After All There Was You || Macolet AU

29

Nagpasya sina Myles at Casey na magpababa na lang sa coffee shop that they both agreed on. Marami namang dumadaan na sasakyan for transpo sa area na 'yon. Alex agreed and even insisted na siya na lang din mag-uwi ng gamit nila sa bahay nila.

Binilin na lang ni Myles kay Alex na ihatid nang ligtas ang kapatid niyang si Glenn. The latter agreed, but not before playfully telling Myles that she does not trust her enough to drop her little sister off their home safely.

Once na makarating na sila sa coffee shop, bumaba na sa sasakyan sina Myles at Casey, They both bid their goodbyes to their friends and the former even patted her little sister's head before closing the door.

The soft chime of the café door was the first thing that greeted them as they entered the shop. From inside, they watched as Alex drove off, leaving the two of them. Myles tightened her grip on the strap of her sling bag, trying to stop herself from fidgeting at the thought that it's just her and Casey now— and, well, a few customers and the shop's staff.

Inside, the café was quiet— low hums of conversations, the clinking of cups, and the scent of coffee hanging in the air, just like how Casey likes it. Of course she would, she was the one who suggested this shop after all.

They chose a spot by the corner near the window, a few tables away from the others. Once they've placed their bags down, Myles looked at Casey.

"Order na 'ko, dito ka lang ba?" Tanong niya.

Casey shook her head, "Hindi na, sabay na tayo. 'Wag kang mag-alala, kita naman natin mga gamit natin mula do'n."

Myles nodded before they walked together, approaching the counter to place their orders.

Sasabihin na dapat ni Myles ang order niya until the guy behind the counter's face lit up as the sight of Casey.

"Uy! Casey Rivera?!" Tanong niya nang magkatinginan sila ni Casey.

"Paul? Kailan ka pa nagtatrabaho rito?" Casey asked out of curiosity.

"Since Christmas break pa. Alam mo naman, 'apakamahal ng tuition sa school natin, ay— namin pala." Sagot naman nung lalaki, named Paul. "Kumusta ka naman sa bagong university mo? Miss na raw ni Steve duet niyo 'pag vacant."

"Studies? Okay lang naman, irreg nga lang. Pero madali naman akong nakapag-adjust sa environment." Responde naman ni Casey sa kaniya.

"Ikaw pa ba? Valedictorian ka kaya nung senior high tayo!" Sambit ni Paul, ending with a hearty laugh. "Regular ka siguro rito, 'no? Batak na batak ka sa kape noon kasi grabe ka mag-aral!"

Casey laughs as well, "Oo. Actually, kilala na nga rin ako ng may-ari nito. Gulat lang talaga ko bigla na nagtatrabaho ka na pala rito."

"Part time lang naman." Paul stated. "By the way, pasensya ka na kung dinaldal kita, ah? Pero feel ko alam ko na order mo."

"—Iced Americano, no sugar."

Nagkatinginan naman si Myles at ang lalaki dahil sabay sila ng pagbigkas. Si Paul ay nagulat habang si Myles naman ay nakatitig sa kaniya na para bang may masama siyang ginawa rito.

Sa totoo lang, kaya natahimik si Myles ay dahil kanina pa niya pinagmamasdan na mag-usap ang dalawa. Kung kausapin naman kasi ni Paul si Casey ay akala mo wala siya sa harapan niya. She knows that it might not be intentional, at alam din niyang marami talaga siyang potential na kaagaw sa atensyon ni Casey, but that doesn't change the fact that she envies how another person could make her focus her attention on them.

"Ah- ay! Pasensya ka na, hindi ko napansin na may kasama pala si Casey." Agad namang paumanhin ni Paul sa kaniya.

Myles forced a small smile, though the annoyance in her eyes are still evident. "It's fine," she said, trying hard not to sound rude.