feast (completed)

23. chiffonade

"Uhm Melay? Ate Melay?" Meng asked Melay who was now helping out in the kitchen and cafeteria. Nanay wasn't too sure about having Melay watch over Meng since they were not used to having helpers around so she agreed to make Melay a helper in the food stall instead; Melay would only accompany Meng when she left the cafeteria or go shopping. It also lessened peoples' stares and inquiries about the sudden addition to the staff.

"Yes po?"

"Ilan taon na po kayo?"

"Mag-38 na ako sa December..."

"Ah...eh si Kuya Jessie?"

"42 na sya..."

"May mga anak kayo?"

"Oo, 2...si Ton-ton, 18 years old na at katatapos lang ng highschool. Si Jasmine naman, 16 years old at nasa senior highschool..."

"Hmm...eh ano po ang trabaho nyo dati?"

"Pagkagraduate ko, nagtrabaho ako bilang lady guard sa mall. Dun ko nakilala si Jessie. Nag security guard din kasi sya dati. Pagkatpos, nag-drive kami ng Uber."

"Ows?"

"Oo...kaming mag-asawa. Kaso lang, yung may-ari nung mga sasakyan, nag-abroad na. Wala naman kaming sariling sasakyan kaya natigil na rin yun. Buti nalang nagsabi si Tiyang Gloria na may naghahanap ng magbbodyguard daw. Kapatid kasi ng Mama ni Jessie si Tiyang Gloria kaya alam nyang dati kaming nag-g-guard."

"Eh ano naman po ang ginagawa nyo nung nawala yung Uber?"

"Nagtitinda ako ng mga ulam at merienda dun sa amin. Kakanin...turon...lugaw...nagpadala na po ako ng sample dito dati..."

"Ahh..."

"Oo...mga dalawang linggo na nakalipas..."

"Hmm...sa inyo yung puto with cheese?"

"Oo...at yung pichi-pichi..."

"Papaalala ko kay Nanay. Masarap yung puto! Gusto ko yun!"

"Sige, gagawa ako para sa yo..."

"Naku! Nakakahiya..."

"Okay lang yun. Madali lang gawin yung puto..."

"Sa iyo pala yung motor...?"

"Hmm...kay Jessie yun...pinapagamit lang sa akin...pero ngayon, sabay na ako pumapasok kay Jessie..."

"Ahh..."

"Hmmm...this soup is yummy!" Richard eats some almondigas soup for lunch. "Did you cook this?"

"Si Ate Melay..." Meng is standing beside the table where Richard is eating.

"Oh...what did you cook today?"

"Nag-prito lang ako ng tapa at tocino..."

"What's wrong?" Richard grabs Meng by the waist and makes her sit on his lap.

"I'm fine..."

"Hmm...you're mah-ee-net...are you sure you're okay?" Richard embraces Meng and rubs her arm. He can feel her goosebumps.

"...malamig..." She whispers and shivers.

"Wait...Jessie!"

"Sir?" Jessie approaches.

"Get my jacket in the office. Melay, can you please get us a cup of warm water..."

"Okay po" Melay says. She is standing nearby. As per Richard's orders, she should always be within just a few feet away from Meng when they're together.