"At home, courtship happens, not at the market," Aling Toyang said sarcastically, clearly not approving of Dexter. She pretended to read the newspaper but was listening to the conversation between Claire and Dexter.
"If you want, I'll buy all of this, and then we can have a meal," Dexter said.
"Well, you're generous, so I guess it's fine," Aling Lomeng commented, pretending to arrange her goods.
"I still have a lot of rice cakes and other snacks to sell, Dexter. It's okay, they'll be gone soon when more customers come," Claire replied.
"It's fine, I'll buy them. So you can take a break," Dexter said with a smile, trying to convince her.
"Don't you think so, Claire? You'll be able to go home early," Aling Lomeng added.
"Well, what about the vegetables?" Aling Toyang pointed to the vegetables, shrugging.
"There's always a villain," Aling Lomeng said, shaking her head. "I'll take care of Claire's goods. I'll watch over them until she comes back. And when you and Dexter get married, don't invite that one," she said, glaring at Aling Toyang.
"Both of you, don't interfere with Claire's decision. Let her decide. And let her be happy," Aling Pasing said, defending Claire against the two who were starting to argue again.
"What's your decision, Claire? Are you okay with it?"
"I'm sorry, Dexter, but I really can't leave my goods here. Maybe another day."
"You're always selling, aren't you?" There was a hint of disappointment in the young man's voice.
"I need to earn, Dexter. I'm sorry if I can't give in to your request."
Claire looked at the elderly women around her. She could tell they were listening to their conversation.
"Just this once, Claire, please."
Claire looked at her fellow vendor friends, noticing Toyang's disapproval, but Lomeng gestured for her to give in to the suitor.
The girl's mind was torn about granting her suitor's request. Suddenly, her phone buzzed.
"Ate, I'll come there after school, I'll help you sell," a text message from Mico.
"Dexter, maybe next time. I'm sorry, it would be embarrassing if you bought these. My brother will come later, I'm sure he'll need help."
"In that case, I'll accompany you in selling here," Dexter said, sitting on an empty chair next to Aling Pasing.
He engaged in conversation with the elderly vendors. Lomeng was teasing Claire, while Toyang had a scowl on her face.
"That sweetness won't last, Claire," Toyang muttered.
"Just ignore Toyang, Claire. That's how it is when you become an old maid. Life becomes bitter," Aling Pasing joked.
They all laughed, except for Toyang, who seemed more annoyed and chose to stay silent.
"Ate Claire!"
"Oh, Mico, you're here already."
"Hello, good afternoon," Franco greeted, accompanying Mico, who Claire didn't notice right away. Franco extended his hand to shake Claire's.
"Hello, are you classmates with my brother?" Claire accepted the young man's hand.
"Yes."
"Oh, you're handsome, always smile, it suits you," Claire complimented Franco.
"You too, Ate Claire, you're beautiful. I thought you were just beautiful in pictures, but you're even more beautiful in person."
"You've seen my picture?"
"He saw it on my phone. He wants to see you in person. He thought you were an actress. He couldn't believe you're my sister!" Mico shared, telling a funny story.
Even the vendor friends laughed.
Dexter cleared his throat, as if he had disappeared from the scene. But he stepped back when someone approached and was now in front of them.
"Aunt Mildred!"
"MOM! What are you doing here? Will you help me and Ate sell?" Mico nervously asked his mother, hoping she wouldn't cause a scene again.
Instead of answering Mico's question, Mildred extended her hand in front of Claire.
"Five hundred!"
"W-what? Mom, that's my capital for tomorrow."
"Give me five hundred pesos or I'll take everything you've sold?" Mildred threatened.
"Hey, Mildred! Aren't you ashamed of yourself, seeing your child working hard to make a living! You should work too, instead of constantly extorting money from your child!" Toyang said angrily.
"Don't interfere, old lady!"
"You're old too! You witch!"
"Oh, so you want to be bald! Shameless!"
"Mom, that's enough. Here's the five hundredpesos just please don't cause a scene here, it's embarrassing," Claire handed her mother five one-hundred bills.
Mildred quickly took the money from Claire's hand, making sure it was indeed five hundred before leaving.
Claire's shoulders slumped from what happened. The hard work she had put in all day felt like it had disappeared into thin air.
"Mico, here's your allowance for tomorrow. Please, do not give it to mom, understand?"
"Yes, Ate. But how do I hide it? Ate, she'll surely search my bag again tomorrow."
"I'll hide it for you, get it from me tomorrow," Franco offered, presenting himself as a classmate.
"Are you sure, Franco?"
"It's like you don't trust me, huh? Instead of your mom taking it again. Don't worry, I'll take care of it."
Mico handed the money Claire gave him to Franco. Franco was the only one he trusted among all his friends.
"Is she really your mom?" Franco scratched his head with his own question, noticing the glares that Claire and Dexter gave him.
"She's really their mom," Dexter confirmed, wanting to leave earlier, so he took the opportunity to say goodbye.
"It seems like you can't wait for Claire to close, huh, Dexter?" Toyang sneered.
"I just have something to attend to, Aling Toyang. My dad texted, said it's an emergency. But I'll wait here with Claire until I get an answer."
Claire blushed and bowed her head at what Dexter said.
Franco, on the other hand, stared at Claire and Dexter, shifting his gaze back and forth. He observed Dexter from head to toe.
"Franco, can you help me here?" Mico called his friend's attention, noticing his reaction.
Franco immediately complied, but he kept stealing glances at Dexter and Claire, trying to figure out what was happening between them.
"Don't you have any patience, Dexter? Claire will have a chance to grant your request," Toyang commented.
"I'll wait for that, Claire. Alright, I need to leave now."
"Okay, thank you for coming here."
Dexter waved goodbye with a smile.
Aling Lomeng also waved. "Come back, okay!" she shouted.
"Why are you asking him to come back when he didn't even buy anything? Look, earlier he said he'll buy all of our girl's goods, but he didn't buy a single one, tsk!" Aling Toyang grumbled in annoyance.
"He said that? Oh, he's just all talk!" Franco chimed in.
"You're right, young man! He's all talk and no action!" Aling Toyang replied, amused.
"The old maid found an ally!" Aling Pasing teased.
They all burst into laughter, including the two teenagers.
"Oh no! Claire might catch your bitterness, Toyang, and end up an old maid like you," Aling Lomeng remarked.
"That won't happen, mothers. Ate Claire is beautiful, hardworking, and kind! It's impossible for no one to be interested in her. That Dexter doesn't seem serious anyway!" Franco confidently expressed, glancing at Claire.
Coincidentally, Claire looked at him. And she spontaneously winked and smiled at the girl. The girl was intrigued by the actions of Mico's friend.