Change of Heart

Kabanata 8

ID

That weekend, me and Alisha went to the cafe to submitt the needed requirements, the manager also interview us too. I was actually amazed when we went there specially when I finally saw the design of the cafe. I thought it was just a simple cafe, I didn’t know that it’s a book café. They serve breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner. There is also a separated table for dining only and a table to those who want to read a book while taking their meal. Hindi pa man kami natatanggap bilang employee ng café na iyon ay gusto ko na agad na tanggapin nila kami. I really want to experience working there, it’s kind of a different environment for me.

We also spoke to the owner, nalaman namin na bukod sa kaylangan nila ng empleyado, the owner is also willing to help students like us na may problema sa pinansyal. Bihira ang mga ganitong oportunidad kaya naman sobrang saya ko ng matanggap kami ni Alisha, we were aleo very grateful when everyone welcome us.

The manager accompanied us to tour around that day at itinuro nadin kung ano dapat at kaylangan gawin. Madali lang ang gagawin namin. I went as the cashier where I could take the customer's order and exchange payments and receipts while Alisha was assigned as a waitress. Though pwede kaming mag shift na dalawa sa mga trabaho namin lalo na ngayong kulang sa empleyado. We also had a short training during that weekend before we were finally deployed. Though pwede din kaming manood sa mga ginagawa ng ate at kuya's namin para matuto.

Mabilis na dumaan ang mga araw. At mamayang hapon na after class ang schedule namin ni Alisha sa cafe and during weekends din. It was during Friday in the evening, and every weekends. Actually, the café is open until 10 in the evening, because many students and other people who have work come to their café every night. Minsan para magliwaliw, pero madalas ay para sa trabaho.

Last Saturday ay nakalahati ko na ang poem at kahit anong pagmamadali ang gawin ko dahil nalalapit na ang valentine’s day ay hindi ko ito magawang matapos dahil gabi gabi kong naririnig ang bangayan ng mga magulang. It stressed me out, it's a good thing that Alisha was there to entertain me.

Natigilan ako sa pagbabasa ng poem na ginawa ko ng may biglang maglagay ng inumin sa bench na aking inuupuan. Nag-angat ako ng tingin ng makita ang sapatos nito sa sahig.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Nate when I saw him in front of me again.

Ilang beses niya na akong nilalapitan at dinadalhan ng pagkain at inumin. Kung hindi naman ay nilalapitan ako para kausapin o niyayang ihatid sa bahay.

"I told you to stop dahil wala akong balak na magpaligaw.”

“Sino din ba nagsabi na nililigawan kita?” tumaas ang kilay niya. “Makikipag kaibigan palang ako.”

Umirap ako at halos matawa sa kanya. “Palang.” I emphasis the word. “You mean may balak ka talaga?”

Kinuha niya ang drinks sa bench at binuksan niya ang takip ng bottle. “Anong masama. Kikilalanin palang naman kita. The best relationship is when you became friends first before you enter into a boyfriend and girlfriend label.”

“I only want friendship, nothing more.” sambit ko.

Nagkibit balikat siya at inabot sa akin and bottle ng C2 green tea. “If that’s what you can offer me now. Then I accept it.”

I sighed and just reached for the drink he gave me. "Thanks for this." I sipped from the bottle and caught a glimpse of the smile on his lips.

“Hindi naman ako nagmamadali. Malay mo magbago pa ang isip mo.” Dagdag niya binaliwala ang pagpapasalamat ko.

I rolled my eyes and glared at him.

“Magustuhan mo ako.” Dagdag niya pa. “Besides, di hamak na mas gwapo ako, matalino, at may talent kaysa sa ex mong gago.”

Umirap ako pagkatapos uminom muli sa bottle. “I don’t need all of that. I only want the love and care. Someone who can love me unconditionally. That’s enough for me. ”I replied.

“Then I will love and take care of you. Ano? Pasado na ba?”

Pagod ko siyang tiningnan. “Tigilan mo ako. I’m busy, you’re distracting me. ”

"Okay, I leave you now." He said and glanced at my paper. “Wait for me later after class. I will take you home. ”

I didn’t answer him I just tilted my head and saw Red with his girlfriend while holding some food. Kita ko sa gilid ng mga mata ko na sinulyapan din iyon ng tingin ni monkey. I saw Red then look at us too.

“Stop looking at them. He’s not worth it.” Aniya niya.

Red and his girlfriend, of course sila parin, but I often catch him looking at me. I thought that maybe he’s only looking at me cause he’s guilty for what he had done to me. Hinayaan ko nalang, at paulit ulit siyang iniwasan, baka ako pa ang maging sanhi ng away nilang mag jowa, kaya hindi nalang ako nakikialam. I just ignore my feelings for him and thought that somehow these feelings will slowly disappear and maybe in time, I can forgive him.

Umiwas ako ng tingin at inilipat iyon kay Monkey. I raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you leaving or not?"

He smirked. "You always wanted to get rid of me huh?"

“Dahil ang kulit kulit mo.” Mataray na sagot ko sa kanya.

He smirked and shook his head before he finally left. Bumalik naman ako sa dating ginagawa. After class Alisha and I went straight to the café together. Actually, I told my parents that I would be home late because of our research, so I would stay at my classmate's house and Alisha and the rest of my group would take me home. I felt guilty though, I don't want to lie but I can't tell them about it dahil everytime na uuwi ako ay nagbabangayan silang dalawa na kahit sa hapagkainan ay natatakot ako na magsalita. Baka din dahil sa hindi iyon magustuhan ng aking Ina, she maybe scold me for not letting them know that I'm now working as a part timer.

"Good afternoon, ma'am. Can I take your order?" I asked the woman who approached our counter.

"Isang chicken burger and…lemonade please.” Nakangiting aniya.

"Is that all, ma’am?"

“Yes, that's all.” siya.

"Okay, its 190 pesos ma’am. We’ll serve it to you after 5 minutes."

Nagsimula akong pumindot sa monitor at ibinigay ang exchange niya. Mabilis naman kumilos ang katabi kong babae na mas matanda sa akin ng ilang taon na siyang naghahanda ng mga order ng customer.

Mabuti nalang at mabilis akong matuto, ganuon din si Alisha. Tuwang tuwa naman sa amin ang manager. Lumingon ako sa manager na nanatiling nakabantay sa amin ni Alisha. Ngumiti siya sa akin at tumango. Ngumiti din ako pabalik at ipinagpatuloy ang pagkuha ng order ng mga customer.

“Next in line please.” Tawag ko sa susunod na customer na agad namang lumapit. “What do you want to have, ma'am? A snack or a meal?"

“I’ll order for a snack and a meal later.”

“Oh, you’re going to stay for long ma’am?” nakangiting tanong ko.

“Yes, I have some work to do before I went home, I’m meeting someone too.”

“Okay ma’am. What do you have for your snack then?”

“Just a club sandwich and an ice tea, please.”

“Alright. It’s 225 pesos, ma’am.”

Nakangiti ako at napabuntong hininga pagkatapos makuha ang order ng mga nakalinya na customer. I didn't know that it would be fun to make new things besides studying. I actually enjoying it.

I watch Ate Ayanna brew coffee while I am writing the procedure she does as she explains to me how to make one ganuon din sa iba pang inumin. Nang matapos ay inipit ko ang ballpen sa maliit na notebook at inilagay iyon sa counter habang nanatiling nakatingin sa ginagawa ni Ate Ayanna, kaya lang ay nahulog iyon sa baba ng counter so I bent down to pick it up.

"Uh, excuse me. Can I have a ...." boses ng lalaki.

Mabilis akong tumayo ng marinig ang boses ng isang customer na lalaki.

“I’m sorry Sir. What is it again?—” Sambit ko at nag-angat ng tingin.

Nagkatitigan kami ng lalaki at bahagya akong napakurap duon. Bumaba ang tingin ko at bumalik ang mata sa monitor para hintayin ang order niya. Kaso hindi siya nagsalita kaya muling bumalik ang tingin ko.

“Sir?” tanong ko habang siya’y nakatingin sa akin.

"Just a regular coffee with a small amount of sugar, please." He said in a baritone voice.

Bahagyang tumagilid ang ulo ko bago ibinalik ang tingin sa monitor at may pinindot duon.

"Is that all sir?" I asked.

"Yes please." Aniya.

“That’s 120 pesos, Sir. Can you wait for 5 minutes before we serve your coffee on your table?”

"Yes, you may." He said simply and stared at me.

“Okay, sir. We serve it to your after 5 minutes.” I said then averted my eyes. I just looked back when I noticed he had taken something out of his pocket.

I looked at his hand as he pulled something out of his wallet. I was amazed when he handed me his card. Big time. Sambit ko sa aking isipan pagkatapos tumaas ng isang kilay.

I accepted it but my forehead frowned slightly when his finger touched mine. Binalewala ko iyon at s-in-wipe na ang card niya. I put the card down on the counter instead of handing it back.

"Thank you, sir."

"Thank you." He said deeply. Muling nangunot ang noo ko.

Hindi ko na siya sinulyapan. Imbis ay binalingan ko ang monitor. When I felt him turn away I glanced at his back. My forehead furrowed. The man was so tall, he's wearing a black polo shirt and faded jeans. Actually, I have never seen a man so handsome like him, siguro sa mga palabas, pero sa personal hindi. She's handsome, very handsome than boys my age. For sure he's not from here, he looks so out of place, at para ding may dugo siya ng isang banyaga, pero ang kulay ay nagsusumigaw ng pagiging isang Filipino. Pwede din siyang pagkawalan bilang artista.

I look at our other customer in the table and I saw their eyes on him. Meron pa akong nakita na bahagyang natapon ang iniinom ng makita ang lalaki. Halos mabali naman and leeg ng ibang customer sa kakahabol ng tingin sa kanya.

Umirap ako at binalingan ang lalaki na ngayon ay nakaupo na ngayon sa table niya. The man glanced at me. I averted my gaze and smiled at the new customer who was now approaching the counter.

I sighed. I didn't know that this cafe had many customers. Kaya pala namomroblema ang may ari sa empleyado.

I saw Alisha outside the counter and holding a tray for our customer’s order, she looks so stressed sa dami ng customer. Hindi naman magka-ugaga ang dalawa pang waitress na kasama niya sa pabalik-balik sa aming counter.

My eyes went to the man again and I saw him looking at me. Medyo nailang ako ng bahagyang tumagal ang titig niya sa akin kaya mabilis akong umiwas ng tingin at tiningnan nalang ang monitor.

"Belle, may expat. Ang gwapo!" Si Alisha nang makalapit sa aming counter.

Natawa si Ate Ayanna sa kanya. "Ilang beses ko na yang nakita dito. Nung unang beses ko siyang kinuhanan ng order halos mautal ako." Natatawang sambit ni ate Ayanna. "Buti hindi ka nautal, Belle."

Muntik na nga eh. I bit my lip to stop myself.

"Sana marami pang ganyang customer. Naku magtatagal talaga ako dito, Ate. Nakaka-inspire." Humagikhik si Alisha.

Nangunot ang noo ko. "Trabaho ang pinunta natin dito Alisha hindi expat." saway ko sa kanya.

"Sus, hindi ka ba nagwapuhan duon? Alam kong maganda ka, at gwapo si Red. Pero mas gwapo Yun." Halos tumili siya sa kilig. Mas lalong natawa sa kanya si Ate Ayanna.

Mabuti nalang at may customer na muling bumalik sa counter at humingi ng take out dahilan para matigilan kaming tatlo sa usapan. Mabilis naman akong kumilos at inabala ang sarili sa pagkuha ng isang box ng carrot cake. Hindi ko na tinawag si Ate Ayanna dahil naturo na din sa amin kung paano iyun gawin.

"Thank you, ma'am." Nakangiting sambit ko.

"Please tell your manager that I enjoyed this carrot cake, next time I'll bring my friends here."

"That's good to hear ma'am. I'll tell that to her. Pwede po kayong magpa deliver kung gusto niyo po para po sa mga kaibigan niyo and you might want to try our special order, ma'am."Nakangiting sambit ko.

"Sige. Gagawin ko yan. Thanks for your suggestion, hija.”

"Your welcome ma'am." Nakangiting sambit ko at muling tumama ang tingin ko sa likod niya kung saan naka-upo ang lalaking customer. Nakatingin na naman siya sa akin. I wonder why.

He had his laptop in front of him and his coffee next to it. I wonder what he was doing with his laptop. He doesn’t look like a student though. Pero bakit tingin siya ng tingin sa akin?

Nangunot ang noo ko. Binalingan ko ang katabi ko at nagpaalam na papasok lang ako sa loob at may titingnan lang. Tiningnan ko ang sarili sa salamin. I don't have dirt on my face, I look fine. I sighed at hinayaan nalang ang pabalik-balik na tingin sa akin ng lalaki.

Nang bumalik ako sa counter ay nagulat ako ng makita ang mga pamilyar na pumasok sa pinto ng entrance ng cafe. They're my batch mate. Ang iba ay naging kaklase ko din noon.

I saw one of my batch mates shocked to see Alisha when she almost passed them while holding an empty tray. They talked a bit and they all turned to me when Alisha pointed at me. I smiled and waved at them kaso nawala ang ngiti ko ng dumaan ang mga mata ko sa lalaking customer namin na malapit sa kanila.

Nakatingin na naman siya sa akin. He then averted his eyes and look at my classmates na ngayon ay kausap muli si Alisha. Hindi naman sila nagtagal dahil may trabaho din si Alisha. Kaya agad silang lumapit sa akin para makapag order.

"Belle, hindi ko alam na nagtatrabaho kayong dalawa ni Alisha dito." Gulat na sambit ng ka batch kong babae.

"Kumusta na, belle? Kumusta na puso mo? I heard what happened between you and Red--"

Natigil sa pagsasalita ang isa ko pang kaklase noon ng sikuhin siya ng kasama niya.

Ngumiti ako at umiling. "I'm fine, you don't have to worry. First day namin ngayon dito ni Alisha. Kaylangan din para may pandagdag gastos." Nakangiting sagot ko.

"Hindi ba may trabaho naman ang Daddy mo sa abroad? Architect yun diba? So why are you working here?" Nagtatakang tanong ng unang kaklase kong bumati sa akin.

Maybe they didn't hear that my daddy came home from abroad and had stopped working because of his condition. Akala nila katulad pa kami ng dati na may pera at nabibili ang gusto. They knew that I was one of those students who could afford anything and doesn't have financial problems.

I shook my head. "Not anymore. His body can't take it anymore. So I have to work to earn for myself at least." Pagpapakatotoo ko.

"Oh, poor Tito. How is he? Ano ba sakit niya?"

I smiled at them. "Ask me next time. I'm at work now. Ibigay niyo muna sa akin ang order niyo." Natatawang sambit ko at muli iyong tumama sa likuran nila.

The man who was just on his table are now behind them. Kaya nagmadali na ako na kunin ang order nila dahil nakakaabala na. Baka pa mapagalitan ako ng manager.

Medyo natalagan sila sa pag-order dahil lima silang magkakasama. When they left, the man was now in front of me.

"Yes Sir? Is there anything you want to add to your order?” Tanong ko.

He stared at me for a moment kaya napalunok ako duon at napakurap. Sinulyapan ko ang ginawa niya ng yumuko siya at inangat ang kanyang kamay hawak ang isang card.

"No, I just want to give you this." He said softly and handed me the card. "I believe this is yours."

I blinked and my lips parted when I finally saw it. It's my school I.d.!

Kinuha ko mula sa kanya ang I.d. ko at tinitigan iyon ng mabuti, ang mukha ko sa I.d. ay kinuhanan lang last year ng mag transfer ako sa school na pinapasukan ko ngayon. Nakita ko din ang pangalan ko sa baba. Inikot ko patalikod ang I.d. at nakita ang naka-ipit na picture ni Red sa case ng I.d. I sighed seeing the picture of my ex. I should have removed it but there was a part of me that doesn't want to remove it, kaya nanatili iyon sa likod ng i.d. ko, but then I think I should remove it later. He's now happy with his girlfriend, I should move on and be happy for him.

I looked up at him again. "Yes, this is mine, but may I ask if where did you get this, sir?" Tanong ko.

"I picked it up on the road. I think you dropped it." Aniya.

Umawang ang labi ko at ngumiti sa kanya. "Thank you sir. I thought I already lost this."

He nodded at me and didn't even smile. He kept staring at me. "Your welcome."

Muli akong ngumiti sa kanya. Tinitigan niya naman ako. "Be careful next time." Aniya.

I nodded to him before he backed away and turned around to get back to his table.

Tinitigan ko ang likod niya. Nang makabalik siya sa upuan ay muli siyang sumulyap sa akin. I smiled sparingly, he averted his gaze and looked back at his laptop.

Yumuko ako at tiningnan ang I.d. Siguro kaya niya ako tinitingnan kanina ay para tingnan kung ako nga ba ang nasa I.d. na hawak niya. That makes sense.

I thought I already lost this kaya naisipan ko na magpabago nalang ng i.d. kaya lang ay matatagalan iyon at gagastos pa ako. Besides patapos na din ang klase kaya hindi ko na din naman ito kakaylanganin sa school.

I look back again at the man, he’s such a kind person. Hindi ko alam na maibabalik pa sa akin ang i.d. ko. kung ibang tao siguro baka hindi na pinansin ang isang i.d. na nahulog sa kalsada. Pwude nilang hindi pansinin iyon at daanan nalang. But then why didn’t he go to my school and gave it to a school guard since nakalagay naman ang pangalan ng school sa I.d. ko. Tumagilid ang ulo ko sa pagtataka, mas mapapadali ang pagsasauli ng I.d. kung ganun ang ginawa niya.

Does he knew that I was working here so he went here to finally gave this to me? but it’s still my first day here, or is it really a coincidence? I don’t know I’m just really curious.

I blinked in shock when he caught me looking at him. I quickly averted my eyes. I should pay him back or give him something to thank him. I smiled and turned to Ate Ayanna.

“Ate ano ba ang masarap na cake natin na madalas bilhin ng customer?” tanong ko sa kanya na busy ngayon sa pagkuha ng order ng mga customer.

“I’m not sure. Halos lahat naman masarap.”

“Yung hindi sana masyadong matamis.” I said as I remembered his order a while ago about his coffee not wanting a lot of sugar.

“Ah, we have a new baked cake with less sugar. Actually, it's one of the newly cakes made by the owner. Marami ding bumibili at nagpa deliver.” aniya habang pinagpapatuloy ang paglalagay sa tray ng mga pagkain.

"Okay, I'll buy one." Nakangiting sagot ko.