02 - That Strange Lady At The Window

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            "Thank you for your order, please come again," nakangiting wari ni Quaro nang i-abot nito ang dalawang paperbags na may lamang mga tinapay kay Mrs. Aurora na nasa unahan ng pila. She was the town councilor's wife, dropping by to get her daily order; two dozens of cheese bread.

Ayon sa ginang ay para ang mga iyon sa mga katiwala nito, kaya naman madalas ay pinaso-sobrahan niya ang bilang ng mga tinapay na ibinibigay niya rito. He liked people who are kind and empathetic toward others—so he liked Mrs. Aurora. If only...she wasn't too flirty with him.

"Thank you, Quaro. I'll drop by again tomorrow, 'kay?" Mrs. Aurora said in her high-pitched-flirty tone. Her lips were glistening with her Ultra-red, glossy lipstick.

"I look forward to that."

Mrs. Aurora chortled before batting her thick eyelashes, deliberately showing them to him.

He realized they were thicker and longer than usual—and he wondered if they just grew naturally or she did some magic with the help of her friends at the beauty salon.

"You look prettier today, Ma'am," he complimented while trying to sound respectful. "But your lipstick looks darker than usual—today must be a special day, huh?"

"Oh, ito naman!" Napahagikhik ang ginang saka siya banayad na hinampas sa kamay. "This is how I look everyday, 'no." 

            "Is that so? Well then, keep that look every day," he indulged. "Nakagaganang magbukas ng shop kapag pawang magagandang babae ang mga customers ko."

            "Oh!" muling humagikhik si Mrs. Aurora, at kung hindi pa sana tumikhim ang kasunod nitong customer ay magpapatuloy pa sana ito sa pakikipaghuntahan.

            Mrs. Aurora turned to the lady next in line, pouted her ultra-red lips, and then rolled her eyes, before returning her attention back to him. Muli itong ngumiti ng matamis.

            "I am coming back tomorrow, so please reserve two dozens of cheese bread and another two of your special mamon."

            "Noted on that, Ma'am. Enjoy the rest of your day," he said before giving her a wink.

            Bantulot na tumalikod ang ginang saka nakangusong lumabas sa glass door kung saan may nakasalubong itong kolehiyala na pamilyar sa kaniya.

            Tulad ng dati, ang kolehiyala na iyon ay dumireto sa pinaka-sulok na mesa, doon malapit sa glass window ng shop, tahimik na naupo roon saka naka-ngalumbabang tumingin sa kalsada.

            Napa-iling siya bago ibinalik ang pansin sa nakapilang mga customers. 

            Dalawang buwan na ang nakararaan simula nang mapansin niya itong dumarating roon sa kaparehong oras. Tulad ng araw-araw na ginagawa nito, ay darating ito kapag malapit na siyang magsara.

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