“Still need to fix up some functions, but at least it looks pretty.By the way, when are we gonna decide the date and the place?”
Sal glanced over at Willow, who glanced back at her knowingly.
“We’re still giving it some thought,” Willow responded.
Theola gave a thoughtful look and then turned to Sal.“Um… No pressure, but a six-week lead time is pretty slim.We want people to RSVP as soon as possible.”
“I already called a few art communities and they’ve pledged their support.I also reached out to a few artists and small businesses who’ve asked about showcasing their work on favorable commission rates.We have Claire to thank for that, apparently.The Art Cards from Nowherepiqued many people’s interests,” Sal said as she turned off the stove.“Food is ready, by the way.”
Willow rose from the sofa bed, and Theola walked over to help set up the dining table.Sal prepared the dish on a serving plate and placed it on the table.From there, she looked out the apartment windows.The heavy rain had picked up, and the view of the setting sun against the clouds gave the sky a faint violet hue.This was the perfect weather for some steamed ginger chicken.
Sal showed Willow the best way to eat the dish.“Here, you pour the sauce over the steamed chicken like so…You can pair it with salted veggie soup from the stove.”
When Willow first tasted it, she gave a satisfied grin.“Sal…your cooking is something else.”She let out a satisfying exhale each time she took a spoonful of her meal.
Sal had a few spoonfuls of her own.The warmth of the food moved through her body as she savored each bite.The soft yet contrasting flavor of the scallion oil mixed with ginger and soy sauce tasted like a cocktail of salty and herby deliciousness rendered with the cooked chicken fat.
“Damn, you’ve done it again…” Willow grinned, her cheeks still full with food.
Sal smirked in response but then nodded toward Theola.Willow was too preoccupied to notice that Theola was deep in thought as she slurped her soup beside them.
“Hey?”Sal elbowed her.“Something wrong, Theola?”
“Oh!”Theola responded as though she wasn’t used to people fretting over her.“I’m fine, and the food is delicious, Sal…” she said, both hands on her lap, looking awkward.
Willow swallowed her food.“Okay, spit it out—not the food.What’s on your mind, I mean.”
“Have you guys considered one of the old heritage towns near Manila for the art show?”she asked.
There was a very pregnant pause.
“No…” Sal said.“I never thought about it.”
“An old heritage town may not be the museum we were hoping for, but they’re filled with culture and history, and I think that’d be so cool as a backdrop to your art show!”
“Let’s schedule a visit tomorrow?I have a good feeling about this,” Sal said.
Theola nodded and took note.“I’ll plan a quick day tour of the area, then!”Theola said, echoing Sal’s anticipation.
Willow helped herself to her second serving of the steamed chicken.“This is what I live for,” she said, munching happily.
Sal felt the same way.Having a hearty meal while surrounded by those she held dear was something to be cherished.
***
The following day, all three of them packed their bags and left at the break of dawn for a day trip to Batangas.Sal offered to drive while Willow gave her directions.
Theola gave them a history lesson on the way.“My research pulled up some really cool facts about the town.So I’m glad we’re checking it out,” she said as she swiped through her iPad.She cleared her throat and read, “Taal Heritage Town was a lesser-known heritage site in Batangas Province, which boasts manybahay na bato, or ancestral stone houses, that date back to the sixteenth-century Philippine-Spanish colonial era.”
“Another ancient town?”Sal grinned as she kept her eye on the road.
“Goodie, I love old towns,” Willow enthused.“Tell us more,” she urged Theola.
“The town lies within the range of an active volcano surrounded by a steady lake historically known as Lake Bombon, but it is better known as Taal Lake today.”Theola paused for a moment.“Did you know it was called Lake Bombon, Sal?”
Sal shook her head.“No.But then again, I was terrible atSibika1.”
“Me neither.”Theola giggled at Sal’s response, then continued, “Taal Heritage Town used to be the provincial capital of Batangas Province, but after the destructive 1754 Taal volcano explosion2, which buried four ancestral towns in volcanic ash, government officials moved the capital to Batangas City.”
