The Spectre

Chapter Seven : Too Nice, Too Persistent

I spent the whole Sunday with my mom and Aunt Ingrid. They took me to the spice shop and I watched them tend to costumers and sell stuff. I offered to help but they wouldn't want me to. So I ended up sitting on one corner watching them get busy while I listen to some rock music with my iPod.

When afternoon came they let me roam the streets of downtown. Mom disagreed at first when I told them I want to go sight seeing but Aunt Ingrid managed to talk to her and told her that she should let me enjoy the streets of downtown and that I am big enough to be alone myself. Mom gave in and in the end, let me loose. Aunt Ingrid even gave me some money and told me to buy anything I want. Of course, I thanked her. I am starting to like her little by little.

And so, I roam the streets of downtown and was amazed by the number of people looking around shops and stalls. Even if I am foreign no one seemed to mind and I started going from shop to shop and did some window shopping. I went to a thrift shop, a book store and a record store and that is where I spent some of the money my aunt gave me. I bought a gray cardigan from the thrift shop, a mystery novel from the bookstore, and a few CDs. I find it amazing that even if I already bought some stuff I still have some money left. How cool is that?

I got tired with all the walking and saw a stall nearby selling street foods which made my stomach grumble. I am not a picky eater and as what my mom always say, I love to eat. I went towards the stall and ate some of the foods that looked new to me and surprisingly, it tasted good. Most especially the thing they called fishballs, kwek kwek and proben. I ate a lot of it. What shocked me is that when I paid the vendor he only took a small amount of money from me. Wow. I ate a lot but it wasn't costly. I wanted to laugh. I still hold some money.

It was ten minutes before six in the afternoon when I came back at the spice shop and mom and Aunt Ingrid were already closing the shop. I showed them all the stuff I bought and tried to give back some of the remaining money I still have but Aunt Ingrid insisted I could keep it. As soon as they were finished locking up the shop we left and Aunt Ingrid took us in a nearby restaurant to have some dinner. I know I just ate but, we're talking about food here, hello?

"Pumpkin, tomorrow's the first day of school. As soon as we get home you gotta sleep early. You don't wanna be late for your first day." Mom told me as we wait for our orders.

I rolled my eyes. Pumpkin, pssh! "Yes, mom. You might even want to walk me towards the school. I could let you."

"Oh I can really do that dearie." Mom smiled.

"Mom!" I warned her and both of them laughed. I slouched in my seat and crossed my arms. Adults, tsk!

When the food came I delved into it like I haven't ate awhile ago. It smelled good and my aunt told me it was a Filipino delicacy and I am interested to what it would taste like. I tried the one that looks like soup but with pork and some vegetables in it which tasted sour and salty at the same time. The other one is chicken in a dark sauce and it was delicious. She told me that the one with pork is called Sinigang and the second one is Adobo. I nodded as I tried eating them with rice and it is in fact a good combination. Needless to say, I had my stomach full. It was bliss.

We stayed and talked for a little while after we finished eating and decided to go home when the elders realized it was already eight o' clock in the evening. We went back to Aunt Ingrid's car and drove off. It took us fifteen minutes to reach the house and as soon as we entered inside mom told me to shower and get some sleep already. I rolled my eyes for the nth time as I climb the stairs. I hate how my mom nags me sometimes.

I did anyway. I showered and changed into my PJs but before I could sleep I opened my laptop and logged onto Facebook. I checked my messages and all of a sudden a voice call popped up on the screen coming from Samantha. I answered it making sure to keep a low voice so that my mom or my aunt won't hear that I am still awake. We chatted for an hour and talked about a lot of stuff.