*[UPDATED CHAP 08 /12082023] Summer Solstice

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2 years after graduation.  Ate Ada got married to her boyfriend of 4 years, kuya Benj. Umuwi pa sila dito from Singapore just to have the ceremony in the Philippines and a series of plot twist happened in my life, in numbers:

1. Instant care-taker of their newly-wed house which is one bus away from my café. After the HRM course and series of seminars and workshops, my dream café finally happened and of course with the help of ate Ada.

2. I am not the only one living in it, I am with Nikolai Tan, kuya Benj's cousin and my batchmate slash recit rival. Nalaman ko lang na magpinsan sila during the wedding. Imagine, 4 years sina kuya Benj and 4 years kaming classmates and not even a simple introduction happened between us, away from class introductions, of course.

3. Since honeymoon, which is one week na, wala pa kaming update from the newly-weds except they will be gone until further notice and we should keep the newly-wed house clean. We can host a party but we will also do the cleaning. 

4. With regards kay Niko, yung awkwardness between us and yung feeling na palagi kaming magaaway kapag naguusap are still present. Unfortunately.

"Caramel Macchiato mo" I said habang binibigay kay Tristan order niya

He looked at me "ganyan ka ba magserve sa mga customers mo?"

"Hindi, sayo lang. Special ka eh" I sighed "where's Marga?"

"Malay ko doon, nasa piling na naman ata ng jowa niyang ghoster"

"Sana kumain muna siya bago lumandi" I said and we both chuckled

Tristian looked around and saw that almost occupied lahat seats ng cafe "nice" he said "palaging maraming customers kapag nandito ako, maybe I am your lucky charm"

I rolled my eyes "ito yung pinakamaunti kong customers this week"

"Alam mo ikaw, hindi kana mabiro"

"Di ako nainform na nagbibiro ka"

"Enough of this. So, when mo kami i-totour sa newly-wed house nina ate Ada?"

"Saka na kapag settled na ako, ang dami pang need linisin at ayusin"

"I can be your helping hand" he said, raising both his hands

"I will message you if I need an additional helping hand"

"What do you mean?"

"I live with someone, pinsan ni kuya Benj"

"I see. Is she nice?"

"Yes. I think HE is nice"

"He? A guy?" he asked. I nodded "let me meet him"

"Hindi tagpo sched niyo saka na"

"Nagwowork na siya? Ilang taon na? Anong name? Kilala ko ba?"

"Ang daming tanong, quiz ba to?"

"Curious lang" he said "saka, I'm worried, he's a guy"

"Wag kang mag-alala, harmless"

"Is the guy, gay?"

"No. I think he has a girlfriend, parang nung nakaraan, he asked for my permission if he can bring a friend"

"I see"

"Ang OA mo" I said and chuckled "let me host a party for us soon, basta magdadala ka ng food"