Hi, Coffee Guy (W., #2)

05 - Are we friends?

Hi, Coffee guy,

I never thought I would talk to someone about what I went through. I'm used to keeping all my secrets and problems to myself because I do not want to burden someone with them and I do not want them to see me in such vulnerable state.

Pero heto ako ngayon, nagkukwento sa'yo.

I think it's easier to share this kind of story to someone outside my circle. Maybe because there are no connections between you and the people involved, and hence, no complications. And maybe because I can hear some opinions from an outside perspective.

"You saw them a while ago?" pag-ulit mo sa sinabi ko at medyo napangiti ako dahil parang hindi ka makapaniwala.

"Yup. And I didn't feel sad or jealous. It's just . . . I don't know . . . I'm just glad that they are still together."

Nawala ang gulat sa mukha mo at napalitan iyon ng maamong ngiti.

"I see. I don't know why but I feel so proud of you," sabi mo kaya ako natigilan ako.

I slightly chuckled. "Maybe because you saw me at my lowest. And now, I'm trying my best to climb further and not fall in that kind of chasm again."

"Yeah. Maybe that's why."

Ininom mo ulit ang kape mo habang napatingin ako sa labas. It was still raining hard outside and somehow, it made me feel at ease.

"I think it won't stop for a while," mahina mong sabi habang nakatingin din sa labas.

"Yeah. But on the bright side, coffee tastes better when it's raining."

"Better, huh?" you muttered.

I glanced at you and saw a melancholic smile. You must have had an unhappy memory about rain.

"Okay ka lang?" mahina kong tanong.

"Mm. I just remembered someone."

"Your ex?"

You chuckled heartily. "Yeah. We broke up on a rainy day like this. Gloomy na nga ang panahon, sinaktan pa nang gano'n."

"But you're okay now, right?"

"Better," you said. "It took me a while to be where I am right now but I'm glad I carried on. It's worth it."

We continued talking about our past experiences and I never thought it would be this freeing. Pakiramdam ko, lahat ng kinimkim kong emosyon ay unti-unti kong nailalabas sa pamamagitan ng pagkukwento.

Medyo humina na rin ang ulan at may gagawin ka pa kaya nagsimula na rin tayong magpaalam sa isa't isa.

"We're friends now, right?" tanong mo bago ka pa makatayo.

I smiled. "Yeah. We are."

You grinned after hearing my response and extended your arm.

"Thank you for today, Wilhelmina."

"Thank you, too, Aloysius."

That moment, we became friends. And I hope it would last for a long time.

Hoping,

W.

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