Something That Glitters

7 // Heimlich Maneuver

Heimlich Maneuver

That's it! I have had enough!

I took my apron off over my head as my soul was set ablaze in fire. And without breaking the stare-fest with the man across the street, I said to my unaware Auntie, "Bili lang po ako ng hotdog."

Nasa loob kami ng shop, pero dahil clear ang windows namin ay kita ko kung ano ang mga nangyayari sa street. Malinaw ang mata ko, kaya alam na alam ko kung ano ang nakikita ko!

Kailangan na itong matuldukan once and for all. I was a very people-person, given the work situation I was in my recent job, but right now I just—argh—couldn't take it!

Tinaasan ako ng tingin ni Auntie. Ang salamin niya ay nasa gitna ng bridge ng ilong niya. "Para saan, Snooki? Meron tayong pagkain dito kung nagugutom ka."

"Ah, hindi, Auntie. Iba po ito. Wait po, balik ako! Super quick lang."

Kasabay ko namang lumabas iyong huling customer na pinagsilbihan ko kaya kung iiwan ko sandali si Auntie ay ayos lang. She was always busy with flower arrangements while I handle some of the paperworks for Daily Bloom.

On my bike, I drove down the street to find a hotdog stand. While one would think I'd easily find one because I'm in New York, no. Food trucks, sure, there were a heck lot of them. It took me a lot of detours and a few remorseful cusses at my virtual map before the route made sense to me.

Sa dinadaanan ko kasi ay hindi lang tao at sasakyan ang marami. May mangilan-ngilan din akong nadaanan na on-going construction areas, so there were scaffoldings in place.

Then, finally at 420 Fifth Ave, there it was. A glorious hotdog stand.

Pumila ako para makabili. Habang nagluluto iyong vendor, I couldn't help but compare it to what we had back home in Phil. Their dogs here were much longer and bigger, prolly 'cause of their appetite. Sa mga pagkain, ang sukat dito kumpara sa atin ay mas marami o malalaki.

"Oh, can you please add in an extra of sauerkraut and mustard on each? Thank you."

The hotdog vendor squeezed in a little more of what I requested. As the mustard curved down on top of the dogs and in between the buns, my mouth tingled crazy.

I was still feeling touristy so anything usual to New Yorkers were all stirring to me. Also, it's food. Who doesn't get giddy for food?

Nagbayad ako ng four dollars para sa dalawa. I secured it in my bike basket before cycling back to the shop. Binilisan ko ang pagpadyak dahil baka kailangan na ako ni Auntie. Isa pa ay lalamig itong hotdogs.

Feel na feel ko pa ang pagba-bike ko kasi iniisip ko na nasa movie ako. Iyong tipong may upbeat music na tumutunog habang ipinapakita ang dinadaanan ko at ang nakangiti kong labi. I'd be a cool protagonist, for sure! Not to mention a pretty one. Maid Snooki In Manhattan, The Snooki of Wall Street, When Archer Met Snooki (kileg!), At Flower Shop Alone, Snooki And The City, Snooki Wears Prada.

Panis!

Oh, wait. I'm here already.

"Auntie!" I called from outside the shop. Nila-lock ko pa itong bike sa parking space ko. Napatakip na lang ako sa bibig at napangiwi noong masilip ko na may kausap siyang customer sa loob.

Isinenyas ni Auntie sa akin ang kamay niya para sabihin na hintayin ko siya. Sumenyas ako pabalik para magpaalam na pupunta lang ako sa kabilang banda ng street at tumango naman si Auntie.

Habang hawak ko ang hotdogs sa magkabila kong kamay ay patakbo kong tinawid ang kalsada at pinasok ang Jovial Tavern.

Inside, I saw Jerry behind the countertop. Mukhang aburido pa rin siya sa buhay habang nagtutuyo ng baso gamit ang puting tela.