Maawa ka naman sa Mahirap

I was buying planters from one of the roadside vendors along Aguinaldo Hway.
Aside from planters made of concrete, she also sells bonsai trees, urns, pots.

I offered to pay 1,200 for 3 medium-sized pots. She asked for an additional 100 pesos. I said “okay na yung 1,200 marami pa akong bibilhin, hindi lang kasya sa sasakyan namin, babalik pa ako”.

I was ready to pay 1,300 in fact I was already holding the 1,300 cash in my hand.

She said something that totally irked me. “Maawa ka naman sa mahirap!”
I didn’t expect and deserve that.
I wanted to retort back right away but I had nothing good to say so I just bit my lips but what she said really got into my nerves.

Hindi ko rin napigilan ang inis ko. I asked her “Miss bakit mo sinabi na maawa naman ako sa mahirap? Bakit inapi ba kita? Matapobre ba ako?

She was taken aback when I confronted her. She probably was used to saying these things to other customers who just ignored her drama. Not me. Huwag nya akong da-dramahan dahil wala akong sinabing masama sa kanya at ginawang masama sa mahihirap. Ako pa? Minsan isusubo ko na lang, ibibigay ko pa sa iba. Tapos sasabihan ako ng ganun. That is so unfair. Most especially to me who go out of my way to help the poor in my own little way.

To begin with, she is far from being poor. Yung mga bonsai na tinda nya libo libo meron pang beinte singko mil. Yung mga paso, daan daan at libu-libo rin ang presyo. She reminded me of a classmate of mine from Binangonan, Rizal.
One time she said “mahirap lang kami”. Mahirap? They own one SUV and one brand new van. Their house is newly constructed with air condition in the master’s bedroom and the furniture are all solid narra. Her FB posts are full of restaurant photos. Mahirap? Maybe in comparison with Robin Padilla’s wealth.

Vendor—–“Wala mam”.
Me—–“Anong drama mo, sa teleserye ba yan?”
Vendor—-“Wala, wala, nasabi ko lang”.
Me—- “Di ba bumili nga ako sa’yo? Bakit inapi ba kita? Ang drama mo naman.

I think next time around she would think twice before uttering those words again. But then maybe she’s used to that pa-epek, na every time someone tries to ask for a discount, yan ang drama nila.

I got on the van and slammed the door. Normally after I bought from vendors or from any other store for that matter, I was the one profusely thanking them, “thank you. salamat ho”.
Ako na nga ang bumili ako pa ang nagpapasalamat. This time I really showed my disgust. I didn’t look at her, I didn’t say thank you, I slammed the van’s door. Inis na inis ako. Nakakunot talaga mukha ko. I thought it’s unfair to say those words. They probably think it’s an effective way to appeal to customers. Kumulo ang dugo ko. I will never buy from her again.