But just as everything was intensifying for the fortunate few inside, right outside by the minimart, a different yet strangely connected moment was unfolding.
"Are you sure you saw it right?" a concerned friend muttered, leaning in close.
"Wait. Shhh!" another woman hissed, hands trembling as she stared at the list she had jotted down. She mouthed the words again, carefully, like a chant she dared not mess up.
Ripe mangoes.
All-purpose cream.
Condensed milk.
Graham crackers.
Evaporated milk.
She repeated it once more. Then a third time. Only when her heart finally stopped racing quite so violently did she step forward and face the young blonde cadet manning the minimart.
"Excuse me, my lord," she said carefully. "I would like to use my five-item allocation. I think I've decided what I want to buy."
The line went quiet.
Onlookers froze. Winners paused. Losers leaned in. Ears practically grew larger as curiosity spread through the crowd.
What could she have finally chosen?
