My Genie

Chapter 1: Genie

Chapter 1: Genie

"Maraming salamat, Lexi."

"Don't mention it," I said while smiling. Inilapag ko ang nga dalang bulaklak sa mesa.

Dumaan ako sa isang flower shop kanina para kunin itong order ni Miss Cilia na mga bulaklak. Kararating ko lang sa coffee shop niya nang madatnan ko siyang nagpupunas sa may cashier counter.

"Gusto mo ba ng juice o coffee?" aniya. Umayos siya ng pagkakatayo at iniwan ang ginagawa.

"No, but thanks Miss Cilia," I spoke, but she seemed not minding my answer. Very typical of Miss Cilia.

I leaned against the counter as I watched her walk gracefully to the other table.

Miss Cilia is a business woman, managing this coffee shop for almost half of her current age. Ito na ata ang buhay niya, kaya ginagawa niya ang lahat upang mapanatiling nasa ayos ang coffee shop na 'to. Hindi niya ito pinapabayaan.

She is now on her fifties but because of her young features she only looks thirty.

She has short black hair with big curls on ends. A pale white skin, a pair of tantalizing dark eyes and red thin lips. She's in fashion and it helps her a lot to look younger.

Isang matalik na kaibigan ko si Miss Cilia at tumataguyod na ring bilang ina sa akin.

Kilala ko na siya simula noong nasa junior high pa ako. I met her in the driveway. It was just a typical lost-and-found accident. She was glad of my honesty and kindness. I liked her carefree feeling and aura. Parang nakahahawa.

Simula noong araw na iyon, palagi na akong napapadaan sa coffee shop niya hanggang sa tumutulong na ako tuwing uwian. Walang kaso naman iyon kay Miss Cilia. Nagpapasalamat pa nga siya dahil libre raw service ko sa coffee shop which I found funny.

I looked at her as she arranged the flowers in the clear glass vase with care. She loves doing that.

Naglakad ako patungo sa malapit na bintana at dumungaw doon.

Miss Cilia's coffee shop has a floral theme interior. Pastel colors are around the space since she loves calm and light hues. It radiates relaxing feeling.

The walls were painted apricot white and the window frames were light yellow. The wooden tables and chairs were carved into gothic style and painted with white. Pots of floral flowers in various colors were hanging around the ceiling. Paradise.

It felt cozy and quiet around here. Sometimes I found the place enchanting. So magical. And I didn't know why?

Maupo ka lang nang tahimik sa isa sa mga upuan ng coffee shop habang umiinom ng coffee o kahit na ano'ng refreshments. Mararamdaman mo na agad ang kakaibang ambiance sa loob ng coffee shop. Para bang nasa iba kang lugar na mahiwaga.

Snapping me out of my thoughts, I heard a door opening. Napatingin agad ako sa entrance. Customers.

Agad namang tumayo si Miss Cilia sa kanyang pagkakaupo at pumunta sa counter. Kumuha ng order ang customer at mag-isang inasikaso iyon ni Miss Cilia. May katulong naman siya rito sa coffee shop, mga empleyado niya, pero parehong wala pa ang mga ito.

Tumayo ako at tiningnan ang order.

Frappe and a slice of dark chocolate cake.

Kasalukuyang gumagawa si Miss Cilia ng Frappe kaya kumuha ako ng plate at pumunta sa glass storage ng cakes.

I took a slice of cake and placed it on the plate.

Suddenly, I looked down at my wrist watch. It was eight in the morning. Late na ako, pero ayaw ko pang iwan si Miss Cilia na mag-isa rito.