Chapter 16 - The calm before

Weekend has once arrived again and long weeks of holidays are just up ahead, and it is good news for students like me.

But even so, the busy days continue.

While I was focused in working inside the barn together with Rosalie and Bob, a thought has been bothering me for quite some time.

I stopped with what I was doing, standing still from cleaning the tools with a cloth on my hand, trying to address the concern.

"Hey uncle Bob, come to think of it."

"What's that?"

"Ma'am Teresita hasn't once visited us since the day I got here." I asked Bob who was facing back at me while busy fixing a mechanical tool.

Yes indeed, and it is quite odd.

"Oh that? She's just busy with other matters kid. Since most of the time you're at school, the madam has frequently been calling and updating us, and then giving us further instructions."

"I see." I commented as my eyes turned away for being convinced of his reply.

This madam Teresita sure is a busy woman. I wonder how rich could she really be?

"So… what are your plans everyone? It's almost Christmas." Rosalie inserted in our conversation while sweeping the dirt around with a broom stick.

"I'll be going home to my family. I'm sure we've already talked about this topic Rosalie."

"Oh is that so? You're quite the sharp one huh Bob?"

This next topic is quite disturbing.

Plans for Christmas huh? Since I got none, I'll just be keeping quiet about it.

"Hmmm? What's wrong kid?"

"Ah-- no, nothing."

Oops… Did I just leak it out? I think I need to frequently look at myself on a mirror from now on.

"How about you Hanzaki? Do you really plan on staying here?"

This is bad, really bad. A cold sweat has dropped behind my back due to her unexpected question, quite under pressure in giving Rosalie an answer.

"Well, I---"

"Now come on Rosalie! Don't give pressure to the youngster! Hahaha"

Out of nowhere, my back was continuously being slapped at multiple times by a gigantic hand.

At first, I felt like throwing up my own heart from that initial strong blow, and when I noticed, it was none other than Bob who did it.

"Ow! Ow! that hurts!" I backed away a bit from the crazy gorilla.

Instead of holding my back where it was hit, I put my right hand on my left chest where my heart was palpitating like crazy.

The heck Bob. That wasn't needed.

"You know it wasn't meant that way you idiot." Rosalie tried defending herself from the somehow misunderstanding.

"I guess I'll just be staying here, continuing the works and stuffs." I replied right away, trying to end the topic.

"Then you need to be careful right here okay, Hanzaki?"

"Yes, sure."

"So… you'll be staying with some of the people working here. Those near ones would get to stay in the place. Still… you need to be always on your guard okay kid?" Bob showed me a thumb up, and I nod.

Meanwhile, the Christmas spirit has already reached this place, and we finished decorating this farm of ours not a while ago with some lanterns and lights.

On the other hand, our few neighbours from a distance (approximately about 25 to 30 meters away) have also displayed their Christmas decorations around their houses, and were playing some Christmas songs along the days and in which it boosted the atmosphere and the mood for work, making the whole place a lot livelier.

Even though my life is currently full of miserable experiences, this kind of mood would always make me feel enlightened ever since I was a tiny winy kid.

"Hey kid! Got some work for you. Come over here."

In the afternoon on the same day, Bob was calling me out for a reason. I guess he needed another favour from me this time.

From a distance, I then quickly moved to approach him.

"I need you to buy something for me. I need you to get these tools."

As I arrived, Bob handed me out a paper with the lists on it.

"Oh sure but, isn't the supermarket today flooded with people?"

"You mean the usual thing?"

"No-- I mean, more than the usual."

"Don't worry. You'll be fine. I know you can do this haha."

Eeeeehh? And by just me alone?

"Well… I got no choice."

Someplace in my heart, I do find this task quite tiresome.

"You better leave now kid, the buses are quite full these times. Hurry up or you'll end up getting back at twelve midnight."

"That's exaggerating, but fine. I really might as well go now."

"Take care of yourself kid! And don't get lost!"

"Hmp! Don't worry. I really won't."

Am I really that a kid in their eyes?

Anyways, after he instructed me about his favour, I went to my room without wasting time. I changed my clothes, wore my sandals, and brought some towels, because I am such a sweaty person.

"Alright. First is at the bus stop."

With eyes burning out of motivation, I headed out towards the side of the road to ride a motorela in going to the bus station terminal. But when I arrived at the terminal...

"Eehhh!? What in the world---"

My motivation swiftly drifted apart me. It was expected to happen, but it was unanticipated in this kind of time in the afternoon.

The number of people that were waiting at the bus terminal was unbelievably shocking, looking like a horde of dinosaurs with the loud frequency of their voices that they were letting out; nevertheless, I went along with the mass, because there was no helping it. And more importantly, it won't be easy to try and get for an early ride.

My vision not having a clear view ahead in the front line, heads and eyes were very intimidating, focusing towards the direction of the incoming vehicles.

We waited and waited, until one was sighted approaching.

Upon hearing the loud horns of the bus, it signalled that it would be stopping to let out some passengers, and by the time it showed its appearance, the people around prepared their selves and have went closer to the side.

Once the bus stopped and the doors opened, they quickly surround the entrance which made it difficult for the passengers to go down and walk away.

When the last passenger has successfully gone down, shoulders were bumping into each other as the people were rushing inside.

I was still far away from the frontline and haven't got the chance to go near, and as a result, it got me unlucky from the first attempt.

Tch. Good grief.

We waited again until another one was approaching.

The usual thing happened; the people, of course including me, prepared their selves.

We waited for the passengers to go down, and once more, shoulders were bumping to each other, but the result ended the same for the second time--- for the third time--- for the fourth time--- and the fifth time!

Jeez. It was because there were only a few passengers that have gone down from those previous buses.

A number of it had already passed by, and yet I still remained at my spot together with the people who were left behind and still waiting, but now--- there are only just a few of us. I sigh.

Then another one was coming.

Same strategy: as the passengers went down, we tried getting our chances inside. Yet this time around, it has gotten me relief since our numbers were only a few.

While we were patiently and carefully moving forward towards the door, the security guard of the bus has made a sign with his hands, directed towards our direction.

I guess he is trying to tell us something.

The guard lifted seven of his fingers, and then he started counting the people starting from the front.

"One, two,---"

By the time he counted, I also decided to start counting from the front as well.

"One, two, three, four, five, six and... Seven." I pointed to myself.

But in an instance, I noticed that there was someone behind me--- an old woman.

I look at her, and have felt sorry.

"Seven! Ma'am I'm sorry, but the line stops at that young man." The guard informed the unfortunate old woman.

"Oh, okay" She disappointedly responded, quite down of the unluckiness.

Oh come on. Why does it have to be now? Why now of all places?

This is unfair! Huhuhu.

"Sir! This Madam will be taking the last seat." Without having to board yet inside, I called out to the guard.

"Uh--- Okay. As you say kid."

In the end, I couldn't bear imagining about her situation and have given away my chance in getting a ride.

It is another failed attempt, but on the other hand, the old woman came happily to me as she gave her thanks with a smile.

The bus then started to move as the old woman has taken a seat inside.

Now, for my next attempt, and being the only person left, I managed to ride one after.

Even though this is still the initial stage of the trip, I already got exhausted. Good grief.

While waiting for the bus to arrive at my destination, I took my time to enjoy the view and was watching at a T.V. that is inside.

Oh~ My gaze focused on the screen, it looks like that the show is one of the movies of the late FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr. 'The King'), though I'm not wholly into watching it, yet its action scenes were breath-taking, and even before I got to enjoy it on a local television channel.

-----*-----

*SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEECH!*

After some time, I finally arrive at the place.

Even though the flooding people weren't a surprise anymore, especially I have gone back and forth a numerous times to this place, I still have my trouble in looking at the mass.

Crap, I'm starting to not feel well again. I'm getting dizzy all of a sudden with these crowds' motions.

But more importantly, there were a lot of event stands and activities as I noticed it.

"I guess it doesn't hurt to just check it out right?"

With the number of people around the area, it is making it difficult for me to go from one place to another, but still I took this chance to see what's around, and maybe interesting things might catch my eye.

I wandered in the area; there were booths, food stalls, and mini concerts. Also, the sides of the road were full of vendors. I guess this is the season of Christmas for us in this place.

As I continue to walk, my stomach has audibly growled all of a sudden.

"Well then… what could be worth buying here?" I said from touching my belly.

My head turns around searching for a cheap yet yummy food, and a chicken skin vendor is just up ahead, and it looks like there are already a few people harvesting the chicken skins all by themselves.

Well, this is expected. The chicken skin is really popular nowadays.

But despite the customers who were already busy eating, I inserted in between them to get some for myself.

I took a stick with the chicken skin on it and together with a 'puso' (rice that is packed inside a small coconut leaf).

After peeling the cover of my 'puso', I dipped the stick together with the chicken into a sweet and spicy red sauce that was provided by the vendor.

Hoooyaaah~ Refreshing. This taste would never get old, although too much of this kind of street food would be bad for my health-- or should I say to everyone. This is just a stress-reliever for me, and it's already been a while since I had one, so I'll be taking this chance to savor this addicting taste.

"I think I should get going now. Maybe the stuffs would run out from the stores any moment."

From having a weird yet possible thought, I quickly finished my meal and have gotten my feet back on track to finish the job, and by the time when I got everything needed, the sky was already dark.

Peacefully I take my time moving while carrying an echo bag together with the goods inside it, but in the process, I suddenly remembered about the 'twelve midnight' thing that Bob mentioned earlier this afternoon in which it got me completely agitated afterwards, causing me to move my feet faster with an extremely anxious face.

"I guess I should hurry now."

But as I was heading to my way…

*Growl*

Mr. Stomach called out to me once again. Since Mr. Stomach is a vital part to me, I stopped by a bit on a random vendor.

What a wrong timing Mr. Stomach!

"Four shakoys (a kind of bread) please!"

"Here you go sir. Enjoy!"

I guess having a huge appetite would make it tiresome sometimes. Since I'm in a hurry in avoiding that scary possibility, I decided to slowly eat my meal while walking at the same time, but it became uncomfortable for me after just seconds.

In the middle of the way, I stumble upon an empty area, and so I stopped by at the place to be in standby for a bit.

While standing still, I was looking around the place as I tried to finish my meal.

"Ho~ I didn't notice at first but, this bread sure is delicious"

When a person is in great (or sometimes normally) hunger, the food's taste doesn't matter at all in most times, and this is what exactly happened to me not a minute ago. Munching the sugar coated bread, my face was clearly showing out my delighted reaction.

In the meantime, there was no other choice but to finish my food, and so my eyes have wandered around the area once more.

Yup~ The place is indeed more of a beauty when night strikes because of the lights around this area, making it more beautiful.

While I was allured by the place, a small flickering red light under a stall from a far has caught my attention from a glance.

I stared closely at the light, wondering of what it was. I had my suspicions.

I then shook my head, trying to convince myself that it wasn't something serious.

"Nah~ There's not likely a high chance of it being a---"

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!