Why - a Macolet au

Chapter 1

Maloi

"Welcome, tuloy po kayo."

Ang init, I thought to myself as I made my way towards the counter of my go-to local cafe near our office.

There was a short queue this morning and I was third in line as I try to cool down from the summer heat. I don't really mind waiting, this was already the daily scene, but all this waiting is making me think about spicing things up.

You know, like ordering something else, aside from my favorite iced Green Tea Latte.

Eh ano namang oorderin ko? Trying to weigh my options internally.

Chamomile Tea na large. Tas parang masarap yung biscuit nila, bagong gawa hmmm, the guy next to me thought.

Chamomile? Ang init init. Mukha pang wiwi yun, I told myself then made a mental note to tune out all the white noise around me.

Living with this gift, for as long as I could remember, sure has its own perks.

Still thinking about that Chamomile, I remembered something we used to sing as kids.

Isabaw mo, sa kanin, ang ihi ng kambiiiiing~ I randomly recalled, trying to distract myself from accidentally eavesdropping on anyone's thoughts.

Just as I sang the last note, someone from behind the counter suddenly snickered then guffawed.

I was about to laugh when I realized, Wait lang. May nakarinig ng joke ko? I didn't say it out loud. Did I?

I looked around and saw everyone unaffected. I craned my neck to get a better view of the person who seemed to be laughing at my joke. He or she was somewhere behind that big coffee machine, I squinted my eyes, suspicious.

The baristas nearby looked at the person questioningly habang ang iba naman umiling at napangiti na lang din, maybe they're used to the randomness of this person? I dont know.

Someone cleared their throat, effectively dispelling the playful atmosphere, as the queue moved. I was stuck wondering if it was just a coincidence.

As I moved closer, I realized the person in question was standing just beside the cashier.

I asked for an iced Green Tea Latte and gave my name as the cashier rang my order at the register.

Hiding her eyes behind her cap, I saw a woman writing my name on the cup. Colet, cute name.

She caught me peeking at her name plate and smirked. A little dimple forming on her cheek.

Ah shit. Did she hear that? If naririnig mo ko, galawin mo ang baso. Charot.

And now I'm conversing with myself in my head? I berated just as the cashier handed back my card. "Thanks," I muttered absently.

You're totally losing it, Maloi. I took deep breaths, trying to center myself, and walked towards the claiming counter.