2..The 1754 Taal Volcano explosion shaped the future of the province of Batangas, Philippines.It was recorded to be a violent explosion that lasted nearly 7 months, starting May 15, 1795 to December 5, 1795.
3..A term used to call man from Taal, the female counterpart is Taaleña
Chapter Twenty-One
Ramen on a Rainy Day
SAL
Makati City
Theolawasaboonfor this project, and she had Willow to thank for it.So after they returned from their day trip, Sal thought she would surprise them by buying them gifts.And where better to look than the Legaspi Sunday Market?The weekend flea market hosted many small local businesses and artisan finds.Her task was simple that morning—buy groceries, stop by the Sunday market to buy a thank-you gift for Theola and Willow, and look for a new phone.
Having saved a bit of the budget on Taal Heritage Town allowed Sal to buy a phone without guilt, and with it came so much relief.She had grown weary of the long emails and the video calls during odd hours of the day, and missed him even more.Losing her phone made her realize how important communication was, especially for long-distance relationships.Being without Rafa was like going to the beach without sunscreen, or having forgotten your meds during a trip.He was an essential part of her.
I’ll call him later with my new phone,she thought, excited as the wind blew past her while she crossed in the pedestrian lane.She looked up and saw the sun was shining through the clouds; it was a good thing she’d worn linen for this hot day.She tied her hair up in a ponytail; loose strands and curtain bangs framed her face as she did so.
When she arrived at the Sunday market, she strolled through the stalls languidly and stopped at a small table filled with ornate beads, leather satchels, and weaves.
“Hello, po.Do you see anything you like?”a young lady with bright eyes greeted her.
The glass bead bracelets drew her attention.One was green with beautiful sparkles embedded within, and a maple leaf acrylic token suspended within a bead.It reminded her of Willow.“I love the bracelets,” she said as she pointed toward the ones that caught her attention the most.“How much for these?”
“Six hundred fifty pesos, madam.But we have a ten percent discount if you buy two bracelets,” she said with a hopeful gaze.
“In that case, I’ll buy four—the green one with the maple leaf, the pink one with the cat, the purple one with the book, and the clear blue one,” she said as she rummaged through her slashed tote bag and pulled out her wallet.
After she paid the young lady, she happily took the wrapped bracelets.Distracted while placing them in her bag, she accidentally bumped into a tall, unmoving figure.
“Oh!”The impact was powerful enough for her to lose balance.
A big, firm hand gently held her elbow.“You really have a bad habit of tripping over yourself.”
Sal looked up and saw a porcelain, chiseled face peering down at her with a pair of leering black eyes.It was Harmon again.Good Lord.She stood up straight and squared her shoulders.
“Sal,” he said, placing his hands in his trouser pockets.“Doing some weekend shopping?”
“Yes.But what are you doing here?”she asked, trying to sound polite.She hooked her bag over her shoulder and tried to hide the obvious slash on its leather pocket.
Harmon blinked and shook his head slightly.“I’m staying at a hotel nearby and I’ve been meaning to check the Sunday market out,” he said, looking around.“Plus, my assistant would not get off my case about me getting some fresh air.”
“Is your assistant better now?”
Harmon nodded.“Yes, thanks to you.”He tilted his head, looking curious.“What’s wrong with your bag?”he asked.
“Nothing,” she blurted out.
Harmon softly scowled, as if he were trying to piece together a puzzle.“All right, but I’d like to thank you for helping me out with my assistant.Are you free to grab a quick lunch?”
Sal stared at him and blinked.This man intended to take her property and land, yet he wanted to have a friendly lunch with her?“There’s no need to thank me.I just wanted to help.”
There was an awkward pause between them.
“I don’t like being indebted to anyone.”He took out his sunglasses, put them on, and in one fell swoop, picked up the grocery bags she had set on the ground just a few minutes ago and walked away.
“Hey, those are mine!”Sal called after him, “And I really don’t have the time.”She followed behind him like a child being manipulated by a parent.
Harmon ignored her.
