A Compilation of Short Stories

Spanish Bread

"Gutom na naman ako" sabi ko sa aking sarili nang marinig ko ang 'kruggg' mula sa aking tiyan.

Hindi ko alam pero pinunta ako ng aking mga paa sa paborito naming bakeshop at nakita ko agad ang aking  paborito - ang SPANISH BREAD.

Natakam ako sa naamoy kong usok na nagmumula rito.

Naubos ang aking reserba dahil pinangmeryeda ito ng mga nagtatrabaho sa aming garden sa kadahilanang pinaparenovate ito ni mommy.

Si dad naman kasi hindi man lang bumili while he's on his way home.

I am the youngest child and my older brother and sister are already settled
so they visit us only on Sundays.

It's good to be here even though I'm a menopausal baby.

I'm Hailey Buencamino (pronnounce as Heylee) by the way.

I used, we rather. Sorry. Use the English language wherever we are.

Maybe you're wondering why I spoke in Filipino a while ago for the reason that I'm hungry. Really hungry. I'm like that.

It's my turn now on the counter.

"How many spanish bread ma'am?"

"Fifty pieces spanish bread, twenty pieces cinnamon twist and ten pieces on pudding please."

I gave the five hundred peso bill right away as the seller get my order.

"The total is three hundred and eighty pesos ma'am. Heres your change. Thank you and come again ma'am!"

And I immediately exited the bakeshop eventhough I saw someone in the corner that is so familiar. I just can't remember where'd I seen him.

My view was blocked by a stranger so...

I shrugged my shoulders then I continue to walk until I stop on the taxi lane.

I'm the twelfth in the line maybe.

I forgot for a minute that its Sunday so I need to be more patient in waiting for my turn.

Twenty minutes had passed and I am about to close the door when a child extended his arm asking for his tip.

"A moment kuya." I said to the driver and he just nod.

I reach for my wallet and....

"Here" I gave the twenty peso bill to the child.

"Thank you ate ganda!" And he vanished on my sight and the taxi driver pulled already.

"Westwood Subdivision kuya." I said as I am dialing mom's number.

....

"Hi honey!" She greeted.

"I'm on my way mom. Aren't you going to church?" I asked.

"We are. Just waiting for you to arrive. We're already in our Sunday outfits." She answered

"Okay mom. See you!" And I ended the call.

I checked my watch.

Just the time for snacks when I will arrived.

I smiled to myself.

Time flies very fast and I didn't realize that we're inside the subd.

"Turn left kuya and I'll say if we are already in front of our house" I directed him after he got a pass slip.

He just nod again.

"Okay kuya. Keep the change."

Mom and dad are waiting for me in front of our big wooden door.