Escape Route

CHAPTER 6

It was one of those mornings when everything felt just a bit off. I had woken up later than usual after staying up too late reviewing debate materials. I knew we'd have a session today, but my brain was stubbornly refusing to function.

Scrambling to get ready, I grabbed my bag. I had planned to get breakfast at home, pero mukhang hindi na kakayanin sa time. I had just locked the front door when my phone buzzed.

pogi 🥰:
Hey, café na tayo mag-meet? I need coffee to survive today.

Me:
Fine. Saan?

pogi 🥰:
'Yung malapit sa library. Also... kumain ka na ba?

Me:
Bakit? Bibili ka ng breakfast for me?

pogi 🥰:
Kung mabait ka.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the slight curve of my lips. He was consistent, at least consistently annoying and charming all at once.

By the time I reached the café, I was regretting not eating. My stomach had started protesting, and I felt a little underdressed when I spotted Eliezer already inside, leaning against the counter like he owned the place.

He turned just as I entered, and his face lit up in a way that made me pause for half a second.

The warm scent of coffee hit me as soon as we walked into the café. It wasn't my first time here, I'd passed by plenty of times but never stopped to grab a drink until now. This was his usual place, apparently.

Eliezer had shown up looking effortlessly good like he just rolled out of bed and still managed to outdo half the population. He was wearing a cream-colored sweatshirt, slightly oversized, with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. The soft fabric looked so comfortable it made me almost jealous.

I, on the other hand, kept things simple, again. A light gray knit sweater and black jeans, paired with my trusty brown ankle boots. I wasn't one to fuss over clothes, but sitting across from Eliezer, I couldn't help but feel a little... plain again

Eliezer held the door open for me, flashing his usual grin. "This is the spot I was telling you about. Best coffee in town."

"Sure, sure," I said, brushing past him. "Hindi mo na ako kailangang i-convince, andito na tayo."

The café was cozy, with soft chatter in the background and a playlist of mellow indie music humming from the speakers. It was the kind of place you could sit in for hours without noticing the time pass.

"Finally," he said. "Akala ko kanina inunahan mo na ako sa library."

I raised an eyebrow. "Do I look like I've eaten or studied yet?"

"Fair point," he replied, chuckling. "You look... frazzled. Late night?"

"Aren't they always?" I shot back, pulling out my phone to check our notes. "Let's just get started—"

"Hold up," he interrupted, motioning for me to sit. "Breakfast muna. Look at you, parang wala ka pang kain. Mukha ka nang zombie."

"Wow, observant," I said dryly. "Didn't I say that already?"

He smirked. "That's why I ordered for you."

My eyes narrowed. "What did you—"

"Relax," he said, cutting me off. "Caramel macchiato, extra shot, soy milk, light ice, and a chocolate croissant. Tama ba?"

I blinked at him, taken aback. "How do you even know that?"

He shrugged, his smirk widening. "I listen. Tsaka, nagtanong-tanong ako sa mga nakasama mo dati sa library."