"Thirty minutes past eight, she would be arriving soon", I told myself.
I checked the barbeques on my grill. I continued to tend the flames while taking the barbeques.
I picked up 8 pieces isaw soaked them in my vinegar marinate, gently place them inside a plastic bag and handed them to an eager boy all wide eyed waiting for his order.
"Here you go son" I smiled.
The boy smiled back gave me a 20 pesos bill and left in a hurrry.
I looked at the boy scurrying home, "Hey! Ingat sa pagtakbo!" I yelled at the boy when he ran pass the sari-sari store.
"Wow concerned!" I heard a sweet gentle voice over my shoulder. I turned around and saw her smile. My heart beat suddenly rushed .
"Hi....." I shyly said.
She looked at my tray scanning them for her favorite one day old. "Yung dati ha pakitoast at pakidagdag ng suka."
I handed her a red plastic bag, "Ah oo heto naka balot na. Isang one day old apat na isaw, dalawang itlog ng pugo, dalawang laman at dalawang dugo." smiled.
"Wow kabisado na ha.....Magkano? o gaya din ba ng dati?"
"Three tries right?" I smiled.
"Okay sige go!" she giggled. Relieved to see her smile I guessed again, "Cecil?"
She raised her eyebrow , "Mukha ba akong Cecil? Hmp?" she frowned.
I laughed "Hehehe! Sorry naman...."
She looked at my head and said "Ayan last try mo na seryosohin mo na kasi."
"Okay okay okay!" I closed my eyes. "Hmmmmmmm........ Aha alam ko na!"
"Sige nga" she dared.
"Cassandra!" I said out loud.
She giggled, "Ay M-A-L-I!"
I laughed, "Hehehe! Cant't blame a guy for trying."
"Indeed." she nodded. "O siya sige bukas ulit ha. Bye Bert!"
She waved her hand and turned around.
I was silent as I watched her pass the sari-sari- store.
I yelled "Hey! Ingat ka....." she turned aaround as she whispered "Anna...."
Amidst, the clamor of the tambays Anna smiled back.>>>>>
