The Musical Odyssey

Chapter 2

It was already 12:30 noon, at nandito kami sa Coffee Shop nila Karzean. Malaki ang binigay sa amin kanina ni Lucas dahil successful ang naging proposal niya, so nandito kami, enjoying our meal and treating our two other friends, Aj and Aster.

Aj and Karzean were siblings, and whenever they didn't have classes, tumutulong din sila dito sa Coffee Shop nila.

The four of us were seated at a table, eating our food. I was facing Karzean, and Aj was sitting beside me.

"So, Aj, I heard a rumor that someone spilled coffee on a customer earlier today. Care to explain?" Karzean said, smirking mischievously. I glanced at Aj as well.

Aj's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Oh, really? Parang wala naman akong naalalang ganyan." Nag-smirk naman ang katabi ni Karzean na si Aster. Ano kayang nangyari kanina?

Karzean raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, are you sure? Because I distinctly remember a certain someone getting a little too carried away with latte art and accidentally creating a Jackson Pollock masterpiece on someone's shirt."

Aj chuckled, maybe trying to hide her amusement.

"Okay, okay, guilty as charged. But in my defense, it was a very complicated latte art design. I was just trying to impress our customers with my artistic skills," She said.

I chuckled at the situation, realizing that Aj had caused some trouble with a customer earlier.

"Impress them, huh? I think you impress them very well," Karzean said sarcastically, clearly teasing Aj.

"Kuya naman eh! You're so annoying," Aj complained, feeling irritated by her brother's teasing. She stood up and ran towards the counter where their mom was. Magsusumbong siguro.

"Mommy oh! Si kuya inaasar ako," Sumbong ni Aj sa Mommy niya.

"Karzean! What's going on again? You might make your sister cry. We don't have any candy here." Narinig ko ang pagtawa ni Tita Janette ng sabihin yun.

"Hays, naging isip-bata na naman ang bruha." Sabi ni Aster, na ang tinutukoy ay si Aj.

"Iwan ko na muna kayo dyan ah. Aasikasuhin ko muna yung mga customers na paparating." Sabi niya at pinuntahan ang mga customers.

Since grade 7, Aster has been our friend. He's also classmates with Aj and eventually became close friends with Karzean and me. Kaya tumulong nalang rin siya dito sa Coffee Shop nila Karzean. Pero sinuswelduhan naman siya ni Tita Janette, di tulad ko na  snacks lang okay na ako don. Actually, the coffee shop already has plenty of waiters and waitresses. But I just really wanted to lend a hand. At tsaka natututo rin naman ako. Marunong na kaya akong gumawa ng kape!

"Fern? Natahimik ka yata." Biglang sabi ni Karzean habang kumakain ng Cookie.

"Napaisip lang ako." Sabi ko at kinagatan din  ang Croissant na nasa platito ko.

"Ano yun? " Curious na tanong niya.

"Can you believe it, Karzean? Just one more week until we're back to school. I can't believe how fast the summer break went by."

"Naisip ko rin yun. It feels like just yesterday we were counting down the days until school break, and now it's almost over. But hey, let's make the most of this last week." Masayang sabi niya sakin. Tumango ako sa kanya.

"Any ideas? What should we do? I still want to have some quality bonding time with my family. I'm sure once classes start, we'll have less time for that," I expressed.

Hinayaan ko muna siyang mag-isip kung anong plano namin for the remaining week of school break . Kasi ako wala din akong maisip. Game naman ako kahit saan, basta wag lang talaga sa malayo.

"One box of cookies, please," sabi ng lalaking customer na kausap ni Tita Janette. Judging by his appearance, parang kaedad ko lang naman siya.

I observed as he patiently waited for his order, which Tita Janette quickly prepared and handed to him.

"Thank you, Ma'am," the customer said with gratitude evident in his voice.

"You're Welcome! balik ka ulit iho," Tita replied cheerfully to the customer. The customer smiled at her, briefly glanced in my direction, and then left.

"Is he a new customer, Tita?" I asked Tita Janette, na abala sa pagbabasa ng magazine.

"Yes, Fern. It was the first time I saw him here. Why?" she inquired, looking up from her magazine.

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Oh, nothing really. Just curious," I replied.

Nang bumalik si Tita sa kanyang pagbabasa ng magazine, ang atensyon ko ay biglang napunta kay Karzean na abala sa kanyang cellphone. Tinungo ko siya ng tingin at ngumiti siya sa akin.

"Karzean?" I called out, breaking his concentration. His eyes met mine, and a genuine smile formed on his lips, radiating a sense of excitement and anticipation.

"Yes, Fern. I have a plan," he replied, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

"We're going to Sir Patrick's beach resort," he continued, his words dripping with excitement.

"And guess what? Nandon rin pala ang iba pa nating mga classmates," he added, his eyes twinkling with delight.

Natuwa naman ako sa sinabi niya. Buti nalang may Karzean akong kaibigan. Masyadong adventurous.

"Really? Count me in!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with eagerness.

Excited na excited na ako HEHE. First time kong pumunta sa resort nila kasi bagong bili lang iyon ni Sir Patrick. Nuong mga nakaraang buwan niya lang din ito binili.

Sir Patrick, our music teacher, is a renowned musician and the head of the Music Club in our school. Not only does he provide support to our club, but he also makes decisions for our group. Sir Patrick's dedication and love for music are truly inspiring.

And as a member o the Music Club, ako at ng bestfriend kong si Karzean were invited by Sir Patrick to join the school band. It is a great honor for us, and I deeply appreciate his trust and support. Sa bawat nota na aming pinipintig at bawat tugtog na aming inihahatid, we feel his presence and guidance behind our music.