If We Never Met [Alfaro Series #1]

CHAPTER 30

Chapter 30

"One Caramel Macchiato, please." I ordered. Medyo maraming tao ngayon dito sa coffee shop dahil hapon na. Habang nagtitingin ako ng pwedeng maupuan ay nakita ko si Ralph. It's been six years since I last saw him. Six years since he broke up with me.

I smiled at him, "Oh, Hi Ralph. It's been years." I said. Hindi ko maitatanggi na mas lalo siyang gumwapo ngayon. He's better than when I last saw him.

"Hi, Atty. Marquez. It's good to see you again." He said formally so I chuckled. Hindi naman niya kailangang maging pormal.

"Come on, Ralph. Why so formal? You can call me Janine." Sabi ko naman.

"If that's what you want. So, how are you?" He asked.

I smiled before I answered, "I'm fine. Just a bit tired because of work." Madami kasi akong clients these past few weeks.

"I know this is late, but I want to congratulate you. You passed the BAR! You're a lawyer now. Isa sa mga magagaling na lawyer. Congrats, natupad na ang lahat ng pangarap mo." Aniya. Napailing ako. Hindi pa natutupad lahat ng pangarap ko.

"Thank you. Pero hindi pa natutupad lahat ng pangarap ko. May isa pa." I answered. I'm still not yet married.

"Ano naman 'yon?" Tanong niya pero tinitigan ko lang siya.

"Caramel Macchiato for Ms. Janine!" Napatingin kami pareho sa nagsalita. Tumayo ako at kinuha ang order ko. Buti na lang, ayaw kong sagutin ang tanong niya. Pagkakuha ko ng order ko ay bumalik ako doon.

"So, how are you?" I asked instead, trying to change the topic at buti naman hindi na niya pinagpilitang alamin.

"Okay lang naman. I'm just busy with our business." Sagot niya. James told me about this. He's a very successful CEO now.

"Ay oo nga pala. James mentioned before that you're a CEO now. Congratulations, too!" Masaya kong sabi kaya napangiti siya. I'm just making the atmosphere lighter, I can feel awkwardness kasi.

But I am so happy for him. After all the struggles he went through, he's very successful now.

My phone vibrated.

"Hello?" I said as I answer the call.

"Atty. Marquez?"

"Yes?"

"Are you busy?" He asked.

"I'm on leave."

"Kahit saglit lang, atty."

"I'm with someone right now." Sabi ko at tinignan si Ralph na kanina pa ako tinitignan.

"Oh, sorry."

"Yeah, just call Atty. Jeff."

"Okay, atty."

"Okay. Bye." And I ended the call.

"A client?" Ralph asked when the call ended.

Tumango ako at uminom sa kapeng inorder ko, "Yes, he was actually a family friend."

"You should go now, then." Sabi niya. Hindi ba niya narinig ang sinabi kong 'I'm on leave'?

"No. I'm on leave."

"Okay. Lagi ka bang pumupunta dito?" He asked. Sobrang random ng question na iyon pero sinagot pa rin.

"Yes, even if this is the place we broke up. I don't know pero nare-relax ako kapag nandito. Maybe, it's because this coffee shop was the place where I usually go before." I answered. Pero hindi ako madalas mag-stay dito dahil kailangan ko pang sunduin si Kenzo kina Tita Irene kaya bumibili lang ako at aalis din agad.