Chapter 11 - Cashing out - An old friend (1/2)
I finished my food earlier than everyone else and I grabbed a banana, I broke it in half and gave the other half to Zeus. Everyone else seemed to be happy eating and chatting with each other, I headed to where the truck was and inspected its contents. It's filled to the brim with different sacks of rice, it ranges from the regular white ones to the special kinds like brown rice and the glutinous ones, though most of it contains the regular ones.
Jo approached me and he said, ”Hey, thanks for taking everyone in. We hauled everything from the stores, I even brought everything from mine. I've brought fresh vegetables and fruit, a few groceries and all of the trays of the eggs and the salted eggs that we made. Aside from that, clothes and other things are in the bags.”
”That's good, thank you.” I said to Jo. He patted me in the back and we approached the group eating.
”Unc, have you cleared the store here?” I asked.
”Oh, not yet. I've called the store and I told Nathan and Arnel to stop receiving customers, they're probably tidying up and ready to pack by the time we get there.” Zardon said.
”Okay, I'll come with you then.” I said.
”Sure, and hey, Paco has been hit. It's about to start there now. It's getting closer.” he said as I give a serious look.
I tasked the guys to load everything from the truck to the storage area then we drove for the store at the public market. Nathan and Arnel, the other two at my employ were waiting for us. We parked in front of the store and then they started hauling the sacks of rice, sugar, flour and salt first. What followed were different kinds of groceries for cooking, hygiene, and household supplies.
A few onlookers took notice of what we're doing and my next-door shop owners can't help but ask me.
”Hey, what are you guys doing? It looks like you're closing early.” one of them said.
”Why are you guys hauling everything here? It's not like a super typhoon is coming, I know rainy season is coming but I think this is too much.” another one said.
”Just being ready. Something is definitely coming though, watch the news.” I replied.
A few others voiced their opinion on the matter and some tricycle drivers waiting for customers started to ridicule me. I paid them no mind as I talked to some of the shopkeepers.
”Something's happening, I suggest you guys do the same. Gather everything you can and secure your home. Wait for the government's help or try to help yourself.” I said to them.
A series of laughter is what I received from the tricycle drivers again and some with the other shopkeepers. A very few of them have pensive looks.
”Change the channel to the news aside from that sports channel so you get what I'm saying.” I pointed to the TV on one of the shops.
As the guy was about to grab the remote, one of the tricycle drivers shouted. He broke the bottle on his hand when he threw it in the ground.
*crash*
”You f.u.c.k.i.n.g know-it-all better shut the f.u.c.k up! I'm watching that! You better not press that remote or I'll f.u.c.k you up like what I would do to this kid!” the guy slurred as he pointed at me. Although the TV's channel wasn't changed, other guys turned their radio on as they listened on it with their headset.
I gave him a look of indifference as I continued talking. ”Do what you want, I said my piece. I hope you listen to me unlike this blubbering idiot here.” I said nonchalantly.
”Oh, boy.” My uncle said.
”The f.u.c.k did you say to me?!” he rushed towards me, his other 'friends' don't seem to mind what happens.
He's larger than me, he's very obese to say it bluntly, his beer belly and his flapping lateral muscles sways as he tried to punch me.
*whoosh*
I tilted my head slightly to dodge, then I kicked upward toward his crotch. He felt the hit as he knelt down clutching his balls. He spat in my face as he cursed. I stared at him dead in the eye as I formed a fist and gave a clean hit to his chin.
*crack*
He fell sideways on the pavement unconscious.