Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Inside, outside By Rene Lizada Papa's Table
MIGUEL does not really need it and if ever he got one it would be just useless. Raphael wants one but we do not think this is the right time. It will have to wait. As for Gabriel he really wants one but as of now he still cannot use it even if he has our permission. But as for Chona, well that is an altogether different story.
My wife and I have been thinking of buying a new car because the workload of Chona is simply overwhelming and unpredictable. So one night not so long ago we sat down and thought about getting a new car. We wanted a car this time because we already have an SUV and a car would be better for a change.
So, off we went looking for a new car. The bad thing about looking for a new car is the choices that you have to make. Sometimes it would be better if we had no choices because by that we would just be content with what is being offered.
But not at this present time, so many choices make one even more confused. But after sometime, taking into consideration our budget and our lifestyle we narrowed our choices to two.
From the looks of it either of the two would be just fine.
When Gabo heard about our plan of getting a new car he told Chona that he was going to be in charge of the exterior of the car. We asked him what he meant and he said he was going to make the car look spiffy.
He told us about his plans of making the car look "pogi." He would buy mag wheels, add more lights, extend the bumper etc. We just sat down and listened with much amusement. After he was done Chona announced that if Gabo was going to take care of the outside, she was going to take care of the inside. Gabo looked at her with fear in his eyes.
He knew very well what his mother was like but nothing on earth prepared him for what he was about to hear.
First things first, Chona said. I will go to this store where they sell toys. I will buy those Seven Dwarves and put them all at the rear of the car. They will all be lined up while they all sing, "Whistle While You Work." Gabo stared at his mother in disbelief.
His jaw dropped and was swaying his head in utter despair. But Chona was not yet done. She added, "alam mo Gabo pagkatapos nyan bibili ako ng toy dog, yung naga nod ang head habang umaandar ang kotse!" Gabo just watched his mother burst into laughter.
But Gabo was just quiet because he was not sure of his mother was teasing him or not. He finally found the courage to ask her, "Mama seryoso ka? Bili ka talaga ng aso?" And with much aplomb Chona replies, "ano sa tingin mo?" Again Gabo was clueless.
I told Chona that there was till something lacking. I told her maybe she could include those balls that hang like curtain ends and place them in the front of the car! And she said, "yes! We could also have those to balance the interior of the car. We would have the Seven Dwarves at the back, curtains at the front and of course, Neddie, the nodding dog! Gabo just stared at us. You can choose your friends but you cannot choose your parents!
Suddenly Raphael comes in and Chona explains to him what she wants to do with the interior of the car. He just smiles and says, Ok lang. He reacts like that because he also wants something from us. He wants his own car. We tell him that we have found the perfect vehicle for him. Someone was selling his vehicle complete with foglights! His eyes brighten and we say, a multicab with fog lights! Gabo laughs but I am still not sure if he has fully recovered about having dwarves and dogs inside the car.
But it is not yet over.
But Gabo and Chona do not know that I have other plans. If Gabo will take care of the exterior and Chona takes care of the interior, then I will be in charge of the walls, the dashboard and the windows! And the first thing that I will buy is a sticker. And I will paste it above the rearview mirror for all to see. And the sticker will proudly say, "God knows hudas not pay." And just to make it clear I would add another that would say, "your credit is good but we need cash."
While we were asking around, we found out that certain cars can provide certain amenities that were not around years ago. And I thought that if ever those who will ride the car will enjoy the amenities, they ought to pay for them thus another sticker would say, "Barya lang po sa umaga." And then I would add another one that proudly proclaims, " Kaya kitang buhayin sa pag ibig, pero sa bugas dili ko pasalig." That sticker would be placed on the front dashboard of the passenger's seat. And then I would place another sticker at the visor in front of the same seat. It shall be pasted just below the vanity mirror and the sticker would read, " Bahala na saging, basta labing labing."
And then of course there will be that sign pasted at the back of the driver's seat, which is my seat, " Basta Driver, Sweet Lover!" That will be my favorite.
