Hindi malayo ang coffee shop ni Dale mula sa Auto Care. It was just five minutes away. I parked my car at the parking space that I think could cater ten cars.
Hindi ko inexpect na malaki pala ang shop ni Dale. It was a two-storey cafe. Sa labas palang ay napaka-cozy na nitong tingnan. Puti ang pintura ng dingding habang gawa naman sa kahoy ang frames ng bintana at pintuan. It had a huge fixed window in front, and from here I can see the balcony on the second floor, with glass railings. Sa left side ay mayroon itong malaking casement window, which reminds me of European coffee shops.
Pumasok kami ni Neoh at nagandahan kaagad ako sa interiors. The white walls harmonized with the wooden floors and wooden details. Maaliwalas at nakaka-uplift ng productivity spirit. It looked really nice! It wasn't even surprising to see many students there. Kahit ako, gugustuhin kong mag-aral doon. Must have been great kung merong ganito noong highschool pa kami. But wait, oo nga pala at wala akong pera noon...
I immediately found Dale. Nasa counter siya, kumukuha ng orders ng mga customer. He looked so serious at naka-apron pa siya. Hindi niya kami nakita ni Neoh dahil focused siya sa ginagawa.
Pumila nalang din kami ni Neoh at hindi siya tinawag.
"Great day, Ma'am. May I take your order, please?"
Hindi agad ako nakasagot. Hindi ko alam kung tititig ba ako sa menu board na nasa likuran niya o sa kanya mismo. Dale's here! I missed him!
"Ma'am?" Saka siya tumitig sa'kin.
Ngumiti ako. His forehead creased first before his eyes widened in realization. Narinig ko ang tawa ni Neoh sa likod.
"What the fuck?"
"Kamusta na, Dale?"
Umiling siya na parang hindi makapaniwala. He was looking at me as if he's seen a ghost!
"Gago! Ikaw ba talaga 'yan, Jex?"
"Oo nga!"
"Surprise, bakla! Nasorpresa rin ako ng gaga'ng to eh." Tumabi si Neoh sa'kin.
Hinubad ni Dale ang apron niya at dinala kami sa isang eksklusibong room. Mukhang office niya 'yun. His Macbook was in a cute desk. May sofa roon at coffee table.
"Dale, ang red velvet ko, ha!"
Nakaupo na kami ngayon sa sofa. Si Dale naman ay nakaupo sa silyang nasa harapan matapos iadjust ang aircon ng kuwarto.
"Oo, ipapadala ko rito. Ikaw ba, Jex? Ano'ng sa'yo?"
I mentioned the name of the cookies I saw earlier on the menu board. Nag-order na'rin ako ng frappe.
"So... ano'ng nangyari sa'yo, Jexcy Ann? Bakit ngayon ka lang nagpakita? At bakit hindi ka nagpaalam?"
"Ang alam lang namin ay nag-HK ka."
Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi at nag-isip kung papaano sisimulan ang kuwento. They are one of the few people who earned my trust... and I know they really see me as their friend. Kaya naman... alam kong kailangan ko ngang magpaliwanag...
"May anak na ako." Diretso kong sagot.
I trust them. Besides, alam naman na nina Lolo ang tungkol kay Vania. I think it's time to let the world know about her... She does not deserve to be hidden.
"Pota... seryoso ba??"
Tumango ako at humugot muna ng malalim na hininga bago nagpatuloy.
"Siya ang rason kung bakit ako lumipad pa-Hong Kong. I raised her there. At nag-aral na'rin ako roon."
BINABASA MO ANG
Kanunay Nga Padulngan
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