Lose Control

3.1

Mornings and Coffee,
part one of three

+ × + × + × + × +

"I like you."

"Hindi ko nga alam kung sinong mauuna, sila Art ba o sila Vain. In demand na naman ang pagpapakasal ngayong taon."

"I like you."

"Sila Vain ang mauunang pagpakasal ulit. I think Chrys has mentioned that they plan to get married again on their anniversary. Who would've thought Art is wanting to have a shotgun wedding with Jia. Para naman kasing tatakasan pa siya e siya lang naman ang manhid na hindi makaramdam na matagal na siyang gusto ni Jia."

"I like you."

"Love, ang alam kong rin ikaw ang magbe-bake ng cake-- Oh God, are you even listening?"

Doon na ako napakurap-kurap at napatingin sa mga kasama ko. "H-Ha?"

Inirapan na ako ng kakambal kong si Jenhe at natawa naman si Erwan. Hindi ko talaga naintindihan ang nga pinag-uusapan namin kasi... I didn't want them to ask, sana hindi ako namumula.

My twin rolls her eyes as if knowing what I just said in my head. "You know what, Jenha, kung hindi mo ichi-chika sa'min 'yan lalo ka na namang mafa-fall."

Erwan nods knowingly. "Sis, you do know what happens when you keep your lips shut about your latest man. Sabihin mo na sa'min, I promise I'll behave and not punch him in the face."

Ako naman ang natawa doon. Erwan may be bisexual but he became the brother we never had, kuyang-kuya talaga siya lalo na tuwing may nagugustuhan kami ni Jenhe.

"Seriously, wala pa naman akong ichichika sa inyo and I promise to tell you guys about him. Basta sure na akong..."

Tumaas ang kilay ni Jenhe. "Sure ka ng...?"

Ngumisi na lang ako. "Basta kapag sure na ako."

• • • • •

"Ma'am Ja, nandyan po ulit si Sir Gwapo."

Natigil ako sa pagbabasa ng daily report nang sinabi iyon ng assistant ko. Mas kinikilig pa sa'kin ang mga staff ko kaya napailing na lang ako at tumayo.

It's been almost two months na ganito ang set-up. Not that I've been taking down notes (okay, maybe a little) but Sir Gwapo always comes here in my café every morning at 6 AM for those past two months. My café opens at 5 AM because I always do have some early birds. Sa loob ng dalawang linggong iyon, hindi pa rin nagmimintis ang 6 AM schedule niya.

"Good morning." He greeted me with his silly smile.

That smile is too bright. Parang sobrang saya niya kaya lagi.

Ngumiti ako naupo sa tapat niya. "You know, this is becoming a habit for you. "

Hindi lang habit. Schedule niya na din talaga 'to. At first I was kind reluctant to join him over his morning coffee but he insisted. He said he really wanted me to join him. At kahit ako ang may-ari ng café na ito at wala akong laban sa mapilit kong mga emplayado, it became a usual for us to sit together for coffee that he brought for us.

I've always been the friendly twin and I love being the extrovert I am so there was no really an awkward moment for us.

Hindi ko na nga maalala kung paano kami napunta sa point na nagsasabihan na kami ng mga gagawin. Just like now, he's telling me he's about to go to a convention overseas. Ayoko man pero nakadama ako ng panghihinayang, ibig sabihin pala last morning coffee na namin 'to bago siya umalis.