Mimi Turns Pretty - SOON TO BE PUBLISHED ✅

Chapter 23

Ang dami naming inikutang streets para marating 'tong breakfast 'legend' na sabi ni Ollie.

It's in front of a big University in Manila pero parang bahay lang rin converted into a small restaurant itong lugar. Self-service dito so Ollie got up and bought our breakfast. Swerte raw kami kasi sakto ang dating namin dahil usually maraming tao talaga dito sa restaurant na 'to.

I never had the College experience sa Pilipinas but that's the thing that I missed here that I never even had, iba kasi ang buhay sa US. We lived independently from our parents but we were surrounded by people our age doing God knows what. I wonder what my life could have been if dito ako sa Pilipinas nag-aral.

Ang simple ng restaurant na ito, the tables are covered with shiny plastic – para mas madaling linisin. Practicality over splendor, cheap but effective.

I look at the counter kung nasaan si Ollie, parang canteen namin dati sa school, glass ang harang, maliwanag, may screen sa likod para itaboy ang mga langaw.

I look at the waitress on the other side of the counter and see her smiling at Ollie – a genuine smile for a charming guy. Ollie always had a way of making you feel attracted to him, whether it's attraction to him physically or just his overall vibe. Iba talaga ang dating niya, when he turns on his charms, no one can resist. Even Manang Waitress na mukhang kahit may edad na, nagkaka-crush pa.

I smile and shake my head.

Bumalik si Ollie at inilapag sa tapat ko ang tatlong packs na binalot sa dahon.

He sits and asks, "Bakit?"

He caught me shaking my head earlier so I say, "Stop charming the pants off Manang."

He grins, "Selos ka? I can try to charm you if you want."

I roll my eyes, "I can't banter. I'm too hungry. Feed me first."

He nods, "Okay. You have three choices: Pork and Chicken adobo, Spicy porkchop or Beef Tapa."

I bite my lip.

I can't choose just one.

He smiles and opens each binalot, "Or we can share."

Nginitian ko lang siya. He knows I like trying all types of food but I usually can't finish them all. So mula pagkabata namin, he knows I like sharing food.

Pagbukas niya ng binalot naglaway agad ako sa amoy ng ulam, the rice is soaked sa katas ng adobo at lumapit si Manang Waitress para bigyan pa kami ng sabaw. Gusto ko siya yapusin.

Ngumiti sa akin si Manang, "Kape po gusto niyo?"

I nod, "Yes po. Thank you po."

Binuksan ni Ollie ang dalawa pang binalot and I immediately looked for the spoon and fork. Tumingin lang ako kay Ollie and he grins, "Nasa Pinas ka ngayon, Mimi. So, walang kubyertos."

Gamit ang nguso niya he points to the C.R., "Do'n ka maghugas ng kamay."

I walk over there sulking. Hindi naman sa maarte ako, pero nakasanayan ko na rin kasi ang maging malinis lagi sa pagkain. Cleanliness is one of the key things being taught in Culinary School.

Bumalik ako kay Ollie with my hands up in the air dahil wala silang tissue paper sa C.R., sinalubong ako ni Ollie with a wad of tissue and he starts to pat my hands and arms, "Para kang surgeon na may ooperahan."

I roll my eyes, "Dapat masarap 'yan ha. Ang effort nito."

He grins, "Siguradong masarap. Hindi ako ipapahiya ni Manang."

He takes his turn sa paghuhugas ng kamay at imbis na kumuha ulit ng tissue para punasan ang kamay niya pinagpag niya lang iyon sa tabi habang umuupo siya.