It All Started With a Roll of Mentos

It All Started With a Roll of Mentos- rewritten

It all started because of my addiction. My helplessly uncontrollable candy addiction.

It was the summer of my second year of HighSchool when I ran out of Mentos rolls from my stash. The morning I realized my predicament, I ran out of the house with my wallet, wearing a revealing_ and not at all conservative, ensemble of flip-flops, a blue sleeveless tank-top and faded orange shorts that were too baggy on me because they were a hand me down from my brother (because he wouldn't wear it). But I didn't care for what I wore that day. I didn't care that I had to ride a tricycle to get out of the village. I didn't care that I would still have to walk 43 meters in public to reach the next convenient store that was the 7/11. I didn't care that my school would probably reprimand my actions of stepping out of my house in day-light wearing the exact opposite of 'proper' which they so strictly demand from their students. No.

All I cared about was the sweet fruity flavored taste of my delectable Mystery Mentos. That delightful smell of sugar, the smooth texture when I pop it in my mouth. The heavenly feel of bitting into it and making the sweet juices explode as it mixed with the enzyme filled saliva and makes the mouth water even more. The constant exhilaration when chewed, over and over again as the taste shift and stain one's mouth and memory. That flavor that refuses to be ignored, how it reminds you what you just absorbed as it lingers in the sense of taste. But that's not the pivotal part just yet! If you really want variety, you can mix flavors and make it all POP! I absolutely love that part the most, especially when it comes to Mentos, because as far as my tastebuds tell me, Mentos has it all balanced out, and their flavorings (although artificial) are not disgusting or barf inducing at all, unlike some sweets in the market....

I speed walked my way up to the convenient store, feet burning from the heat and slightly stumbling on my flip-flops, these sorry excuse for shoes.

I ignored the clearly loud sound of a lip whistle from one of the guys sitting on the corner of the steps of some random shop. He was chewing gum while smiling, albeit flirtatiously at me. I ignored him, not bothering to roll my eyes or acknowledge his existence. I'll have none of that!

I continued to trek my way to the convenience store, so close yet so far, as I could only see the green, white and orange (or is that red?) sign with a number seven on it and the words eleven written at the bottom. I was sweating, not yet dripping, but the wetness of my underarms and forehead were very uncomfortable, it comes with the whole sunny and rainy climate of the Philippines. It's summer right then and the temperatures reached the highest the whole month!

Almost there.... I chanted to myself even though I know I probably have a yard or ten ahead of me.

--- magical skip, because I was desperate

Finally! I reached it!

I pushed the glass doors open and stepped inside the cool establishment. Not minding the questionable smell of old mold and hotdogs. I wanted to take a break for a while, but I am a girl on a mission, and I shall not be stopped.

I made my way to the counter and looked at the orderly display of candies. I expertly searched for the cylindrical tubes of Mentos.... Mystery?....Empty.

"Miss, do you have any more rolls of Mentos Mystery?" I asked the lady at the counter. The lady with not so much as a glance at the inventory answered my frantic question with a calm and polite "Sorry ma'am. We don't have anymore of those. We have spearmin...""I DON'T WANT THE FRIGG'N SPEAR MINT!!! " I shouted at the woman. (Not so proud of that now that I reflected on it.)

The woman, wide-eyed, stood frozen in shock or maybe fear. I saw her hand slip down the counter. I panicked. "No... No... I'm sorry I shouted! It's just... Mentos, today, ran-out....." I tried to comprehend my own sentences, not really composing anything in my head.