Almost Everything

5

Chapter Five

Harleigh:
Saan tayo magkikita?

🐒:
Meet me at Basco Coffee Shop, in front of UG. 10 am.

Harleigh:
Okay.

Nang matapos akong magbihis ay lumabas na ako ng dorm. Naabutan kong nanonood ang ibang dorm mates ko sa living area.

"Oh, may lakad ka?" Jenna asked.

I nodded. "May kailangan lang imeet up," I answered.

Nagtinginan sila at makahulugan akong tinignan. Natawa ako. Alam ko na ang tingin na 'yan.

"I'm not going on a date if that's what you're thinking." Inunahan ko na sila.

Tumango sila, mukhang hindi naniniwala. Napailing nalang ako at nagpaalam na.

Nang marating ko ang coffee shop na sinabi ng lalaki sa text ay pumasok na ako. I looked around but I can't seem to find him. Tinignan ko ang relo. It's 9:50am. I was about to walk to the vacant table when the bell of the coffee shop rang.

It's him. I nodded at him before proceeding to the empty table. Siya naman ay dumiretso sa counter para magorder. Hindi ko mapigilang tignan siya. Bagay sa kaniya ang suot niya. I don't know why but this is the first time I'm complimenting a guy, aside from my brother. Ang simple beige shirt niya na may tatak na 'The 1975' sa gitna ay bumagay sa kutis niya. He has this fine tanned skin. He's so tall. Tingin ko nga ay mas matangkad siya kay Kuya. I never liked boys with slit in the eyebrows. Pero bumagay sa kaniya 'yon. I wonder if his black wavy hair is natural.

"Are you done?"

Nagising ako sa pagtitig sa kaniya nang namalayang nasa harap ko na ito. Umiwas ako ng tingin dahil nahuli niya akong pinagmamasdan siya.

I cleared my throat. "D-Do I need to sign a contract?" Bukas ko ng usapan.

"Yes. But let's eat first." He then slid the sliced cake and iced tea in front of me.

Aangal pa sana ako pero nagsalita na agad ito.

"This is my treat for teaching Pia." He said before sipping on his iced coffee.

"We are not even starting yet." Sagot ko.

He didn't answer. Instead, he started eating his cake.

Nang matapos akong kumain, he handed me the envelope. It looks like he is not a fan of cakes. Hindi pa niya nauubos ay nilagay na niya 'yon sa gilid.

After reading the contract, I looked at him. Nagtama ang tingin namin. My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed before asking.

"Hindi ba sobra naman yata ang sahod? Hindi naman araw-araw tuturuan ko siya."

"I wasn't the one who wrote the contract. It was Mom. She was happy when she heard from Pia that someone offered to teach her."

"At ganito ang epekto ng pagiging masaya niya? Sorry, ah. Hindi naman ako nagrereklamo. Actually, wala namang karekla-reklamo rito. 8 hours in a week kaya weekends. Okay talaga. Pero... sobra naman yata? Ayoko namang maging unfair. Lalo na't matagal na akong hindi sumasayaw." Mahabang sabi ko.

Humalukipkip ito. Did I already mention that I couldn't find the playful side of him like our last meeting? Parang ibang lalaki ang nasa harapan ko ngayon. He looks serious and professional.

"What do you want to change here, then? I'll tell Mom to provide a new one."

Sinabi ko kung ilan ang ibabawas sa sweldo. It's just too much. Mukhang gusto pa nga niyang umangal nang sabihin ko 'yon, ngunit wala na itong nagawa.