Against All Odds

Chapter III.

[Jessie Michelle's POV]

Nandito ako ngayon sa work ko sa isang sikat na coffee shop sa Taguig. As usual, crowded ang branch namin since madaming opisina ang nakalibot sa'min.

"Jess, baka pwede ikaw muna sa counter. Ji-jingle lang ako. Pramis bilisan ko lang.", sabi ni Leo, kawork ko.

"Sure. Bilisan mo ha. Madaming customers ngayon.", sagot ko naman sa kanya.

Agad nga kong dumiretso sa counter para matuloy na 'yung transactions na naputol sa call of nature niya. As I was scanning the screen, I repeated the order already punched in.

"Hello po. Repeat order ko lang, sir. One hot latte, correct?", tanong ko without even looking up. Kinakabahan din kasi akong magkamali. Hindi ko pa masyadong kabisado kung paano maging cashier so mahirap na.

"And also, one cup of whatever drink you like.", sabi ng customer na ipinagtaka ko naman.

"Excuse me, sir. What--?? Justin?", I said as I looked up to the guy standing in front of me.

"Hi Jess. I said one cup of whatever drink you like.", sagot niya with a smile on his face.

It's been a month since that biglaang Tagaytay namin. We don't have any communication or whatsoever, so it really is a surprise when I saw him here.

"Is it for here or to go?", I said resuming my work.

"That depends whether you're about to go home or not yet.", sus! Kahit kelan 'tong lalaki na 'to, may mga palipad hangin.

"My shift ends in three hours, I don't think you should wait that long.", sagot ko pa rin sa kanya.

"I'll wait. Anyways, the lady I'd be meeting is still at her work.", napangiti kaming pareho sa sinagot niya.

"It's for here then.", he then paid for his orders then waited for his drink on the couch. "You have to wait longer for your coffee so I can make it myself."

--

30 minutes have passed and I just served his coffee. Well, inubos muna namin 'yung queue ng line before I requested for my 15-minute break.

"Here's your coffee, Mr. Asungot, and a blueberry cheesecake complimentary from yours truly for waiting so long.", I then served him his coffee and the cake I brought him.

"Did you just called me, Mr. Asungot?", tanong niya naman.

I showed him the cup labeled as 'Mr. Asungot' and then laugh. "I thought that's your name sir. So, what's up? Namiss mo ko 'no?"

"Kapal ha. Ganda ka?", nagmake face pa si kupal. "I didn't know you work here, napadaan lang ako to order coffee and then I saw you."