Three months later.

Nighttime at Ellias and Maya’s home- a calendar, shows marks of how many days since Ellias starts to work at MABAYA Shop. Seeing Ellias lying down at the bed, looking at the ceiling. Maya opened the door and saw Ellias staring at nothing.

“In the hunt of a lizard?” she questioned.

Ellias moves his head, signaling disagreement.

“Then what? Waiting for St. Peter?” Maya added.

Maya approaches him, grabs a chair, then sits beside him.

“It’s been three months… MABAYA is more exhausting, eh?”

“Yeah.”

Few seconds later, Ellias’ phone is ringing on the cabinet beside the bed. He immediately grabbed the phone and answered the call.

“Good evening Ellias, I’m sorry for disturbing  your peace. But… This is urgent.” Bartolome said with hesitations.

Ellias sighed silently, his body feeling paused.

“We both know that the shift rotation only takes a year. However, due to emergencies and lack of workers because of health issues, we decided to place you on night shifts. Since your partner is always at night and needs continuous check-ups during the day.” Bartolome explained it briefly.

“Opo, sir.”

It’s the one and only response of Ellias. Maya is surprised after the fast reply of her husband. The call continues.

“Again, I’m very sorry. Tomorrow at 5 PM, please come here so that I can explain it to you even more.” as Bartolome ended the call.

Ellias turns his head clockwise, closed eyes, then throws his phone. Maya is only staring at him, no words being expressed. Ellias suddenly rages on the bed and yells out loud, disturbed the neighbors.

“Shut your ass up!”  the voice from the outside responded to Ellias’ scream.

Next day.

Everything happens so fast just like the speed of lightning. Before entering MABAYA shop, Ellias takes a deep breath, holding a rosary on his right, then proceeds on opening the door. The hallway is almost dark, the lights are turning on and off. The chairs are blank except in the middle. Ellias is still holding the rosary with his two hands. Shaking, sweating, almost crying. Recalling what Bartolome said to him a while ago, echoing in his mind.

“Everything’s fine if you listen to me, ‘nak.” 

Ellias’ eyes are looking everywhere in front of him. Dark lights are still open and shut. The voice still echoes.

“I think that my employee taught you all the things you need.”

Ellias is looking at his hand, shaking, feeling numb, as the rosary drops.

“Don’t fear the meat you see. We eat those.”

All workers are still busy packing the area, the products are in good quality and condition. Ellias is the only one who’s scared. Don’t know if he is seeing things or not because the pattern of the meat is chicken, pork, beef, and an unusual meat.

“You’re an artist right? You should be open to some… muddled stuff, should I say?”

Back to Ellias who keeps staring at nothing. Still thinking about what the owner said to him.

“Man up.”

Few hours later after staring at nothing and silent tantrums. Ellias is with Maya in the coffee shop. Maya is worried about her husband, Ellias cannot think normally.

“How… How would you like your coffee?” Maya asked.

Ellias eyes look up at her. Gazing like a dragon.

“Saffron."