Every Sunset was Once a Sunrise

2 : The sun rises

I did my everyday routine perfectly the same. Wake up early, brew some coffee, open the book store, grab the book I'm currently reading and enjoy the view of the rising sun, together with the silence and aloneness while I read and sip on my coffee.

"Good morning, Miss Lewis! Care for some breakfast? May dala ako!" Or not.

"You're early today, huh?" I continued sipping on my cup of coffee without even throwing him a glance.

I heard him giggle. "Thought you might be lonely eating breakfast alone and decide to skip it." Isang iling at palatak. "Paano ka na kung wala ako, Miss Lew?"

I looked at him flatly as I put my mug down. "Hey, kiddo."

"I have special ube keso pandesal!" He beamed excitedly, holding up a brown bag levelled on the side of his face. "Il mio preferito!"

I nodded subtly then cocked my head to the side, narrowing my eyes on him. "How long have you been a part-timer here?"

"A... year? I guess?" He narrowed his eyes on me too as if waiting for my affirmation, in case he got in wrong.

Ngunit imbes na kumpirmahin ang sinabi'y nagtaas ako ng isang kilay. Sinarado ko ang librong binabasa at ipinahinga iyon sa kandungan. Itinuon ko ang buong atensyon sa kaniya sabay sarkastiko akong ngumisi. "A year and you still don't know that I don't eat anything solid for breakfast?"

He blinks. Then after a few silent moments, he flashes yet another smile and settled on the seat right across from mine. Inilapag niya ang brown bag sa lamesa at maligayang nirolyo iyon pabukas matapos.

Umiling siya. With now a smug smile on his face, he announces, "No soul can say no to my favorite special ube keso pandesal!"

"Did you not hear what I said?"

"Special! Ube! Keso! Pandesal!" Pinisil niya ang tinapay bago iyon kinagat, nagbibingi-bingihan. "Mnnnn!" Sabay tingala at lahad ng magkabilang palad pataas. "The heavens have opened the gates! This is the real thing, Miss Lew! You should definitely try this! Ipupusta ko ang pangalan ng lolo ko, this really came from the heavens!"

"Who told you to sit down and share a table with me?" sabi ko sa mababa ngunit may pagbabantang tinig. Pinandilatan ko ang balewala at patuloy pa rin niyang pagnguya matapos.

He smirked. "Miss Lew, you are definitely missing half of your life! Try mo na! Sige na! Isa lang!"

I sure as hell missed half of my life because I'm close to dying. So funny.

The corner of my lips rose for a half smile. "You know I can always hire a new part-timer to replace you, right?"

Nasa kalagitnaan na siya ng muling pagsubo nang panandaliang matigilan. He froze. Awang pa ang mga labi nang tumingin sa akin, tanging mga mata lang ang gumalaw.

I tilt my head to the side. And as if taking a hint, he started moving again.

"Ah!" Pagkatapos ipagsiksikan sa bibig ang natirang piraso ng pandesal ay dali-dali niyang sininop ang brown bag. May ilang tawa pang kumakawala sa punong bibig bago nagsalita. "Palit ba? Si Boss Lew naman eh! Magpapalit na nga ako o! Wala namang ibang palitan—"

Napangiwi ako pagka-ilag sa kung anong tumalsik galing sa bibig niya. I almost screeched in disgust but only ended up throwing him hostile stares, as he stood up and fumbled his way to the staff room while laughing his ass off. Napailing na lamang ako at mabigat na napabuntonghininga nang mawala siya sa paningin ko sa wakas. That kid has ton of energy to waste this early in the morning. Must be nice to be young and stupid.

"'Wag kang mag-alala, Miss Lew, 'pag tumanda kang dalaga pwede mong ipamana sa 'kin 'tong shop mo! Akong bahala kaya take your sweet time!"

My teeth gritted with the sudden surge of annoyance. Handa na akong batuhin siya nang pinakamalapit na bagay sa akin nang isinigaw ko ang pangalan niya sa sobrang gigil ko. "ALFIEÑO, YOU BRAT!"