Cold Summer Nights || On-Hold

TWO

Riley's POV

I was awakened by my alarm clock on my bedside table. I immediately stand up then prepared myself.

Minutes of preparation, I plugged my earphones in and silently, I walked out of the house. Dogs at the driveway were barking at me but I didn't bother. Cold weather is touching my skin yet I continued to jog.

It's still early in the morning that the sun hasn't set yet. The streetlights are my guide in this dark street. I kept on jogging until I reached The Mansion House.

The Mansion House is the official summer residence of the Philippine Presidents located along Leonard Wood Road and right across from Wright Park. It served as a tourist spot for the non-Baguio people because of its eye-capturing, beautifully made ornate iron gates and neatly-trimmed green grass around the mansion.

I crossed the street safely since there are lesser cars and jeepneys driving around. I jogged around this lake. Upon jogging, I met several faces. Some were old, some were young and healthy, some would be thought as athletic.

I've been jogging around this lake for many times that the clear blue sky was already seen. I guess it's time to go back home.

I walked slowly until I can see from afar the big signage of Tita Aileen's store.

As soon as I reached home, I took a bath then prepared my coffee. I bring my coffee with me to the rooftop.

I, first, inhaled the fresh air I've been longing for. Baguio's cold morning air is bringing me back my childhood memories. Sipping my coffee in this rooftop while watching the neighborhood get busy as time goes by, the more I appreciate the beauty of where I belong.

I went down to Tita Aileen's store right after the last drop of coffee dripped in my mouth.

"Lei, may iluluto lang akong ulam sa baba, pakitignan muna itong store, ha? Hindi pa naman nagbago ang presyo ng mga 'yan, ganoon pa rin sa dati. Ikaw na muna riyan." sabi ni tita Aileen sa akin bago siya mawala sa aking paningin.

Now that it's just only me here, I have to take care of this store. Ako pansamantala ang magbebenta. Inaayos ko ang mga paninda ni tita sa shelf nang may biglang dumating.

"Gumatang ak man moma, maysa laeng." (Pabili nga po ng moma, isa lang) said this man in a blue shirt. I am pretty sure he's a jeepney driver.

Moma is a betel nut mixed with a green leaf, tobacco and a white powder called "apog" that the Baguio men chew which served as a vice for them and a part of their tradition and they believe that chewing moma will make their teeths stronger. After minutes of chewing, the betel nut then turns into red in their mouth then they spit it on streets or sometimes in a bottle.

I am really amazed of Baguio peeps. I thought to myself: A city painted in red, indeed.

Kinuha ko ang isang pack ng buong moma sa kinalalagyan nito atsaka iniabot ito sa bumibili.

"Kinse lang dayta manong" (Kinse lang po 'yan manong) I said to him politely. He, then, gave me his payment. He walked out the door and another customer entered.

I smiled. I knew who she was.

"Aunty Aileen, ag-ala akon ditoy" (Tita Aileen, kukuha na ako dito) the lady said without laying her eyes on me.

She went in the shelf and grabbed some mayonnaise. Right after, she went to me then she gave me her payment.

I didn't accept her payment at first. She's still not paying attention to me as she was too focused on the screen of her phone. She waved the money and yet I'm still not accepting the payment. Irritation filled her face. She then looked up.