Flawed In Love with Kiku (LOVE COFFEE SERIES #1)

Chapter 1

It was a usual August morning for me as I start my day by cleaning the floor. Agad kong kinuha yung tornado mop at nilagyan yun ng magkahalong unscented disinfectant and fabric conditioner. In two hours I should be able to flip the "Open" sign board hanging by the thick glass door. Every morning ay excited akong gawin yun. I know I should think like the businesswoman that I am but frankly I do not consider KoiKoohii Cafe as a means of living but rather a fulfillment of my dream–to be a cafe owner.

"Kiku, ohayou." My older brother Kaito greeted me a good morning. "Will you be okay alone here today? I'll try to make it back by tonight. You good until then?" He asked me. He works in an office and weekly lumuluwas sya sa Maynila to check on things. To be honest, di ko masyado gets ang work niya, basta ang alam ko lang, medyo mataas na ang posisyon niya dun.

"Sure, no worries. It's not like the cafe gets filled with crowd anyway so I'm sure I can handle it." I answered as I keep sweeping the light wood vinyl floor. "Ne, onii-chan?" I called out to him as he walked going to the working station. "Make sure to bring your packed food I prepared. Traffic going to Manila is the worst sabi ni Mindy kasi may ginagawa daw kaya sinarado yung ibang roads." I said speaking in mixed English and Tagalog. We grew up in Kyoto but moved in the Philippines ten years ago when our Japanese father passed away. Laging sinasabi ni Kuya na we should still use the languages that we know as often as we can para di kami mangalawang.

"Pupunta daw ba si Mindy ngayon? If di naman sya busy, sabihin mo samahan ka dito. Malay mo, biglang marami palang pumuntang customers ngayong araw, diba?" Bago pa lamang kasi itong KoiKoo kaya hindi pa talaga ito masyadong established pero ganun pa man, I am happy with my work and Kaito onii-chan helps and supports me all the way so laban lang ika nga ng mga small business owners. 

"Haynako kuya, sana nga marami pumunta today. Pero malay natin, pasukan na rin pala kasi ng senior high school dyan, so baka may chance nga." Bigla akong na-excite at kinilig sa naisip. May mga napunta naman dito pero hindi sya dagsa, tipong ilan ilan at a time lang.  "Pero sige nga, I'll call Mindy later and ask her to come if di sya busy. Alam mo naman yun, minsan tinatamad lumabas ng bahay niya o baka may work." I was pertaining to my best friend who lives in the neighboring subdivision. 

"Sige, imouto, chat ka na lang kung may problema. Alis na rin ako. Parang aabutin nga ako ng gabi, late na rin ako eh." He said while getting his things and walking to his car parked. "Ittekimasu." He said as he left the cafe and made his way to his car parked. I customarily replied to him with "itteresshai" and proceeded to finish my cleaning tasks.

After I am done with the floor and the preparation of the ingredients needed for today's menu, I  arranged the newly delivered fresh flowers. I positioned them neatly by the glass door entrance slash exit area. I looked outside and the sun is so high up. I can only hope that today is going to be another good and peaceful day for me here at KoiKohii Cafe. 

"Hi, Kiku! Busy ka pa?" Dumungaw dito sa kitchen si Mindy. Na-serve ko na yung mga orders ng mga customers sa labas so I came here to check on the muffins that I was baking, saktong dating naman nila. I checked the time and it's already 3PM.

"Kiku-chaann! I am craving for some red velvet cookies. Can I get na lang sa may counter?" Feli asked with her usual pa-cute voice and puppy eyes every time she wants something. Sanay na ako sa best friend kong yan so I just nodded and shoo them away. 

"Sige, serve yourself na lang! Ikaw rin, Minds, get whatever you like. Pero help niyo ako today ha! In case lang na dumami yung customers." sabi ko habang nilalabas yung first batch ng mga muffins. Hayaan ko lang mag cool down before I set them sa display cabinet.

Lumabas ako saglit to check on the few customers. They look so satisfied while chatting. I just feel so proud right now because of that. Di talaga matatawaran yung satisfaction kapag masaya yung customers mo. Sulit lahat ng hirap at pagod.