Translations/Meanings, Ch. 4:

Sari Sari Store: Small Neigborhood grocery store

Ayo: A way of getting someone's attention, usually from outside a house, store, etc

Kuya: Older brother/male, but used as a sign of respect

Tito: Uncle

Salamat: Thank You

Lami: Yum/Tasty

Sando: Tank Top

Brownout: Electricity going out, another phrase for a Blackout

October 5th:

The sun was setting quickly, its rays creating a bright orange color in the sky. The hot weather of the day was getting cooler, and the city began setting up their stands. The sounds of tents going up, fans turning on, and mats being placed on the ground filled the city streets. Akira made his way out of his house, opening the window to his family’s sari sari store. Their home sat near the streets, which was perfect for busy days at the night markets when people were on their way home. He turned on the light and set up the fan to keep himself cool for the humid night. He sat down and prepared for customers.

As the hours passed, he would stare down at the stands of the night market, envying those who were out with their friends. He sighed and turned around to restock a few items.

“Ayo!” (Anyone there?)

Akira turned, thinking it was another customer. But to his surprise, Imani, Hyori, and Shiro were standing there. Akira laughed and ran up to the three of them, hugging them.

“What are you guys doing here?”

Shiro crossed his arms, “Well we were planning to go to the night market, and of course we aren’t going to leave you out!”

Akira frowned a little and held his hands behind his back shyly, “But I need to run the store…”

The sound of a motorcycle could be heard behind them, and a familiar voice spoke, “It’s alright, I’ve got it.”

Akira turned and saw his brother, Vin, sitting on his motorcycle. Akira gasped and ran up to his brother, embracing him tightly.

“Kuya Vin! When did you get here?’

Vin laughed, “Just now, my plane landed an hour ago, but you know how far it is from here.”

Akira squinted his eyes, “Did you get taller?’

Shiro protested, “Definitely not.”

Vin snickered, “Whatever long legs.”

Shiro’s jaw dropped and Vin nudged Akira back to his friends while laughing.

“Now go with your friends, we can hang out when you get back.”

Akira smiled brightly, and waved bye to his brother, dragging his friends down to the market.

…. “I still can’t believe he called me long legs!”

When the group arrived, they made their way to various different vendors, trying all types of food and drinks.

Hyori, being adventurous in this new country she was in, wanted to try everything. 

They made their way to their 10th stand. This one conveyed a mix of emotions. Akira was excited, Shiro was hesitant, Imani was nervous, and Hyori was curious.

A: “Bault!!”

S: “Balut…”

I: “Balut?!

  “Balut??” Hyori turned to the group, “What is it?”

Shiro inhaled, “Fertilized duck egg..”

Akira laughed, patting Shiro’s back, “I know you don’t like it, I’m not going to force you to eat it!” Shiro smiled at this.

Hyori gasped and turned to Imani, “Does it taste good?

Imani shrugged, “I’ve never tried it…but when Shiro described it to me when he did, it made me hesitant.”

Akira wrapped her arms around Imani, and placed his head on her shoulder. He looked up at Hyori and smiled, “Shiro doesn’t like it, but I do! Let’s eat it together!”

Imani was hesitant, but she was dragged over to the front of the stand, along with Hyori.

“Maayong gabii, Tito Bong! Tulo ka balut palihug!” (Good evening Uncle Bong! Three balut please!)

“Maayong gabii, Akira, 15 each.”

Akira pulled out his money, handing the man 45 pesos as he was given his balut.

“Salamat Tito! (Thank you, Uncle!)” Akira exclaimed before he turned to the girls. He handed them both one and led them over to a table with condiments. Shiro followed, pulling out his phone to record their reactions.

“Okay, let me show you guys how to eat it! You can try after me.”

“ First peel the egg, and drink some of the soup. Then peel it halfway and add the salt then the vinegar. And lastly, just eat it like this!” Akira held it up to his mouth and ate it, leaving the bottom of the shell behind. He swallowed and smiled happily. “Lami!! (Yum!)” He said, as he threw the shell away. “Now it’s your guy’s turn!”

The two girls looked at each other and followed Akira’s instructions, trying it at the same time. Akira watched closely, looking at their reactions. Shiro recorded, also curious to see what they thought of it. They both smiled and held up a thumbs up as they continued chewing. Akira clapped happily, Shiro was shocked.

“Was I the only one who didn't like it?!”

Akira laughed, “Well let’s go try-”

Before he could finish, it started raining hard. The four of them yelped and quickly ran back to Akira’s house while laughing. Akira quickly opened the door and they stumbled inside, getting mud and rain water on the floor. Vin could be heard groaning.

“Clean up that mud when you can please.”

Akira chuckled, “Sorry Kuya!” He took off his shoes and ran up to his room. He came back downstairs with towels and a change of clothes for the three. He gave the girls his clothes and Shiro, Vin’s old clothing. 

“Imani, you can use my shower. Hyori, the one on this floor. Shiro, Vin’s shower. And I will use my mom’s!”

When they all finished showering and changing, they gathered in the living room. Akira cleaned the floors quickly and sat on the floor by the fireplace. Hyori shivered, “I’m still a little cold..” Shiro acted quickly, taking off the sweater he was wearing and giving it to her. Hyori smiled and blushed, putting it on. 

Imani scoffed, “A classic.”

Shiro looked at her, his eyebrows furrowed, “What?”

Imani turned her head away with wide eyes, “Nothing!”

Akira grabbed two blankets from the coffee table behind them and handed them out. Imani and Akira shared one, and Shiro and Hyori shared another. As Shiro was adjusting the blanket, Akira looked over at him. He was wearing a white sando (tank top) that Akira didn’t know about until he took off the sweater. His arms were more muscular and defined than he remembered, his face turning red from the sight of it. Shiro started to look over and Akira quickly turned away, averting his gaze to the warm fire in front of them.

The four sat in comfortable silence, until the lights started to flicker, then shutting off completely. The fire being their only source of light. Akira looked up and frowned, “Brownout..” He stood up, making his way to the kitchen as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. He grabbed a small candle and lit it. The tiny flame lit up his face and a small area of his surroundings. He made his way back to the group and placed the candle on the table behind them, providing the area with a little more light. The pattering sound of the rain could be heard getting louder, indicating that it wasn’t going to end anytime soon. The house got colder, and the four tucked into their blankets a little more. 

Akira turned back to Shiro, the mood around him becoming even more gloomy. Hyori and Shiro were fast asleep, their heads touching and slight red tint on their faces. He sighed deeply, and turned back to the front, where Imani was staring right at him. He was startled, and jumped back a little.

“Why don’t you just tell him?”

Akira shook his head aggressively, and covered the bottom of his face with the blanket, his eyes and hair being the only things visible. Imani laid her head on his knees, gazing up at him, “You can’t sulk over something that you haven’t tried fixing.”

Akira’s eyes moved to the ground and his eyes started to water, “But he’d hate me..”

Imani sighed and stroked Akira’s hair, “No he wouldn’t. He’s your best friend, he’s going to care for you no matter what.” She sat up and grabbed a tissue from behind them, gently wiping his eyes. “I thought we said no crying over a man…”

A small chuckle could be heard from Akira and he looked up at her with loving eyes. “Thank you Mani..I love you.”

Imani smiled and hugged him, “Love you too Kira..”