I usually leave the office late like 7:00 pm or 8:00 pm occasionally. By the time I reached the area where I used to wait the jeepneys going home, I'm already feeling an empty stomach and this call of nature I can't ignore because this would result to an excruciating pain due to gastric ulcer and acid reflux (GERD). One fine evening of September, 11, 2013 the usual scenario had occurred and I have to look for the nearest restaurant or fast food stall to feed this hungry stomach. From the point where I am standing, right behind me is the famous Bob's Cafe, this local restaurant is known for its delicious, gourmet and sumptuous list of food (the only time I walk my feet into this restaurant is when I got a paycheck, haha poor me), in my right stood the famous red and orange building (these colors actually entice hunger) with a fat, jolly and welcoming mascot of bee: the Jollibee and facing left is the chicken- grilling trademark of Mang Inasal and right across this landmark, is the Chinese fast- food unveiling the human- sized standy figure of the Queen of all Media Kris Aquino for Siopao Chunky Asado: the Chowking. Not to mention the succeeding stalls next to this lit building, the food avenue as they call it.
From a far, I have seen this cute lighted sign of a mexican- themed restaurant SPICE KITCHEN and I hurriedly take my steps going to that area. When I reached the canopy (right in front of the entrance), the whole area seemed deserted, nobody is sitting or leaving the place and it's actually a dinner time. I attempted to grab a table and flip the menu book handed by the lady (not in uniform though, nor in an apron, perhaps the owner). I scanned the four- leaf menu book and decided to order for a pork sisig topped with a scrambled egg. The waitress (whom I used to refer as the owner) took my order and placed it through a waiter who just popped out from the corridor behind the cashier area, and while waiting for my ordered carnivorous meal, I asked for the wifi password, visited my social media accounts (IG, Facebook, Twitter and even my blogs). I started to hear a rumbling sound of my stomach (borboglymus is the medical term), I called the attention of the guy pacing back and forth in front of the cashier area, "sir pila pa ka minutes order ko?" (sir, how many minutes for my order to be ready?") He replied, "medyo dugay gid bi lutuon sg buffalo wings" (sir, it is really lengthy for the buffalo wings to be cooked) Puzzled by his reply, I responded, "kag sin-o man ya naghmbal sa imo na buffalo wings and order ko, kgina pa ko d ya gahulat kag abi ko nkwa mu na order ko", (who told you that I ordered for the buffalo wings?, I have been waiting for quite some time already and I thought you got my order properly". Oblivious with my sarcastic exclamation, the girl (I have mentioned her three times already) seemed to notice my fury turned her back and faced the approaching customers and exchanged some sales talks (whatever!). After 5 minutes (25 minutes already after I ordered) a sizzling plate was approaching and I said "oh my Lord, this sisig is so dramatic!" (with a smile) but when it finally landed in front of me, I swallowed and cried "Iisli nyu ni ya ang egg ky indo ko ni pagkaunon" (replace the egg with a scrumbled one coz I won't eeat this) They apologized amd promised to replace it with a scrambled one. After another 5 minutes (30 minutes already) comes my sisig topped with a scrambled egg. Then I asked the girl for my buko pandan shake which I ordered the same time with my sisig. The girl replied, "sir, just gimme 12 minutes" and I stood up, "miss, in one minute, just hand me a soda (coke) ky madunlan na ko kng hulaton ta pa ka!
After 8 minutes, my meal was done and glanced around the scuffed walls, the tired couch and the bank flickering fluorescent lights, at last I let out a deep breath and smiled "miss, bill please!" She didn't answer, she just regarded me with her impenetrable gaze, I gave my 200 bucks and turned and walked out of the room.
NO MORE NEXT TIME FOR SPICE KITCHEN!
