His Cold Touch (Japan Series #1)

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

"Not anymore!"

I get the watermelon shake on the table and sipped on it. I placed it back to the table after a few sips and leaned on the chair. I looked at the waitress who was eavesdropping on us. I crossed my arms when our eyes met.

"Hoy, Kristina, itong chismosa na 'to! May oorder doon, oh!" Juliet pointed the table near us and then made a clicking noise.

Naaaligagang lumayo sa amin ang waitress at dinaluhan ang mga Hapon na customer. Muli akong sumimsim sa aking shake habang pinapanuod ang busy na restaurant.

The ambience inside the restaurant was relaxing and welcoming. It has a unique aesthetic vibes. There's a crystal old-fashioned chandelier in the center of the ceiling. It was illuminating a golden light that gives an elegant look. The tables and chairs were old-fashioned too but has a Japanese touch, of course.

The restaurant I was talking about is mine.

The path I took is not that bad. I enjoyed it, actually.

I went here in my resto in Nakanoshima right after leaving J'adore Shinsaibashi. Kailangan ko ng kaibigan na makakausap nang matino pagkatapos ng lahat ng natuklasan. But like the old times, sa tingin ko ay nagkamali ako ng kinaibigan pagdating sa mga ganito.

"So let's go back to our topic," Juliet smiled widely, obviously mocking me. "So you were saying na you saw him earlier?"

"Uh-huh..." I nodded.

"And I asked you if you still like him... tapos you answered no..."

I leaned forward and put my arms on the table. Sinubo ko ang straw at kinagat kagat iyon. Tumango tango ako sa kaharap.

"Weh!?" she made a face.

"Oo nga!"

"Weh!?"

"Juliet, hindi ko na nga gusto iyon!" I rolled my eyes.

"Pero iniyakan mo?" her eyes narrowed, accusing me of something I don't even know!

"Come on! That was a long time ago!"

"Yeah, last month?" she grinned.

"Well..." I paused. "Matagal na iyon para sa akin," I looked away.

"Okay! Iyan ang sabi mo, ah!"

That was true! I don't like him anymore! Goodness! How many years has passed? Almost four years na! See? Matagal na! 'Di ko na siya gusto!

"Pero maiba ako, ah! Putangina, gulat ako, eh!" panimula niya.

I took my cellphone out and started scrolling through my instagram, acting like I was not listening. Tinignan ko ang mga naglike sa huli kong post. Iyon ay picture ko kasama ang mga employees sa harapan ng restaurant. Hindi kami madalas kumuha ng mga litrato ngunit nalaman nila ang nalalapit kong paglipat sa Dotonbori. Pinagbigyan ko na dahil sinabi nilang mamimiss nila ako.

The feeling was mutual. It has been 2 years and a half since I opened this restaurant. Since then, magkakasama na kaming nagtatrabaho. Ang mahiwalay sa kanila ay nakakalungkot para sa akin.

"Kasi nagkaproblema so lumabas ako ng kitchen. Habang inaasikaso ko yung mga Hapon na customer, napatingin ako sa kabilang lamesa, tapos ang sabi ko pa 'ang gwapo naman'! Tapos napatakip ako sa bibig ko, napaisip ako 'ang familiar naman'! Tapos do'n ko narealize na si Flint pala iyon!"

Tumigil ako sa ginagawa at napatingin sa kaibigan. Napaawang ang bibig ko nang marinig muli ang kaniyang pangalan. Ilang taon ko nang hindi naririnig iyon.