Finally Found You

Chapter 2: See You On Saturday

I sighed as I looked around the cafe. Agad kong tinipon ang mga kagamitan ko sa pag-lilinis ng mga lamesa at bintana. Finally, we're ready to open the cafe! A small smile formed on my lips. Sabay sa pag-takbo ko patungo sa kusina ay ang pag-ikot ni Hannah ang sign na nag-sasaad na bukas na ang Cafe. From the kitchen, I heard the bells ringing at the counter, indicating that there is a costumer. I immediately went outside to greet them.

"Hello! What can I do for you today?" I asked forcing a small smile. Unlike the other days, medyo malakas ang bentahan ngayong araw, palibhasa lunes nanaman at malapit ang branch namin sa isang university dahilan para dumagsa talaga ang mga tao dito para tumambay o yung iba naman para mag-trabaho. 

Apat lang kaming nag-t-trabaho dito sa Cafe. I serve as the manager and co-owner of this Cafe. Habang bumabati ako sa mga costumers, bigla kong narinig ang boses ni Jethro.

"Crush, Crush, miss na kita crush. Pag ika'y nakikita, ako'y nag-wawala. Metal hospital aking haharapin, basta ikaw doktora ang aking kapiling." Saad nito nang may malumbay na boses kaya para siyang nangungulila. A few customers turned and chuckled at his words.

Agad namang naki-sali si Hannah na parang napipikon, "hoy, Jethro, bat' paupo-upo ka lang ha? Mamaya pa yung break time mo, i-hatid mo na nga lang 'to sa table four!" She seemed annoyed at him.  

Jethro tsked, "selos ka lang!"

"Kapal mo!" Banat pa ni Hannah. Hindi ko din alam kung papaano pero tila aliw na aliw ang iba sa mga nakapapansin na makita silang mag-away. 

"Uy, etong dalawa talaga, parang ewan." Cyrus joined in. Ipinatong nito ang dalawang order ng iced latte sa counter. "Iced Latte for table 9?" 

"Yung mukha mo parang ewan!" Hannah tsked before entering the kitchen. I shook by head at them. Walang-araw na hindi 'to nangyayari. It's cute to watch them like this. I just can't seem to understand how they can be like this. Be happy all the time..

Sumapit na ang hapon at medyo natahimik na sa Cafe dahil sa kakaunti ng tao. Tumulong na ako kay Hannah sa pag-mop ng sahig. "Eto kasing si Cyrus, stick to one. Kahit pa walang pag-asa, 'di talaga siya papaawat eh." 

I heard Cyrus scoff, "bakit may pag-asa ka rin ba?" 

Natahimik si Hannah kaya naman napa-tingin ako sakanya. I caught her glance at Jethro who was currently wiping the tables,  ngunit agad niya namang ibinalik ang kanyang tingin kay Cyrus. "Malay mo."

I feel bad for her. Matagal nang kapansin-pansin ang lihin nitong pag-tingin kay Jethro, sadly he already got his eyes on someone else. Hindi ko nga alam kung pano ni Hannah nagagawang makasama pa rin si Jethro kahit pa nahihirapan siya. I sighed heavily, I wish.. I was as capable as her.

Few moments later, I was at the kitchen, clearing up when I heard the bell ring. Pag-labas ko ay nakita ko ang kapatid kong si Sean na nakatayo sa harap ng counter although, he weren't alone. He was with a man around a few years older than me. Agad naman akong napansin ni Sean. 

"Ate!" He smiled.

"Sean.. why are you here, diba may klase ka?" I asked in my usual low voice.

He shook his head, "baka isipin mo na nag-c-cutting ako ha pero, hindi. Vacant ako ngayon excuse you! I'm definitely not like Ate Sarah!" Conyo ha. 

"Just get to the point, Sean. Why are you here?" Pag-tatanong ko ulit. 

He gestured towards the man beside him, "Ate, this is Kuya Paul. Anak siya ng professor ko na kaibigan ni Mama." The man named Paul smiled. Halos mabilang ko na ang lahat ng ngipin niya dahil sa ngiting iyon.

"So, is there anything I can do for you?" 

"Uhm.. there is actually. I was wondering if it is possible na mapa-reserve yung event hall niyo?" Paul began. Bigla namang nagsalita si Sean.

"Uy! Mauna na ako! May klase na ako in 6 minutes. Bye, Ate!" Saad nito bago kumaripas ng takbo. 

"Sure, let me see." I began, "kailan niyo ba balak gamitin ang hall?" 

"On Saturday afternoon, I was hoping." He stated. Binasa ko ang log at pilit na napangiti.

"Here's the thing, may naka-schedule din saamin sa parehong araw at oras." Panimula ko, "I'm afraid we aren't available on that day." His reaction changed for a few seconds, para bang napa-isip siya. 

"Kaso baka mahirapan ang grupo..." he uttered quietly. He thought for a while before nodding, "it's fine, Saturday morning it is." He smiled. I nodded in response. 

"So, para saan po ulit 'to, Sir? And pwede po bang makuha yung name?" I took my pen as I spoke.

"Para sa worship service sana. Ipangalan mo na din sakin, I'm Paul," he stated, "Paul Andrew Gutierrez. Thank you for your time." His reaction was completely opposite of mine. He had a smile as he said this before offering his hand out.

I nodded and took his hand with a faint smile on my lips. "See you on Saturday, Sir."