We arrived at our favorite Supermarket 15 minutes before their closing time. And, it took us less than 10 minutes to stay inside (including going to the restroom) and get back to our car. It's a record breaking for my mom because her normal grocery shopping takes an hour or more. It's her therapy. She loves looking at each item...reading it's package - such as it's nutritional information, ingredients, etc etc. (yes she spends time doing that ) than reading a magazine or newspaper.
My dad didn't have a hard time finding a parking space. The lot is almost empty. It's odd because it's a Sunday. In a normal Sunday night, the Supermarket is full of people till it's closing time. But, that particular Sunday was different. I almost believed I was dreaming and having a nightmare. My dad was shocked when we met him at the exit door just a few minutes after he parked the car. "Did they close early", he asked. My mom quickly answered him with " everything's sold out except for some candies and dishwashing liquids" even the meat section is empty.
My mom began to panic. She remembered aside from not having enough bottles of alcohol at home we also don't have any facial masks or surgical masks. We were not equipped. If we were in a battle, we didn't have any weapon with us except for a small knife. I then suggested that we should pass by one of the 24 hour convenience stores on the way home. Perhaps they have bottles of alcohol. Usually, they price their goods higher than grocery stores, so maybe people would have second thoughts to purchase more than one bottle from there.
So, we stopped at the gas station where there's a 24hr convenience store and I went inside only to see a sign at the cashier that says "no alcohol available". I went back straight to the car and my dad suggested we should check other convenience stores on the way home. I went to two more convenience stores only to get nothing...not even the smallest bottle of alcohol.
On the way home, nobody's talking. We were all lost in thoughts. We were supposed to have a relaxing dinner after going to church and buying what we need (and want) for a week at the Supermarket...But here we are, doing some "Grocery hopping" and searching for a bottle of alcohol on a Sunday night.
We saw a small pharmacy a few minutes away from our home. We parked in front. And, just as I was about to enter the door, a staff asked me "are you going to buy alcohol?" I said, yes, please. How many bottles do you have? She said, "already sold out. But we, can pre-order for you. It might arrive after 5 days." I said , oh thank you. I think I will just try another store."
I feel like we didn't accomplish anything. So, I politely asked my dad if we could pass by a mall 30minutes from our house, where there's a stray cat I am regularly feeding. They said, it's okay. They don't feel like going home yet either.
It's already 10:00 in the evening. And there she was...waiting for me. She knows I always have something for her.
At least, there is one soul who is not panicking and worrying....anxious of what is going to happen next and desperate to find a bottle of alcohol.
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