Bulalo

I woke up in the middle of the night, stomach growling.

"Uggh... How annoying"

I forgot to eat today too. Maybe I should stop playing games so much like my parents said... Nah. A little bit of discomfort won't stop me.

I stealthily walked through the dark of the house. I've walked from my room to the kitchen in the dark before. So much so that I could repeat the action blindfolded.

I looked through the fridge, nothing. Just a few vegetables and some expired milk. Honestly, when did mom last go grocery shopping?

I can't really say anything, though. I'm the one freeloading.

Seeing nothing in the house, I decided to go borrow some cash from mom's wallet and go buy something. But in this small town, I doubt there would actually be an open store in this dead of night, I'll just have to go for it though.

Looking around, there was no open shops. Just some streetlights and a few thugs here and there.

I can hear the hustle and bustle of the next town over, while over here it was dead silent. A few cars and bikers passed by. I couldn't handle their stares, it's like they were looking at a criminal. It probably didn't help that I pulled my hood further down my face. This part of town was a hotspot for shady deals, after all.

After a while of nothing, judgemental stares, and more nothing, I decided to just give it up and go home. But before I could take another step, I saw it. The lights of an open shop. A food shop. How could I tell? It's pretty hard to miss the smell of good food, or any food for that matter, when you're starving.

The place didn't have a door or anything, you could just step inside. As I did just that, a kind-looking old man greeted me.

"Ahh, welcome! I didn't expect a customer at this hour. What would you like?"

I skimmed over the menu.

'Chicken noodles, ramen... Bulalo? Never heard of that one'

Weirdly, I was intrigued.

"Excuse me, sir, what's bulalo?"

I asked the old guy, who seems to be manning this place alone.

"Did it catch your eye, son? You've got good taste! Bulalo is a native dish in my home country. Its got beef shank and marrow still in the bone, the thing's famous in my home town because of how tender the meat is. Do you want to give it a try, boy? It's on the house if you don't like it!"

The old guy laughed heartily.

"Wha- you'll really give it to me for free if I end up not liking it..?"

I asked, a bit shocked. I didn't believe it, not one bit.

"Sure! I don't get much people here anymore, I'm in a good mood for a new customer so today's your lucky day. If you order the bulalo and don't like it then I'll give it to ya free of charge. In case you want something else, I'll give you a little discount, alright?"

I almost couldn't believe my ears, a generous offer has descended upon a starving individual like me, so I decided to go ahead and order the bulalo. It was unknown to me but it's fine to try something new every once in a while. Seems like this old guy's happy mood rubbed off of me as I couldn't help but smile while I waited for my food.

Finally, the food was ready and I wasn't expecting to be greeted by something so... Heavenly. I ordered the bulalo thinking I could snatch myself a free meal, even if it wasn't very delicious, but the smell and looks alone already seems so tasty. Looks like I'll have to pay the old man, after all.

I scarfed down my food like I was coming out of prison for the first time, and it was honestly the best meal I've ever had.

I don't know what this guy did to make it so delicious but it's great! Five stars on yo!

As I was wolfing down my meal, the old man was just standing there, looking at me with a smile on his face. It was unsettling being stared at so intensely but it doesn't seem like he's doing anything so...

Ah. I'm getting dizzy...

Despite that, I managed to finish my food.

I took out the money I borrowed but before I can hand it to him, he said—

"Oh no no, it's alright boy. I don't need the money. I was thinking you could pay another way"

=======

I woke up in the middle of the night, a bad feeling enveloping me. I turned on the lights and made my way to the kitchen. The fridge door was open, Ray was probably here. I went straight to Ray's room after that. His door was slightly ajar, lights turned off. I could see a lump on his bed covered in blankets regularly moving up and down. That's probably him.

I went straight back to bed after that. Still, I can't shake off this bad feeling.

=======

The owner of a particular shop was seen at the market today, looking for ingredients. The townsfolk didn't take kindly to him and they all looked at him with apprehension, avoiding and eyeing him weirdly.

Several people had apparently gone missing in this town. And where were they last seen? This man's shop. Though, no matter how much they point fingers and spread rumors, those will only remain as rumors. No one has been able to find any evidence of him being responsible for these disappearances.

Though, some 'survivors' would say that they've seen visions of skulls in the soup he made.

================================

This one based on the Filipino myth that if you aren't able to get out of a certain restaurant after nightfall, you become the meat of their bulalo.