Chapter 7

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TL’s note: Good day. The chapter title this time is ‘Nakakapanibago’ in tagalog. I had a hard time finding its English equivalent so for the meantime I’ll settle with the one below but if somebody can give me a better suggestion, feel free to comment it down. Also if there’s any typo or grammar error, please inform me too. Have a nice read. 🙂

7 – New to Everything

All of a sudden, Tammy was woken up from her deep slumber. She didn’t notice when she had laid down and fallen asleep.

I’ll have my breakfast first.

She was already expecting that after she went downstairs, she’d be greeted by the sight of her maids cooking breakfast.

However, she opened her eyes with only the darkness of her room laid out in front of her. She was actually lying on a low bed and she could feel her back against the thin bedding.

And it was only then that she remembered everything.

I’m in the past. As in, the Philippines’ past. 19th century. Spanish Era.

How she hated herself for forgetting to ask what the current year is. But then, she also didn’t want to appear too oblivious, making people assume she was dumb. As of now, she was planning to not let anyone else know she was from the future. After all, no one would believe it. All they know was she came from Hong Kong and unfortunately lost her stuff. She was in need of a place to dwell in and was luckily permitted to become another housemaid in this male student dormitory.

Can I do this?

Tammy felt tears flowing out from her eyes. She didn’t wipe them away. Since she was thrown into this mysterious circumstance, it’s a must for her learn how to face the consequences of it.

She heard a knock coming from the door of her room. She immediately rose to her feet to open it.

“Hija, let’s first have our breakfast and cook for the students.”

It was actually Aling Simang.

“I’ll follow po. Let me first make myself presentable.”

The older lady nodded and left after leaving a reminder.

“Our dining area is in the kitchen. Bread and white cheese are already prepared there. You may also have coffee.”

“Okay… I mean, I’ll be there later.”

“Move faster, it’s now five am in the morning. Those boys will be up around six thirty.”

That was the last thing the older lady said before leaving.

Tammy hastily brushed her teeth with her modern toothbrush and toothpaste. Afterwards, she washed her face. Then she immediately put away her little satchel backpack, buried underneath her pillow. Since she hadn’t asked for clothes, she could only make do with her current get-up and went to tie her hair up. Not long after, she was already climbing the stairs, heading straight to the kitchen. In there, a small rectangular table was laid out together with four chairs.

Pandesal1, white cheese and hot coffee were really waiting on top of the table. Aling Simang was sitting in front of the rectangular table. She sharply watched the young girl who silently nodded at her and then took the seat across from her.

They didn’t speak at all as they ate. Despite that, Tammy was secretly feeling happy because she has skipped several meals yesterday and only now did she manage to satiate herself.

19th century breakfast! The pandesal and white cheese of this era are so delicious!

The two finally had their fill. Tammy then volunteered to wash the used plates and utensils. That was when a young man suddenly barged in.

“Buenas Dias, Señora Simang.”

“Emilio. You arrived just in time. Come and accompany Miss Tammy to buy pandesal at Señor Pedro’s bakery,” said the old woman.

“What about washing the dishes?”

“You first buy pandesal and not worry about running out of things to wash,” Aling Simang laughed as she reprimanded. “Let him accompany you as it’s still early. Also, I fear that you will lose your way back if you are on your own.”

“Si, Aling Simang,” Tammy agreed and then looked upon the young man named Emilio. Aling Simang handed him a few coins. He turned to Tammy and said,

“Vamos, Señorita.”

…

Tammy silently went out with the young man as he led her to Señor Pedro’s bakery. It was still dark, and the wind was blowing coldly. There were few lamp posts in the streets serving as their light.

Tammy wanted to ask so many things. She wanted to know what the current month is, if Christmas has already passed, or what year it is now. She remembered how in her real time, Christmas had just been celebrated and New Year was soon coming.

What caused her dismay was the fact that her companion was not talking. Left with no choice, she could only keep her mouth shut.

It seems he is the type who hates being bothered.

Well, the first time she saw the young man, she already concluded he was like the silent type of the modern men. There was no way for her to tell if he was just feeling awkward with having to accompany a woman in this hour, or if he was just naturally like this.

When they reached the bakery, Emilio took the initiative to purchase three dozens of pandesal, all for the occupants of the dormitory. He chatted a bit with the baker, unfortunately Tammy couldn’t understand what they were saying because they were speaking in Spanish. However, she noticed the baker was staring at her. That baker winked at Emilio and it prompted the young man to smile.

“No,” he laughed.

He’s cute when smiling, thought Tammy.

Now that she observed it, she noticed that Emilio looked familiar, though she couldn’t pinpoint why was that so.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the baker handed a basket of pandesal to them. Before Tammy could take it, Emilio swiftly did.

“Gracias, Señor Pedro,” said the young man.

Emilio began walking away, with Tammy following after him.

“Wait, I should be the one carrying that,” protested the young lady.

“You’re a newbie so let me this time. After all, I have always been waking up early to help the Señora,” he replied.

“How diligent of you. Don’t worry you don’t need to wake up early since I’m already here,” Tammy answered.

“I’ve long become accustomed to this, there’s no way to change. By the way, I am Emilio. You are Tani, right?”

“Ta – mi,” the young lady smiled at him.

“I’m pleased to meet you. From what I’ve heard, you are from Hong Kong?”

“You’re right. I was supposed to search for my mother, but due to misfortune, I found out she had passed away long ago. After that, someone robbed my belongings, and so I am here, needing to work to earn money and go back.”

My God, please forgive me for weaving up this chain of lies. But this is because they surely won’t believe that I am from the future Manila. That’s more unbelievable, she dejectedly thought.

She saw Emilio nodding. Without her noticing, they have already come back to the dormitory.

Emilio chose to enter by the front instead of the backdoor. Once they stepped inside, they found several students circling the living room or scrambling to first reach the bathroom.

“Emilio has gained a lover!” One of the young men shouted and walked toward them. This guy had curly hair. He took Emilio’s hand and raised it to the air. “Long live the one with a girlfriend!”

The boys started laughing out loud.

“Shut up, Dario!” Emilio twisted the young man’s ears, making the audience laugh more.

“Yeah, Dario. Señorita is for Manuel!” teased by another man. This one approached Dario and tousled his hair.

“You, Juan! Don’t ever touch my hair!” But Juan jokingly struck Dario on the head and then ran off. As a result, Dario began chasing after him.

Tammy’s eyes darted to Emilio who was only shrugging his shoulders at the scene happening before him. He strode towards the dining room’s big table and put down the basket of pandesal there. Then he went to where the plates and eating utensils were placed. Tammy was acting like his shadow.

“Bring the plates to the table,” he calmly ordered.

Then they quietly arranged the table. Once they finished, Emilio spoke again.

“Please don’t take those two seriously. They’re just simply the most playful ones here.”

“I understand,” she said. “By the way, where do you study?”

“University of Santo Tomas. Law. I’m with Manuel and Juan. And that Dario, he’s taking up Medicine. I hope he’ll turn into a proper doctor someday or else I’ll fear that his patients will have their illnesses worsened.”

Emilio couldn’t help but laugh, and Tammy as well.

I can see that Dario is really a happy-go-lucky guy. I get your point, Emilio.

“I’ll be leaving. Aling Simang has probably something she’s needing me to carry out. Go eat, you still have classes to attend,” she said to him.

“I have work in the morning. My class is at midday,” he replied.

“Where?”

“In a company owned by a Briton. I work as a book compiler.”

“You are really diligent!” Tammy exclaimed in praise.

“Anyway, here.” Emilio leaned over the table to grab a pandesal, which in turn he gave to Tammy. “Eat more. Our day is bound to be long.”

At that moment, Tammy couldn’t stop herself from smiling. She took a few bites from the salted bread that he handed to her.

Even though everything was still new to her, Tammy could feel her heart slowly being at ease towards her new acquaintances.

Notes:

Pandesal – a common bread roll in the Philippines made of flour, eggs, yeast, sugar, and salt

Hija – daughter (can be related or not related by blood), address to a young girl

po – signifies that the speaker is being respectful

Aling – honorific/title for a middle-aged/old woman

Vamos – let’s go

Señorita – miss, young lady

Señor – Mr. or Sir

Gracias – thank you, or thanks

TL: WS

ED: Corensi

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