All I have to Give (Absinthe Series 1)

Kabanata 42

Kabanata 42

Everything

When we keep our hearts close, what do we feel? Is it satisfaction or disappointment? Is it anger or love? Or is it hope or distrust?

Travelling back to Manila was a long journey. It gave me time to think and this time both my heart and mind are open for possibilities. I promised Helion the talk that he wants. At ibibigay ko iyon sa kaniya together with my decision. Akala ko ay mahirap lang na pumili...it turns out the answer was already laid in front of me.

Bulag ang taong galit. Hindi makakaramdam ang taong manhid.

It would always make sense. Hindi nakikita ng tao ang lahat ng bagay kapag siya ay galit because he would only focus to what he believes. Hindi nakakaramdam ang taong manhid dahil hindi niya alam kung ano nga ba ang mararamdaman. Ngunit ang puso, walang pinipili kung saan ito tutungo. Even with the anger slowly swallowing it, love always wins. Love will always take over everything.

As I stepped in front of my restaurant, all I know is that my heart is open. It felt light and carefree, na parang hindi ito nasaktan noon. It was the power of prayers. Bago ako tumungo dito ay nagdasal ako para sa magiging desisyon ko. It was the time to let go of everything. Five years is enough. Five years has been too long for me.

“ Good morning Chef!” bati ng mga staffs sa akin nang ako’y pumasok.

“ Good morning!” I greeted back with a wide smile. The ambiance of the whole establishment was insouciant. It must have been a fine week for all of my staffs and restaurant.

The whole morning was fully packed. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nangyari iyon pero sobra akong napagod, umaga pa lang. The customers kept on entering and eating! Nakakapanibago tuloy sa akin.

“ What happened while I was away?” I asked while I was removing my hair net. Itinali kong muli ang aking buhok at dahan-dahang ibinalik ang hairnet upang hindi makatakas ang iilang hibla.

“  Nagulat nga rin po kami Chef pero hindi po kayo maniniwala! Yung Absinthe po dito na naman po kumain at may iilang fans po na nakakita kaya dumagsa ang iilang tao.” Marvin explained. Tumaas ang kilay ko roon ngunit hindi ako nagkomento.

I simply nodded my head.  Natural lang iyon kapag may nakita ang taong mapag-iinteresan nila. Not so many people knew me as the owner and the chef so I believe it has something to do with celebrities or other business tycoons.

Bumalik ako sa pagluluto bandang alas dose ng tanghali. I was feeling hot and sweaty because of cooking and I even endure my hunger. Isang dish na lang naman at magpapahinga na ako. I won’t be back until three o’clock. Kailangan ko lang magpahinga and then I’ll check up on the staffs.

“ Anong ingay iyon?” I asked when I heard some screaming on the other side. Kunot ang aking noo habang nakatingin lamang sa pinto. Taranta si Marvin habang inaalis ang apron at lumabas ng pinto. I simply shrugged my shoulders before placing the lobster dish on the silver platter.

Naghugas ako ng kamay at lumabas ng kitchen upang tingnan ang nangyayari sa labas. Girls and screaming and chanting a familiar name.

‘Absinthe’

Suminghap ako at kalaunan ay napakunot ang noo. Dali-dali akong naglakad upang tingnan kung ano ang pinagkakaguluhan ng mga tao I can hear the sounds of guitar and high-pitched cry of a speaker. Natanaw ko ang glass wall ng restaurant at hindi nga ako nagkakamali. The band Absinthe was lined up in a truck, widely open on one side. May pamilyar na tatak ng isang radio station and it wasn’t all... they were singing. It’s like walking down the memory lane; kung paano sila kumanta, ngumiti at kaseryosong tumugtog habang nakaharap sa maraming tao.