Guelio and Adrienne set off back into Quiapo. Crossing Santa Rosa onto Concepcion, he stopped at Mercado de Quinta to pick up Sanchez and Rodrigo, who thankfully, were easy to find. They were seated near the riverside talking to some locals. They were apparently talking about how the fish was caught from the Bay and transported into the hinterlands. The two happily waved goodbye as the went on the carriage.

They were carrying sardinas secas and other kinds of fish. Sanchez and Rodrigo both agreed it was a good deal to buy dried fish for less than two pesos for whatever reason they thought of buying it. They acquired so much, it filled a bayong to the brim with salty, fishy goodness. If "they won't be able to eat it, at least, Renee can have new breakfast items for her eatery now", Sanchez said.

Renee and Jazmin were easily to find too. The mass ended half an hour ago and now they were going around the Quiapo area admiring the architecture of the houses and buildings, as well as the music that softly played on every street corner. They were inhaling the sweet air of vividness that came from Quiapo, while sampling the best breads of Calle Carriedo. When the posse came up to them, they gave the others a couple samples of bread. Since it was time for leisurely banter, which involved tea and coffee, they sat down, bought an entire loaf of sugar bread and started chatting about their afternoon.

Sanchez brought up the topic of how fish was dried differently in different countries and the time he got stuck in a barrel of drying salts in China. Guelio on his part, proceeded to drinking an entire pot of coffee while the workers at the store looked with horror. Renee wanted to stop him from doing so, but she was a bit too busy eating her sugar bread while telling Jazmin her thoughts on how the priest's sermon wasn't Catholic at all. "If they're saying that God selected a random few already even before we were all born, that's predestination. And that's not Catholic", she said to Jazmin, mindful of the Spanish people around might overhear her.

While the group was chatting happily, drinking the sumptuous coffee, Rodrigo thought somebody was watching them from afar. There seemed to be someone lingering in his periphery. He couldn't make out who that person was, but he was definitely not the type of person who you'd mess with. Guelio noticing the concern in Rodrigo's eyes, suggested that they board the carruaje already, which they agreed to, since they have had their fair share of the amazing sugar bread.

"This bread is so delectable." Jazmin said.

"All bread is good bread, remember that." Renee replied to Jazmin.

"This is almost as amazing as the Holy Host!" exclaimed Sanchez.

"Don't say that." Renee then said.

"You're right beside a church."

~~~

As the sun set on the west and the view visible from the Pasig, the group went to finish the long day they began. They walked across the two streets, where the steam tranvias and horse carriages were passing through. The streets exclusively went in one direction. Going on the northbound street would bring you as far as Malolos and Montalban. Southbound, you could travel as far south as Kawit and Palanyag. Kiapo was the crossroads of Manila, the same way Manila was the crossroads of Asia. It was the gate that could bring you anywhere, so as long as you can afford to travel. As a result, Kiapo was bustling, as it did when the day was about to end.

Guelio was considerably quiet, thinking deeply. It was as if he was planning something.While the others were having a conversation, the he stayed stoic, which was unusual for him. When the facade of the Library they left from was visible, Guelio abruptly stopped. The others didn't notice and boarded the carruaje which was a few feet ahead.

He opened the flask of whiskey he bought earlier, and sat on the sidewalk of the street. To the surprise of those already inside the carriage, Guelio wasn't with them. It took them a few seconds, though, of looking and they saw him, seated, like a vagrant on the street. It was typical of him, but still out of place. Rodrigo had to alight, just to clear things up. Guelio stood in front of Rodrigo and asked a question, almost in a form of a whisper.

"Do you mind if I leave you all again? I have somewhere important to go to"

"Do you mean to say you're going to go somewhere again telling us at the last moment?"

"Yes. That was what I meant to say, Drigo. Now, will you let me?"