feast (completed)

20. smoke

"Ay! Ay! Dali...dali...direcho na tayo sa banyo...." Meng said frantically. Richard was groggily walking between her and Jessie. "Salamat...pakikuha nalang po ng green na tuwalya dun sa may sampayan sa likod..."

"Eto po?" Jessie said as he brought the towel to the bathroom.

"Oo...salamat...pakuha na rin ako ng damit nya sa condo...pakisabi kay Yaya..."

"Opo Ma'am..." Jessie said and left.

"O, goodnight na...uwi na ako..." Meng said. She stood up from the couch. She and Richard were watching TV after having dinner of chicken barbecue, Java rice, and achara.

"Why? It's only 9pm.." Richard looked at Meng and then at his watch.

"Mamamalengke pa ako bukas...di kasi si Dino marunong mamili ng tamang karne..."

"...I'll go with you to the pahleyngkay..."

"Wag na! Basa at mabaho dun..."

"I don't care..."

"Wag na kasi...maagang maaga pa ako bukas..."

"What time?"

"Aalis ako ng mga 4am siguro para siguradong madami akong makuhang fresh pa..."

"Okay! 4am it is!"

"Ay ewan ko sa yo! Mag-maong at rubber slippers ka lang ha? Magdala ka na rin ng towel at extra shirt."

"Why?"

"Basta"

"Sah-geh!"

"Ready?" Richard said as soon as he saw Meng get out of her gate.

"Susmaryosep! Nakakagulat ka naman!"

"Good morning po Ma'am" Jessie and Luis greeted Meng.

"Good morning din..."

Richard hopped off the van and assisted Meng before getting back on.

"Dito nalang kayo ni Kuya Luis...kami nalang ni Kuya Jessie ang mamamalengke..." Meng said when they got to the market.

"Huh? What?"

"You stay here in the van. I will go inside..."