Beyond the Heart's Grasp

Kabanata 13

Kabanata 13

"Coffee break?" I felt Monice presence. Mabuti nalang at hindi pumasok ang teacher namin kaya okay lang din na sumama ako kay Aloha. This is our last day at sem break na namin. Ngayon pa lang ay pinaplano ko na sa isip ko ang mga gagawin ko sa loob ng two weeks na sem break. "These past few weeks have been tough, we deserve a break. And you can't say no because we have deal, right?"

Oh right, I had agreed to go out with her before the semester break. I almost forgot because of everything that happened recently.

As she wanted, we went to a coffee shop near the school. We only ordered coffee, pasta and pizza. Nag-initiate pa siyang magbayad pero tumanggi ako, palagi kasing siya ang nagbibigay sa akin ng food kaya bawi ko na rin sa kaniya 'to.

We only had a quick coffee break and chat because we have other things to do. Our conversation was mostly about college life.

After that, I headed straight to Digo's. It wasn't too crowded today, so I didn't feel too tired. My day lightened up after our final exam for the first semester. Kailangan ko nalang talaga mag-prepare para sa second sem.

Since there wasn't much to worry about, I spent my days going to the gym and organizing the papers for the car. Gaya ng napagkasunduan namin ni Mom, napilit niya akong bumili ng sasakyan pero nag-initiate ako na hati kami sa pagbayad dahil may ipon naman ako.

I just went grocery shopping because I ran out of stocks. The things I bought are good for two weeks dahil minsan lang naman ako magluto, especially when I have classes.

After ko mag-grocery ay nag-drive na ako papunta sa Digo's. I didn't expect to see Aloha here, but I was even more surprised to see her wearing a staff uniform.

"Hi, handsome!" she's wearing her smile.

"Are you—"

"Yes," mabilis niyang sagot. "I'm already working here," hindi pa rin niya inaalis ang ngiti sa mukha niya.

"Kailan pa?"

"Kahapon lang ako nagsimula. Hinahanap nga kita, e. Sabi nung manager, tuwing weekends ka lang daw dito."

I nodded. "Yes."

"Papasok ka ba ngayon? Late kana, ah? Hindi tuloy ako sanay na late ka,"

Bahagya akong natawa. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung anong mararamdaman ko ngayong mas mapapadalas pa pala lalo ang pagkikita namin kung dito siya magt-trabaho.

"Ikaw ba? Hindi ka ba na-late ngayon?" I asked.

"Hindi. Siyempre, iba 'yung school, iba rin 'yung work."

"Paano naman naging magkaiba 'yun?"

"Maraming chance sa school, less chance sa work. Kapag pumalpak ka, tanggal ka agad. Sa school, detention lang." aniya at tumawa.

I just shook my head. "Gano'n?"

"Yup." she nodded. "Pero in fairness, mukha namang mabait 'yung manager dito,"

Sa sandaling panahon na nakakasama ko si Aloha, I'm pretty sure she will really like working here. Another rule of Digo's restaurant is to treat the staff well, not just the customers. Now, I felt excited to work with her here.

"Wait, serve ko lang 'to sa customer," she pointed the serving tray.

I just nodded. "Okay,"

Pumunta ako sa employee area para magbihis at magsimula na ring magtrabaho. Dahil maraming tao ngayon, pareho kaming naging abala ni Aloha sa kaniya-kaniyang trabaho. Nakita ko kung paano siya maging seryoso sa ginagawa niya at maging friendly sa mga customers.