Chapter 19: Street Food Adventure
Marcus led the group to a popular street food diner nearby Ayala. The casual atmosphere and bustling crowd created a lively ambiance. Aiden, Emily, and Aria looked around, taking in the sights and smells of the diverse food stalls.
"Nice, nag-crave ako ng street food ngayon," Emily remarked with a grin.
Aiden, coming from a well-off background, felt a bit out of place in the crowded street food scene.
"I thought we're going to eat at a fast food chain or a restaurant...." Aiden mumbled under his breath.
Noticing Aiden's comment as well as his uncomfy demeanor, Aria couldn't help but ask, "First time mo rito sa street food section ng Ayala?"
Aiden nodded slightly, trying to hide his unease. "Yeah, it's a bit different from what I'm used to."
Emily, sensing Aiden's hesitation, chimed in, "Wag kang mag-alala, Aiden! Once matikman mo ang pagkain dito, makakalimutan mo yang kaartehan mo,"
With Marcus leading the way, they approached a stall known for its bihon, grilled bbq skewers and local specialties. The enticing aroma of sizzling meat and spices filled the air, making Aiden curious despite his initial apprehension.
Marcus immediately ordered a variety of skewers to share. "Try niyo 'to guys, ang sarap!" he exclaimed, handing out skewers to everyone.
Aiden reluctantly took a skewer and just stared at it, unsure of how to approach the unfamiliar street food. He glanced at Aria, who had already taken a skewer and was enjoying it with a smile.
"Di mo kainin? Akin nalang yan oh," Aria offered, noticing Aiden's hesitation.
Aiden hesitated for a moment longer, then decided to take a small bite. As he tasted the smoky flavors and spices, his expression softened.
"Wow, it's actually good," he admitted with surprise, taking another bite more confidently this time.
Emily grinned, pleased with his reaction. "See? I told you! Masarap talaga 'yan," she encouraged, nudging Aiden playfully.
Marcus nodded enthusiastically, taking a bite of his own skewer. "Tara, kainan na!"
With Aria and Emily's encouragement, Aiden began to relax and enjoy the meal.
After enjoying the delicious street food dinner together, Marcus, feeling mischievous, decided to lighten the mood with a playful suggestion. "Guys, sinong hindi pa nakatikim ng balut?"
Aiden looked puzzled, not familiar with the term. "Balut? What's that?"
Aria, Emily, and Marcus exchanged amused glances, knowing Aiden's reaction would be interesting.
"Filipino delicacy yang Balut," Marcus explained with a grin. "Baka gusto mo matry Aiden?"
Aiden, still feeling a bit hungry and curious about street foods, nodded. "A delicacy? Sure, I'm up for it."
'Bang, may mabiktima nanaman sa balut,' Aria amusingly thought
Marcus smirked, leading the group to a nearby vendor selling balut.
"Libre ko guys! sino gusto kumain balut?" Marcus said confidently.
"Sure ha? Isa sa akin," Emily happily said.
"Hard pass guys, busog na ako," Aria smiled, though in all honesty, she just didn't like balut.
The vendor handed over 3 baluts to Marcus.
"Ohh, it's an ordinary egg?" Aiden said, confused.
Marcus chuckled, shaking his head. "Makikita mo lang ang transformation mamaya."
Marcus then passed over the baluts to Emily and Aiden and started demonstrating how to crack open the shell and sip the broth inside.
Not waiting any longer, Emily already opened her balut and ate it in a blink of an eye.
"Mmmm.. ang sarap talaga ng balut!" Emily exclaimed. Aria on the other hand, just hid her disgust.
Aiden, still a bit unsure but curious, mimicked Marcus' actions.
He tapped the top of the egg, peeled back the shell, and took a cautious sip of the warm, savory broth. To his surprise, it was quite tasty.
"The broth tastes great!," he admitted.
Marcus grinned, pleased with Aiden's reaction. "Next step, i-peel mo kalahati ng shell then kainin mo ang yolk and duck embryo," he said, demonstrating with his own balut.
".....duck embryo?" Aiden repeated, his eyes widening slightly.
Marcus nodded, still grinning. "Yup, trust me, parte lang yan sa experience."
Aiden hesitated for a moment, then decided to go for it after seeing Marcus' eating the whole balut.
'It's not gonna be that bad.... right?' Aiden thought.
Taking a deep breath, he took a small bite of the yolk and duck embryo. The texture was unusual, and Aiden's face quickly contorted in discomfort.
"It's... not really my thing but yeah, the broth is good," he said, forcing a polite smile as he put the rest of the balut aside.
Marcus and Emily then burst out of laughter.
"Good effort, Aiden!" Emily laughed while Marcus pats Aiden's back.
"Eto, tubig oh," Aria, barely holding her laughter, took out her water jug and handed it over to Aiden.
"Thanks," Aiden immediately took the offer and hastily drank opened the jug.
Aria watched with a mixture of amusement and respect for Aiden's willingness to step out of his comfort zone, even if the result wasn't favorable. She especially appreciated his effort since he tried something far from his taste.
As they continued to chat and laugh together, Aiden tried to wash down the taste with some water, but he couldn't help but smile a bit at the unfamiliar warmth.
=============