Espresso

"Espresso romano, please." I smiled at the barista in charge.

He smiled back. He knew why I'm here again at Forever Café. I'm trying to look for my forever here.

He gave me a piece of paper and I wrote my name on it for later. Tinatawag kasi sa pangalan ang customer kapag ready na ang order.

I sat on my usual spot and waited to be called. I checked the time and saw that I still have more minutes left. I felt excited.

"Mariya!" The barista called. Tumayo ako para kunin ang kapeng inorder. This is actually my favorite coffee.

"Thank you," I smiled again.

Hindi na niya nasuklian ang ngiti ko nang tumunog ang wind chimes ng café, indicating that someone just enetered. Hindi ko sana 'yon papansinin but the barista smirked at me. I turned around and almost dropped my precious coffee.

Checkered black and white polo, black pants and that sparkling earring, for a second I thought I was in a fairy tale. He just looked so damn good! He always does so nothing's really new. Palagi lang talaga akong namamangha every time.

Tumikhim ako then went back to my seat. I couldn't stop myself from stealing glances at him because damn it, I'm really drawn.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang nakitang nakatingin na rin siya sa'kin. Iniwas ko agad ang tingin ko. The barista in charge barked a laugh when he saw my reaction. Hindi na ako muling tumingin pa.

I was looking outside through the glassed wall while sipping my coffee when I saw the barista earlier without the apron. Napanguso ako. So tapos na nga talaga ang shift niya. Then si Ayden.....

I wonder what coffee I should order next?

A few sips and my espresso was gone. Napangiti ako, knowing that I could finally go near him and order my next coffee.

Gano'n nga ang ginawa ko, umorder ako ulit ng panibagong coffee then I smiled sweetly at him. But just like before, he ignored me.

"Mariya."

Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi ko then I went to get my second coffee.

Is it just me or talagang nakakakilig ang pagbanggit niya sa pangalan ko? My God, Mariya!

Tahimik kong kinuha ang order ko but before I went back to my seat, nginitian ko muna siya. Which is a fail because he wasn't looking at me.

I frowned and turned away from him.

I've been doing this for a month already. Alam kong nahahalata na ng ibang baristas na nagtatrabaho dito ang pakay ko. Ever since my friend asked me to meet her here, madalas na akong bumalik.

Someone caught my eye, that's why.

Natikman ko na lahat ng kapeng nasa menu nila pero hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako pinapansin ng lalaking dahilan ng pagpapabalik-balik ko dito.

"Americano, please," tamad kong order sa barista. It wasn't him though and I intentionally went here hours before his shift.

Pagod ako and I look like a mess because of work. Sino ba'ng may gustong magpakita sa crush nila nang haggard ang itsura? Not me, of course. Baka hindi lalo ako pansinin kapag gano'n.

I wasn't in the mood so I just focused on my coffee, hindi ko nga lang maubos agad since it wasn't my favorite. Though I don't want to finish immediately and get back to work.

After a few minutes of thinking about my unfinished assignments, I didn't realize that my coffee was already empty. Pumikit ako and thought of resting for a few more minutes.

The wind chimes constantly rang, which means maraming pumasok sa café. I know I should leave already dahil baka maubusan ng upuan but I'll just stay for another set of seconds. Ayoko pa talagang bumalik sa opisina.

"Mariya."

Napadilat ako and saw a hand giving me a cup of espresso romano. Pagtingala ko kung sino ang nag-aabot, my hand flew to my mouth.

It was Ayden!

Inabot ko ang kape then he left. I saw a note sticked on the cup.

"Masama sa kalusugan ang maraming kape. But I don't mind seeing you here often and give you your coffee. My shift starts at 4 pm. Don't forget."

***

Ginger Wine

05/05/21

12:49 am