Ghosting Madness

Chapter 11

11: Unknown Questions
"Why he seems familiar?
Why I felt comfortable around him?
What's his name?
Who are you?

These past two days were the most unusually common yet peaceful days of my life. Talagang tinotoo niya ang mga sinabi niya noong nakaraang Miyerkules.

Walang Madness Roi ang umaaligid.

I checked my phone for the nth time. Napaka-boring ng hapon ko. But to see no messages from him is irking my curiosity.

What's with him, really?

Pinagbibigyan niya ba ako? O may hinahanda na naman siyang plano laban sa'kin?—

"Hoy, girl!"

I quickly hid my phone under my uniform's front pocket when I heard one of my workmates calling me.

"No phones during work hours, 'di ba? Baka pagalitan tayo ni Boss, naku!" Paulo with his usual sassy tone, warned me. I tried to smile at him and bowed, saying sorry, as usual.

"Oh, Table 3 and 6. Goodluck, girl!" I moved my eyes away from his gray hair and  nameplate then gazed it on the tray of orders.

Kinuha ko iyon sa harap niya saka dahan-dahang naglakad. Mula sa counter, 'di ko pa rin maiwasang manginig habang naglalakad sa gitna ng mga tao. Sabado ngayon kaya maraming customer sa loob ng restocafé.

I breathe once. Then twice.

Kalmahan lang natin, Joshel.

"Miss, sa'kin na ba 'yan?" Napalingon ako sa boses ng babaeng tumawag sa'kin na sinundan ng marahang pagpatunog niya ng bell sa mesa. I instantly maneuvered my feet towards her table upon seeing number 6 on a stand.

"H-Here's your orders, Ma'am... "

I'm trying to smile but she easily noticed something's wrong with me. My trembling expressions are always noticeable, I guess.

"Hey, what are you so afraid of? Baguhan ka ba?" the lady, which I assumed is a college student, asked. Malapit lang din kasi sa mga universities 'tong lugar.

I nooded after I served her piping hot coffee and blueberry tart. Mag-a-alas-kuwatro pa lang kaya mostly, desserts and coffee pa lang available sa menu. Kapag sumapit naman ang alas-sais, doon na magsisimula ang pag-order ng dinner food. Doon na rin ang oras ng pagpasok ni Chef sa trabaho.

"I see... " she paused. "If you don't mind me asking, where's Kiara? The other female staff?" she asked and took a sip from her caramel macchiato.

"I was hoping I could talk to her, pero parang wala siya today." She sounded upset, after looking around the place, only not to see whom she's looking for.

I was lost because of her sudden question, when suddenly a man rang his bell. Napamura ako sa isip ko. I excused myself to her and immediately went to table 3. Ilang ulit akong napa-sorry do'n sa lalaki na kanina pa raw naghihintay.

Pati ba naman dito, papalpak pa 'ko? Baka mawalan na ako ng trabaho nito.

A while after I served him his food, I stood in front of her again, now with my arms holding the tray at my back.

"Sorry, sorry. May trabaho ka nga pala."

I sighed.

Parang gusto ko na lang ulit maghugas ng pinggan sa kusina. Kahit na magkamali ako doon, mga kitchen staff lang makakkita. Pero dito sa labas, hindi.

Everyone could see how pathetic I am.

Nakaka-drain din mag-assist ng customer, tapos 'di ko pa mamukhaan.