It Might Be You

5

Maria Selena Ocampo

We settled at a table for two tapos hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin ko.

Pero kasi, I want to act casual lang. As in, no need to be too formal or too shy and awkward. Kaya ko naman siguro yun.

Kaya ngumiti ako, yung pinaka-mabait na tignan na ngiti at nagsalita.

"So, ikaw pala yung owner ng café?"

He looked as if he was anticipating for me to speak kaya agad siyang tumango at lumabi. "Uhh, yeah. Well my mom helped me with putting it up."

I nodded. Mama's boy? Or not?

"Kasi she's into restaurants and I mentioned that I wanted to start a small business too, kaya ayun. I had this café," he smiled.

Tumango ako. Well this is nice. Siya na mismo yung nagku-kwento. And I like it kasi hindi ako nahihirapan.

"It's actually nice," kumento ko tungkol sa café niya.

He chuckled. "Thank you," simple niyang sagot.

Jusko. Bakit iba ang dating sakin ng simple niyang mga sagot. Kahit nga yung 'Hi' with smiley face niya noon sa messenger iba epekto eh.

"Well it's not much," he shrugged. "Not much yet," he smiled. "It's still growing. Tsaka first time ko naman, give me the benefit of the doubt."

Tumawa siya kaya napatawa din ako. "Okay. As long as you won't waste it," sakay ko sa sinabi niya.

He raised his eyebrows. "I won't," he laughed. "Wait 'till this café beats Starbuck's."

Doon na ako natawa. Taas ng pangarap niya ah. "Naks. Goals ah," biro ko.

Tumawa din siya. "What? I'm serious. I'll make this the next crowd's favorite café."

I just shrugged. Agad naman siyang tumawag ng isang waiter at umorder para sa'min.

At paglapit nung waiter namukhaan ko siya.

"Jack," I hesitantly called him. "You're Jack diba?" I asked.

Ngumiti siya sa'kin. He's not bad himself ah. He gave justice to his handsome name. "Yes ma'am," he nodded. "What will be your order, ma'am?"

Nginitian ko nalang din siya. "Iced coffee lang sa'kin. Decaf ah," I said.

Tumango siya sa'kin saka bumaling sa boss niya. "Sir?"

I caught Lucian with a slight frown on his face habang naka-hawak sa baba ang kamay at naka-sandal sa lamesa, tinitignan kami ni Jack. "Long Black," masungit niyang sagot.

Tumango lang si Jack sa kanya nang nakangiti padin. Well, hindi nga naman siya pwedeng magpakita ng attitude sa boss niya ano?

Bumaling si Lucian sa'kin nang wala na yung kunot ng noo. "Snacks, for the lady?" He asked me.

"Ah, blueberry cheesecake lang," I said. Nasarapan ako sa blueberry cheesecake nila eh the last time I had it.

Tumango si Lucian at binigay na din order niya. "Just an eclair," he said. Tumango si Jack at inulit yung order namin saka umalis.

"You know him?" Bungad ni Lucian sa'kin, halatang medyo iritado, ewan ko kung bakit, but still trying to ask me nicely.

"Yup," I nodded. "He also served me and my best friend the last time I went here," sabi ko.

Tapos ngumiti ako. "And, he gave a cup with a sweet note the first time I stayed here," sabi ko.

Let's see kung ano ang isasagot niya sa'kin. Kasi alam naman nating lahat na hindi talaga si Jack yun, na-clarify na natin yun. It all goes down to Lucian.