Chapter 25
Flickering Lights
Marty was deeply immersed. She spent the entire morning researching different variations of oil-based perfume scents because her Tita Chia asked for her assistance the previous night.
"Ang redundant na kasi ng mga scent sa market. It's easy to find dupes kahit pa galing sa high-end na brand kaya I'm thinking of a fragrance na hindi pa super common. And given na rin na preggy ka, I know mas sensitive ka sa pang-amoy mo ngayon. We can benefit from that," sabi ng tita niya kagabi.
Chia, aside from her clothing line, has been managing their Tita Letitia's business of florals and fragrances when she decided to retire at the age of sixty-eight.
"P'wede naman po tayong mag-develop. We can test other combinations na unconventional 'yong pairings or we can extract from rare samples," Marty replied.
"Extract?"
She nodded. "Yes, Tita. Sa warehouse natin. 'Di ba doon tayo nag-te-test ng bagong scents? Baka p'wede?"
"Are you suggesting we'll produce our own essential oils? We won't outsource sa suppliers?"
"Opo. Since sabi ninyo common na. Naisip ko lang din kasi na marami rin tayong competitors na doon sa supplier kumukuha kaya what if tayo na mag-extract mismo? We can search for rare volatile plants or herbs, or p'wede rin sa existing flowers na meron tayo sa store para dual purpose kung sakaling hindi nabenta especially doon sa mga seasonal lang? Then you can market it as is na it's one of a kind tapos limited edition o kaya p'wedeng i-advertise 'yong medicinal properties katulad ng eucalyptus, peppermint, and menthol-based scents na anti-inflammatory and nakaka-relieve ng headache, o kung may other benefits ba siya sa skin aside sa pagiging pabango niya, or p'wede rin tayong mag-isip ng ibang application method based sa packaging design," Marty suggested.
Napatango-tango lang din naman ang tita niya habang nakatitig sa lamesa't nag-iisip.
"How can we do this? If we're gonna do some extraction, I don't think we have the right equipment sa warehouse. Tataas tayo sa costing and mas matrabaho siya," sabi ni Chia.
"Kayo po. Willing naman po ako magdagdag through investment, may alam din po akong suppliers para sa equipment and reagents. May kinukuhaan po kami dati sa previous work ko, or p'wede rin naman po tayong makigamit ng lab, bayaran na lang natin sila tapos 'yong reagents na wala sa facility, 'yon na lang bilhin natin sa suppliers."
"Hmm . . ." Chia crossed her arm over her chest. Silence hovered at the front porch, and their spiced apple tea has cooled down.
The August breeze softly brushed on her skin, but Marty didn't mind the weather. It was almost autumn and maybe, it was the waft of the spiced apple tea lingering in her breath, but she recalled the scent of cinnamons, toffee, and the afternoon amber glows, and the fire crackling at the furnace.
Of all the seasons, autumn was her favorite. It was both cold and warm and pretty.
Spring was next in line.
Marty blinked when she felt a flutter in her stomach that was immediately followed by another.
She smiled. Gising ka na ba, beebie? she asked in her mind. Help mo nga si Mommy, please. Kailangan namin ni Tita Chia ng idea. Kapag bumenta 'to, bibilhan kita ng pony. O gusto mo ba agad ng stallion or ng sarili mong castle? May nakita akong for sale last time sa Prague, parang gusto ko rin.
The movements inside her belly grew rampant. Gusto mo ba 'yon, beebie? Sabihin natin kay Daddy mamaya. 'Pag hindi siya pumayag, magtatampo tayo. Ten years siyang matutulog sa labas.
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