For Your Eyes Only

Epilogue - New York

Epilogue (Part 1) - New York, Agathon, Zed, and Kitten.

AGATHON pushed past the glass door having no other thoughts in mind but Aine. He’s a patron of Bloomingdale’s Cafe and Restaurant; dito siya madalas magpalamig ng kaniyang ulo. Ngunit ito yata ang unang beses na ang cafe ang nagpainit ng kaniyang ulo. He walked past the marbled tables, looking for the familiar faces of his old friends.

Sa isang puwesto sa pinakasulok ng cafe naupo sila Kitten at Zed. Magkatabi ang dalawa sa booth na napili, at empty ang seat sa kanilang harapan. There, just across Kitten’s order Chicken Caesar and Zed’s decaf ay ang umuusok na black coffee ni Agathon. It was neatly placed on a porcelain coaster.

Kitten was staring at the glass window on her side, pinagmamasdan ang busy street ng New York. Maggagabi na ngunit parang mas nabubuhay lamang ang ciudad, imbis na maging tahimik na.

Zed held her hand and squeezed it.

“You okay?” he asked leaning in to her back, whispering to her ears.

Bahagyang tumango si Kitten, but she didn’t turn to look at her boyfriend to confirm him that she’s okay.

“Aine’s not happy.” she said absentmindedly, “I can see that clearly… but she didn’t even consult me about the wedding. Miski ako nagulat na lang with her announcement.”
“It’s Aine’s life after all.” Zed replied and put his chin on the back of her shoulder, “We don’t have a say to that.”

Bumuntong hininga si Kitten, “Then why are we even here? Bakit pa natin pinuntahan si Nudas?”

Napabuntong-hininga na lamang rin si Zed, “Well…” aniya sabay sinubukang ngumiti, ngunit pakla ng nakaangat na gilid ng mga labi lamang ang naging resulta no’n, “Si Agathon ang ginugulo natin ngayon, hindi si Aine.”

Kumunot ang noo ni Kitten, “I don’t get you.” sambit niya at saka ay hinarap ang nobyo na agad ay inalis ang pagkakapatong ng baba sa balikat ng nobya.

“What don’t you get?” he asked confused.

“We don’t have a say in Aine’s life… but here we are planning to talk Nudas into pursuing her again kasi she looks like unhappy?”

Zed shrugged, “Like I said, si Nudas ang binibigyan natin ng pasya. Kung uuwi siya para kay Aine, good. Pero kung kay Aine tayo lalapit to talk her into pursuing Agathon again… it will be a disaster. Get?”

“Guys.”

Agathon was catching his breath, holding two paper bags when he finally launched himself on the seat provided for him. Walang anu-anong nilunok niya ng isang tungga ang umuusok na kape.

Napangiwi si Kitten, thinking how it must have hurt, burning his tongue and throat. Lagi kasi niyang hinihipan ang mainit na pagkain o drinks bago lunukin o inumin.

Agathon wiped the side of his lips afterwards, placing no hint of pain in his mouth. Sanay. He gently put the cup back on the coaster and entwined his fingers.

“Tell me about the wedding.” aniya at sabay nagbaling ng tingin sa magkasintahan. Umangat ang isang ngiti sa labi ni Zed. Mahina siyang kinurot ni Kitten sa ilalim ng mesa.

“Masakit.” bulong ni Zed kay Kitten bago hinarap ang kaibigan.

“It was announced the other day. We got the invitation. What do you think?”

Agathon sighed.

“I didn’t know she had a boyfriend.”

Kumunot ang noo ni Kitten, “Don’t have IG? Diba you’re following her? Di mo ba nakikita mga posts? She’s always tagged by her boyfriend.”