Aji de Gallina and Rice on Linen in Winter

Cool blue twilight washes the polished restaurant table in Sheikhupura, turning the white linen cloth into a field of soft shadows. A ceramic plate holds a mound of creamy yellow aji de gallina, shredded chicken visible beneath the sauce, resting beside a neat portion of white rice. Small highlights glint off the ceramic rim and the wet surface of the chicken sauce where the fading light strikes. The winter darkness presses against the window edges, while the warm tones of the dish stand out against the cool room. one drop of sauce rests on the edge of the plate, catching the last reflection of the evening sky.