The Man She Met In Her Dreams

KABANATA 1

Kabanata 1.

Have you ever dream of a particular someone you don't know? Someone you never met before or maybe you met them but you just don't know or wasn't aware of. For example, by chance but in just a brief moment, like passing by each other or something.

It's kinda strange. Personally, if I dream of a person with a blurred face, I would definitely not over think about it because, it's normal and it can easily be forgotten.

However, if a person in your dreams have a face that feels like it was deeply carved in your memory, would you also find it strange and unbelievable?

In my case, there is someone like that in my dreams.

I started dreaming of him, a week ago.

And I tell you, that whole week was the longest week for me. I feel like I experienced a year in just a week.

And...

Honestly, I don't know what to feel about this peculiar dreams of mine.

For now, I'll just continue to watch over someone in my dream. Anyway, my time is almost up.

---

"Allora."

Napatigil ako sa pagpupunas ng lamesa ng may tumawag sa pangalan ko. Napaangat ako ng tingin at nakita ko si Ate Joy na nakangiti sa akin.

"Ate Joy, nakabalik na po kayo?" Nakangiti kong tanong sa aking boss. Siya ang may-ari nitong coffee shop kung saan ako nagpapart-time job.

This shop is just a small coffee shop that can accommodate only 10-15 customers. Dahil maliit lang ang coffee shop na ito ay hindi na nag-abala pa si Ate Joy na maghire ng part-timer bukod sa akin.

I met her when I was looking for a part-time job. Saktong kabubukas lang ng kaniyang coffee shop noon nang mapadaan ako. Actually, wala siyang balak na maghire ng part-timer kasi maliit lang ang coffee shop niya kaya naman wala akong nagawa kundi kumbinsihin siya. At the end of the day, pumayag rin si Ate Joy na i-hire ako. That was 3 years ago when I started studying in college.

"It's almost 12am, why are you still here?" Tanong sa akin ni Ate Joy matapos nitong tumingin sa orasan.

"Hindi ko po agad nasara dahil madaming customer ngayon," nakangiti kong sagot kay Ate Joy. Tinuloy ko ang pag-pupunas at pag-aayos ng mga lamesa at upuan.

Naglakad si Ate Joy patungo sa staff office kung nasaan din ang kaniyang office. Dahil wala siya noon balak na maghire ng employee ay dalawang maliit na room lang ang nandito sa coffee shop. Iyon ay ang staff office at supply room.

Nang matapos akong magsalita ay napatigil si Ate Joy sa paglalakad at muli akong hinarap.

"That's strange. Don't tell me, you went out again to give flyers?" Magkasalubong ang kilay na tanong niya sa akin.

Napakamot naman ako sa aking ulo bago pilit na tumawa. Nasabihan na kasi ako ni Ate Joy dati na hindi ko na kailangan gawin iyon. Nagpagawa lang siya ng mga flyers para design sa may counter.

"Saglit lang po akong namigay ng flyers." Natatawang sagot ko habang iniiwasan ang mapanuring mata ni Ate Joy.

"I already told you. It's fine even if we don't have customers. Don't overwork yourself. Just relax here and wait for the customers to come here on their own. I have enough money to pay you," seryosong pahayag ni Ate Joy kaya naman napangiti ako.

I already know a long time ago that she came from the Capital City where most wealthy people live. She's a daughter from a rich family.

Nasabi na rin sa akin ni Ate Joy na pumunta lang siya dito sa Westside City, which is a small city located in countryside, para maranasan ang pagiging independent. Nagtayo siya ng maliit na coffee shop para lang may mapaglipasan siya ng oras, iyon din ang dahilan kung bakit wala siya noon balak maghire ng employee. She's actually a fashion designer but her dream is actually to just live in countryside and to have her small coffee shop. She's living her dreams now and I am happy for her.