84 Change

A whole week passed in a blink of an eye, nothing much happened aside from Mia and William getting closer with one another. However, one sudden change happened in the shopping district.

The shopping district is not as popular as the newly built malls. The younger generations preferred to visit the air-conditioned malls. But there are still a lot of patrons for the shopping district as the older people prefer to socialize and shop to closer proximities. Even if the sales of the shopping district is not comparable before the malls nearby were built, they could still get by with minimal sales and their loyal customers. However, lately, there were fewer customers visiting the shopping district.

It could be ignored as something as normal due to customers alternating between visiting the shopping malls and big supermarkets. One more thing, the stall owners have noticed is the sudden decrees of the elementary and high school students who pass by after school. Most of these children would buy from them while walking back to their own homes, they would buy snacks as they chat with their friends. This was somewhat baffling for the stall vendors that were used to the bustling streets once the children are dismissed from school.

Mia who was walking to and fro after work noticed the change. She also heard the other stall owners talking in hush tones, wondering what really happened. On the other hand, the pet shop was not as troubled as their customers did not decrease. Although no new customers arrived, the loyal customer still valued going to the same vet. Nothing much changed and the doctor did not mention anything on the matter. This was why Mia could not help but wonder, what was happening in the shopping district.

Mia remembered the discussion she had with her mother.

"Mother is there something different with the shopping district?"

Her mother paused as though she was thinking before saying, "Now that you mention it. A lot of the stores that I usually visit have been having problems with their sales. When I asked her what was going on, she said the other stores are also experiencing the same thing but no one really knows the reason for it."

Although this was what her mother said, she went closer to Mia and added something in hushed tones. "I heard from some of my friends that a rich investor was trying to buy the lands here in the shopping district. But you know the elders here in our neighbor; those old bones would die and let their children take care of their business afterward, rather than selling their lands to another person."

Mia looked at her mother with baffled eyes before saying "Mother, why are you whispering when there's only the two of us inside the house?" Her questioning gaze was due to her almost not hearing what her mother said. The voice of her mother was so soft as though it was a secret that she guarded with her life.

"Ho ho ho. Old habits." Her mother laughed in a merry tone as her daughter questioned her ways.

Her mother's expression became serious once again and said in her normal voice. "It seems there is someone or a group of businesses who are interested in our lands. I do not know what they are planning to make, but once the rumors of some big company was trying to buy the lands here. The groups were divided by two, those who wanted to sell and those who would rather continue their lives as stall owners."

Mia also had a serious expression as she asked, "What will happen with the community if the shopping district is removed?"

"Oh honey. These are all rumors, so it is better to not think too much about it." Her mother paused as though thinking of something before continuing. "And I can't even begin to think that those old people in the shopping district would be willing to sell their lands."

Mia wanted to believe her mother's words but she was still wondering where the rumors originated. Although it might still be a rumor, it must have leaked from somewhere, so there must be some truths behind all of the gossip and rumor spreading around.

Mia gave a sigh and said, "I hope so." She had a wry smile as she also hoped for the best. She grew up as a customer of the shopping district, she had a lot of memories of the simple and kind owners of the shopping district, she was one of these people who would prefer for things to stay the same.

Thinking about it, there are a lot of undeveloped areas that they can use aside from their location. Their location was not in the center or a place that is easily accessible to the national roads and highway. If they were planning to make this into a commercial space, then this was not the best place. As she had these thoughts, more question popped up as her doubts grew bigger.

Original novel by Chuchuwachuwa.