Hazel's Sweet Revenge

Kabanata 23

*** Sabrina's ***

In All Familiar Places

"Hello, my fellow gays and humans! Welcome back to my channel!"

I was watching the latest video of Cris while inside the coffee shop I usually go to. I have my earphones on, and I really find it weird to hear and see my friend in a video. Lalo na kapag nakikita ko ang sarili ko.

I ordered two slices of pumpkin bread and a cup of black coffee. Inaliw ko muna ang sarili sa panonood ng vlog ni Cris kung saan naroon kaming lahat habang naglalaro ng who knows who better.

He began this channel during our undergraduate years, so the majority of his videos feature younger versions of us. Hindi ko lang mabuksan, wala pa akong lakas ng loob na panoorin dahil nandoon din siya.

Nang makalahati na ang inumin, doon na ako nag-desisyong tapusin ang ipo-propose ko na bagong layout para bukas. I typically take weeks to build one, but that's because I also work after-hours jobs. Ngayon buong-buo kong inilaan ang oras kaya madali siyang natapos.

Coffee shops became my oasis of calm. Something about the scent enhanced my energy, allowing me to be more productive. Pagkatapos mai-sara ang laptop, napansin ko ang pagbukas ng ilaw ng cellphone. Ate Amara's name appeared on the screen.

I'm almost there, see you.

Napahinga ako ng malalim dahil sa pagsanib ng kaunting kaba. We started talking again last year, but this will be the first time we'll see each other after almost six years. Siya ang unang nag-reached out. Kinumusta niya ako but we didn't really ruminate on the past.

When she flew back here in the Philippines three days ago, nag-set na siya ng schedule para makipagkita sa'kin. Now, I'm not sure if today's conversation will be fruitful or not, pero may kutob na akong may mauungkat galing sa nakaraan.

Ubos na ang inumin ko at nakaka-isang slice na rin ng pumpkin bread. It's heavily raining outside kaya siguro siya natagalan.

A scorching hot chocolate seemed to go well with the chilly day, so I chose to get another beverage. I had a very distinct memory of someone who, in my perspective, served as the hot chocolate in my winter fairy tale.

Napanguso ako dahil kahit sa simpleng bagay o inumin ay naaalala ko pa rin siya. In all the familiar places, I saw pieces of our memories together.

Naghintay pa ako ng ilang minuto sa may handoff area hanggang sa tinawag na ng barista ang pangalan ko.

"Is this now the drink you prefer?" The girl behind the counter asked me. Madalas ako dito kaya it's only fitting that she knew my go-to drink.

"No, just for today." Sagot ko na may ngiti bago tuluyang umakyat papunta sa second floor.

Just before I reached the top, I noticed Miss Naomi entering the coffee shop. May kasama itong babae pero hindi ko makita ang mukha kasi nakayuko at may kinukuha sa bag.