Kinabukasan ay mas maganda ang panahon. Hindi umuulan at hindi rin gaanong mainit. Instead, a light, cool breeze swept through the provincial streets, carrying the crisp scent of damp earth and distant mountain air. Inside the flowershop, the atmosphere was relatively peaceful. The storefront bell gave a gentle, rhythmic ting every now and then as regular locals dropped by to purchase simple, single-stem carnations or small bundles of fresh eucalyptus to hang in their showers.
Hijomi was sitting on his usual plastic stool by the entrance, hummimg a popular local tune while using a pair of rusted pliers to fix the loose wiring on our outdoor hanging sign. "Alam mo, Heila, kung ganito kaganda ang panahon buong buwan, baka hindi na ako mag-reklamo sa pagpasok nang maaga. Ang sarap mag-kape h
