Cruel Summer

ika-6

The next day, 6 AM pa lamang ay gising na ako. As usual, I got used to waking up early here in Netherlands. Marami din kasi akong ginagawa sa umaga at laging pakiramdam ko kapag maagang gumising ay marami na akong maaccomplish sa maghapon.

Bryson invited me to have a coffee with him today, too. Excited naman ako dahil mas makikilala ko sila nang lubos. There are still a lot of things that I want to know about him.

"Good morning, Lo!" I greeted Lolo who's now having his breakfast. Nanliit naman ang mga mata niya na tila ba may malisya sa sinabi ko.

"Mukhang good na good ang morning mo, apo."

I chuckled and nodded at him. "Every morning is good, Lolo."

I grabbed my coat and kissed Lolo on his cheek as a goodbye. Nagtaka naman si Lolo dahil hindi pa raw ako nagb-breakfast ay aalis na kaagad ako. I said I'm going to meet someone this morning, and we're gonna have breakfast together.

Lolo smiled after I said that and he just nodded and waved goodbye to me. Kumaway rin ako bago ko tuluyang sinara ang pinto. I took a deep breath and checked if my breath smells good today.

I'm wearing plain white shirt beneath my beige trench coat, a skinny jeans, paired with my beige Timberland boots. Medyo malamig din naman ang panahon, at may pupuntahan din kami nina Tita Leah mamaya kaya nagbihis na ako nang maganda para hindi na magdodoble doble at magpapalit mamaya.

I sprayed my perfume before going downstairs, and I think I smell nice now. Pagkababa ko naman ay naroroon na si Bryson, nakatalikod at naghihintay sa akin. He turned around and I smiled at him. He smiled back at me.

"Omg," I exclaimed. "Kanina ka pa ba riyang naghihintay?"

"Hindi naman," aniya. Parehas kaming tumingin sa isa't isa mula ulo hanggang paa. We then realized that we are actually wearing the same color of our outfits. Naka maong pants din siya, naka white shirt, at may hawak din na trenchcoat na mas dark lang ang kulay sa trench coat ko.

"Let's go?" tanong niya. I nodded and smiled.

He opened the door of the passenger seat of his car for me. What a gentleman. I mouthed 'thank you'. Ngayon naman ay sumakay na rin siya sa sasakyan.

"Where are we going?" tanong ko.

"Malapit lang," aniya. "Di rin naman ganoon kalayuan, pero masarap ang kape at ang mga pastries doon."

I love pastries. Not overreacting, but I'm okay with having pastries as my breakfast for 1 month straight. I just love it so much. Lalo na 'yong macarons!

He turned on the radio of his car and the song playing right now is my favorite song from Morgan Wallen.

"This truck will get the prettiest girl in town
Sittin' right beside you when you're ridin' around
It's got a pretty good radio
If you wanna get her dancin' down an old dirt road"

"Spent a lot of Friday nights up under the stars..." pagsabay ko sa kanta nang patago.

"You really have a nice voice," he said while his eyes are on the road. Napatingin naman ako sa kaniya sa gulat. Narinig niya 'yon?

"Lakas ng pandinig ah," sabi ko. He chuckled and looked at me.

"Malakas talaga kapag maganda 'yong boses ng kumakanta," he said then he put his eyes on the road again.

"Boses lang?"

"Hmm," he said. "Ano pa ba... ugali?"

He bursted into laughter while I mocked him. Tumingin naman ako sa labas at nakitang malapit na magpark ang sasakyan.