IT’S A Tuesday afternoon, and at 5 pm, I still haven’t spent a single peso.
So I’m heading towards Kape’t Bahay, my now default coffeeshop in Dumangas.
If I just order Kape Dodoy (Excelsa), that will cost me P20.
I feel like splurging.
I feel like I need to spend some of my millions.
***
In the morning, I went to the ground floor shop that is renting space in our building.
Would they need some coins?
I have been accumulating P1, P5, P10, coins in my pockets and purses.
All in all, I counted a total of P100 and P11 pesos. Haha.
All that weight for a measly P100 bill, and two leftover coins.
But the superstitious in me finds something auspicious in P111.
***
I have pocketed my P111, and on my way out, I bumped into a “professional beggar”.
I mean, he loiters around a waiting shed asking for small change day in and day out.
He’s actually making a living out of it.
(Although he once bragged that he’s also getting a monthly pension, or stipend, or something!)
***
But, to be fair, he did treat me once to a street cart fried chicken.
So yeah, the guy thinks he can buy things for me every now and then.
How did that happen?
Well, I remember this guy asking me for small change when I first came from the US.
Then, one day, I just played his game and teased him.
I said I want a fried chicken leg.
And he said, I should buy two: one for me and one for him.
***
And I said, no, you should buy two: one for you, and one for me.
We went back and forth.
We bantered, and after a while, he surrendered.
He actually bought two fried chicken legs—and he had one, and I had the other.
Since then, we are “friends”.
***
This morning, I just wanted to say Hi, and goodbye.
I was leaving to get my coffee.
So I announced that to the store, and everyone within earshot.
I said, I want some coffee. It’s time for my coffee.
And this guy just took out his purse, picked up a P10 coin, and gave it to me.
***
No, I don’t need it.
Thank you, really; but I have money.
I wanna say, I’m a millionaire.
What are you doing giving me ten pesos for my coffee?
***
You want coffee? Here. Take the money.
No, thank you. Really.
Oh, hurry up, and just take the money. Don’t waste my time.
***
Don’t waste my time! Just take the money!
Where else in the world is this happening? Haha.
I’m being scolded for not accepting coffee money from “a beggar”.
***
At the coffee shop, I saw a friend who is seated with a couple.
They invited me over.
I joined them in a table nearest to the gate.
Which afforded me a view of the sidewalk, where walked a retired teacher who so loved me in high school.
Of course, I said Hi to the teacher.
Teacher was carrying a bag of bread she bought for her husband.
***
You’re having coffee? Here. Take some bread.
No, I’m not having solids with my first coffee.
Oh, give yourself a break, and have some bread!
I could almost hear, “Oh, hurry up, and just take the bread/money. Don’t waste my time.”
***
So I got some bread, and gave teacher a hug.
When I got back to the table, the couple left (had to go somewhere).
But not before they paid for my coffee!
Free bread, and free coffee?
Where else in the world is this happening?
***
After coffee, I cleaned my room a little bit.
My aunts are visiting from Kidapawan and Davao City the next day.
After an hour of putting away my books and clothes, I was off to observe the miki ligis making demonstration at the public market.
***
From 11:30 to about 12:30, I observed the kneading and noodle-making process.
The miki ligis dish won’t be ready until 1 pm.
But I was feeling famished.
Well, I’m not usually hungry by that hour.
But I am surrounded by food, by people eating, and I did some menial work at home (even if it’s only cleaning my room).
So I wanted to eat. (To be continued)
