Totoo

Chapter 2 - 3 Cups of Coffee

IV

   Alex had just returned from his mother's house. After having a fantastic day with his mother, he returned home to his apartment still cheerful. He's exhausted from the journey, but nothing compares to being with the person you care about.

He got out his bottle of whiskey, put it into a glass, and stepped up to his terrace, admiring the view of the skyscrapers, traffic, and star-filled sky. He was content till he returned home. Alex kept his breakup with his girlfriend a secret from his mother. He didn't want to spoil the pleasant occasion, so he kept it hidden from her.

  His phone abruptly rang. It was Anthony, his colleague and best friend. Anthony remarked to Alex, "Hello Alex? Si Anthony to." "Oh hi dude, what's up?" "Do you recall Mr. Rufina's firm, the one that's interested in buying our products?"

"What about it, Mr. Rufina?" "Pare congrats, he decided to acquire our items, he agreed on the agreement, we'll meet him tomorrow at our facility in Cebu." Mr. Rufina, who is also one of the Philippines' wealthiest businessmen, had been a stumbling block in the acquisition because he was concerned about the quality of their products.

  "Mr. Rufina brought representatives to our plant to inspect it; I was anxious about whether they would like it or not, but they praised the quality and craftsmanship." "Okay okay, I'll see you tomorrow in Cebu, after the meeting, the drinks are on me," Alex confidently answered.

 When Alexander got the excellent news, he was overjoyed. He packed his belongings and called his secretary to arrange for the preparation of his private plane for his trip to Cebu. In order to prepare for their business meeting, he went to bed right away.

V

  The sun is beginning to rise. Alex was startled awake by the brilliant flash of the morning sun. His phone rang shortly after he awoke, and it was his alarm. At the same time, he felt both excited and apprehensive. He is unsure about how to boldly showcase his father's business to the rest of the world. However, a powerful, warm emotion instantly touched Alex's spirit. He believed it was tension, but he felt more confident and his uneasy feelings had subsided.

   He quickly expressed his gratitude to his father for providing him with the assistance he required. His belongings had already been packed, and he was prepared to depart. Mang Berting, his driver, arrived in front of his condominium. For many years, Mang Berting served as their personal driver. He was only a jeepney driver who happened to be a buddy of his father's.

   As Alex got older, Mang berting and Alex became great buddies. He met Mang Berting with confidence and climbed inside the car. While driving to the airport, they had a brief talk. "Good morning, Mang Berting," Alex exclaimed boldly. Mang Berting answered with a cheerful smile, "Good morning din Sir Alex." "Mang Berting, wag nyo na ho akong tawaging 'Sir Alex,' Alex na lang po. Parang hindi tayo mag bestfriends ahh," Alex joked.

  "Ayoko tutoy, dahil napaka laki ng utang na loob ko sayo at sa pamilya mo. Dahil nung panahon na walang wala kami, tinulungan ninyo kami kahit nahihirapan na din kayo. Alex received a response from Mang Berting.

  They arrived at the airport hangar, and before Alex exited, he handed Mang Berting a 100,000 Peso filled fenvelope. Mang Berting was caught off guard and refused to accept the money. "Nako jusmiyo ka tutoy napaka laking pera naman ito," Mang Berting remarked. "Kaka suweldo ko lang sa iyo ahh, hindi ko to tatanggapin iho." "Mang berting para sa pamilya mo ito, para sa inyo ito," Alex argued, "matagal pa bago ako makabalik dito sa Maynila. Kaya habang wala ako dito, mag pahinga muna kayo at magbakasyon kayo ng pamilya ninyo."

   Mang Berting wiped a tear from his eyes and warmly held Alex. "Maraming salamat iho, mag iingat ka sa Cebu; napaka laking tulong nito para sa amin ng pamilya ko," he said. They exchanged handshakes and a slap on the back before hugging one other.

   As Alex boarded his private plane, he noticed Mang Berting's joy and promptly contacted his wife to inform her of the good news. During the flight, he got some rest. He sent Anthony a message saying he was on his way to Cebu. He took advantage of the one-hour flight to grab some slumber.

VI

  While sleeping in the flight, Alex had a dream while sleeping. He notices a white-dressed girl approaching him. He was dressed up in a black tuxedo. Girls were singing, and the white girl was edging closer to him. "Oh bakit parang naka kita ng multo? Hahahaha. Shall we?" the mystery girl asked Alex. He was startled awake as he turned around.

The co-pilot jolted him awake by informing him that they had arrived at the airport. He was escorted from the plane and hailed by Anthony right away. Alex is prepared and ready to meet with Mr. Rufina for the business meeting.

   Anthony picked up Alex from the airport and took him to their factory. While they're in the vehicle, Alex can't get his mind off what he dreamed about. He merely stared out the window, as if he couldn't believe what he had dreamed of.

   Anthony looks at Alex, still curious why Alex looks so adamant. "Pare? Huy Alex" Anthony surprisingly asked Alex. But Alex didn't respond, he still can't move on what he dreamed about. "Alex, hoy!!", Anthony shouted at Alex. "Oh hey what's up? Sorry I got a little distracted", Alex replied to Anthony. 

   "What's the problem man? Kanina ka pa nakatulala dyan, nag aalala ako sayo kung makakapag present ka ng maayos para mamaya", Anthony worriedly asked Alex. "Jetlag lang siguro to pare, but I can handle the meeting later so don't worry man", "Sure ka? We can move it naman if you need some rest from the flight.". Alex immediately replied to Anthony "No pre, we won't move the meeting. Kaya ko kaya don't worry pre. Pero salamat sa concern ah"

VII

   Just in time, Anthony and Alex arrived at the hotel. Alex's belongings were taken up to his room right away. He grabbed a cup of coffee at the cafe near the reception desk before heading to his room. A woman slipped and fell over just as he was ready to exit the cafe. She had three cups of coffee in her hands, and it had spilled all over the place.

   Alex slid his coffee cup onto the table and assisted the woman in getting up and cleaning up the mess. Customers are simply watching them mop the floor. She screamed fiercely, "Ang tanga mo Andrea, napaka tanga mo!" "Grabe ka naman Andrea, hindi naman katangahan yung aksidente. Here, let me assist you," Alex joked. As Alex assisted him in cleaning up, Andrea grinned and blushed. Following the minor incident, Alex realizes Andrea is concerned about the coffee spilt on the floor.

  Then, with Andrea at his side, Alex dashed to the counter. Alex inquired, "Ilang cups yung bitbit mo kanina?" "Tatlong cups po sir, bakit po?" Andrea said, then Alex asked to the cafe's barista, "Can I please get three cups of coffee? To go?" Andrea was taken aback when Alex purchased three cups of coffee for her. "Hala sir, wag na po, kaya ko naman pong bayaran yun sadyang tanga lang ako lol," Andrea instantly informed Alex. "No, I insist; I'll buy you 3 cups of coffee."

  While they waited for the coffee to be ready, Alex returned Andrea's grin. The barista then delivered Alex the coffee and took payment. After that, he gave it to Andrea. As Alex handed Andrea the coffee, he gazed at her, her eyes, and her grin. He was taken aback because she resembled the girl from her dreams.

  "Sir? Sir? Ayos kalang sir? Helloooo hahaha "Ay sorry sorry hahaha, here you go," Alex playfully answered to Andrea. "Mag iingat ka ahh baka madapa ka na naman," Alex sarcastically replied. Andrea entered the elevator after walking towards the exit. Alex was still astonished.

   "Sayang, I didn't even bother to ask her out. She seems nice naman. I hope I see her again soon." In the cafe, Anthony followed Alex. Anthony asked Alex, "Ha? Anong sabi mo?" "Wala wala, tara akyat na tayo sa room natin" Alex replied