Hello, Yellow Fellow

Prologue

HELLO, YELLOW FELLOW

Their paths crossed in a moment of serendipity, sparking a connection that would paint both their lives in shades more vivid than they had ever imagined.

"One Blonde Espresso Roast."

"Ano pong pangalan nila?" I asked with a smile as I grabbed the cup.

"Maki," he responded. Tumango ako at isinulat ang pangalan saka inilagay ang cup sa gilid. 

"Anything else you would like to order?" I asked, waiting for him to add to his order. He glanced at the menu, contemplating what side food to get.

I noticed his thick brows and expressive lips as he studied the menu. He was taller than me, probably around 6 feet, while I am 5'10. Malaki rin katawan niya and halatang batak sa gym. Medyo nanliit ako ng very slight as how favorably he was shaped by nature. He was wearing a yellow hoodie, which struck me as unusual for someone like him cause usually kapag mga ganitong tindigan, mahihilig sila sa mga dark colors. 

"Any suggestions?"

"I'd recommend the yellow one."

"What?"

Oo nga naman, pa'no niya maiintindihan?

"Sorry, I mean mango cheesecake po sir," napakaseryoso ng taong 'to despite him wearing a yellow hoodie, hindi nababagay sa personality niya. 

"What's so special about that?" 

Hindi ko rin alam.

Honestly, wala talaga akong kaalam-alam sa coffee shop na ito. It’s owned by my mom, and it just recently opened. My parents own several food establishments in the city, and I find it amazing how they manage it all. My mom asked me to oversee this shop just a week ago, and honestly, I’m not familiar with the menu at all. Alam ko lang yong basics on how to handle the shop.

"Cause you're wearing a yellow?" I chuckled. Napatahimik lang din nong di naging benta yong joke ko sa kanya.

The joke fell flat, and he seemed taken aback, frowning as if I’d said something offensive. Napakaseryoso niya nga!

Ramdam ko 'yong awkwardness as the silence filled the corners. Medyo late na rin kasi ng gabi kaya wala na masyadong tao sa loob ng shop. This guy might be our last customer.

"Nevermind, I'll just take it," he said in his cold tone.

"Okay, that will be 350 pesos, sir," he handed me his card, which I took.

Pinaasikaso ko na sa kasama ko dito sa shop 'yong new order and noticed that he had sat down at the nearest chair while waiting. I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my Facebook newsfeed, smiling at a new post from my favorite artist.

"Ang pogi pogi ng taong 'to," wala sa sarili kong sabi habang nakatitig sa picture.

A few minutes later, his order was ready, so I called out his name.

"Sir Maki, your order is rea—" I glanced around and noticed he was no longer in the shop.

Napakunot ang noo ko and I grabbed the paper bag of his order. Baka lumabas lang? I opened the shop door and saw him near his car, about to get in. He seemed to be in a hurry, so I quickly went over. 'Yong order mo kuya jusko ka.

"Sir, 'yong order mo naiwan!" I called out, tapping gently on the car window and holding up the paper bag. The window rolled down, and the other door of the car opened.

"Get in."

"Huh?"

"Hurry up, get in," he said irritably.

I found myself getting into the car almost without thinking, my mouth slightly open in surprise. Before I knew it, the car was moving, and I was being driven somewhere unfamiliar. 

Fuck, nakidnap ba ako? Is this some kind of new scheme? I swallowed hard as I stared at the passing road.

"Sir yong order lang po pwede itake out, hindi po ako kasali," I said hoarsely, feeling on the verge of tears. Parang paiyak na ako kasi feel ko nakidnap ako nang wala sa oras.

I couldn’t believe I was being taken away by a guy in a yellow hoodie!