THE HEART I DIDN'T SEE

RAVENS FEELING

Scene: The cafe is bustling with the evening crowd, a symphony of clinking cups and chatter. Mico, wiping down a table, glances at Cristin, who sits with Derek, her gaze fixed on him.

Mico: (his voice a low murmur, his brow furrowed with curiosity) Hey, Raven, who’s that woman? She’s beautiful, but… she seems a little rude.

Raven: (his eyes following Mico’s gaze, a faint smile gracing his lips) That’s Cristin. She’s not really rude, once you get to know her. I think she’s just stressed. She’s our friend.

Mico: (his head tilting in curiosity) How long have you been friends?

Raven: (his smile widening, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes) Fifteen years. We’ve been best friends since we were kids. I pretty much know everything about her. Her favorite food? Sweets. She’s allergic to shrimp. And she’s obsessed with horror movies.

Mico: (his eyes widening in amusement) Really? You know all that?

Raven: (chuckling) Yeah, we’re close. We’ve been through a lot together.

Mico: (his eyes twinkling with mischief) Are you really just her friend? Or… boyfriend?

Raven: (his eyes widening, his face turning red) We’re just friends, really! Stop teasing me!

Mico: (his laughter echoing through the cafe, his eyes filled with amusement) If you say so.

**Mico returns to his work, his mind filled with thoughts of Cristin and her mysterious connection to Derek and Raven. He watches them from a distance, his curiosity growing with each passing moments**

Scene: The cafe is buzzing with the afternoon crowd, a symphony of chatter and clinking cups. Cristin sits at a table, her gaze fixed on Derek and Raven, who are clearing tables nearby. Her heart is a mixture of emotions: joy at seeing them again, frustration at their current situation, and a growing sense of unease about the budding connection between Derek and Lina.

The cafe door swings open, and two figures enter, their faces beaming with excitement. Micah, with her infectious energy and bright smile, and Leah, with her calm demeanor and sharp wit, approach Cristin’s table.

Micah: (her voice a mix of excitement and teasing) Girl, you’re finally back! We’ve been waiting for you to come back to the Philippines for ages!

Leah: (her voice soft, her eyes sparkling with amusement) It’s been way too long, Cristin! We need to catch up!

Cristin: (her face lighting up with a warm smile) Guys! It’s so good to see you!

Micah: (her eyes scanning the cafe) Oh my god, this place is so cute! We have to vlog here. And… is that… Derek? And… Raven?

Leah: (her eyebrows raised in surprise) Wow, this is going to be good for your vlog!

Cristin: (her voice a soft whisper, her gaze dropping to the floor) Actually, I think they might be a little stressed right now. They’re not really in the mood for a vlog.

Micah: (her eyes widening in concern) What happened?

Cristin: (her voice a soft whisper, her eyes filled with sadness) It’s a long story. But… they’re in a bit of a tough spot.

Micah: (her hand reaching out to touch Cristin’s arm, her voice filled with understanding) Oh, honey. I’m so sorry. We’re here for you. Whatever you need, we’re here.

Leah: (her voice soft, her eyes filled with empathy) You know we’ll always have your back.

Micah: (her gaze shifting to Derek and Raven) Girl, have you already seen who your biggest fan is around here?

Cristin: (her eyes widening in surprise) What do you mean?

Micah: (her eyes twinkling with mischief) Just wait and see!

**The air hangs heavy with unspoken words and a sense of anticipation. Cristin, her heart filled with a mixture of excitement and anxiety, watches as Micah and Leah take in their surroundings. Their arrival adds a new layer of complexity to the unfolding drama, and the cafe, already a stage for unexpected encounters and shifting dynamics, is now preparing for a new act

**.