Don't generalize people.
Not everyone will do the same thing.
---
Poverty is not an acceptable reason to commit sin
Poverty is not an acceptable reason to be mean
Poverty is not an acceptable reason to kill
Poverty is not an acceptable reason to steal
Poverty is not an acceptable reason to point gun or knife for people to give their luxuries
Poverty is not an acceptable reason to be greedy
But sometimes, poverty is not the reason
Sometimes, it's their lust for money
Their envy
Their desire of having things exactly alike the trend
Their want to show people that they are not poor
Whatever reason it is,
It's still not right to commit sin.
"Tama. Tama."
Sang-ayon ni Zarah habang pumapalakpak.
"How is that working?"
Curious na tanong nung customer na umagaw ng atensyon ko. He's pertaining to the spoken word performance. Siya nanaman. Nandun siya sa stool kung saan siya umupo last time. It's been a week nung huli ko siyang makitang magpunta dito at magwala sa gitna ng daan.
"Well, it's voluntary. Everyone is allowed to do so. Whatever length or genre your piece may be, if you want to share it to other people, just list your name to that girl, wearing the same uniform with us and wait for your name to be called. Ganun kasimple."
Tumango siya at walang ganang nakinig sa sumunod na performer.
"Boriiingg."
Sabi niya sa hangin dahil wala naman siyang kausap.
"Starlight frappe nga, grande."
He ordered. Nagmake face ako at ginawa ang order niya. Padabog ko 'tong nilapag sa harap niya at tinalikuran siya.
"Hoy! Gusto mong ireklamo kita sa manager nyo? You're treating the customer not right."
I glared at him.
"Because you're not treating us right too, sir."
Inemphasize ko yung sir at muli siyang tinalikuran.
"Aba't!--"
Napatayo siya. Hinawakan nung lalaking katabi niya ang balikat niya at pinutol ang sasabihin niya.
"Chill pre. Babae yan. Wag mo ng patulan."
Cool na sabi nung lalaki at nag-usap na sila. Hindi ko na sila pinansin at pinanuod ang babaeng nagpe-perform. Her piece is about friendzone.
"Miss, isang cafe americano, venti."
Order ng isang babae. Maputi siya, maikli ang buhok na may full bangs, medyo maliit, at mukhang mayaman.
"Yun lang po ma'am?"
Tumango naman siya at iniabot na ang bayad.
"Hindi pre. Mapanakit ang mga babae at hindi marunong makuntento."
Medyo napalakas na sabi nung bwisit na lalaki. Matangkad siya, nasa 5'7 ang height. Matangos ang ilong, his eyes were easy to read, moreno at perfect ang shape ng lips.
"Huwag mong lahatin pre. Hindi purket sinaktan ka ng isa, eh sasaktan ka na nilang lahat."
Sagot naman nung lalaking pumigil sa kanya kanina. Matangkad din siya pero mas matangkad yung bwisit na lalaki, mahaba ang buhok niya, at ang mata niya ay hindi ganoon kadaling basahin.
