you, in every sunset

026

"Good day, ma'am. What's your order for today?" I looked at the barista, and returned him the smile he gave to me.

"I'll have one matcha latte." I said, and then swiftly looked inside my bag to search for my wallet.

"That will be 215 pesos, ma'am."

Pagkatapos kong magbayad, ay naupo agad ako sa upuan malapit sa counter. I thought I'll sit here first, while they're still making my order.

I've allotted this vacant time of mine to brainstorm about this important project. It's been bugging me lately that I haven't started anything about it, and I don't want to be unprepared. Malaki ang contribution ng project na ito sa grades ko.

After minutes of deep thinking, my mind is blank. Sakto naman ang tawag sa pangalan ko ng barista. Naglakad ako papuntang counter at kinuha na ang order ko.

I decided to sit to that table in the corner, that's where I always sit. Whenever I have something important to do, I always go here. I don't know why whenever I'm here, I actually get something done. And specially in that corner- I find it so peaceful there.

Suot-suot ko sa tote bag ko ang mga gamit ko, habang yakap ko sa kaliwang braso ko ang laptop ko, at sa kanang kamay naman hawak ko ang cup ng matcha latte.

I was carefully walking when I accidentally heard someone else's conversation. You can't blame me if they were talking a little loud when I passed them! Hindi ako tsismosa, 'no.

"How's law school, bro?"

"Well, it's..."

Nakalagpas na ako sa kanila bago ko pa man marinig ang sagot ng isa. Habang paupo naman ako sa upuan, nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon na sumulyap sa kanila.

I know damn well this is not because of the aircon inside this cafe that's making my skin have a goosebumps, nor the matcha latte that I haven't drink making my heart thump so hard.

I know, very well, it's none of those.

It's that person. That someone. It's definitely because of him.