Chapter Two
718 Words
I was about to knock on my neighbor's door when it opened sooner than I expected.
I was greeted with her wide smile and I returned the same thing.
"Hi. I brought desserts. " I said and she eagerly let me in.
" Thank you! Come in, come in, uhm.." She said as she locked the door behind me.
"Clarinet." I said, supplying my name. I sat on her couch and observed how she adorned her simple unit with Christmas lights for the season.
"So nice meeting you, Clar! Oops. I hope you don't mind me giving you nicknames. " She giggled and sliced up some ham and gave me menudo on a plate.
"Thanks,..." I said.
"Sheila." She said and sat beside me with her own fill of foods. "Feel at home! Get whatever food you want. I have ham, menudo and some wine. I only made a few since I usually celebrate on New Year's Eve.It had been our family tradition too. "
I nodded and bit on my food.
"Shocks! This is so good!" I'm not lying when I said so. Her food is tasty. The meat is also tender so you will really be eager to eat more.
I saw her blush and then she gestured me to the dining table and encouraged me to eat more with rice now.
"How long have you been here in Manila?" Sheila asked while enjoying her food.
"Actually, I just arrived here the other day. " I said and she nodded for me to go ahead with my story. "I have also been applying to work but wasn't lucky enough to land a job." I adjusted the rim of my eyeglasses and I noticed her frown.
"If you don't mind, may I know how long have you been wearing eyeglasses?" Sheila asked and combed her hair with her hand as she sipped on her wine.
I was torn between telling her the accident I was in before I came here and not divulging about it.
"It's fine if you don't want to tell." She said abruptly and managed a tight smile.
I shook my head. " Truth is, I got into an accident. " I started telling her my story and she patiently listened and got sympathetic.
"How about you? I noticed you have eyeglasses too. Is it a reading glass?" I asked in curiosity.
Sheila nodded and it was her turn to tell how she got them.
I found out that her story is a lot similar to mine. No wonder, we got along well.
"Oh, before we forge5, let's taste your brownies! " Sheila exclaimed in delight.
I watched her start opening her box of six and chewed on the goodies I brought.
" You know what, Why don't you open a pastry store? Or a bakeshop?" Sheila said and got another brownie from the box. "These are delicious! These are so tasty and moist!"
I smiled as I watched her savor my baked brownies.
"I don't have enough money yet. I need to work to open my own store. It will take me almost ten years to have my own bakeshop." I chuckled.
"Gosh. I am such a glutton. Can you make me some more?" Sheila commented and laughed.
I laughed along with her. I took one and I agreed with her.
My brownies got better since I started living on my own.
Before, I used to make one too with my brothers and it's either too bland or too hard to bit on.
Maybe practicing really does make it perfect.
We exchanged numbers and social media accounts before we bid goodnights with each other.
I was all freshened up and was ready to snuggle into the covers of my comforter when a notification popped on my phone.
De Silva Ristorante to you:
We have received your application. May we invite you for an interview this Friday at 9:00 in the morning?
Please reply to this email for confirmation.
Thank you and God bless.
Best regards,
Sylvia Houston
HR Manager,
DS Group of Companies
I squealed and almost jumped up on my bed.
I replied with my confirmation and grinned to myself as I double checked on my door before succumbing to a peaceful sleep.
I'll just arrange tomorrow what to wear for Friday.
- Writer
