Innocent Mind

Prologue

Day after day I must face a world of strangers...

Where I don't belong, I'm not that strong...

It's nice to know that there's someone I can turn to...

Who will always care, you're always there...

When there's no getting over that rainbow...

When my smallest of dreams won't come true...

I can take all the madness the world has to give...

But I won't last a day without you...

As I approached the counter, I savored the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the gentle hum of the song playing in the background. My feet tapped along with the rhythm as I took my place in line, eagerly anticipating my turn to order. The melody was so catchy that I couldn't resist humming along, feeling completely immersed in the cozy atmosphere of the coffee shop.

As soon as I reached the front of the line, the barista behind the counter looked up and met my gaze with a warm smile. "Good morning, how can I help you today?" she asked cheerfully.

"One tall iced doppio expresso, please."

"Sure thing, would you like to try our new banana cream cheesecake?"

"No, thanks"

"Anything else sir?"

I shook my head as an answer.

"That would be $3.25, sir."

Nilabas ko naman ang wallet ko at agad na ibinigay ang bayad.

" I received 5 dollars. Here's your exchange, $1.75"

"May I get your name?"

"Dominic" As soon as I placed my order, the barista swiftly wrote something on my coffee cup and asked me to wait in the designated area. After a few minutes, I heard my name being called out and rushed to the counter to pick up my drink.

"Thank you," I said and went out of the coffee shop.

"Tara" pahayag ko sa pinsan ko. Hindi siya pumasok dahil gusto niyang manigarilyo.

"May pabango kang dala?" He asked.

"Ay ba't ba ako nagtanong e di ka rin naman mamimigay. Alcohol na nga lang." He said, I shook my head took the alcohol spray, and gave it to him.

"Thanks" sabi niya at inabot pabalik ang alcohol spray.

"Bakit daw kasi niya gina-- ano bang?! Bakit hindi ka tumitingin sa dinadaanan mo?! Tanga tanga ka ba?!" A woman suddenly shouted at me when we accidentally bumped into each other. Napanganga pa ako dahil sa gulat sa nangyari.

"Sorry miss" agad na paghingi ko ng despensa.

I scratched my head and looked at her now wet clothes. Because I put the alcohol spray back in the bag, I didn't notice her.

"Paano ako papasok nito sa trabaho?! Kundi ka ba naman nag-iisip, naglalakad ka di ka tumitingin sa daanan mo?!" Muli na naman niyang sigaw. Ramdam na ramdam ang galit, lumalabas pa ang mga ugat sa kanyang leeg.

"Napakabobo mo!!!" Isa pang malakas na malakas na sigaw niya dahilan ng pagkuha ng atensiyon ng mga tao sa paligid.

"Ma'am, sumosobra naman po ata kayo." Pagsingit ng pinsan ko.

"Gray wag na." I said stopping him.

"Sumosobra, nakikita mo ba ang itsura ko ngayon?! Sumosobra?!" Galit na galit niyang sigaw, tinulak tulak pa ang ulo ng pinsan ko gamit ang hintuturo niyang daliri.