CHAPTER 26 - Our Song
Sunday, April 05, 2020
Monday, April 06, 2020 The next day, Maan prepared the week’s orders early. There were only three working days for the week left for the employees like Gil because of the observance of Holy Week. Since it’s Holy Week, fish and vegetables are the main ingredients of the week’s menu. She prepared sweet and sour fish and sautéed bean sprouts that will be Gil’s packed lunch and his co-workers as well. Some of them also requested fried tofu with soy sauce, vinegar and chili as dip. Some of their neighbors are also requesting for them to offer snacks. Before noon one of their loyal customers in the neighborhood who is in his early twenties rang the bell. “ Good morning Miss Maan.” He greeted Maan. “Good morning to you too, John. Here are your orders. It seems you have more orders today than before.’” Maan noticed. “ Oh yeah, miss. It’s because some of my neighbors asked me to also include their orders for them. You know it’s very inconvenient to get o
Tuesday, April 07, 2020 Just like any other days, Maan started her day early even if her mind is still filled with a lot of thoughts that she needs to talk with Gil. She was thankful that Gil did not push the issue last night. They finished wrapping the spring rolls quietly last night, cleaned up and took a rest in their respective rooms. While Gil was happy with the thought that he still gets to be with Maan for another month, he still knows that she misses her family. He was afraid that Maan would tell him that she plans to go back to the province with Bryan. Good thing the lockdown was extended. He needs to give her more reasons to stay with him. He might sound selfish but he will find every reason to keep her mind off missing her family and going back to her province. The whole day passed as usual and when evening came, there was nothing left to do because Maan has finished everything during the day. Maan just marinated boneless milkfish fo
Wednesday, April 08, 2021 It was the last day of work for the week. In normal situations, this is one of the holidays in the Philippines that Filipinos await because it is one of the longest holidays. This is the time when all terminals everywhere are filled with travellers be it airport, seaport, bus terminals among others. It is a chance for family and friends to have their reunion or for students and employees to relax and unwind, go to the beach to recharge. It is unfortunate that it is not possible at present. Maan cannot help but think of their province. If she is there right now, she is sure that she will be by the beach with her whole family any day this week to bond. She thought of calling her brother later. For now, she busied herself in notifying their customers in GilYan’s Kitchen social media accounts that they can start placing their orders again starting next week. She was busy cleaning the house when she heard her phone r
Thursday, April 09, 2020It’s the start of a very long weekend. Rest day for all employees. Gil will not report for work starting today. They plan to buy the things they need for Sunday’s orders after lunch. She started cleaning the house and then worked on her list of expenses and revenues of GilYan’s Kitchen for more than two weeks of operation. She was able to earn a considerable amount of money and was able to save up for herself because she is not spending much lately. Gil prohibits her from sharing in household expenditures. More often, he buys even her personal stuff for her even if he told him not to. Gil saw her in that situation.“Good morning, love!” he greeted her.“Good morning! You woke up late today.” Maan observed.“Yeah. It’s okay there’s no work today anyway so I stayed up late last night. What are you doing? “ he asked.“I am just fixing the lis
Friday, April 10,2020 It was Good Friday. Maan thought of making a native delicacy. In their province,during Holy Week her mother would make different kinds of native delicacies like sticky rice or cassava wrapped in banana leaf, rice cake or a variety of fruits cooked in coconut milk. Now, she decided to make sticky rice cooked in coconut milk but instead of wrapping it in banana leaves since it is not available she will just put it in containers. Once cooked, she placed it on the table to let it cool down before placing it inside the refrigerator. She saw the ripe mangoes on the table and decided to slice it and put it on top of the sticky rice. She was delighted to see the finished product because it added color to the food. She was cleaning up the kitchen when she saw Gil going down from the stairs. It was past nine in the morning and since she knew that there is no work for this week, she just let him sleep late and wake up late. Maan used to wake up earl
Saturday, April 11, 2020 That Saturday morning, after Maan had finished her breakfast, she immediately prepared the things she needed for the day. She also listed down the things that are lacking and some other things that need to be bought. It was seven in the morning when she heard the bell rings. She went outside to check and saw the couple John and Angel. “Good morning, ma’am Maan! John greeted her while she opened the gate for them. “Good morning to the both of you! She greeted them back. “Ma’am Maan, I would like you to meet my wife, Angel. Did we arrive too early?” John asked. “Hi, Angel! I am pleased to meet you. You just came right on time. Gil is still sleeping. Let’s get inside. “ Maan said, then ushered them inside the house. “Have you eaten your breakfast? Come and have some coffee.” Maan invited them in the kitchen. “We’re good Ma’am. We had our breakfast before we left the house. “ Angel answered.
Sunday, April 12, 2020 Maan, Gil, John, and Angel started their busy day early. Before the clock strikes eight in the morning, John and Angel arrive at Gil’s house. Gil also woke up early, not like the previous days. Maan is in charge of cooking a variety of dishes in the kitchen. Maan was assigned to fry the spring rolls. Gil and John busied themselves with preparing and arranging the containers that will be used in packing the food. After an hour, the food is ready to be delivered by John in different areas in Metro Manila. Maan started cooking the food that they will bring for the birthday of the wife of Gil’s friend. She hopes that anybody who gets to taste the food that they prepared will be delighted so they can have more orders. Maan’s phone also kept on ringing because of orders from customers. Around eleven in the morning when they are ready to deliver the bulk order. Gil and Maan will personally deliver the food to greet the celebrant and thank
Monday April 13, 2020 Maan woke up before six in the morning feeling something heavy on her. She moved slightly from lying sideways to lying on her back and removed the heavy burden on her body when she felt an arm around her waist that gently pulled her closer to body beside her. She heard a soft groan from Gil beside her. Then she remembered what happened last night. Flashback After doing their respective nightly ritual before going to sleep, Maan went to Gil’s bedroom carrying her own pillow and blanket. She saw him fixing the bed. Gil sat on the bed when he saw her coming in. “Why do you have your own pillow and blanket?” Gil asked, surprised. “Of course, I don’t want to fight with you over a pillow and a blanket when I have my own.” Maan replied and went to the other side of the bed. “If you don’t want to share my blanket with you then I will be the one to share wih your blanket. I will not allow sleeping with different blanket wi