Chapter Text
“Here na tayo!” masiglang anunsyo ni Jhoanna matapos ihinto ang kotse sa tapat ng bahay nila.
It was a two-story house, painted in a warm cream color, with a small porch in front and a few potted plants lined neatly along the steps. The lights from the second floor were still on, casting a faint glow through the curtains.
“Tulog na kaya si Lola?” nag-aalangan na tanong ni Sheena habang inaalis ang seatbelt niya.
“Ewan,” sagot ni Jhoanna, already reaching for the keys. “Nasa loob si Baby Ainsley.”
“Ah.”
Before Sheena could say anything else, they heard shuffling from the backseat, followed by the soft squeak of the leather seat.
“Nakauwi na sina Ate Aiah?” tanong ni Gwen as she leaned forward between the front seats.
Lumingon si Sheena at napatawa nang bahagya. Pinaglipat-lipat nito ang tingin sa kanilang dalawa ni Jhoanna, halos magdikit na ang mukha nito sa pagitan nila.
“Ate Gwen, ang lapit mo,” natatawang puna ni Sheena.
“Sorry.” Umurong ito nang kaunti, pero nanatili pa rin ang atensyon kay Jhoanna, clearly waiting for an answer.
“Yeah… last week pa,” Jhoanna said. “Hindi ka ba nag-attend nung christening?”
“Hindi.” Sumimangot si Gwen. “May kailangan akong puntahan that day, remember?”
“Ah, yeah.” Tumango si Jhoanna. “Nakalimutan ko.”
“Obviously.”
Sheena snorted from the passenger seat. “Grabe, Ate Gwen. Ganyan ba talaga kapag career-oriented, nakakalimot sa binyag ng sariling pamangkin?”
“Sorry, ha?”
“Okay, Miss I’m-busy-I-can’t-right-now,” Jhoanna said, rolling her eyes before finally turning off the engine.
For a moment, none of them moved.
Namayani ang katahimikan sa loob ng kotse, the kind of silence that only happened when everyone was suddenly reminded that they had actually arrived.
Jhoanna glanced at the house through the windshield.
“Ready na ba kayo?”
“Yes, why?” tanong ni Sheena.
Jhoanna shrugged. “Baka makatulog ka agad, Ate Gwen, pagkapasok natin. Antukin ka pa naman.”
“Hoy!”
Tumawa si Jhoanna as she opened her door and stepped out.
Sunod na bumaba si Sheena, stretching her arms above her head after being seated for so long. Gwen, meanwhile, took her time getting out of the backseat, grabbing her bag before shutting the door behind her.
Pagdating nila sa porch, napatingin si Gwen sa mga bintana ng second floor.
“May tao pa ba sa taas?”
“Most likely,” sagot ni Jhoanna habang inaakyat ang unang hakbang. “Si Ate Aiah usually nagpupuyat kapag ganitong oras. Nagsasalit-salitan sila.”
“Wala ba asawa niya?” tanong ni Gwen.
“Hindi ko alam.”
Gwen hummed, then followed them inside.
Pagkabukas ni Jhoanna ng pinto, agad silang sinalubong ng malamig na hangin mula sa air conditioner at ng familiar na amoy ng bahay.
“Shh,” bulong ni Sheena. “Baka tulog na si Lola.”
Jhoanna slowly closed the door behind them. Too late. Mula sa sala, may narinig silang kaluskos.
Then a sleepy voice. “Jhoanna?”
Nagkatinginan silang tatlo.
Jhoanna winced. “Uh-oh.”
“Apo, is that you?”
They heard a soft rustle followed by the faint creak of the one-seater couch. A moment later, a figure slowly rose from the seat, one hand resting on the armrest for support.
“La! Gising pa po pala kayo,” masayang bati ni Jhoanna.
Agad siyang lumapit sa matandang babae at nagmano. “Kasama ko po si Ate Gwen at Bebe Shee.”
Magkasunod na lumapit sina Gwen at Sheena para magmano.
“Oh, Gwen, apo. Nakabalik ka na pala.”
“Hello po, ’La.” Ngumiti si Gwen. “Sorry po, ngayon lang ulit nakabisita. Medyo na-busy po kasi sa pag-manage ng business sa Bicol.”
“Yes, yes. I heard may mga bago na naman kayong branch ng restau.”
“Opo.” Tumango si Gwen. “Hopefully, last na muna. Nakakapagod din po.”
Lola Dina chuckled. “Ganyan talaga kapag masipag.”
“Hello, Lola!” singit naman ni Sheena, who still hadn't let go of the old woman's hand. “Na-miss mo ako?”
“Oh, goodness.” Tumawa si Lola Dina. “Of course I missed you, little darling.”
She reached up and gently pinched Sheena's cheek before cupping it in her palm. The latter immediately beamed, her dimples deepening.
“See?” proud na sabi ni Sheena. “Favorite talaga ako.”
“Who told you that?”
“Si Lola.”
“Hindi naman niya sinabi na favorite ka.”
“She didn't have to.”
Umiling si Gwen, amused.
“Ay, ’La,” tawag ni Jhoanna, trying to bring everyone's attention back. “Manonood po pala kami ng movie. Okay lang po? Nag-aya kasi si Bebe.”
Right.
Si Sheena ang nakaisip ng spontaneous movie marathon nilang magpipinsan sa kalagitnaan ng alas-nueve y media ng gabi. Ilang oras din nitong binomba ang family group chat nila ng kung anu-anong movie suggestions, polls, at reminders na “Guys, movie night!!!” hanggang sa dalawa lang ang tuluyang sumagot.
Mabuti na lang at hindi na naka-hindi si Gwen. Nagamitan ba naman ni Sheena ng mahiwagang bunso card.
“Sige lang, mga apo,” ani Lola Dina, waving a hand dismissively. “Enjoy kayo. Just don't make too much noise. Natutulog na si Baby Ainsley upstairs.”
“Opo,” sabay-sabay nilang sagot.
“By the way, Jhoanna dear. Si Bambi—”
Bago pa man matapos ang sasabihin ni Lola Dina, isang malakas na kalabog ang biglang umalingawngaw mula sa kabilang bahagi ng sala.
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap!
Napalingon silang lahat.
Isang maliit at makulit na corgi ang biglang sumulpot mula sa hallway, its short legs moving at a speed that seemed physically impossible. Para bang nakawala mula sa kulungan at ngayon ay desperadong sinusulit ang kalayaan.
“Bambi!” saway ni Jhoanna.
Hindi man lang ito huminto.
“Bambi, no!”
Mas lalo pang bumilis ang takbo ng aso, paikot sa coffee table at palibot ng sofa.
“Bambi, come here!” sigaw ni Gwen, laughing as she tried to catch it.
Pero walang balak makinig ang makulit na aso ni Jhoanna. Instead, with one final burst of energy, tumalon ito sa sofa.
“Hala—!”
Too late.
The corgi landed directly on top of the sleeping light-yellow Chow Spitz curled comfortably on the cushions. The poor dog jolted awake.
“Hngk!”
Napasinghap silang lahat.
“Bambi!” sigaw ni Jhoanna, horrified. “’Wag si Honey! Jusko ka!”
Agad na bumangon si Honey, fur all puffed up, looking utterly offended by the sudden invasion of her personal space. Bambi, on the other hand, seemed delighted. Its almost non-existent tail wagged furiously as its butt bounced around Honey, completely oblivious to the crime it had just committed.
“Bambi, get down!” Jhoanna hurried toward the sofa.
Honey let out a low, irritated grumble.
“Oh, no,” bulong ni Sheena.
“Bambi, stop!”
“Hala, Jho! Kunin mo na ‘yang aso mo!” sabi ni Gwen, laughing despite herself.
“I am trying!”
Jhoanna finally managed to grab Bambi around the middle and lifted the squirming corgi off the couch.
“Grabe ka!” she scolded, holding the dog firmly against her chest. “Gusto mo bang ma-ban dito?”
Bambi only licked her chin.
“See? Wala siyang pake sa ‘yo, Ate Jho,” sabi ni Sheena.
“Wala talaga,” sang-ayon ni Gwen.
Meanwhile, Honey remained sitting on the sofa, staring at Bambi with what could only be described as pure betrayal.
Lola Dina sighed from her chair, though the corners of her lips were already curling into an amused smile.
“I was about to warn you,” she said.
Jhoanna stared at her.
“About Bambi?”
“Yes.”
A beat of silence passed.
“Ah.”
Sheena burst into laughter.
“’La, bakit hindi niyo po agad sinabi?”
“I tried,” Lola Dina replied innocently. “Kaso hindi niyo ako pinatapos.”
Jhoanna groaned, still holding the squirming corgi.
“Sorry, Honey,” she said, glancing at the offended Chow Spitz. “Bambi is just excited.”
Honey blinked at her. Then, as if to make her displeasure perfectly clear, she turned her back on everyone and curled herself into a tight ball again.
“Wow,” Gwen commented. “Galit.”
“Deserved,” Sheena said.
“Kulit mo kasi,” Jhoanna muttered to Bambi.
Bambi wagged its tail. Apparently, it had already forgotten the entire incident.
“Dito na lang po kami manonood sa baba. Malaki naman ang TV,” ani Jhoanna, pointing toward the large flat-screen mounted on the wall with a tilt of her head. “Ipasok ko lang sa cage niya ’tong si Bambi.”
She adjusted her hold on the squirming corgi, who seemed far too energetic for someone who had just caused chaos in the living room.
“Bambi, behave ka muna, ha?” bulong ni Jhoanna as she carried the dog toward the hallway.
“Good luck,” pahabol ni Gwen.
Umiling-iling si Jhoanna before disappearing down the hallway.
“Take your seats, girls,” aya naman ni Lola Dina.
She gestured toward the long sofa and the two single-seater couches around the coffee table. The girls immediately settled in, Sheena claiming the most comfortable spot and practically throwing herself onto the cushions.
Lola Dina smiled to herself before walking toward the kitchen adjacent to the living room. A few moments later, she returned carrying a tray loaded with food and snacks—chips, a jar of something, sandwiches, biscuits, and a few plates of sliced fruit. She carefully placed everything on the coffee table.
“Kumain muna kayo,” she told them.
“Thank you, Lola!” masayang sabi ni Sheena, immediately reaching for a bag of chips. Sheena paused mid-bite. “May ice cream po?”
“Huey!” saway ni Gwen, who was already holding the TV remote and scrolling through Netflix.
“Meron!” sagot naman ni Jhoanna from somewhere down the hallway. “Ako na kukuha!”
“Nice.” Sheena grinned triumphantly.
Jhoanna reappeared a moment later after securing Bambi inside its cage.
“Okay na. Finally.”
“Is she locked up?” Gwen asked.
“He is,” Jhoanna corrected. “And yes.”
As if hearing his name, Bambi barked once from the hallway.
“Okay,” Gwen announced, raising the remote. “Ano papanoorin natin?”
Sheena leaned forward, eyes fixed on the screen. “Something scary.”
“No,” agad na sagot ni Jhoanna.
“Rom-com.”
“No.”
“Thriller?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Action?”
“Boring.”
“Then ikaw pumili,” reklamo ni Sheena.
Natatawang umiling si Jhoanna habang naglalakad papunta sa kusina.
“Ano gusto n’yong flavor ng ice cream?”
“Cookies and cream!” agad na sigaw ni Sheena, without even looking away from the television.
“Chocolate,” sabay ni Gwen.
Jhoanna glanced at their grandmother. “How about you po, Lola?”
“Just vanilla, dear,” sagot ni Lola Dina with a small smile.
“Okay.”
Sheena watched their grandmother for a moment, a quiet fondness settling in her eyes.
Lola Dina was already nearing her eighties, pero kung tutuusin, mahirap hulaan ang edad nito kapag kausap nila. She remained remarkably active and sharp, still moving around the house without much assistance and keeping up with everyone’s conversations.
She had spent most of her life in academe. A CPA and a retired university professor, she was the kind of woman who could still correct their grammar, remember everyone's birthdays, and lecture them about proper budgeting—all in the same conversation.
Even after retiring, hindi pa rin nawala ang pagiging busy nito. She still read almost every morning, kept a small collection of books beside her favorite chair, and occasionally entertained former colleagues and students who would visit her at home.
A few minutes later, Jhoanna came back from the kitchen, carrying a tray loaded with everything they needed. There were three tubs of ice cream—cookies and cream, chocolate, and vanilla—along with four small plates, spoons, and an ice cream scoop.
She carefully placed the tray on the coffee table.
“There,” she announced. “Happy na?”
“Very,” Sheena said immediately, reaching for the cookies-and-cream tub.
“Hoy, hindi pa ’yan bukas,” saway ni Jhoanna. “Sa asawa ‘yan ni Ate.”
“Eh bakit mo inilabas?”
“Request mo kasi. Pwede naman humingi, huwag mo lang ubusin.”
Sheena frowned. “Ehh?”
“Sus, Sheena Mae. Gusto mo lang kumain straight from the tub. Magtigil.”
Gwen snickered. “Huli…”
Sheena slowly withdrew her hand. “Hindi kaya!”
“Sinungaling.”
Lola Dina simply laughed as she watched them bicker over something as simple as ice cream.
Maya-maya, bumalik din ang atensyon nila sa television. Natatagalan silang makapili ng papanoorin dahil hindi sila nagkakasundo-sundo.
“Basta hindi horror,” mariing sabi ni Jhoanna.
“Hindi rin romance,” dagdag ni Gwen.
“Eh ano na lang?” Sheena complained, scrolling through the options. “Puro kayo hindi.”
“Something light,” suhestiyon ni Gwen. “Comedy.”
“Boring.”
Lola Dina merely smiled from her seat, quietly enjoying her vanilla ice cream as she watched her granddaughters argue over the remote.
“Baka gusto ninyo ng tinapay. May peanut butter,” kaswal nitong alok.
Sheena's eyes immediately lit up. “Peanut butter?”
Hindi na nagdalawang-isip si Sheena. She leaned toward the coffee table and reached for the plate of sliced bread, then grabbed the jar of peanut butter from the tray.
“Thank you, Lola.”
“You’re welcome, dear.”
Umayos ulit ng upo si Sheena at inilapit ang plato sa kanya. She picked up two slices of bread, spread a generous layer of peanut butter over one, then carefully pressed the other slice on top.
“Grabe,” komento ni Gwen, briefly glancing away from the TV.
“Gusto mo rin, Ate Gwen?” alok niya sa nakatatandang pinsan.
Gwen nodded. “Three layers, Bebe.”
“Owkiee.”
Sheena immediately separated the slices again and added another generous spoonful of peanut butter between them.
Lola Dina chuckled, taking another small spoonful of her vanilla ice cream.
“Just don’t make too much mess, dear. Your Ate Aiah doesn’t like it kapag masyadong makalat ang living room dahil sa pagkain.”
“Yes, Lola,” sagot ni Sheena, though she was already spreading another thick layer of peanut butter.
“Gawan mo rin ang Ate Jhoanna mo,” dagdag ni Lola Dina.
“Yes po,” tugon ni Sheena, too focused on making Gwen’s requested three-layer sandwich to look up.
Nasisiyahang pinanood ni Lola Dina ang bunso sa magpipinsan. There was something endearing about watching Sheena fuss over something as simple as bread and peanut butter, completely unaware that the very same combination carried a little piece of family history.
For a few moments, Lola Dina simply watched. Then, as if remembering something, she smiled.
“Alam n’yo ba ang story behind that peanut butter?”
Napahinto si Sheena. “Po?”
Napaangat ang tingin niya kay Lola Dina, the half-finished sandwich still in her hands. She handed the three-layer peanut butter sandwich to Gwen, who accepted it with a pleased smile.
Lola Dina smiled softly. “Dahil diyan kaya nakilala ng Ate Aiah ninyo ang asawa niya.”
Napakurap si Sheena. “Ay, weh?”
Her eyebrows shot up, the previous task completely forgotten.
Natawa nang mahina si Lola Dina. “Well… hindi naman literal na dahil sa peanut butter. But it was part of the story.”
“Ate Aiah at Ate Stacey?” ani Sheena, clearly intrigued now.
Gwen, who had just taken her first bite of the sandwich, slowly turned her attention toward their grandmother.
“Wait.” Lumunok ito. “I think I know that.”
“Eh?” Sheena turned her head toward her Ate Gwen.
Lola Dina laughed at her young granddaughter's sudden interest.
Meanwhile, after what seemed like an eternity of scrolling, nakapili na rin sa wakas sina Jhoanna at Gwen ng movie.
“The Sea Beast,” announced Jhoanna, setting the remote down. “Bebe, start na,” tawag nito.
Sheena didn't even look in her direction. She remained focused on Lola Dina, eyes wide with anticipation.
“Lola, what happened po?”
Jhoanna looked between them, confused.
Lola Dina shook her head, laughing softly. She took another spoonful of vanilla ice cream, settling more comfortably into her chair.
“Okay. Since curious ka…”
Sheena instinctively leaned closer.
“…I'll tell you how it all started.”
October 10, 2022
It was just another ordinary sunny day—mataas ang sikat ng araw, abala ang mga kalsada sa karaniwang traffic, and people went about their routines as if it were any other day.
Aiah, however, had somewhere she needed to be.
She was attending a three-session seminar held every Monday for three consecutive weeks organized and required by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)—one of those seminars she had initially considered nothing more than another obligation she had to squeeze into her already busy schedule.
Sa loob ng tatlong araw, kada Lunes, kailangan niyang manatili sa isang conference room kasama ang iba pang business owners at entrepreneurs. They would listen to speakers discuss topics ranging from business management and financial planning to compliance, marketing, and everything else she needed to know to keep her growing business running smoothly.
Hindi ’yon ang paraan kung paano niya gustong gugulin ang araw niya. Seminars were boring for her—pero kailangan. Kaya wala rin siyang ibang magawa kundi umupo, makinig, at tapusin ang tatlong araw na iyon.
So there she was, seated among a roomful of unfamiliar faces, a notebook open in front of her and a pen loosely held between her fingers as she listened to the speaker at the front.
Sinikap naman niyang makinig at ilaan ang buong atensyon sa nagsasalita. She really did. Pero hindi niya talaga magawang mag-concentrate.
Paminsan-minsan, napapatingin siya sa malaking orasan na nakasabit sa dingding. Kapag hindi pa siya nakontento sa oras na ipinapakita nito, ibinababa niya ang tingin sa kanyang relo para tingnan kung tama ba ang nakikita niya. At kapag hindi pa rin sapat, palihim niyang binubuksan ang cellphone niya para doon naman tingnan ang oras.
Same time. Same realization.
Ang tagal pa.
Napabuntong-hininga siya at sumandal nang bahagya sa kanyang upuan. Nagugutom na siya, pero parang ayaw gumalaw ng oras.
She reached for her water bottle and took a few sips, hoping it would somehow distract her from the growing hunger in her stomach.
Hindi naman nakatulong.
Kaya para siyang nabuhayan muli nang mag-announce fifteen-minute break.
Isa-isang nagsitayuan ang mga attendees, some stretching their arms and legs after sitting for hours, while others immediately reached for their phones or started chatting with people beside them.
Tumayo rin si Aiah, closing her notebook and placing her pen on top of it. She was about to reach for her phone when a cheerful voice caught her attention.
“Masarap po ito. Try mo po.”
Aiah turned around.
May isang babae na nakatayo ilang upuan mula sa kanya, talking animatedly to another attendee while holding a small jar in her hand. Hindi agad nakilala ni Aiah kung ano iyon. Peanut butter, perhaps? Or some kind of spread?
The woman was tall, fair-skinned, and chinita. Her hair was neatly tied back, with a few loose strands framing her face. She was wearing pink ribboned hair clips that somehow looked perfectly at home on her, along with an ID lanyard hanging around her neck, decorated with an assortment of colorful pins.
She looked comfortable despite being surrounded by people she had probably only met that morning.
In fact, she seemed to be enjoying herself.
“Homemade ’to?” tanong ng kausap ng babae.
“Opo!” masiglang sagot niya. “Try mo na po. Promise, masarap.”
Aiah found herself watching them for a second longer than she intended.
There was something about the woman’s energy that stood out. She was cheerful without being irritating, friendly without seeming forced, and somehow managed to make a room full of strangers feel a little less unfamiliar. Even the attendee she was talking to was already laughing with her as if they had known each other for much longer than a few hours.
The corner of Aiah’s lips curved into a small smile.
So kikay… and cute.
She quickly caught herself.
Cute?
Aiah blinked and mentally shook off the thought. She had only been looking at the woman for a few seconds.
Aiah was about to turn away when the woman suddenly turned her head. Nagkasalubong ang mga mata nila. For a moment, everything around Aiah seemed to fade into the background.
It may sound crazy—even ridiculous—but Aiah swore that, in that exact moment, she saw colorful lights flashing somewhere behind the woman. She could almost hear beautiful melodies playing in the background, like some cheesy romantic movie had suddenly decided to provide its own soundtrack.
What the hell?
The woman blinked, then she smiled. Aiah instinctively smiled back.
It was brief. Nothing more than a simple exchange between two strangers. At least, that's what it should have been.
Pinilig ni Aiah ang kaniyang ulo, silently scolding herself for whatever was happening inside her brain, and akma na sanang tatalikod nang biglang gumalaw ang babae.
She was walking toward her.
Wait.
Aiah froze. The woman stopped right in front of her, still holding the small jar.
“Hello po!” bati nito, her smile growing even wider. “Gusto mo ng peanut butter?”
Aiah stared at the jar, then at her, then back at the jar. “Uhm…”
“Sixty-five po isang garapon,” mabilis na dagdag ng babae. “Marami na rin laman.”
She smiled at Aiah and even gave her a playful little wiggle of her eyebrows.
Aiah's brain momentarily stopped functioning. “Ah…” Ano ba’ng sasabihin ko?
“May tinapay rin po ako dito,” dagdag ng babae.
Saglit itong tumalikod at kinuha ang isang plastic bag from the chair behind her. Aiah caught sight of the bread inside, along with another box of peanut butter.
“Pwede na pang-partner,” she continued, holding them up. “Fifty po isang balot.”
Aiah stared at the bread.
Then at the peanut butter.
Then at the woman standing in front of her.
She wasn't sure what was more distracting.
“Ah…” muli niyang nasabi.
The woman waited patiently. “Bibili ka po?”
Aiah swallowed. “Maybe…”
“Yay!”
The woman's eyes brightened as though Aiah had just made her entire day. And for some reason, that tiny reaction made Aiah smile again.
“Anong flavor—” Napahinto ang babae, then laughed at herself. “Ay, wala palang flavor ang peanut butter.”
Aiah couldn't help it—she laughed.
“Sorry,” sabi ng babae, covering her mouth for a second. “First time ko lang po magbenta dito.”
“First time mo?”
Tumango ito. “Opo.”
“Ah.”
“So… interested ka po?”
Aiah glanced at the jar again. She wasn't sure whether she wanted the peanut butter. But she was beginning to think she wouldn't mind staying there a little longer.
“Yeah,” she finally said.
The woman beamed. “Okay! One jar po?”
Aiah nodded. “One jar,” sagot niya.
She was about to reach for her wallet when she paused.
“And your name.”
“Po?”
Aiah’s mouth slightly gaped. Ha?
For a second, she wondered if she had actually said that out loud.
Muling ngumiti ang babae, this time with the kind of smile that looked almost teasing. She tilted her head slightly, clearly amused.
“You’re asking for my name, ma’am?”
Naramdaman ni Aiah ang unti-unting pag-iinit ng mukha niya. “Hindi naman…”
“Hindi naman?”
“I mean—” She cleared her throat, suddenly finding the floor far more interesting than the woman standing in front of her. “Para lang alam ko kung kanino galing ’yong peanut butter.”
The woman raised an eyebrow. “Ows?”
Aiah nodded, trying her best to look composed. “Yeah.”
The woman hummed thoughtfully, pretending to consider her answer.
“Paano ’yan…” she finally said, leaning a little closer. “Mahal ang pangalan ko.”
Aiah blinked. “Mahal?”
“Yes.” Mas lalo pang lumapad ang ngiti ng babae. “Mahal.”
There was a brief silence.
Aiah stared at her, the woman stared back. Then it hit her.
“Your name is Mahal?” Aiah asked, genuinely confused.
The woman burst into laughter, throwing her head back slightly.
“Yeah, parang gano’n na nga.” She wiped the corner of her eye, still giggling. “My name is expensive.”
At doon lang tuluyang na-gets ni Aiah ang ibig nitong sabihin.
“Ah.”
She nodded slowly, lips pressed together as she tried to keep herself from smiling.
Tumango-tango siya, pero agad ding natigilan. Her eyes wandered back to the small jar of peanut butter in her hand. Then to the plastic bag filled with bread, then to the other bags of bread and box of jarred peanut butter neatly placed on the chair behind the woman.
A thought suddenly crossed her mind.
Aiah looked back at the woman. “How about…”
Huminto siya, as if reconsidering what she was about to say.
Stacey raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”
Aiah pointed toward the chair. “Bilhin ko ’yan lahat.”
Kumurap ang babae. “Ho?”
“Lahat.” Aiah pointed again, this time more deliberately. “The peanut butter. The bread. Everything.”
Napatingin ang babae sa mga paninda nito, then slowly back at Aiah. “Lahat?”
Aiah nodded. “Lahat.”
“Para saan?”
“Your name.”
The woman paused. Muli itong lumingon sa mga paninda, as if checking whether Aiah was actually serious.
She wasn't asking for anything unreasonable, though. The products were already for sale. Aiah was offering to buy everything in one go. And in a way, it wasn't even a bad deal.
They’re in the field of business, after all.
A sale was a sale. A very strange sale, perhaps—but still a sale.
The woman pressed her lips together, clearly trying not to laugh.
“Okay. Deal,” she finally said. Hinarap ulit nito si Aiah bago nilahad ang isang kamay. “Payment first muna po, ma’am.”
Aiah was slightly taken aback. Tumikwas ang gilid ng labi niya, pinipigilan ang isang ngiti. Mabilis niya iyong itinago nang yumuko siya para tingnan ang wallet na hawak niya.
“How much?”
Sinabi ng babae ang halaga—a surprisingly reasonable price considering everything Aiah had just agreed to buy.
Hindi na nagdalawang-isip pa si Aiah. She opened her wallet and pulled out a few crisp bills. Inabot niya ang pera sa babae.
Akma na sana nitong kukunin iyon nang biglang inatras ni Aiah ang kamay niya.
“How about we do an exchange?”
Napakunot-noo ang babae.
“I’ll give you these…” she said, raising the bills slightly between her fingers, “…whilst you tell me your name.”
Umismid ang babae at pinaikot ang mga mata. “Negotiation, huh?”
Aiah couldn't help the small smile that appeared on her lips. “Business is business.”
Napailing ang babae, though the amused smile on her face betrayed her.
Aiah wouldn't deny it. She found it adorable.
The little eye roll. The slight pout. Even the way she tried to look annoyed when she clearly wasn't.
The woman finally fixed her posture, apparently deciding to play along with Aiah's ridiculous terms.
“Okay.”
She reached for the ID holder hanging around her neck. Aiah's attention immediately followed the movement. Tinaas nito paharap sa kaniya ang ID.
“There.”
Aiah smiled, satisfied. She finally handed over the bills, but her eyes never left the ID in the woman's hand. She read the name printed beneath the photograph. And memorized every important details.
Aiah silently repeated it once in her head.
“Happy?” the woman asked.
Aiah looked up. “Very.”
“Good.” Mabilis na binaba nito ang ID. “Get your goods na, ma’am,” anito habang humahakbang paatras, palayo kay Aiah. “Breaktime’s over.”
Aiah glanced toward the clock. She was right, the fifteen-minute break had already ended.
“Right.”
The woman gave her one last smile before turning around and walking back toward her designated position.
Aiah watched her for a second, then another. Until she finally caught herself.
Naiiling siyang bumalik sa sarili niyang upuan. Hindi man lang niya namalayang lumipas na pala ang buong break. Ni hindi man lang nga siya nakakain.
She glanced at the plastic bag of bread resting on the chair beside her. At least may napala naman siya. Kinuha niya iyon at binuksan ang bag. The familiar smell of freshly baked bread immediately reached her.
“Pandesal pala…” She pulled one out then she took a bite without the peanut butter.
And for some reason, she smiled.
The woman’s name, along with the other details she had seen on her ID, kept replaying in Aiah’s mind.
Stacey Camille Ashly Samaniego
BS Accountancy
Student Intern
The seminar wasn’t so bad after all.
And the truth?
Mas mabuti nang doon niya ginugol ang dalawa pang sumunod na Lunes.