By Ardy & Dave
“Ma’am musulod ta kay maikog ta ni mayor,” I asked Ma’am Ardy again.
I noticed that the mayor was not really feeling well due to runny nose and some cough. The Mayor stressed that she had no fever. Although she had some symptoms of Covid 19, I took my cue from Dr. Macuno whether or not we would go inside the house. Ma’am Ardy was unmindful of what was going on as, am sure, she was still thinking of meeting the suspect.
I told myself, “Samuka pud ni si Ma’am oi. Dili na ko ganahan mobalik didto. Mura ug gilubatan ko sa akong nadungog. Mura ug ma picture bitaw naho an mga panghitabo.”
My thoughts were interrepted by the invitation of Dr. Macuno that we go into the house. We were assured by Dr. Macuno that everything was okay. In fairness, it was Mayor Cubrado, herself, who always kept her distance from us. Despite her condition, she was still quick and active as she requested the house helpers to prepare the table as lunch was prepared for all of us. YES, FOR ALL OF US!
Then, I saw a big plate of fried bananas. Ma’am Ardy saw it, too. I smiled widely as I knew that this was the favorite of Ma’am Ardy. Give her a slice of black forest to lure her away from fried bananas and you will be surprised that she will choose the latter. She is really a “fried banana” girl. Ha ha ha … The sight of the plate of fried bananas, rekindled the happy mood of Ma’am Ardy. I knew she wanted to “attack” the dish but she kept her cool as I understood that it was her first time to meet Mayor Cubrado and her two office employees. She wanted to put a front that she was NOT HUNGRY although in reality WE ALL WERE!
When the table was ready, we proceeded to wash our hands. Mayor Cubrado has a very big house, with beautiful and expensive plants inside, with beautiful decoration around and with everything in its place and a place for everything. Ma’am Ardy and Ruth were so enamored with all they saw inside the house. There was one pair of red high heeled shoes inside a glass cabinet across the dining table. The pair was used as a décor and it fit the mood of the corner. I knew Ma’am likes high-heeled shoes. She even wears one when she waters her plants. Ha ha ha. And the brand of her red high heeled shoes is NATURALIZER. Laysho, I would tell her sometimes. And red is a dashing color to her. I saw her face glued on the red pair of shoes and on the plate of fried bananas.
As everybody saw a feast on the table – large shrimps, piniritong manok nga Bisaya, isdang dagko, several fruits, camote, pineapple, etc., etc., etc., who would ever want to go back to our idea of seeing the suspect in the munisipyo?
We really had good lunch. After some good conversation, the topic of Mary Joy again was touched. There was one information that jolted both Ma’am Ardy and me. I knew it would jolt her. Oh no! I didn’t want her to hear that. No! Otherwise, her wish to see the suspect would be rekindled.
True enough, after she drank her bottle of soda, she approached me and definitely said: MOADTO GYUD TA SA MUNISIPYO.
I said, “HA? NA PUD?”
(To be continued)