It has been exactly a week after our hang out in the Café Racer and yet, Happy still invades my mind. Patuloy niya pa rin akong hinihila sa kanya.
"Phin. Brandon texted. Let's have daw our lunch at Fred's Book Café. Ano? G ka?" Madi approached me and showed me the text. We are currently walking towards the parking lot of the university. Kakatapos lang namin magpractice para sa graduation rites naming. I can't believe we are finally done with all the requirements and all the paper works. We're finally done with Senior High and we're finally moving on to college.
"Sure."
On the way to my car, we met our schoolmates and some classmates on their way to get their lunches. We just simply said hi and went on our way. We entered my car and drove out of the school premises. I was not familiar with the direction towards this said café so Madi told me the directions.
When we arrived, I parked my car to the side and locked the door. Madi did the same and we entered the café where we immediately saw the faces of our friends. They waved their hands and ushered us to come near the table and that we did.
"Hey, ang tagal niyo naman. Hindi kami makapag order dahil wala pa kayo. Let's order na nga." Rene rambled and got up from her seat. Everyone else followed and went near the cashier to order. While everyone else was busy with their orders, the door chime rang. And that's when I saw her again. Ligaya.
She wore a simple white polo and black skinny jeans. Ang buhok niyang kulot ay naka ponytail and in the daylight, I can finally distinguish her facial features. She has hazel eyes that glistens when a streak of sunlight hits it. Hindi ganun katangos ang ilong niya. Her lips are pouty and pink and she has that bright smile plastered on her face. Bagay nga sa kanya ang pangalan niya. She is a personification of her name. Happy.
She passed by us and went inside a door that says "Employees Only." I guess she also works here. Maybe the band was just a hobby?
"Di ba yun yung vocalist nung band na nagperform dun sa Café Racer?" So Jax also remembers her.
"Yeah. What was her name again?" Brandon thought.
"Happy," they turned to me with questioning looks on their faces. "Happy ang pangalan niya."
"How could you have remembered that? Eh ang tagal na nun?" Dominique threw an accusing look. Napa "yeah" naman ang iba.
"It's just that I have a better memory retention than you. Sige na, mag order na ulit kayo," pag change ko ng topic. Luckily, they diverted their attention back to ordering. When all of us were done, we returned to our table and continued chatting. Nagkwentuhan lang kami about our schools and our plans for college.
"Ikaw Dominique? Saan ka magcocollege?" pagtatanong ni Rene kay Dominique.
"If God will allow it, gusto ko sana sa UP," she said with that dreamy look in her eyes and then she went on about why UP is a good college.
"Happy, paki-serve naman to sa table 13 please," rinig kong sabi nung cashier.
"Sige Ate Shy," Happy went out of the door, complete with an apron that is mustard in color. She was carrying a gray tray, probably to carry our orders. Isa isa niyang nilagay ang mga pagkain at drinks sa gray na tray at tsaka dahan-dahang naglakad papunta sa table namin.
"Good morning ma'am, sir. Here's your order," sabi ni Happy habang nilalapag ang mga pagkain sa mesa namin. She still has that bright smile plastered on her face. Tinulungan naming siyang ilapag ang mga food at tsaka kami nagpasalamat sa kanya. She then smiled at us pero bago pa siya tuluyang makatalikod, our eyes met and it's like Friday night all over again. Pero this time, siya na yung nag break ng eye contact naming. She simply smiled at me and walked away.
I pulled myself together and just chatted with my friends. All throughout our lunch, my attention was not fully in my barkada's laughter and chats. Nawawala ako sa mga usapan namin especially if nahahagip ng mga mata ko si Ligaya. Whatever she wears, she doesn't fail to look good. The lunch ended and Madi and I have to bid our good byes dahil we still have to attend our graduation ceremony practices. Dominique, Rene, Jax and Brandon decided to stay a little longer since Dominique and Rene don't have anything to do for the afternoon and the café is close to Jax and Brandon's university. Madi and I stood up and headed towards the door. Madi went out first and when I was about to exit the store, I heard her voice.
"Thank you ma'am, sir, please come again," she said with her bright smile. And with that, her smile pulled me into another trance again. I would've been left standing there if it weren't for Madi who went back for me and snapped me out of my trance.
"Phin, come on. Cally called. They're about to start na daw."
I took one final glance to happy, who was already back to serving the customers, and went out the door. I went to my car, which was parked under a shade. I unlocked the car and went inside. Madi did the same and we started our trip back to the university.
On the way back, the car was silent. Neither of us talked but after a few minutes, Madi decided to break the silence.
"Do you..." she stopped in the middle of her sentence.
"Do I what?" I asked as I maneuvered the car to a halt since we were caught up in a red stop light.
"Do you like Happy?" she asked. I stilled. Do I like Happy? Is that possible? I mean I just met her and I don't know what she's like around others.
"No. I'm attracted to her beauty but..." I stopped to find the right words to utter.
"But?"
"Nothing. Yes, I am attracted to her but no, I don't like her," and the light turned green, signaling us to go.
"You're denying it Phin. You do like her," she said in a matter-of-fact tone, with a hint of teasing.
"What the hell are you talking about Madelaine?" I asked as I put the car into a halt and showed the guard my I.D. The guard nodded and opened the gates. I stepped on the gas and brought the car to the parking lot.
"I'm saying that you do like her and you just don't acknowledge it since you don't know her that much. I know you Phin. You won't admit to something that is unsure. You want something that is concrete and is explainable. What you're feeling for Happy is something you can't explain. It's okay, bro. It's just a crush. The sooner you admit it to yourself, the lighter you will feel," and then she opened the car door and went out. She headed to the gym and left me in deep thoughts. Could it be true? Do I really like Happy?
