The Last Time

Six

CHAPTER 6

Joanne's Café

It was a steady morning for Dana. She didn't took her breakfast as she was going to Joanne's to work. Siya ang unang customer na nando'n at halos magdadalawang oras na siyang nakatutok sa kanyang laptop. Ang kanyang kaibigan na si Beverly ay pang hapon pa kaya hindi pa nadating.

On her front is a plate of waffles and honey syrup, and her usual mug of hot macchiato. She switches her hands from typing and grabbing her fork to eat. Bukod kasi sa presentation ay ilang expenses din ang kanyang kinocompute from the recent weeks. Ilang events din iyon kaya sinisimulan na niya.

Just before her duty, Bev came a little early. Pagpasok pa lamang niya ng café ay natanaw na niya ang kaibigan. She automatically sat on the vacant seat in front of Dana.

"Nagpakita si Miss Beauty Queen ah." Ani Bev.

Iniyukod naman ni Dana ang laptop para makita ang kaibigan.

"Miss Beauty Queen ka d'yan." Sungit ni Dana. Kinuha niya ang kape at marahan na uminom.

"Ay, kamusta naman pala? Your most hated holiday just passed. How's the celebration?" Nangloloko na tanong ni Bev. Dana rolled her eyes with it. Alam niya ang tinutukoy nito.

Inangat niyang muli ang laptop at tinuloy ang trabaho. Nangiti namang tagumpay si Bev dahil naasar niya ang kaibigan.

"Anong ginawa mo? Nagluto ka ba ng tikoy? Hmmm... Nagpaputok? Naputukan?" Kita sa mga mata ni Bev na interesado siya.

"Nagtrabaho."

Bev replied her a not so convincing look. Ngumuso ito at kinalkal na lamang ang bag. Dana felt that she needs to take the bathroom. She looked at her friend busy applying her makeup. Sinamaan niya ito ng tingin.

"Buti hindi ka pa tinatanggal ni Tita Joanne."

Kumunot ang noo ni Bev at inlayo ang compact mirror sa kanyang mukha.

"Why naman?"

"You're an employee. Dapat hindi mo iyan ginagawa sa front of the house. Makikita ng mga guests."

Ngumuso lamang si Bev at kunwa'y nag-isip kung totoo ba ang sinambit ng kaibigan. But Dana moved a little para makatayo.

"Bantayan mo muna, banyo lang ako."

"Oh—Lilipat na ako sa backroom."

Tumigil si Dana to give her such hate-filled expression. Dinedma na lamang niya ang kaibigan at dumiretso sa bathroom. She took her time releasing every fluid she has to release. Looked at herself in the mirror and retouch a little of her makeup. Ang maikli niyang buhok ay medyo inayos niya. She smiled and looked at her outfit. Her navy blue shirt and jogger pants made her a little homey.

Pagbukas niya ng pinto ay namimilog na mga matang nakatingin sa kanya si Beverly. Her facial expression's telling her she's nervous, shocked... or in drugs.

"Ano? Nabigyan ka na ba ng memo?"

"Si Val." Mahina ngunit rinig na rinig ni Dana. Her eyes widened. She doesn't know what to react. Will she find him? Will she follow him? If so, will she talk to him?

But she refused what her mind is telling and kept calm. She just shrugged and walk past her non-responding friend. She went back to her seat and typed again on her keyboard.

Madali namang bumalik si Bev sa kaninang inuupan na hindi pa rin nawawala ang ganoong reaksyon.

"Dana, nakita ko siya. With my own very eyes. Pumasok siya sa door na 'yan. Bumili ng cake at lumabas din agad." Itinuro pa niya ang pinto pati ang counter habang na-kwento.