Sweet Beginnings

Sixth

JERON

To begin our pasalubong hunting (I almost forgot this is what we came here for), Mika and I first went to the city's public market. Marami ring ibang taong namimili doon.

She led me to the stall that sells lots and lots of fresh strawberries. Hindi ko inexpect na ganun siya kasanay makipag-usap at makipagtawaran sa tindera.

"120 na lang po, Manang oh. Bibili rin naman po kami nung tinda niyong jam.", Mika negotiated. 150 was the original price we had to pay for a kilo of strawberries.

"O sige na nga. Basta tuwing pupunta kayo dito ng boyfriend mo, sakin kayo bibili ah.", sagot ng tindera.

I saw that she was about to protest kaya inunahan ko na siya.

"Sure na sure yan, Manang! Memorized ko na po stall number niyo. 321.", I responded with a smile, and Mika gave me a sharp look.

"Hayaan mo na, baka bawiin yung discount, sige ka.", bulong ko sa kanya.

"Whatever.", I heard her say before turning towards the vendor again.

"Ay manang, pwede pong tumikim?", she asked.

"Sige, kuha kayo."

Kumuha kami ni Mika ng tig-isang strawberry at kumagat dito.

"Ang asim!", I blurted out upon getting a taste.

"Naku hijo, dapat kasi kilatisin mong mabuti yung strawberry.

Hindi porket nagustuhan mo ang hugis at itsura eh yun na yun. Parang kasintahan mo lang yan. Kinikilala ng mabuti. Bonus sayo kasi ang ganda nitong nobya mo.", sagot ng tindera.

I looked at Mika and her cheeks had a tint of strawberry color. I couldn't help but smile, seeing her blush.

"Matamis ba yung sayo?", tanong ko sa kanya.

She nodded her head.

"Tinuruan kasi ako kung paano tumingin.", she answered.

"Paano ba?", I asked again.

"Ha?"

"Paano tumingin."

"Ang lagkit mo na ngang tumingin, tinatanong mo pa siya kung paano.", hirit ng tindera na nagpangiti sa akin.

"Kayo talaga, Manang. Ibig ko pong sabihin eh paano tumingin ng strawberry.", paliwanag ko.

Mika spoke as she searched through the pile of strawberries.

"Dapat kapag pipili ka, yung red all throughout.", she said.

"Tama ka diyan, hija. Parang pag-ibig lang. Dapat buhay hanggang sa huli para masabi mong matamis.", the vendor added again while Mika and I could only shake our heads in response.

"Tapos, dapat mabango.", Mika said, smelling the fruit.

"O manang, baka babanat ka na naman ah.", pangunguna ko sa tindera.

"Aba siyempre. Gusto mo ba ng pag-ibig na mabaho?", she responded and we all laughed.

"Swerte rin tayo kasi in season yung strawberry ngayon.", my companion remarked as the vendor agreed with her.

"Wala nang mas tatamis pa sa bunga kapag tama ang panahon. Yun din naman ang klase ng pag-ibig na gusto natin. Ang anumang hinog sa pilit ay hindi matamis, o di kaya'y mapakla."