Chapter Sixteen
A few weeks after the retreat, Zed, Lotus, and Khalil are lounging at Zed's mansion when they receive a surprising message from Lena, Cris, and Jay—an invitation to their village's fiesta. At first, the elite trio was hesitant. The idea of visiting a humble, non-luxurious place doesn't excite them, especially when they're used to living in extravagance. But curiosity—and perhaps a small sense of guilt for how they treated their new friends—pushes them to agree.
As the elite trio arrives, they are immediately struck by how different everything feels. The roads are dirt paths, the houses are modest, and the overall vibe is warm but not at all polished. It's a stark contrast to their world of sleek, shiny cars, marble floors, and grand mansions.
Lena, Cris, and Jay are waiting to greet them with bright smiles. The elite trio is led through the village, where they notice children running barefoot, locals preparing food in open-air kitchens, and families sitting on porches, chatting and laughing. It's lively, and though the surroundings are far from luxurious, there's an undeniable sense of community and joy.
As they walk through the village, the elite trio is introduced to the heart of the fiesta—food stalls offering various street foods. The smells are rich, savory, and completely different from the fine dining they're accustomed to. Lena proudly takes them to one stall where the vendor is grilling meat skewers over an open flame.
The elite trio hesitantly tries the skewers, and while they may have expected something less refined, they find the food absolutely delicious. Cris offers them a taste of kwek-kwek (battered quail eggs on sticks) and banana cue (caramelized fried bananas), both of which are simple but full of flavor. Zed, Lotus, and Khalil are pleasantly surprised, realizing how much they've missed out on by only sticking to fancy meals their whole lives.
The village residents gather for a feast, with long tables filled with traditional dishes, and the entire village comes together to share the meal. It's a vibrant, chaotic mix of laughter, conversation, and music. People offer food to the elite trio, insisting they try a little of everything, from fresh fruit to homemade suman (sticky rice wrapped in leaves).
The generosity and warmth of the villagers overwhelm Zed, Lotus, and Khalil. The trio is unused to being treated so kindly by strangers. The people are humble, but their hearts are rich in kindness. It's a far cry from the superficial relationships they've experienced in their privileged lives.
As the fiesta continues, they participate in games and dances. The elite trio is awkward at first, feeling out of place in the rustic festivities, but the villagers encourage them, laughing and showing them how to dance the traditional tinikling, where they hop between two bamboo sticks.
Lotus, who usually shies away from the spotlight, finds himself laughing and getting caught up in the joy of the moment. Khalil, usually the smooth talker, is surprisingly quiet and reflective as he watches the villagers interact, realizing the simplicity of their happiness. Zed just enjoying the food, the fun, and the shared laughter with the others.
As the night winds down, Zed, Lotus, and Khalil sit by the bonfire with Lena, Cris, and Jay. The flickering flames cast a warm glow on their faces, and the three of them find themselves in a rare moment of introspection.
Zed, usually brash and arrogant, admits that he never thought he'd enjoy such an experience. "I thought life was all about having the best stuff, it turns out... it's about the people you're with and the memories you make"
Lotus, always the quiet one, adds, "I always thought wealth was what mattered. But this... this feels more real than anything"
Khalil, who's often the playful flirt, suddenly gets serious. "I guess we've all been so caught up in our own world that we didn't notice how much we were missing out on"
As they leave the village the next day, heading back to their world of wealth and privilege, there's a shift in their attitudes. They may not completely abandon their lifestyles, but they now have a deeper appreciation for the simplicity of life that the poor kids, like Lena, Cris, and Jay, have always known. The trip to the village, the food, the community, and the generosity have shown them that happiness doesn't come from what you have, but from how you live and who you live with.