4 Saturday for Buns (Part I)

5:00 a.m. In the morning

It's almost at the end of the second semester, after the christmas vacation.

I got up from my chair, and look at the stacks of papers at the top of desk, then look at small clock, sorrounded by the giants of paper.

Thinking what should I eat for breakfast, my stomach growled in unison when I think of food, I got out of my study room, took the keys, and left, I rode at my late father's favorite motorcycle, my only memory from him.

I was a child back then I'm always at the front seat, and him behind me, at the feeling of the, gust of cold wind and joyful ride I had.

We always do that early in the morning, to buy our favorite buns at our favorite bakery shop, although it's cheap, it's very delicious.

Racing with many cars in the highways, I cried loudly in fear of falling, at that time, father always like to tease me for driving faster, and him always having that grin old face.

Remembering that kind of memory, doubles the feeling of sadness, a sad smile appeared on my face and just shake at the thought.

Almost at the bakery shop, the sweet aroma of those buns feels like home, I got down, and took my helmet off. I walked straight inside the shop, looking at the familiar scenery, a few people already here, the smell overwhelmed my system and swallowed my saliva, after that I licked my lips, I asked for the buns to Auntie Lu immediately.

"Oh child, there you are! I haven't seen for weeks!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkled with joy as she saw a familiar face, I nodded at her and said. "Been busy for school."

"That's good! Here's the pandesal [1] you ordered." she gave it to me and paid her, I took one from the paper bag, the bun is still warm, and the burst of aroma, came to my nostrils, and then I took a bite.

I look around again, clearly looking at it, some of the people in here are quite a familiar faces, then I fell my eyes close to the window, a very familiar figure, eating the buns like I had, she had coffee at her table, half dink, clearly she been here for a while.

I ordered black coffee to Aunty Lu again, then walk towards that familiar figure's table.

***

Buns/ Pandesal -Pan de sal is a popular yeast-raised bread in the Philippines. Individual loaves are shaped by rolling the dough into long logs (bastón, Spanish for "stick") which are rolled in fine bread crumbs. These are then portioned, allowed to rise, and baked.

It is most commonly served hot and may be eaten as is, or dipped in coffee, tsokolate (hot chocolate), or milk. It can also be complemented with butter, margarine, cheese, jam, peanut butter, chocolate spread, or other fillings like eggs, sardines and meat.