Serendipitous

Chance

English Fanfic
A4Day27 Challenge
PROMPT: Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel

Author's Note: This is a continuation of the previous part "Sight and Sound". Hope you like this installment!

Her

"Hi Dei," a familiar voice called me from the counter where I was busy preparing the drinks of our customers in the café.

I looked up and greeted him with a wide smile. It was the first time in three weeks that he has dropped by since he and his sister had an argument in the café. "Hi Richard! Um, hindi pa ba nape-prepare yung order mo? So far wala akong ticket dito for 'Richard'."

"Actually, I haven't ordered yet," he answered with a smile. Hold up! Did he really just smile at me?!? Gosh, that deep dimple... I sighed as I imagined poking it and seeing what reaction it would get me.

"Dei? Huyyyyy!" He waved his hands in front of my face, hoping to snap me out of the funk I'm in. I blinked and realized that he was still talking to me... but I once again got distracted and stared at his hands because dayummm! He has long, candle-like fingers, slim hands and perfectly-shaped nails. Gaaah, doesn't this guy have any imperfections at all?

"Meron naman, syempre. Di mo pa lang nakikita," he answered my musings with a teasing smile. My eyes widened as I gasped. "Did I say that out loud?"

"Ah, yup, you did," he said and laughed in response. "About my imperfections or the lack of it or so you think. One of my numerous imperfections is actually the reason why I wanted to sit down and talk with you. I do owe you a treat from last time, right?"

Ahh, so that's what this is all about. He just needs someone to talk to and since I know his family situation, I'm the best person to approach.

Ano pahiya ka, Dei? Ayan kasi, wag masyadong kiligin agad-agad. Masyado ka kasing assuming kaya ayan... you "made an ass of you and me" ang nangyari.

"Well then, I'd like a pot of green tea and the moist chocolate cake. I have some stroopwafels from Holland here that we can share later; it goes really well with tea!"

"Sabi ko treat ko, pero me libre ka pa rin sa akin. You really are something, Dei," he shook his head with a disbelieving smile aimed at me. "Pero teka, will you be able to get some time off to chat with me? I can wait if needed. Kasalanan ko din naman kasi di ako nagsabi agad."

"Um, I think I can take my lunch break in a bit. Sa busy kasi kanina, di ako naka-break. Give me 20 minutes to finish up here? Then I'll be all yours for an hour."

"Hindi ka pa nagla-lunch? At this time? Tsk, tsk, tsk. You need a keeper, Dei."

Oo nga. Mag-a-apply ka ba if ever? My eyes widened with the thought that popped into my mind. Behave, self. Para ka namang hayok sa kagwapuhan ni kuya. Masyado lang syang mabait! Enough sa pagiging delulu!

"Don't you worry about it! I can take good care of myself - been doing it for years. So... see you in twenty minutes then!"

He stared at me as if trying to decipher what's going on in my head. I keep a poker face and continue with what I am doing until he finally lined up for our orders.

Wooh. This is gonna be one long hour.

*****
His

This is gonna be one short hour.

With the thoughts running through my head, it's no wonder I can still process them properly. Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I sat down and made a list of the things I wanted to ask Dei. After all, I asked for this meeting so I could pick her brain on how to deal with my sister, Riza.

Riza. The toughest guidance counselor wasn't able to get through to her yet 5 minutes around Dei and she was singing like a canary. Since their impromptu session in the wash-up room last week, Riza started to talk to me and tell me why she feels she can't reason out with me.

Things started getting better since that day but recently, she's been showing up to class late for most of the week. Scared to rock the boat but not wanting to let things slide too long, I decided to check with Dei and ask for ideas.

Uh-huh. So you aren't here because she has a great smile and you've been meaning to ask her out for the longest time, eh? Yeah, right.

Huh. Where did that thought come from? I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts when... "Hi, Richard."

Shit. She's here and I'm nowhere near ready. "Order for Richard!" was called from the counter. Wooh, thank you for the brief reprieve!

"Uh, Dei, upo ka. Kunin ko lang yung order natin sa counter ha?" She nodded and I hurried over to get our treat.

"Ano yan? Bakit ang daming pagkain? May kasama ba tayo?" she asked me in surprise as I came back with croissants and a tuna turnover aside from our order.

"You said you haven't eaten lunch yet so I ordered some food for you. If we had more time, dadalhin kita dyan sa Italian restaurant sa tapat, pakakainin kita ng pasta and their freshly baked bread. Malay mo, di natin matapos usapan natin, we'd need to go out for dinner, right?"

She blushed and I facepalmed myself mentally as I might have come across too strongly. "Ah, that is if you're free? Baka... baka magalit din ang boyfriend mo pag nakita tayo."

She gave me a shy smile and said, "No, I don't have plans. And... wala akong boyfriend."

"Good," I answered with a stupid grin. "Good na wala ka palang plan. So, shall we get started while you eat?"

Dei and I talked about my family issues and as part of our discussion, she managed to reveal the difficulties she went through bringing up her siblings on her own as well. She gave suggestions on what I could try; I clarified some points I didn't understand.

She even suggested that I let Riza visit her from time to time, just in case she seemed to be frustrated with him. And to let her vent out girly concerns to the right person.

"Sige, do you want her to ask your help about boys and cosmetics?" she teased.

Yikes, avoiding that type of discussion is one solution I am most definitely going to take.

Finally, towards the end of the hour, I felt more  hopeful that this issue with Riza can finally be resolved without more stress-inducing and severe drama on both our parts. On the other hand, I felt a bit sad that our hour's up.

Taking a chance, I stood up and asked, "If you're free tonight, will you go out on a dinner with me? Just... just in case me nakalimutan tayo sa action plans ko and ano, um---"

"Yes, I'd love to," Dei answered back with a smile. And I felt hope fill my heart with her answer.