“Oh my gosh! Tumingin ka nga sa dinadaanan mo, miss. I'm already running late!” Risa exclaimed as she bumped into a woman, causing the coffee she was holding to spill all over her clothes.
The woman's eyes widened in shock, and she quickly apologized. “I'm so–”
Risa rolled her eyes and threw the empty cup in the trash bin, not paying any more attention to the woman. She rushed inside the building. She frantically pressed the button for the floor of the meeting. Taking a deep sigh, she looked down at her clothes. “Shoot.”
She hastily wiped her clothes on her way to the meeting room, hoping to remove as much of the spilled coffee as possible. As she entered, the room fell silent, and everyone turned to look at her. She forced an awkward smile, trying to downplay the uncomfortable moment. “So, how’s the meeting going?”
******
Risa was immersed in paperwork when her phone rang, and she groaned when she saw her sister's name on the caller ID. Without hesitation, she pressed decline, not wanting any distractions. But the phone rang again, and this time, she answered it.
“Really, Pia? I'm really busy right now. Wala ka bang ginagawa? You could've just text me!” Risa held her head, disbelief.
[Hi? I just want to say that don't forget the blind date this saturday! Subukan mo lang talaga hindi magpakita uli, Ate]
“I'm having a bad day right now, Pia. I'm freaking late sa meeting earlier at ayan lang ang sadya mo? Blind date, really? We've talked about that already.”
[Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.. but just give it a chance, Ate! Malay mo naman, 'di ba? You're single for 5 years now! Please? Last na 'to!]
Risa rolled her eyes. “My gosh, Pia. I'm busy. Wala akong time d'yan. Take care. Bye.”
______________
“Iced Americano.”
Risa stood up, still scrolling through her phone. She reached for the coffee, but her hand collided with another.
“Excuse me,” Risa looked up, and her eyes widened when she saw the woman holding the cup. “Ikaw nanaman?”
Risa couldn't believe her misfortune. Of all the people to cross paths with again, it had to be the woman who had bumped into her yesterday. She gritted her teeth in annoyance and tried to keep her voice even.
“Can I have my coffee now? Because this is mine.”
The woman seemed unfazed by Risa's annoyance, and she slowly handed over the cup of coffee. “Here,” she said simply. “And.. sorry about yesterday.”
Risa took a moment to compose herself before taking the cup, making sure not to spill it this time. She was about to turn away when the woman spoke again.
“Hindi ka mag t-thank you?” the woman asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.
Risa rolled her eyes, not willing to give in to this woman's demands. “Thanks,” she muttered before walking away, cursing the woman under her breathe.
******
Risa stepped into the elevator, still sipping her coffee. The elevator stopped in the 6th floor and a group of workers stepped in. Risa paid them no mind, just focused on her Iced Americano and her phone.
