A/N: This story may contain a lot of profanities due to the characters' personalities, which will be then explained throughout the story.

Enjoy reading!

***

'You are at the end of the story.'

Agad na napakunot ang noo ko at mabilis na napaupo nang wala na akong ma-scroll pagkatapos ng latest chapter. I even swiped the app para masiguro ko kung iyon na ba talaga ang last chapter ng story na binabasa ko. The chapter's title said epilogue.

Napabuntong-hininga naman ako dahil hindi ko manlang napansin na tapos na pala ako sa story. Napahiga ako at bumagsak ang aking cellphone sa tabi ko. Kumuha ako ng isang unan at tinakip sa aking mukha, saka ako napahiyaw.

"AAAAAAAAA! BAKIT BITIN?! TANGINA NAMAAAAAAN!" I screamed while still covering my face with a pillow.

Kahit na wala akong ibang kasama sa bahay, baka ang mga kapitbahay naman ang magising sa sigaw ko. Mahirap na at baka mapa-barangay pa ako dahil nagsisisigaw ako sa madaling araw. 

Nakakainis naman kasi yung story na iyon! It was already the final story of the series that I've been reading since I started it. The first book piqued my interest and ever since then, I've been read-grinding the whole series for a week. Wait, wala pa nga atang isang linggo. I guess, four or five days? Ewan, nakalimutan ko na.

Basta! Nasabay pang bakasyon ngayon kaya mas lalo akong nagkaroon ng maraming time para magbasa ng magbasa, kahit magpuyat pa ako at hindi matulog. Pero syempre, bawal iyon dahil may trabaho ako.

Tinanggal ko ang unan sa mukha ko at napatulala sa kisame nang bumalik sa isip ko na tapos na ang series na binabasa ko. There's this irreducible emotion residing within me that circulates all over my whole being. I felt empty...and heartbroken. I just finished not just a story, but a whole fucking series.

Of course, some people would see me as exaggerating, pero iyon talaga ang totoo 'kong nararamdaman. It has always been like this. Sa tuwing nakakatapos ako ng mga binabasa ko, there's this melancholic feeling that naturally concurs.

Kasi naman eh! When finishing a book, it also feels like departing from a universe that you once entered, that the exit before you is a sign that there won't be something that you can look forward to anymore.

It also felt like losing a friend, and a part of me has been left within that universe. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko dahil ayoko siyang matapos. Ano na ang mangyayari sa future ng mga characters? Ano nang kakaining almusal ng mga bida, at gagawing kagaguhan ng mga kaaway nila? Sa mangyayaring development sa mundo nila? Hindi ko na malalaman kung anong mangyayari sa relationship na meron sila with the other characters, and so much more what-ifs.

Sigh. Nagdadrama na naman ako, palibhasa nakatapos na naman ako ng story. Umayos na ako ng pagkaka-higa at saka tinignan kung anong oras na para mabilang ko kung ilang oras na lang ako matutulog.

"Ay pucha–!" Halos mapigilan ko naman ang sarili 'kong magmura nang malakas nang makita ko ang oras. It was nearly 7 AM and I'm still wide awake!

Napatakbo naman ako sa bintana at inurong ang kurtina na humaharang dito, at halos manlumo ako nang makita ko na may sikat na ng araw sa labas! Hindi ko naman alam kasi gusto 'kong madilim lagi ang paligid kapag nagbabasa ako!

"Hay, lagot na naman ako nito kila mamala!" My hands grasp my hair in frustration. "Kakasabi ko lang na bawal akong hindi natutulog. Tanga mo talaga, Agnes." I almost cried.

Nakatulala lang akong nakahiga sa kama habang hinihintay na mag-alarm ang phone ko. Tutal, malapit na rin naman na, hindi na ako nag-abalang matulog. Para saan pa, baka hindi pa ako magising at hindi pa ako makapasok mamaya.

After five more minutes, tumunog na ang alarm ko na nakakapambulabog pati ng mga natutulog na daga, pero syempre walang daga dito sa bahay, malinis kaya akong tao. Pinatay ko na iyon agad at tamad na dumiretso ng banyo, saka ako naligo. It took me a while inside dahil tinatamad akong gumalaw.

Habang nagbibihis at nagpapatuyo ng buhok, biglang tumunog ang phone ko, someone's calling this early. My forehead automatically creased as I saw Mark's name on it. I rolled my eyes bago ko sagutin ang tawag niya.

"Oh? Ano kailangan mo?" Pang-bungad ko sa kanya.

"Wow, good morning din, Agnes! Napaka-sweet mo talaga kahit kailan, sana ipisin ka!" He said in a very sarcastic tone.

"You're very fucking welcome, and by the way, no thanks." I said and even though he can't see, I flashed a not-so sarcastic grin. "Ang aga-aga, bakit ka ba tumatawag?"

"I'm just checking up on you if buhay ka pa o nilamon ka na ng kadiliman." Napairap na naman ako. "Mabuti naman at gising ka na, akala ko mahimbing ka pang natutulog dahil napuyat kang magbasa, kaya naisip 'kong bulabugin ka."

Pumunta na ako sa sala at kumuha ng tsinelas, nilagay ko sa speaker mode ang tawag para marinig ko siya.

"Sorry but I'm already awake, sayang effort mo." Pang-aasar ko pa sa kanya.

"Talaga ba? O baka wala ka na namang tulog dahil may tinapos kang story?" Hindi naman ako agad nakasagot kaya napairap na naman ako, he sure knows me well. "O diba, ang galing galing ko talaga–"

"Okay, shut up already. Aalis na ako." Pagputol ko sa sasabihin niya dahil baka hindi ko masikmura ang sasabihin niya nang ganito kaaga.

"Kala mo ah, susumbong kita kila mamala–"

Hindi ko na siya pinatapos at pinatay ang tawag. Matapos 'kong magsuot ng tsinelas ay kumuha lang ako ng tinapay mula sa lamesa saka ako umalis ng bahay. Naglakad ako hanggang sa labas ng village namin at sumakay ng jeep papunta sa Crystal Avenue.

Matapos ang fifteen minutes na biyahe at paglalakad, nakarating din ako sa coffee shop na may french-style design sa labas. There's a small tin roof that brings shade, the wooden door and windows on both sides both had the same colorful abstract glass design, flower bushes, and an old sign board below a small balcony surrounded with purple orchids, with a word engraved on it.

RIVERSIDE

Ginilid ko ang menu board na nakaharang sa pintuan, na may nakasabit na sign, CLOSED. Kumatok ako ng apat na beses bago ako pumasok. The strong and bitter aroma of coffee welcomed me as I inhaled a few. Iba talaga ang amoy ng kape, nakakaadik.

Inside the house was a cafe. On the right, there were a total of six tables encircled with two-seater sofas and colorful chairs, and hanging shelves on the walls with books. Meanwhile, on the left was a wooden counter where the orders are made, and a bread rack. May dalawang pinto sa magkabilang gilid nito na papasok sa loob ng bahay. And lastly, the vintage-looking hanging lamps and bulbs that create a more nostalgic and cozy ambiance.

Naabutan ko si mamala na nagpupunas ng mga lamesa habang si lolo Chad (siya ang pumili ng nickname na iyan, believe me) ay nasa may counter at nagpupunas ng coffee mugs gamit ang malinis na towel. My lips instantly formed a smile and ran towards mamala, giving her a hug.

"Good morning, mamala!" I greeted with enthusiasm.

Napangiti rin siya pero agad na nagtaka ang mata niya nang kumalas siya sa yakap at tinitigan ako. Patay na, napansin niya ata.

"Nagpuyat ka na naman ba, Agnes?" Nag-aalalang tanong nito at hinawakan ako sa balikat ko.

Tumawa naman ako at pasimpleng tinanggal ang hawak niya sa akin. "Hala, nag-ooverthink ka na naman po! Masama iyan, mamala!" Pagkasabi ko no'n ay tumalikod ako agad at tumakbo kay lolo, mahirap na at napaka-strikta pa naman ni mamala kumpara kay lolo.

"What's up, lolo!" Sabi ko at inangat ang kamay ko.

Natawa naman ito at nakipag-apir sa akin. "Napakataas ata ng energy mo ngayon, iha." Sabi nito, saka siya lumapit sa akin. "Ikaw ha, tinatakasan mo na naman ang lola mo."

Lumaki naman ang mata ko at sinubukang ngumiti saka sumulyap kay mamala. "Kung ano sinasabi mo 'lo, kulang ka lang sa kape."

Papunta na sana ako sa kanang pinto nang biglang bumukas ang nasa kaliwa at niluwa ang taong nambulabog ng aking umaga kanina.

"Nako, mamala! Tama ka ng hinala dahil hindi na naman natulog ang isang iyan kakabasa–!"

Bago pa tuluyang makalabas si Mark, tinakpan ko na agad ang bibig niya ng kamay ko at ngumiti kila lolo. "Magpapalit na po ako ng uniform!"

Kinaladkad ko si Mark pabalik sa loob ng bahay saka ko siya pinakawalan. Hinabol naman nito ang kanyang hininga na kala mo ay malalagutan na ng hininga. Ang OA ha.

"Grabe, papatayin mo ba ako?! My gosh, I'm accusing you of an attempted murder!" He pointed at me, but I just rolled my eyes at him.

"Ang daldal mong lalaki ka. Try mo itikom 'yang bibig mo kahit minsan, it won't kill you, promise." Sambit ko na may seryosong tono.

Sinuot ko naman na ang black apron sa taas ng aking white shirt na may printed RIVERSIDE sa upper right, at brown pants, pati na rin ang flat cap na kulay itim din. Nagpalit na rin ako ng flat shoes na old style para dagdag sa vintage style ng cafe.

Lolo Chad insisted that we should just wear whatever we want to be more natural and just put on the aprons and the cap, but mamala wanted the French and vintage vibes to still be felt. In the end, may schedule na lang kung kelan kami magsusuot ng uniform at ng casual clothes.

Tinawanan naman niya ako saka ako inakbayan. "Luh, kala mo ang gaan mo!" Reklamo ko pero hindi naman niya iyon tinanggal.

"Alam mo, pasalamat ka talaga at wala silang magagawa sa pagpuyat mo, pero nag-aalala rin iyan sila. Kaya bawas-bawasan mo na–" Panenermon pa sa akin ni Mark.

But I just shrugged him off using my hands. "Oo na, oo na! Tina-try ko namang huwag na magpuyat! Pero–"

"Pero masaya talaga magbasa, 'no?" Singit niya kaya nag-apir naman kami. "Don't worry, I got you."

Siniko ko naman siya kaya napa-aray siya. "I got you ka dyan, eh lagi 'kang nambubuking, walang'ya ka!"

"Syempre, para may thrill!" Pahabol pa niya.

Paglabas namin ng sala ay nasa counter pa rin si lolo Chad at nag-aayos ng mga display ng pastries. "Tulungan na kita dyan, paps!" Lumapit naman sa kanya si Mark.

"Ayan, para may dulot ka naman dito." Pang-aasar ko sa kanya.

"Bawal magsalita ang mga walang tulog." Sabi nito kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin, pero ang gago, tinawanan lang ako. Napailing na lang sa amin si lolo.

Lumabas naman ako ng shop at naabutan si mamala na nagdidilig ng mga halaman sa tapat. Inusog ko naman ang menu board sa may tabi at inayos ang pagkakaharap no'n. Pinalitan ko na rin ang nakasabit na sign sa pinto. OPEN.

"Tulungan na kita, mamala."

Umiling siya. "Huwag na, tulungan mo na lang si Mark doon dahil aalis na rin ang lolo mo."

Tinanguan ko na lang siya at pumasok na ulit sa shop. Wala na si lolo sa counter at paniguradong nagpapalit na ito ng damit. Naabutan ko si Mark na nagtitimpla ng dalawang kape.

"Para sa'kin ba iyang isa?" Pagtanong ko, kahit na alam 'kong para sa akin talaga iyon.

Suminghal siya. "Huh, kapal mo naman, magtimpla ka ng sarili mo. Sa akin 'to parehas." Sinipa ko naman ang binti niya. "Tang–! Agnes naman! Kapag ito talaga tumapon!"

I immediately laughed at his reaction. "Bwisit ka kasi."

Matapos ang ilang minuto, inabot na niya sa akin ang kape ko. Parehas naming inangat ang mug namin. "Cheers!" Saka kami uminom. The first sip of coffee early in the morning is always the best part to start the day.

My eyes glanced at the classic clock and coincidentally, the door chimed indicating the arrival of a customer. I set aside my coffee and we both greeted a lady that looks in her thirties with a wide beam.

"Good morning! Welcome to Riverside!"

After the lady took her seat on the corner, I asked for her order and delivered it right away to Mark, who quickly brewed coffee. I went to the bread rack and got a piece of croissant that she ordered and placed it on a ceramic plate, along with some utensils. 

Binuksan ko ang isang transparent cabinet and picked a tiny jar of creamer and sugar each and placed all of it in a tray. Later on, nilagay ko na rin ang tinimplang kape ni Mark at saka ko ito sinerve sa customer.

"Enjoy your breakfast, ma'am." I addressed and went back to the counter.

And that's how my day at the coffee shop began. Matapos naming mag-serve sa unang customer ay nagpaalam na rin si lolo Chad para sa weekly conference nito sa office. My eyes also caught a glance of mamala outside who's now busily sweeping dry leaves on the street.

Unti-unti ring dumating ang mga customer and although we only have a limited capacity for our shop, mabilis namang may dumadating na bago kahit na kakaalis lang ng mga naunang customer, at kailangan naming mag-restock every time, kaya wala kaming pahinga ni Mark.

Riverside is a coffee shop business run by Mark's grandparents which are mamala and lolo Chad. It's not that of grand and luxurious ones unlike the common coffee shops in the city, because this shop is merged within their house. The doors beside the counter are the pathways inside the house proper, which gives the shop a natural homey and warm atmosphere, which is their intention in the first place.

Kaya maliit lang din ang space nito sa loob at wala talagang balak sila mamala na i-expand ito dahil hindi naman ito formal na coffee shop na business-focused. Ang purpose talaga nito ay just to give comfort and serve as a resting place for some people, hence the interior.

Why am I working here? Okay, to tell you some part of my story, Mark and I became friends not too long ago, and I happened to meet him here. He was my schoolmate pero nakikita ko lang siya dati sa school at hindi talaga kami magkakilala noon.

There was this...scenario that led me through this place, and that's where I met mamala, lolo Chad, Mark, and even Naomi. Noong nalaman nilang wala na akong pamilya at mag-isa na lang ako sa buhay, inanyayahan nila akong magtrabaho dito sa shop para pandagdag na rin sa allowance ko, and also because for some reason. The ironic part is, hindi talaga sila natanggap o naghi-hire ng workers dahil gusto nilang sila lang ang nagtatrabaho dito at para mas maramdaman ang pagka-homemade ng kabuuang atmosphere.

That's why I'm very thankful for them when they gave me a chance to work here. It feels like they're acknowledging me as a part of their family too.

Pagdating ng tanghali ay nagpaalam si Mark na pumasok sa bahay dahil aalis siya mamaya. Wala pa namang bagong customer kaya naupo muna ako at kumagat sa French toast na kinakain ko. Si mamala naman ay umalis na kanina pa para bumili ng plant seeds sa may herbal shop sa kabilang district.

"Hoy, aalis na ako. Maiwan muna kita, pauwi na rin naman na si lolo maya-maya." Paalala sa akin ni Mark paglabas na paglabas niya ng sala.

Compared to the shop's uniform, he was now wearing a white long-sleeve polo, under a black knitted vest and charcoal pants, partnered with low cut shoes. He looked a little more, uh, human with his black watch on his wrist. May nakasabit na DSLR camera sa leeg nito at strap bag na nakalagay sa likod.

As a member of an official school club, which is the school publication and as a photojournalist, kahit bakasyon ay required silang pumasok for meetings and their other agendas to accomplish.

"Ano, natulala ka na dyan, gwapong-gwapo ka na naman sa'kin." Pagsusungit nito na may halong pagyayabang.

Kumuha ako ng tissue at binato naman sa kanya. "Nakakapanibago dahil mukha kang tao sa paningin ko. Sana ganyan ka na lang palagi."

"Huwag ka ngang magsayang ng tissue! 'Tong babaeng 'to! Porke't nagagwapuhan ka na naman sa'kin." Bago pa ako makapagsalita ay nagsalita na ulit siya. "Basta, I'm sure you can handle this one. Just wait for lolo, okay? Call me when something happens."

I gave him a salute. "Yes, kuya!"

Natawa naman siya at umiling. "Gago." Saka siya lumabas ng shop.

I couldn't prevent the smile forming on my lips. Even though Mark and I have a loud and chaotic relationship, deep inside, I'm thankful for him for looking out for me kahit na hindi pa kami gaanong matagal na magkakilala. 

Walang dumating na customer after a minute or so. Pag-alis ng isang customer ay dali akong lumapit sa table nito at nilinis. Habang nilalagay ang trays sa may rack, narinig ko ang pagtunog ng chime, may bago na namang customer.

"Good afternoon! Welcome to Riverside!"

Hindi ko nabati nang maayos ang bagong dating dahil hindi pa ako tapos ayusin ang mga trays. Pinagpag ko ang kamay ko sa apron saka ako dali-daling tumakbo sa may receiving area. I was almost outside when a body figure stopped me from my tracks and I almost stumbled on him. It didn't also helped when he suddenly turned around and faced me, creating little to no distance between us two.

For a short moment, napatulala ako sa mukha niya dahil sa pagiging maamo at makinis nito. His black tousled hair also compliments his bright skin, his black glasses with thin frames covering his hazelnut eyes.

I felt my chest abnormally pounded as I continued to look over his entire face. I'm going to admit that he has the looks that can make most girls' hearts flutter. At ako yung tipo ng tao na hindi mabilis madala sa itsura kaya nagtataka ako sa pagkalabog ng dibdib ko.

"S-Sorry, sir!" I exclaimed and bowed.

But his face remained impassive as he maintained his gaze at me. Bigla itong tumango at tumalikod, papunta sa upuan na katabi ng bintana. Dahan-dahan ko siyang sinundan para hindi ako magmukhang creepy na stalker. I waited for him to settle down before I asked his order.

"Can I ask for your order sir? Or would you like to take your time first..."

He dismissed the idea by shaking his head. "It's alright. I already saw your menu outside." He said and looked me in the eyes, but he quickly averted it. "I'd like a hot cappuccino and two slices of your red velvet cake."

"Right away, sir."

Bumalik ako sa counter at ginawa ang kanyang order. After a few more minutes of brewing and preparing, dinala ko ang tray at nilapag sa table niya.

"Enjoy your meal, sir." I smiled, although he didn't dare to glance at me again.

Habang nasa counter, hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapatingin sa lalaking muntik ko nang makabunggo kanina. He was wearing an oversized beige sweater with white collars, white pants, a silver watch, and a loafer shoes. His gaze is earnestly fixed on his laptop as he tapped his fingers on the keyboard, brows furrowed. Salitan ang tingin niya sa laptop at sa pagsusulat sa notebook na nasa tabi nito.

From the looks of him, he looked like a wealthy and well-mannered man from a renowned family. He also has young features and looks the same age as me. 

Wait, then that means he's just 19? But he looked more mature, I guess...

I almost lost track of time and noticed that there were no other customers inside the cafe except the good-looking guy in a neutral fit. Matapos lumipas ang mahigit dalawa o tatlong oras, umorder ulit siya ng kape, and this time, he got an iced americano. 

Dahil wala na rin naman akong magawa, nilabas ko na lang ang libro na kanina ko pa binabasa, entitled Chasing Hurricane by serialsleeper. Sinimulan ko lang itong basahin kahapon at tinutuloy ko sa tuwing walang customer na dumadating.

Nasa gitna ako ng pagbabasa nang mapansin ko na nagliligpit na ng gamit ang lalaki. Pero hindi iyon ang nakaagaw ng pansin ko, dahil nahagip ng mata ko ang nilabas niyang libro. Halos manlaki ang mata ko nang makita ko ang familiar na cover ng libro kaya bigla akong napatayo at naupo sa harapan ng lalaki.

"Gagi! That's 'Despite Almost' written by Akee-ra, right?" I asked without removing my gaze from the book.

I didn't receive a response and when I looked at him, he seemed bewildered as he stared at me. Ay tanga! Bigla nga pala akong naki-table na akala mo ay mag-kumare lang kami.

"Ay, sorry. Pero kasi, fan na fan ako ni Akee-ra matagal na! And I know sikat siyang author from Wattpad, pero wala pa akong nakikilala in person na fan din niya kaya nagulat lang ako nung nilabas mo 'to ngayon." Dere-deretso 'kong sabi ng walang hinto.

Akee-ra is one of my favorite Wattpad authors, because of how heartfelt and wholesome her works are, with genres circulating mostly from slice of life, teen fictions, and romance! I love her works, like super, and if there's a chance to meet her, I'll grab it without a doubt!

But unfortunately, she's not just known from her works, but also because she's a faceless author, just like VentreCanard, but VentreCanard already showed herself months ago. Meanwhile, Akee-ra is still an unidentified author and no one even knows her. Unlike other authors, even though she has a million number of followers, she's more like of an underappreciated one since mostly ng mga readers niya ay readers din ng ibang authors. She doesn't have a stable fandom and loyal readers. 

Pagtingin ko sa kanya ay nakatitig pa rin siya sa akin kaya naman nagsimula na akong ma-conscious sa mga pinaggagawa ko at gusto ko nang sampalin ang sarili ko.

Taragis ka talaga, Agnes. Grabe ang kakapalan ng mukha, walang-hiya ka talaga, literal. Pwede ka na magpalamon sa lupa at magpaanod sa dagat...

Tatayo na sana ako at hihingi ng sorry nang bigla siyang magsalita.

"So you've been watching me since earlier?"

And with his question mas lalo 'kong naramdaman ang urge na hukayin ang lupa ng kinatatayuan ko, ako na mismo ang maglilibing sa sarili ko.

"Uh, ano, sorry? I didn't mean to..."

"Anyway, you're a fan of Akee-ra's works?" My attention abruptly veered on his sudden question.

I slowly nodded my head. "Sobra. Kung magkaka-ranking siguro ako ng favorite Wattpad authors ko, nasa bandang top five or three siya, basta nasa top, gets mo naman na siguro 'yun. Ang ganda kasi ng mga stories niya. Parang ang nostalgic lang, and it kinda feels, hmm, how do I say this?" Napalinga naman ako sa paligid ko dahil hindi ko masabi ang gusto 'kong sabihin. I snapped my finger and turned my head to him. "Like homey and warm? Parang it gives off a comforting energy, kada nagbabasa ako ng gawa niya."

Napatulala naman ako sa notebook niya habang pinag-iisipan ang mga sinabi ko. That's how I absolutely take the mood of Akee-ra's works, even if it may sound sentimental to him and to other people. Tama, Agnes. There's no need to be concerned of what will they think of what you feel, hindi naman sila nag nakakaramdam.

"That's...peculiarly profound and elevating to hear. I mean, if the author could listen to your upfront appraisal. That would definitely a huge help for his reputation and ratings as an online writer." His voice sounded colorless, as if rainbow hues were just beginning to reflect on gobbets from a yesterday downpour.

Muntik ko na siyang taasan ng kilay dahil sa choice of words niya. "You made it sound like a formal criticism from a business proposal. Or a critique from a professional evaluator on a writing competition."

I noticed his head tilted a little. "Isn't it?"

Magsasalita na dapat ako nang pigilan ko ang sarili ko at napakagat sa ibabang labi. Halos magdikit na ang dalawa 'kong kilay sa pagkakunot nito habang nakatingin sa kanya. Does this guy perceive the world works that way? That it applies to everything?

Pero, kalma Agnes. Maybe that's how he grew to view it. You'll never know all of the things that a person undergoes. Hindi lahat, alam mo.

"Okay, it might look something like that, but in my case, that's a genuine perception of her stories. Those are called, at least in my own vocabulary, wholehearted emotions that I feel. Some, if not for the most part, it's not always just some mere assessment or commentary for its technicalities and constructions, or alleviated homages in order to acknowledge and appreciate the writer. Never underestimate what words do to people. Words are words, you either probe them and get lost, or you believe it for what they are."

After my not-so-long preaching speech towards him, we both fell into dead air. Natulala lang siya sa akin at ako naman ay ngayon lang na-realize kung ang aking mga pinagsasabi. Pero hindi ako nahihiya o nagsisisi sa mga sinabi ko dahil totoo ang mga iyon. I carefully thought of every word used in my so-called lecture.

Fuck, why did I do that again?

The guy's gaze remained fixated on me, para bang hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala na sinermonan ko siya na parang nanay dahil lang sa naging reaction niya sa pagpa-fangirl ko, o kaya ay pinoprocess pa niya ang mga sinabi ko dahil sa haba nito. Mukha naman siyang may pinag-aralan, base na rin sa terminologies na ginamit niya, kaya maiintindihan niya ang sermon ko.

"Look, mister, I didn't intend to–"

My words were cut off when he let out a slight snort. When he noticed the way I leered at him, he promptly cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders. His face returned to its deadpan manner, while his eyes were trying to tell me otherwise.

"That was a first." He stated. "Someone who inarguably knows how to speak back, especially to me." His hand reached for his cup and took a sip.

Doon na ako napataas ng kilay. Anong ibig niyang sabihin, na lahat ng nakakausap niya ay bobo at walang nagtatangkang sagutin siya pabalik? Prinsipe ba siya kaya takot ang mga tao na i-rebut siya?

O baka naman mataas palagi ang tingin niya sa sarili niya at yung paraan niya ng pakikipag-usap sa iba ay parang namamahiya dahil may ebidensya siya sa gusto niyang patunayan? No offense.

"Bakit? Self-centered ka ba masyado?" Bigla 'kong naitanong sa kanya.

Mukha namang nagulat siya sa tanong ko pero seryoso akong naghihintay ng sagot niya, saka siya biglang natawa nang mahina. Joke ba yung sinabi ko? Gago 'to ah, tinatawanan lang ako.

"You're funny."

"Aba't gag–"

"And attractive."

That's when I was completely shut down. He formed a sneer when he noticed how I lost to his previous strike.

Huh, this guy knows how to play with words. Interesting.

I returned back a frustrated grin. "Touché." I got on my feet, ready to leave. "I never regret telling those words to you. Hope it knocked some shits on your head."

I was about to walk back to the counter when he also stood up, facing me evenly, except that he's an inch taller than me.

"It was such an honor to have a conversation with you, Agnes." He smirked.

Hindi mahirap malaman kung paanong alam niya ang pangalan ko, dahil mayroon akong name badge na nakakabit sa suot 'kong apron.

This time, I was able to return a smirk. "The honor's mine, Tristan."

It was his turn to be shut down.

***