A Shot Of Subtle Affection [One Shot]

A Shot of Subtle Affection

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Please do not distribute or reproduce the contents of this story.

©️️ daedreamerr

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Epistolaries

You Series #1 - Into YouYou Series #2 - Crush, I Love You
You Series #3 - Hate That I Love You

Stand-alone Stories

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One Shot Stories
Binaliwala
A Shot of Subtle Affection
Finally Found You
Gusto Kita, Matagal Na
Portrait of You

*****

It's a sunny Sunday morning. I put on my new bucket hat to complete my outfit of the day. I need to look good so he would have his eyes all on me.

It's just a few minute ride from our house to the coffee shop. Kakabukas pa lang nila ay marami na agad ang nandito.

"Good morning, ma'am!" Bati ng isang cafe server sa akin.

"Good morning, kuya."

I proceeded to the counter and across the crowded place, our eyes bore into each other. Napangiti agad ito nang makita ako. Gandang-ganda talaga sa'kin 'tong crush ko!

"The usual?" he asked.

I nodded, "Yes, but make it three cups this time."

"Surely, Hosanna. Your first cup of mocha coffee is coming right up!"

"Thank you, Malaya." I handed my card to him and paid for my order. "Same table lang ha?"

"Yes, ma'am." Sumaludo ito sa'kin.

Tumalikod na ako at umakto na parang normal na araw lang ito pero deep inside ay kinikilig na ako. Inspired na tuloy akong mag-review.

I was busy scrolling through my reviewer when someone placed a cup of mocha coffee and a slice of blueberry cheesecake on the table.

"Ay, thank you! Ikaw pa talaga ang naghatid."

"Anything for my favorite customer," he said.

"Grabe naman! But I did not order a cheesecake 'e."

"Don't worry, it's on me. I noticed you brought a lot of medical books today, kaya naisipan ko na bigyan ka so you can eat something with your coffee," saad nito.

Napintig ang tenga ko sa narinig. Feel ko ay humaba bigla ang buhok ko kahit shoulder length lang 'yon.

"Thank you so much, Malaya." Tumingin ako ng diretso sa mga mata niya. "You know what, if you were ground coffee,  you'd be espresso, 'cause you're so fine!" I joked around.

Nilagay naman nito ang kamay sa batok at ngumiti na tila'y nahihiya... o kinikilig?

"I need to go back to the counter, Sanna. Marami-rami ang customers ngayon. Review ka lang diyan, Future Doktora." Tumango ako bilang sagot.

"By the way, you look extra pretty today," he added in a hoarse voice and left quietly.

Naiwan naman akong nakatunganga lang at hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi niya.

I went there again and again, but holiday season came. We have to go to the province for a vacation. I haven't even had the chance to say goodbye to him, and I have to endure the feeling of not seeing him and not having a taste of my favorite coffee.

So when we arrived at our house, I immediately went to the coffee shop only to see another person on the counter.

"Excuse me? Nandito ba si Malaya?" tanong ko sa Manager. Tumingin siya sa'kin at parang nakilala agad niya ako.

"Miss Hossana?" she asked.

I replied, "Yes. Nandito po ba si Malaya? Na assign ba siya sa ibang branch niyo?"

Natahimik ito. "He's gone, miss. Forever."

I got lost for words. Napabalik ako sa realidad nang may inabot ito sa'kin. Isang liham.

"He asked me to give that to you when you come back here looking for him." Umalis agad ito pagka-abot niya sa akin ng sulat.

I wasted no time and opened his letter instantly.

Hosanna,

We've known each other for months, and in those months, I couldn't deny the fact that you caught my attention the first time you ordered for your favorite mocha coffee.

Actually, I'm just a part time worker. It's my dream job to be a barista, but God only gave me a few years to enjoy life. I have leukemia and my doctor told me I only have 6 months to live, so I made all of the things I always wanted to do. Then, I met you. I prayed every day to God to extend my time here on Earth, but I'm just a mere human being, I have no power.

Hosanna, if I were capable of loving someone... it would be you and if given a chance, I would love to make your favorite mocha coffee, 'til our last breath. Forever.

-Malaya.

What we had was just a shot of subtle affection. Short, but worthwhile.

You're free now, Malaya.