SaiLem Three {DANGER: I'm Falling For You}

19. Think Positive

Cyann

Our group finally dispersed after watching ‘Shutter’. And right after they’re all out of the door, naligo ako para pumunta sa CMAN. For sure that chocolate drink man is dogging Clementine again. Hindi naman pwedeng lumamang siya. Kailangang patas ang laban.

Pagkatapos akong tarayan ni Clementine at the door of the resto-bar, I decide to look for my own place—‘yung kita ko bawat galaw niya. And I spot an empty chair so I walk up to it. “Can I take this seat?” tanong ko dun sa lalaking nakaupo sa tapat.

“Sure,” he answers.

I am about to sit down pero napatingin ako sa kanya. The guy looks oddly familiar for some reasons. I know I’ve seen him before somewhe—“Oh hey, I think I know you. You’re… hmmm,” I try to dig up my memory a bit as far back as I can. “At my parents’ anniversary, right? You know… the big house somewhere in Alabang?” paninigurado ko. Mahirap na, I can’t disclose the exact address, baka mamaya magnanakaw ‘to.

“Yeah,” tipid niyang sagot and it relieves me that my poor memory has served me right tonight, hahaha. “You’re with the new girl?”

Tumaas ‘yung kilay ko. “New gi—Oh, Clementine. Yeah,” It wasn’t long since she started working here, so I assume he’s talking about her. Don’t tell me pati ‘tong isang ‘to, pinopormahan din siya? I better kick him out of the competition. “Are you, by any chance…with someone or waiting for someone?” I ask as I park my ass on the chair.

“Just waiting.”

Man of few words, this guy is. Parang mahirap kausapin. But let’s push this. I wanna know if I’d have to deal with him too. “For a girl, right?” I press on.

“Sort of.”

The alarm bells are tingling in my head. “I’m Cyann by the way. Cyann Mabanta,” pagpapakilala ko. Maganda nang kilala niya kung sino ako. A lot of people back off the moment they know who they have to compete with. I offer a hand to him.

And he shakes it coolly. “Vincent.”

Apparently, this guy doesn’t back off easily. Tss. It feels like I’d have to be specific with my question to get to the point. Maraming babae dito. Actually, most of the employees are girls. And I can’t rule out the possibility na may kikitain siya dito. Still, I have to make sure she’s not after my housemate.

Magtatanong pa sana ako pero dumating si Lem bringing my frappe. “Oh, order mo,” she mutters, dragging the coffee in front of me. “Bakit mo ginugulo si Papa V?”

PAPA V? What the hell? “Is that how you treat your customers? I’m a paying patron naman ah,” reklamo ko. Why does she have a pet name for this guy? Does she like him?

She just rolls her eyes at me bago ngumiti kay Vincent. Ang daya talaga. Bakit siya nginingitian, ako hindi? “Ubos na yata kape mo, gusto mo pang umorder? Next na yatang tutugtog si Alice,” she says in a teasing voice.

While they’re talking, I’m back in my head. Sino si Alice? Better be the girl that this guy is waiting for. This Papa V is a worthy contender if ever and there’s something about him that feels… I dunno. Dangerous? Although it’s weird that his presence somehow calms me. Tss. Dangerous pero calming? The hell am I thinking about?

Right when Clementine leaves, we all hear a screeching of the mic. “Our next performer is a favorite, taking up Nursing in UP Manila, currently in second year. Let’s hear it from Alice Sevilla,” the host introduces and there’s a loud round of applause from the customers.