Unexpected turn
708 Words
Marjorie tried to look for a place that could give her some ideas on what to write next. she wanted to have something that is raw and real to life.
and she went straight to her laptop. she searched for places or countries that could trigger her interest.
Philippines.
Let's try that.
she tried to live in the slums. She changed her clothes to jeans and plain shirt so she would not attract anyone. she started making notes while eating in a stall in the streets. eyeing the red district.
what's in there that people are so attracted to? her interest is starting to build. day by day she would visit the corner of the street until she had the courage to explore.
multiple neon lights, drunken men sleeping at the sidewalk, women almost half naked cheering anyone to come and visit their bar. until one bar caught her eye.
a clean painted black wall with a neon sign Hanna.
rather than the smell of beer you could smell a savory food coming from the inside which triggers her hunger. when she opens the door, bright white light welcomed marjorie.
small restaurant in the middle of the red district. where people having a drink will go, or if you are already hungover.
interesting.
Out of all the places. why in a place like this? the place still shows a history of being a bar and also with its staff. she went straight to the counter. confused about what to order. she looked around.
the bartender/waiter, started talking.
"foreigner?"
she mod shyly "yes. and your place got me curious"
"no worries mam, are you hungry or you want to drink?"
with the old music in the background, a weird feeling of being welcomed and the smell in the air, she felt hungry.
she looked at the menu and couldn't hardly choose.
"I don't know what to order. can you recommend something for me?"
"no worries" the guy said with a smile then shouts at the small window behind him.
"lechon kawali, extra crispy, bulalo, adobong maning hubad. isang rice"
then after that, the man man goes straight to the freezer and get two cold beer. he handed it to marjorie with a glass with ice. "here you go mam. you just wait for your food."
a few minutes later. she was given the waiter (which she found out is named Bryan) with her order.
she was shocked by the food given to her. Do they really drink like this?!
Bryan caught Marjories expression and explained.
We pinoys enjoy our drinks with food. we dont like drinking with an empty stomach. you enjoy it while its hot.
she was surprisemwith the taste of each food. though she already have an idea with the food. she was surprise how well it goes with her beer.
comfort food, warm feeling that she never thinks a simple food can give. plus a great tasting beer which she also thinks is dangerous because of its mild taste. and yet, she enjoys it.
little did she knows she is being observed from the kitchen.
after enjoying the food. she requested to have the as take out.
"Did you enjoy the food?
Yes! absolutely! you have a very great chef in your kitchen"
Bryan replied proudly, "that is our owner mamang"
Maybe next time, I can talk to him
He's not amman darling. She's a woman, a small petite woman replied on her side. she was surprised that she didn't notice her.
"I'm sorry mamang. I didn't know"
"it's okay. but you should be careful, why are you in a place like this? you might get kidnapped or mistaken as a prostitute."
she was then reminded of how dangerous the place is.
"I'm here to create a story. you see, I'm a writer. I do write novels for a living"
then the Bryan's eyes lit up.
"Maybe you could write the life of mamang!" he happily suggested.
the spark of interest came running.
yes! maybe that can work?!
a lot of question starts running in her head.
why is there a place like this in the middle of the red district?
how an old lady runs a place like this?
and who is Hanna?
- Writer
