AMANDA'S PALS' ARRIVAL
It's James' second day at Auntie Shaira's house, and he and Amanda talked.
"You know, babe, since you came here at home, I haven't noticed a ghost, and I sleep very soundly." 
"It's just your thinking, babe, because you're alone and you don't have anyone to talk to."
"You're just imagining it, babe, or maybe you're just stressed," he added.
"Maybe you're right, babe," answered Amanda in a weaker voice. 
"Babe, are you done with the new application that our boss asked you to do? Is this the application that can easily trace criminals? Am I right?" 
"Yes, babe, you're right."
"I haven't finished, babe. I still have a lot of coding to do. I'm having a bit of a hard time."
"I'll help you, baby, if I can."
"It's okay; don't worry; I can handle it." 
"What you will do is rest first, and tomorrow our friends will come; you will certainly not be able to rest tomorrow." 
"You're right; I will let your auntie know that there will be a company outing next week so that everyone can have fun."
"I hope Auntie will agree; Auntie is still a bit moody." 
"I'm pretty sure she will agree."
After they talked, Amanda was working on what her boss had asked her to do, and James was sleeping in her bed. Amanda was focused, and when she was tired of thinking about what to do next, she stopped and stretched her arms and hands. Since her mind was not working, she went downstairs and thought about cooking. 
"Oh, the food stocks in Auntie's refrigerator are almost gone."
"Oh, you are cooking, and it smells delicious." 
"I really like to cook food, mommy; do you like my cooking skills?" 
"Of course, you cooked it very well." 
"I cook with a heart, mommy, and of course, when we cook from the heart, it's definitely delicious." 
Auntie Shaira came to her and sat on the chair at the dining table.
"How is your boyfriend, by the way? Did he sleep well?"
"He's okay, and he's sleeping there; he's really tired."
"That's great to know. What you cooked smells so good, Amanda!"
"It is called "humba."
"What is that kind of food, dear?"
"It's a dish of tender pork, salted black beans, and a variety of flavors. With its deep flavor and many ingredients, it is the perfect combination of sweetness and two flavors that you will enjoy eating because it will really fill you up.
"It's a favorite of James and me, and it's sure to fill you up." 
"Wow, it's delicious; I can't wait to taste it. Hurry up, dear!" Her auntie said happily that the reaction was like a child wanting to eat.
"Have you never tasted this, Mommy Shaira?" 
"Oh, never really, so please hurry up!" She felt elated and excited. 
After cooking, Amanda climbed upstairs to tell James to eat lunch. 
"Babe, let's eat together there. Wake up!"
"Auntie is now excited to taste the food."
James immediately stood up, and they went downstairs. 
"Dear, it's good that he woke up, and I'm still excited to eat now." 
Amanda served the food on the table, and her auntie tasted it.
"Wow, you are so good, Amanda. Cook this for me again!"
"Of course, auntie!" Amanda said.     
"Oh, I'm sorry, mommy," Amanda said, and sometimes she really forgets to call her auntie mommy. 
Her aunt liked to eat, and it was a delicious meal that her aunt was amazed by the flavor of Humba.
*Ding Dong Ding Dong
"I will open the gate; just eat there!"
When Auntie Shaira opened the gate, Amanda and James' friends arrived.
"Hello, madam, good afternoon! I'm Jason, and this is Lara, Mike, and Kitty."
"We have warm regards for you; please accept this."
"Wow, you guys are so kind." 
"Thanks for this; come on in now."
"Ahmm, Miss Shaira, can I bring the car inside the gate?" Kitty asked.
"Ah, of course, dear, park your car inside," said Auntie Shaira happily.
 Amanda's aunt changed little by little. Sometimes she was like a child when happy, sometimes scary, and sometimes forgetful.
"What is the name of your boyfriend?" 
"It's James, mommy." 
"Oh, yes, I forgot."
"You know, dear, I noticed that your boyfriend is kind and good-looking." 
"Why did you say that, mommy?" She just smiled, and her auntie told Amanda's friends to eat lunch.
Her friends thanked her for letting them in, and Auntie Shaira entered the room first to put all the stuff that Amanda's friend had given her. 
"Guys! What are we going to do tomorrow?" asked Amanda while spooning food.
"Don't you remember what's tomorrow, Amanda?" asked Mike.
"Ahmmm, I didn't expect you to remember for tomorrow," Amanda grinned. 
"What's tomorrow, babe?" 
"Ssshhhh... "      Amanda started laughing, and she made a sign for her colleague not to talk about tomorrow because she didn't want her aunt to know about it. Her colleague just laughed so as not to be obvious. Shaira's auntie came out of the room. 
"Wow, you're having fun; what's up?" asked Auntie Shaira with a smile. 
"It's like Amanda has amnesia, because we're going to do something tomorrow, Miss Shaira," Lara laughed.
"You guys have activities for tomorrow?" Auntie Shaira was curious.
Amanda looked at them furiously, and she abruptly called everyone to eat.
"Let's eat now; you will definitely like my daughter's cooking."
"Who drove the car?" Amanda initiated the conversation when she felt all were silent while eating.
"Our driver was our loveliest Kitty," Jason said.
"Oh, haha, thank you for using such a lovely word to describe me—it melted my heart," Kitty replied happily.
"Yes, and I'm proud that you are good at driving!"
"Yes, we are proud of our loveliest Kitty for taking us here safe and sound," Lara said.
"Lara and I were just sleeping the entire trip," Mike said.
After everyone finished eating, Miss Shaira brought them upstairs.
"Ahmm... Miss Shaira, is that okay if we are going to stay in Amanda's room? We will gather there, and we will bring something to sleep on.
"Ah, okay!"
"Wherever you are comfortable is okay with me."
They went upstairs, and this Jason was really chatty with all the friends.
"The house is beautiful, with big and spacious rooms; it's just not renovated and painted," Jason said when they were inside Amanda's room.
"The travel is really tiring, but it could be worth it tomorrow," Kitty said while lying down on Amanda's bed. Lara cleans the floor first before Mike puts down the bed foam, and they talk first before taking a nap.