Nasa corner ako nung isang coffee shop and it was densely packed with people. But since this is the only place I know where I can basically just sit down and take my time, nagtiyaga pa rin ako. It's a bit far from my house and I literally have to drive just to get here. But I need to come here to work. But how do I write if I don't know what to write about? Or someone to write about for that matter.
Pero work is work. And I do need to write para may kitain ako. Though side job lang naman 'to. I still need to.
I am peacefully writing in the corner when I heard my name called out. Kaya tumayo na ako and went up to pick up my drink then returned to my seat. I took out my pen and paper and was about to scribble pero napansin ko na medyo nag-shake yung kamay ko. Oh no. Nagpapapalpitate 'ata ako from the coffee.
I was staring at my shaking hand nung may mukha na dumungaw sa harap ko.
"Hi, sorry. Are you alone? Is it okay if I sit with you? Puno kasi yung shop. But it's okay if you don't want to share."
I raised my eyebrows at her.
"Okay, sorry." sabi niya with one hand raised as a sign of defeat.
"No, sorry. This is my normal face. Yeah sure. I don't mind." sabi ko sa kanya. Hindi naman required makipagusap di ba?
"Oh okay. Thanks. Don't worry, I won't take long. Nagpapalipas lang naman ako ng traffic."
She said while she sat down in front of me, took out her phone, and just took a sip from the straw that was dangling out from her coffee cup. Her flaming red hair was parted towards one side of her shoulder covering it while the other one stands bare in her sleeveless white top, and her sunglasses slid down her nose as she tried to read whatever's on her phone screen.
"Kasama ba sa pakiki-share ng upuan na titigan ako?" sabi niya. Okay, that was embarassing. I looked away.
"Sorry, I didn't intend to look." Tingkad naman kasi ng buhok mo 'te.
"So... are you some kind of artist?" sabi niya sabay turo dun sa notebook na hawak ko at ballpen.
"Nope." sabi ko sa kanya.
"What are you then?"
"Kasama din ba sa pakikishare ng upuan ang interview-hin ako?"
"Well, we'll be stuck for a couple of minutes, small talk won't hurt." sagot niya. I am never rude to people. But she might be the first person I'd ever be rude to. I sighed.
"I'm a writer." I answered in defeat.
"So you like telling stories?"
"I do." matipid na sagot ko sa kanya.
"Okay then, Ms. Writer, tell me a story."
"Sorry but I don't do verbal storytelling. And you might not even last until the ending." sabi ko sa kanya. She took another sip from her coffee then sumandal siya ng maayos.
"I got time. Let's hear it."
"Well I don't." sabi ko sa kanya.
"Sungit."
"Excuse me? Pinaupo ka na nga di ba?"
"Grabe naman."
I rolled my eyes. This girl really is testing my patience.
"So, you're a writer, anything published so far that I would know?"
"Bakit nagbabasa ka ba?"
"Wow. Masungit na, judger pa." sagot niya.
