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[av_heading heading=’MY LIFE AS ART’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY PETER SOLIS NERY
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XXXIX. SBD
As nothing is permanent, there is nothing to take seriously.
*
Unlike the landmark Eloy’s second-hand clothes ukay-ukay shop in the Sta. Cruz district in Manila, the island’s Eloy’s Boutique was a top of the line clothing shop.
The store was not very big, some of the racks extended to the entrance—mostly colorful bikinis, sarongs and other wraps that attract attention.
Inside, there were sections that displayed the standard costumes of the Bakunawa Festival.
*
Matt, not really in a shopping mood, stood holding the baby between racks of women’s white dresses and red shrimp costumes.
In the men’s white suit section, Dulce was examining an outfit for Matt, returned it to the rack, picked up another, retrieved her earlier selection, called Matt over.
Take a look at this.
Matt joined her.
What do you think of this… her voiced trailed off as she backed away suddenly.
He cocked his head away, too. Whoa! That’s nasty.
*
What’s that smell? she asked. You farted again?
No, not me! he protested vehemently.
I think it’s the baby. His farts are SBD.
SBD?she frowned with maternal instinct.
What’s SBD? she asked anxiously wondering if SBD was some medical condition that she did not know.
Is that something I should worry about?
Matt couldn’t bear the troubled look on her face.
He burst out laughing.
*
What’s SBD? Dulce was still frantic.
SBD…, Matt began to explain, in between his laughter, means silent… but deadly!
Deadly? Dulce was so scared for her baby it took a while before it dawned on her.
When it finally did sink in, they both laughed uncontrollably.
Even the baby giggled.
Dulce wiped away a tear from her eyes, You scared me there.
I thought SBD was something else.
*
I warned you about feeding the baby with that sweet potato.
Hmp! As if I didn’t know. You’ve been farting, too, even when we were in the cemetery.
Matt laughed.
I did not! he denied in between laughter.
It was the baby!
Both laughed again.
The baby giggled, too.
*
Dulce presented a suit to him. So, don’t you like this one?
Do I have to?
I think what I’m wearing is okay.
You’ll be on stage again.
You need something new, she insisted.
Not everybody gets to serenade the Festival Queen.
The spotlight will be on you.
Besides, the lady who gave you the prize said one of the judges wanted to talk to you.
*
Matt conceded, Okay, I’ll get new clothes if you get some for yourself, too.
It’s on me.
Matt, that’s too much.
Before Matt could say “I insist,” he grimaced, turned his head.
Baby did it again!
Both laughed.
Dulce waved off the smell from her nose.
The baby gurgled with glee. (To be continued)/PN
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