jolly, good fellow

While the car was being filled with gas, this very enthusiastic gasoline boy approached me and asked the usual, “ma’am windshield?” but instead of the usual waiting for answer, he already started wiping the windshield, “sige ma’am, linisin na natin, ang alikabok na.” What he said was totally true, and I wasn’t a bit annoyed. Besides, he had this very amicable chubby face, and his sunny disposition was contagious.

I closed the window when he started cleaning the windshield, but I noticed that he kept on talking to me. This time, I can’t help but smile at his talkativeness (perhaps his mom had taken those prenatal vitamins). So I opened the window to hear him talk. “Siguro ma’am galing kayo sa beach.” I laughed at his seemingly innocent description of the car’s dirt (it hasn’t been washed for 2 weeks or more, I guess). He went on, “ang dumi kasi, ang kapal ng buhangin.” I just laughed at his joke or naive remark. He went on talking and talking and saying that he wanted to clean the car because that’s how they are at the gas store — they offer good servive. “Gusto niyo ma’am, linisin na natin lahat.” I said that it’s ok, just the windshield, I really had to go to the office already. And in no time, 4 other gasoline boys helped out in cleaning the whole car!!! Some were in charge of the windows; some, of the body. It was really funny. I felt overpowered by their enthusiasm and cheerful faces. All the time they were cleaning, the talkative chubby guy was talking to me, and to his co-workers, and to me again. He seemed to be talking to everybody. And we all just involuntarily adapted his “bright, sunny day” attitude.

It didn’t take long before the 5 guys finished wiping the car. And he said, “sabi ko sa inyo ma’am, i-cacarwash namin, e. Ayan, ma’am. hindi na nakakahiya yung sasakyan niyo.” haha. I asked him his age because he reminds me of litte naughty boys (like my cousin Billy). He said he’s 24. I told him, “bibong-bibo ka ah.” And we all laughed. I think I’ve alreay met Totoy Bibo.