Oscar then sat next to me and said. ”What's the plan now kid?”

”We finish reclaiming the area. The goal today is to at least reach the radio station. I'd also like to drop by the two housed families first and you guys double check on the alleys that you went through yesterday. We might be able to finish this thing in 2-3 days.” I said.

”What do we do after that then?” Chris raised his hands.