The Smell of Cinnamon

Marta lived alone in a small apartment. Her new neighbor, Doña Pilar, was an old woman. They saw each other in the elevator sometimes, but they did not talk.

Nakatira si Marta mag-isa sa isang maliit na apartment. Ang bagong kapitbahay niya, si Doña Pilar, ay isang matandang babae. Nakikita nila ang isa't isa sa elevator minsan, pero hindi sila nag-uusap.

One Sunday morning, Marta opened her front door to go for a walk. There was a small plate on the floor. On the plate was a piece of cake. The cake smelled like cinnamon and oranges.

Isang Linggo ng umaga, binuksan ni Marta ang pinto niya para maglakad-lakad. May maliit na plato sa sahig. Sa plato ay may piraso ng cake. Ang cake ay amoy kanela at dalandan.

There was a note. "It is my grandmother's recipe. I made too much. Welcome to the building. — Pilar."

May sulat. "Ito ang recipe ng lola ko. Sobra ang nagawa ko. Welcome sa building. — Pilar."

Marta ate the cake at her kitchen table. It was the best cake she had eaten in a long time. She did not know how to thank Pilar. She did not bake. She did not have a recipe from her grandmother.

Kinain ni Marta ang cake sa mesa ng kusina niya. Ito ang pinakamasarap na cake na nakain niya sa mahabang panahon. Hindi niya alam kung paano magpapasalamat kay Pilar. Hindi siya nagluluto ng cake. Wala siyang recipe mula sa lola niya.

Finally, she wrote a card. "Thank you. The cake was wonderful. If you ever need help with shopping, please knock." She left the card under Pilar's door. Now they had something to start with.

Sa wakas, nagsulat siya ng card. "Salamat. Napakasarap ng cake. Kung kailangan mo ng tulong sa pamimili, kumatok ka lang." Inilagay niya ang card sa ilalim ng pinto ni Pilar. Ngayon may simula na sila.