HER (UNDER MAJOR REVISION)

CHAPTER 2

Coffee shops are one way for introverts to unwind. Usually, it is a place where most people mind their own businesses. The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans will always smell heavenly for the coffee lovers. The ventilation is also good. Books and board games are a good pair to keep the customers busy. With the temperature inside and the ambiance of the place, it will always feel like home.

Joe's Kopi became the group's study hub. Dito rin nila nakilala si Thirdy sa mismong spot na iyon. He was studying alone on that spot at puno na ang shop kaya naki-share sina Reese at Ivy ng table sa kanya. Eventually, he became their classmate in one of their subjects kaya lagi na silang magkasama para mag-aral dito.

Pagkarating sa coffee shop, nakita agad nila si Cerulean sa kanilang usual spot. Kilala na rin ang grupo ng may-ari kaya parang naka-reserve na ang space na yaon sa kanila.

Pagkakita ni Cerulean sa grupo ay tumayo ito para salubungin sila. Kinuha niya naman ang dalang libro ni Ivy.

Ako sana 'yan. Ako sana 'yung gagawa niyan para kay Ivy, Reese thought. She can't do anything but see how Ceru took care of Ivy. In front of her.

"Oh, phone ninyo, akin na para ma-keep ni sister Reese." Pagkasabi noon ni Rem ay ibinigay naman agad nila ang phone kay Reese.

Couple phone pa nga. Reese scoffed in her mind. Uso pa pala ang couple phones?

Pagkatanggap ng mga phone ay inilagay naman ito ni Reese sa bag niya. Nang maka-order na nag lahat, nagsimula na silang mag-aral.

It's a busy Wednesday so the shop is almost full of plates clattering, whispers and laughter of the customers. The buzzing of the air conditioners were almost indistinguishable from the noise of the environment.

Reese had to fight the urge to put on her earphones but she remembered their rule. Ininda niya na lang ang ingay ng shop at nagpatuloy mag-aral.

One of the similarities of this friendship is about how they value their academics above all. Although they have their distinct traits, they share the same goal: To graduate with flying colors. They can also study despite the noise in their surroundings. No one knows how they do it, but they definitely clicked with one another.

Dumating naman agad ang order ng lahat. Naka-dalawang balik din ang server dahil sa dami ng order nila.

"Ew damo!"

"Ew umaasa sa mixed signals!" Everyone laughed with Rem's retort to Thirdy. If there's something that everyone likes, it's Matcha. But Thirdy isnt a fan of this green delicacy. His palate is just different among them. And this 'damo' became a running joke in their group. Nonetheless, they still know thier boundaries and respected each other's taste buds.

They then continued with their feast. It's just a normal day for them. Studying is one of their hobbies. Who does that?

"Girl, punta lang akong CR." Hindi na tumingin pa at tumango na lang si Reese nang marinig ito mula kay Rem habang inililipat ang librong pinag-aaralan nito. Nauna nang umuwi si Thirdy dahil may group project pa raw sila. Sinundo siya ng mga kagrupo niya sa Joe's kaya silang apat na lang ang naiwan.

"Sama ako Rem," sabi naman ni Ivy. Napatingin naman si Reese sa kamay nina Ivy at Ceru na magkahawak kanina lang.

Pagkaalis ng dalawa, bumalik naman sa pagbabasa sina Reese at Ceru. Pansin ni Reese na panay ang lingon ng mata ni Cerulean sa paligid.

Nagkatinginan sila nang mag-ring ang phone na nasa bag. Aligaga pa rin ang mata ni Ceru habang kinukuha ni Reese ang gadget sa bag.

Yung isa sa couple phone, sa isip ni Reese. Talagang pinannindigan na niya ang tawag sa phone nila.