The Love We Cannot Have

Chapter 2

Fresh Eyes by Andy Grammer

Miguel

Being a in a family like mine is hard. Kailangan mong ituloy what business your parents have initiated kahit ayaw mo, but now I'm getting used to it. My mom just called and she wants to check on our franchise. Fortunately,  I'm already heading towards there. "Yes, ma. I'm actually on my way. I'll be there in a bit. Good bye, love you!" We exchanged 'take cares' and 'I love yous' and then we already ended the call.

By the way, I'm Edward Miguel Lucero. A twenty seven year old guy. I'm happy living life, but still, there's something that is missing. I'm a busy man and I don't have time to find love, but I wanted to find it, somehow. Sinabihan na 'ko ng tatay ko na mag-asawa na 'ko. Oh, come on. I'm not that old. I'm still young as you can see and besides, I'm a guy. Kahit na forty years old pa ako mag-asawa, it wouldn't matter. I can decide to be a hot and rich bachelor. I can still enjoy my life and not get married in an early age.

Actually, nag-makaawa na nga si dad kasi gusto n'ya na ng apo. I was like, "What the hell, pa?!" Hindi n'ya daw maaasahan si Martina, my younger sister. She's only seventeen and oh my Lord she is in love with boy bands. I couldn't understand her. But, honestly if I wasn't her brother and I met Martina, I would say that she is very beautiful. Madami naman sigurong nagkakagusto sa kanya and hindi n'ya lang siguro pinapansin. We don't talk that much when she became a teen 'cause she's too busy fangirling. My family is in a good condition. We're all in good health, there's no major problem, and everyday I thank God for it.

Before I enter, I noticed all of the plants outside are already withered, eh kakabili lang ng mga 'to ah. "Tsk, tsk, tsk." I muttered. As I pushed the glass door to the café, aba ang hirap itulak. This needs to be fixed... I was a little lost in my thoughts that I accidentally bumped into a girl. Bakit ba s'ya nakatungo habang naglalakad? "Ayy." she said, parang wala s'ya sa sarili. Bakit ba kasi s'ya nakatungo? Is there something wrong with her?

"God. Miss, sorry." I apologized. Finally, she looked up. "Ay, kuya, sorry din po. Hala, sorry talaga." she apologized na parang ngayon lang s'ya bumalik sa senses n'ya, which is a bit funny for me. We just looked at each other for a few seconds, and believe me that was the most awkward moment in my life.

"Okay, so we're both fine. Uhmmm, okay ka lang ba?" I asked with a worried tone.

"Ah, yeah. Yeah, totally. I'm fine." She replied. She also seems like she felt awkward by the situation. I can't blame her. I felt awkward, too. A lot, actually.

Uh, what am I going to do now? "So I'm gonna go." I gave her an assuring smile. "If you'll excuse me." Nakatulala pa rin s'ya na parang nagulat s'ya sa mga nangyari. I don't know what she's thinking.

Someone called her and I assume that she is her friend, telling her that they need to go. I gave her a wave and said "Bye!" Seriously, I don't know why I did that. Was I a bit too cheeky? She just smiled and left quickly. Honestly, she's quite interesting.

I continued walking and the staff greeted me, "Hello, sir Miguel." I just nod at all of them. "Joshua, lanta na yung mga plants sa labas. And the door, you should have a check on that. Mahirap na itulak. Thank you." Joshua is the one who's managing this café temporarily, because my mom is still busy. He's a trustworthy man and he's been working for us recently. So far, he's good.

"Okay. I'll make some calls po. I'll order  new kinds of plants na rin po, sir. Yung mga plants na hindi mabilis mabulok." he answered.

"Parang sa pag-ibig..." They all looked at me in a way they're shocked. Some giggled and some gave a big laugh. "Ay, sir ha!" they teased.

"I was just kidding, you guys!" I defended.

It's always good to have a bond with the staff working for you. Honestly, I consider these people as my friends. They are way more better than those people in my parents' industry. These kind of people are honest and I noticed they have a strong sense of humor. One time, I invited them to have dinner, just the staff from this café. Hindi pa nadating yung pagkain hanggang sa maubos na lahat ng pagkain, tawa ko ng tawa sa mga kwento ng buhay nila. Totoong totoo sila. I adore them more after that night.

It just came to my mind... Madalas kaya yung girl dito na nakabangga ko just a while ago?

"Katherine, do you saw the girl kanina?" I asked one of the staff.

"Ah, sino po? Yung kalalabas lang po na may kasama din na babae?" She asked.

"Yes! Madalas ba s'ya dito?" I asked.

"Yes, sir. Mga gantong oras po. Mga ala sais po s'ya nadating tapos aalis ng mga alas otso. Madalas po mag isa s'ya, nag-rereview o kaya nag-babasa ng libro."

So lagi pala s'yang naandito ha. I'm looking forward to meeting her, again. I find her really interesting. You know, her mediocre facial features, but she still manages na dalhin yung sarili n'ya into being attractive. I have no idea how that happened and how she did that, but I like it.

"Thanks, Kath. Dear, I would like for you to call me when she's here." I told her.

"Ay, sir? Bakit po?" She asked curiously.

"Basta." I smiled at her and decided to leave the café. "Good bye, guys. I'll be back again, soon. Uh, and Katherine, don't forget what I told you to do." I waved to all of them and I walked out the door.

I literally don't know what I'm feeling right now, but all I know is I like to know that girl more. You'll think I'm being quick, but life is short, darling. Who the hell is she and she already gave a big impact to me?!

Why did God let us meet?

Who are you?