The Last Wondering

Chapter 01

Being in a coffee shop for some quiet time is tiring. And before coming up to me, I know it's peaceful here—or at least for the customer. Pero hindi sa 'kin. I'm working as a cashier here at Dreams Cafe. And as much as it's interesting people watching, it gets weary. Ang dami naman kasing may gusto sa kape. Nakakapagod tuloy lagi. But actually if you're going to think about it, maganda naman siya sa business. Pero hindi ako 'yung may-ari. So there's that.

This cafe is quite well known, so I'm always busy. Busy doing my job and busy observing individuals. Some are rushing, some are taking their time, and some are more focused on taking pictures than they are on actually drinking their order.

I wonder what is inside their head while ordering and sipping their coffee. Do they think of their problem? Or do they just simply enjoy their time?

I kinda want to make a survey.

"Uy!" Kristine snaps at me. She is a barista and most of the time she scolds me. "Okay ka lang?"

I awkwardly smiled at her and nodded my head. May nakapila na pala sa harapan ko. "What can I get for you ma'am?" I asked the person in front of me, who's apparently glaring at me. Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang matalas niyang tingin. Instead, I gave her a smile.

Binigay niya ang order niya at nagbayad. I wrote her name in the cap. Mika that's her name. Mataray siya o baka ganyan lang talaga itsura niya. I don't know. Maybe she has a problem.

I wonder which of those maybe she is.

I smiled and thanked her. She just ignored me and left, allowing me to place the next order. This time it's an old man. He smiled at me and I returned it. After him was a guy. A guy that stares at me blankly. I still smiled at him. He didn't return it, though. But it's all right. It's my job after all. I took his order and all of the next in line. When the queue was finally finished, I exhaled heavily. It was just so long I couldn't help but wish nobody would enter the door.

I secretly frowned. Exactly when I wanted no one to enter the door, someone opened it. "Great," I murmured to myself. Hindi na ata talaga mauubos ang gusto magkape ngayon. I looked at my watch. It was just five minutes before I was finally done.

Konti na lang.

"Hello." I looked up. It's the guy that opened the damn door. I smiled at him. Last na 'to. I was about to ask for his order but he beat me to it. "Triple shot of espresso," he said, not looking at me.

"Anything else?" I asked. He didn't look at me and continued staring at the pastries in front of him. I glanced at my watch.

Three more minutes.

"One cinnamon roll," he said, finally looking at me.

Ohh. It was the guy. The guy that always studies. I didn't recognize him. I think his name is Rio? Or was it Van? I can't remember. He's a regular here. I'm sure his name was one of those.

"Anything else?" He shook his head. I punched his order and he paid in credit. "Name?" I asked.

His eyebrows furrowed. "Van," he replied. I nodded my head and wrote it down onto the cup. I'm right. He is Van.

I thanked him before he went to his seat. I glanced at my watch. I'm finally done. I immediately went to the staff room and changed my clothes.

I walk to the front door, my favorite part of this coffee shop. Call me weird, but I like that door. Various people enter through that door, coming for the same thing—their coffee. But what I like about it is that they all want something here, but for different reasons. People drink coffee because it boosts their energy, for some, it helps them stay awake, and for others, it's just because they like it, it comforts them. And another reason is they need a place. To catch up with their friends and family, to reconnect. Or to make a living, like me. Several people are also studying, just like that guy with numerous books in front of him.