7/21/2019 BREAD OF SALT by NVM Gonzales

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BREAD OF SALT by N.V.M. GONZALES

CHARACTERS

SUMMARY

 (In which there's always a gap.)

It was his assigned duty to be up early in

the morning and be on his way to the baker’s to

buy rolls and pan de sal for the breakfast table. He

was fourteen and he has already got used to his

task. On his way he thought of the bread of salt –

 pan de sal  – and wondered how it was made, what

gives its flavor and shape. He looked around the

landscape at daybreak and once again

remembered how much he adored Aida, the niece

of the old paniard whom he thought he was

destined to serve, !ust like his late "randfather. At

times he thought it was his duty to stay in the housein the service of the young maiden. He even

dreamed that she likewise keeps an intense

emotion for him, which she will only dare manifest

in the right time.

He was a diligent student and violinist. I

didn’t take long before he was transferred from

second to first violin and before long, he was invited

to !oin #ete ae$’ band and perform in one

engagement after another. He was happy to earn

money through his own skill, although it was with

utter bitterness that he had to endure rehearsals

despite the outward disapproval of his aunt agains

his chosen field. he thought musicians are no

better than dogs scurrying to get their mouths on

food scraps in trash bins. %ut he didn’t mind

thinking that the money he’ll earn from playing the

violin will allow him the capacity to buy a brooch

and beautiful stationery for his ardent love letters to

 Aida.

&hen he was invited, together with ae$

band, to the asalto  for 'on (steban)s daughters

who were arriving from *anila. He was honored to

be in a sophisticated gathering and get a magnified

look at Aida’s stunning beauty. He was beside

himself with immeasurable !oy and pride but wil

later on be displaced by an e+ually immeasurable

embarrassment at the buffet table after Aida caught

him sneaking some sweets into the packet unde

his shirt. he nonetheless offered him a big

package of food after the party but due to his

intense shame, he lost the composure to react

along with the entire ardor he used to shower the

maiden with. After the party they led the guestshome with their music. &hen with #ae$, he went to

the bakery to buy pan de sal  with his own money

%ut the bread wasn’t ready yet so they waited.