While I was on my way back to my boarding house from office, a boy along with a seemingly tired elderly woman boarded into the jeepney where I was in. He wore a white t-shirt that had become gray, faded long pants that seemed quite bigger for him and slippers which was a bit larger than his feet.
I was the only passenger when they boarded in. Although the long built-in bench across was empty, both the boy and the elderly woman found their butts, including her plastic bag that she placed beside her, warming on the same bench I was sitting. Comfortably sitting like their own sofa in the house, the boy and the elderly woman seemed to occupy half of the bench’s space that could accommodate about eight passengers.
I recognized the boy. He is the ambulant vendor adored by some UPLB students who always hang out at LB square. I knew him because he once came to our table – while having dinner with my friends at LB square months ago – selling his espasol. Armed with his marketing mantra, he popped in like a bursting bubble from one table to another enticing, if not begging, the students to buy his delicious espasol. Mind you, he could steal attention from students who are engaged in raucous conversation; or even lovers who coddles like love birds in the candle-lighted tables.
Although his charm does not work on the students all times, he always makes sure that he gets home with an empty basket.