The Usual

Chapter 2

"2 venti- sized of green apple, please. Water based. Thank you", I said sa cashier because she's the only person that's here sa cafe.

"Ma'am, can you wait a little bit longer po? My boss is near na po kasi dito. Siya po kasi 'yong naggagawa ng drinks. Pasensya na po", the cashier replied.

"Sure. I can wait nama-"

"He's here na po pala. 2 green apple daw po, Sir. Water based po and venti 'yong size." the boss just nod.

"Good morning, ma'am. Sorry for the inconvenience. I will give you a free cupcake as a peace offering, feel free to choose."

"Thank you but, aren't you the governor's son?"

"Yes, ma'am. And what about it?"

"Nothing. I just asked because you looked familiar."

"Two venti- sized green apple for Phoebe", how come that he knows my name?

"Thank you. But-"

"What cupcake do you like?"

"The strawberry one."

"Here. Thank you for ordering."

I just accepted the cupcake and give my payment for the fruties and was ready to go. I was just walking papuntang exit ara makaalis na sana when I suddenly heard what he said. Hindi ko nalang pinansin. I don't want any distractions. He called me by a nickname that was familiar to me. I am sure that I was called by that nickname before.

I looked familiar because we have met before, Thiey.

We have two  months vacation, and pang 1 month pa lang ngayon. Guess what I'm doing right now? I am having an advanced reading or study for my strand this incoming school year. My mom would get mad if I am not studying in advanced. 

Since today is Saturday, I decided to go sa isang bookstore to buy a book for nursing. I am just incoming senior high school student but I am into learning more about my future course. I like doing that. Rest day ko ang weekends that's why I have two days every week to learned about that. 

While surfing around the bookstore, one book suddenly caught my attention, my dream book back then. Criminal law 2. If I did buy that book, I don't know where to hide it since my mom is checking my room everytime, siya rin ang nag- aayos ng closet ko. 

In the end, I decided to buy the book. I really liked it, puwede ko naman gawan ng paraan nalang mamaya. After I bought the books I want, I came to read it at cafe. My usual favorite cafe. Itong cafe lang na 'to 'yong naging favorite ko eversince bumili ako ng green apple sa kanila. 

"Good morning, ma'am. Can I get your order, please?" 

"I'd like to have one Java Chip. Dine in. Thank you."

"Got it, ma'am. You can wait for a few minute. Just sit on a place where you wanted to enjoy the drink you have ordered. I will serve it to you naman po. Thank you, ma'am"

I decided to read a book while waiting for my drink. Binabasa ko 'yong criminal law 2 na book. I will keep this one. While reading, I am thinking of a way kung papaano ko 'to matatago kay mom. The dumbest thing I think of was ipatago itong book sa owner ng shop na 'to. I can trust him naman, right? Besides, I can still buy one if ever na itakas niya. 

"Here's your order, ma'am", I looked around before asking him for a minute. Wala pa namang mga customer. I can still borrow his time. 

"Thank you but can you spend a little bit of your time with me? I just want to talk about something. If it is okay and if you don't have anything to do as of the moment."

"Sure, ma'am. What about it?"

"Drop the 'ma'am' first.  You can be casual to me and you can call me Phoebe. I am okay with that. Anyways, cutting the crap. Look what I'm reading right now."

"Criminal law 2? What about that book? You're going to take law, then, are you asking me if I know about my dad's corruption issue these days?"

"Oh, do you know about it? But no. I'm going to take med."

"Then why do you have that book?"

"Back then, I really want to be a lawyer. I still want it now but I liked medical field more."

"It looks like you came from a wealthy family. What's stopping you?"

"My parents are both lawyers. They don't want me to take the same path"

"Oh. I understand your parents. Being a lawyer is dangerous."

"Yeah, I think. Okay so here's the thing. I bought this book because this is my dream book eversince. My mom will surely found out that I have this book kahit na itago ko siya somewhere in my room. That's why I want to ask you a favor."

"Go on. What is it?"

"Can you please keep this for me? This is really precious to me and I don't want to lose this because of my mom. This is the first time I gathered all my strength to buy this book."

"Bakit mo naman sa akin ipapatago 'yang libro mo? Hindi naman ako staff sa library."

"I think I can trust you naman. Siguro naman hindi mo nanakawin 'to no? Mura lang kaya 'to."

"Bakit ko naman nanakawin 'yan? May gan'yan ako, miss. Baka hindi mo alam."

"Why do you have this book, though?"

"Planning to take law sa college."

"Okay, so, what do you think about my favor?"

"Okay. Paano mo siya kukuhanin sa akin?"

"I will go here sa shop mo everyday but kukuhanin ko lang siya sa'yo every weekends. Is that okay?"

"Iyon lang naman pala, eh. K"

"Really? Thank you! If you will be running as president someday, I will campaign for you!"

"You'll do that, really, huh? Don't you hate me?"

"Huh? Why would I hate you?"

"Back then, in grade school"

"I don't even know you"

"Really? Sayang. I thought you hate me, I kinda liked it that way."

"What?"

"Enjoy your drink, ma'am."