The Correct Way To Drink An Affogato

27

Three Dreams

Nakakalokong ngumiti si Mike at itinaas ang dalawang kamay.

Shelly looks so concerned with what's happening. May mga paparating na rin na customer.

"Can you guys stop?" Pigil ko kay Severiano. Heck I was so scared to even touch his big bazooka like arms to make him loose hold on Mike's collar. "He's just joking, no need to kill him"

Pinakawalan naman niya.

He huffed and stared at Mike. Papatayin naman ngayon gamit ang tingin. Ewan ko nalang talaga.

Nagtago si Mike sa likod. "Kulang na kulang sa lambing mo 'yan kaya napakabilis magalit"

"You motherfucker!" Sinubukan niyang abutin si Mike pero ginawa nga akong human shield ni Mike kaya ako ang nasa gitna.

I tried to push Severiano away but it felt like pushing a fucking car all by myself! Napakalakas naman niya! Ano bang workout routine nito?

Pumunta na si Shelly sa pwesto namin sa likod ng counter kahit nagkakagulo kami rito dahil oorder na ang mga customer na dumating. "Ayos lang ba sila?"

"Opo, ganyan lang po silang mag-bonding" Nakangiting sagot ni Shelly.

"Enough! You're getting in Shelly's way! Sa labas kayo magpatayang dalawa, masakit na ang katawan ko kakapagitna sa inyo." Napikon na ako.

They both went silent.

Thank God. Nine years and they got worse?! I remember they don't even fight before because they are always drinking together but now... Mike is a tease while the other one is... Basta pikon.

Mike and I sat down on the usual spot we sat on before, the one that overlooks the small garden. While Severiano is in his office.

I can see him in my peripheral vision, We're both staring at the garden. "Kausapin mo na, hihintayin kita. Baka sakalin mo ako pag di kita naihatid pabalik sa school"

I took a last sip on my Affogato. I stood up and I'm finally ready to talk to him.

"I can't do long distance! I'll lose my mind..."

He held my hand. "You owe me to at least try if we can make it work. I can go to makati on your free time, wala akong pakialam kung kaprasong oras lang ang kaya mong ibigay mo sa akin." 

I shooked my head while my tears are continuously falling.

"I can't do it... I can't afford to be distracted like what happened in my internship"

Bumagsak ang tingin niya. "You can't let that one go? That happened once!"

"That one time cost me to lose my application to the medical school that I dreamed of! I didn't get to graduate with latin honors because I didn't turned in the paper due the following day because i had to take care of you because you're so drunk!" Sumbat ko na ikinatahimik niya.

I was sobbing, letting all my disappoint to myself because I let myself do that... Just because I know I'll be selfish if I didn't rescue him from that stupid bar.

"Alam kong nahihirapan ka na sa pagsabay sa pag aasikaso sa cafe, review sa board exam, at sa akin pero that night when you decided to get fucked up drunk?! That ruined my plans because I love you so much that I let my plans go to trash!"

I pulled my luggage that he's held hostage.

"Baby... Please... Alder Jeo." He kneeled which made me stood frozen.

"Don't do this to me, I'm not the person you deserve... You deserve someone who's closer, so he could helpt you" I tried to pull him up but he's too strong.

"Mas kailangan mo yung hindi ka pababayaan lang sa malayo... "

He shook his head like a child. "Baby naman... Ka-Kahit wala na ako sa plano mo, basta nasa buhay mo ako... Ayos na ako roon."

I was immature, ashamed because I didn't get to the same medical school my family studied. It's too late when i realized that it didn't matter, I still became a capable doctor.

I crossed out psychiatry because I barely able to finish the clerks rotation. It felt too close to home.

It's just sad that the plans I formed when I was still in high school didn't go as planned.

If I could just go back. I would go with the flow instead of stressing too much about a plan that's not been close to happening.

I knocked on the door. "Come in" Pagkabukas ko ng pinto, nag angat siya ng tingin.

His gaze eventually found me.

"Sorry, I wasn't able to clean up" He said with his black rimmed glasses. "Take a seat"

The office is still the same except the chairs. The smell of coffee smells exactly the first time I went in here.

"Is it true? You wanna get back together with me?" Matapang kong tanong. Ito naman ang ipinunta ko rito.

"Yes" He answered plainly.

"I'm not the best option in the market you know? I'm a single father, i have a demanding job, and I haven't been in a relationship for nine years" I laughed as I laid the reasons why he shouldn't choose me.

He closed his laptop and took his glasses off.

"Am I unaware of these reasons why you think you're not the best option?" Tanong niya na nakapagpatigil sa akin.

Of course he knows!

"You remember when we were in college and we fought because I told you that I can't tell you my dream because you might jinx it?"

I nodded. That time when I noticed that he's a go with the flow guy and I was scared that he'll remain stagnant.

He displayed his gentle smile. "My dream is to build a cafe business and sell it so I can retire early, you saving lives as a doctor while I stay at home with our kids."

Tumindig ang balahibo ko sa sinabi niya.

"I have three dreams" He stood up. "First, Sold my business and sell it. " He walked around his desk until he found the sit in front of me. "Check"

"Second, Seeing you become a doctor and save lives."

He sat boyishly. His hands are out counting in front me like I don't know how to count. He leaned forward.

"Third and Last, kids or a kid... Hopefully that's your son." His face is so close...

Kinuha niya ang nanginginig kong kamay.

He kissed the back of my hand.

I couldn't even nod because he's so... Dashingly handsome with his eyes full of admiration staring at me.

This time, he's not begging but he's asking.

"Can you make the last two of my dreams come true?"