Another weekend habit.

Most Sunday or Saturday evenings, right after attending mass at Pius, we would take a gradual walk along UN Avenue, passing the Sikh Temple and Unilever then crossing the Pres. Quirino Extension near Robinson’s Otis. Right there at the crossroads, we would make a short stop in a small “booth” owned by Manang who sells balut, softdrinks, biscuits, candies and yosi, and calls each of her customers “Anak”. She would give us two balut eggs, then remind us of the available “maanghang na sawsawan”: 1 for mild, 2 for strong, and 3 for very strong. [Of course, I would rather choose salt.] She would generously offer a roll of tissue (unlike many fast food chains that limit a piece of super lightweight tissue to one person regardless of the order size) and monobloc stools. Sometimes, a tricycle driver would give us his chair (there is a tricycle “terminal” nearby).

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I almost spoiled another surprise. Almost.

I was thinking of spending the whole afternoon until early evening in Bonifacio High Street or Serendra with him. Ayain ko sana sya mag-try ulit ng new resto, new food, new coffee blend. I was eyeing Kape Isla. But he insisted on us meeting at the Mall of Asia, even earlier than the time that I had set. I let him win. No biggie. =)

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I thought I knew everything about my favorite blend– what the barista often asks me “The usual?” the moment I step inside. But that night, my cup of choice had a peculiar aftertaste. Suprisingly, I was not even sure what had caused it. And the effect has been there for two days now.

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