One Very Hot Day

     Mother and I went to get her own postal ID as scheduled. We had to walk from a block away and passed through the city's public market. The latter was just renovated wherein its wide roofing provided us enough shade from the scorching heat of the sun. It's about an hour past noon when we reached our intended destination. We then proceeded directly to the room on the second floor of the old post office building where IDs are processed. There were the usual four desks. All located at the left side of that poorly ventilated room. Beside that row of desks is a wooden file cabinet. And beyond that are a mound of several dilapidated cartons stacked with an assortment of files and papers. All of it gathering dust. The first two desks were occupied by lady personnel busy with their work- typing. Yes, typing. Not with the latest computer keyboard but with manual typewriters. The third desk, I presume, was the issuing officer with only a pen and a small laminating machine by his side. On the far side was an open door. Probably left wide open to let cooler air in. An elderly man sleeping on a bench right beside it. 
    I ushered mother to a chair in front of that third desk. Mother's first time in their office. It was my fourth. She probably was a bit confused or maybe horrified at the way that office looked. Imagine after having her walk so far on that hot Thursday afternoon and entering such an messy place...

       Some gruelling moments more,  mother finally got her laminated postal ID card. I then suggested that we go straight to the nearest bank to open a pension account. Her newly acquired postal ID is just what is needed. That is, aside from all the other pertinent documents which I have prepared and gathered ahead of time.  Made it minutes before closing time. The bank supervisor we approached was very, very accommodating. He politely invited us to sit down while he attended to our needs well enough to make us feel as comfortable and relaxed. The supervisor himself filled out the forms for us after we had presented our credentials. He made her just sign the account forms after finding everything in order. That being done, he told us to come back the following day to just pick up the ATM card of my mother's pension account.

    We had a little snack, mother and I, in one fastfood restaurant before heading straight home. She had an ice cream sundae with french fries, and I a burger sandwich and a cold soda to go with it.
    Day is over and I can tell to myself to rest easy.