2 // The Warfare

"What now?" tanong ko. Medyo calm pa ako.

He seemed awfully quiet for a guy who wanted to kill me. Dinala niya ako sa tapat ng field at umupo sa isang bench. Nanatili akong nakatayo, cautious for something to happen.

Sumulyap siya sa akin at tsaka humigop sa kape niya, ngumisi siya pagkatapos at umiling. And then one second later his focus was on the field again. If I didn't know some of his history, I'd peg him as someone who has achieved the utmost peace in life. And only if it weren't for those lips that were always smirking, I knew I'd dream of having those... on mine.

I cleared my throat at the thought. Mahimasmasan ka, self!

"Look, Sir. Shift ko sa café ngayon. Kung wala kang sasabihin, I'm gonna go," maldita kong sabi.

Please don't say anything... please don't say anything...

He didn't but then he stood up and towered over me. He crushed the cup and managed to shoot it from the nearby trashcan without analyzing the angle to accomplish the move.

"Viv. Is it short for Vivien?" was the first thing he said after we went out of the café.

I gulped and lied, "Yes."

"Alright, Vivien, let's cut to the chase and be straight over here. You apparently dislike me, I'm fully aware of that, but why?"

Ay, shocks. Masyado nga siyang straight, ha. 'Di ako nakapag-ready.

"Wala lang," sagot ko. May pag-kibit pa ng balikat 'yan para mas maasar siya.

"Please." He sounded frustrated. His brows pinched together as he sighed.

"Wala nga. I just didn't like the curve of your face. It's just annoying, that's all," I even grinned to add more effect.

Nagulat siya sa sagot ko. I badly wanted to laugh but that's gonna ruin the mood. Mamaya ko na lang 'to itatawa 'pag balik sa café.

"And you think you aren't annoying, dollface?" he retorted, scoffing out his oozing frustration.

Wow, did I really hit a nerve? I like it.

"Who, in their right mind, would throw a fit to someone she hasn't even known all her life?" he bitterly added.

Trust me mister, I know you and your life decisions. Plus, you're a regular in Mostaccio. I knew your face ever since, your story just trailed a little bit behind.

Gusto ko pa sanang sabihin sa kanya na idonate na lang kaya niya ang puso niya kung pwede dahil hindi naman niya yata ginagamit.

"Look, kung hindi mo ako masikmura, 'wag ka na lang po bumalik sa café. You're just one in million."

I stomped away. Naglakad ako nang mabilis, hanggang sa napatakbo na ako nang makita ko siyang sumusunod sa akin. He was just walking with hands on his pockets, and boy oh boy, damn those legs. Isang hakbang niya ay ilang hakbang ko na.

Nakasalubong ko sa entrance si Tita Lar. She looked like she was looking for me. And when Tita found me, she automatically frowned.

"You left the counter unattended, Vie! Saan ka ba nanggaling? Humingi ka na ba ng paumanhin kay Jerrick?" tuloy tuloy na sabi ni Tita Lar.

Sabay kaming pumasok sa loob ng cafe. Nakita kong nag-aaral na sina Lesly at Cara kaya hindi na ako nang-istorbo. Hindi ko sinagot si Tita dahil alam kong madi-disappoint na naman siya sa ginawa ko. That became my habit—disappointing people.

"Tumawag ang mom mo kanina, checking if you're doing fine," pagpapatuloy ni Tita. Hindi pa rin ako sumasagot.

"Ang sabi rin ng mom mo ay pumili ka ng eleganteng disenyo ng damit para sa dinner. She said she'd like it if it's white or something kind to the eyes. You should choose neutral or pastel colors."

Ngumiti ako sa customer at kinuha ang order niya. Ginawa ko na rin ang orders nang hindi sinasagot ang mga tanong ni Tita Lar. 'Di rin naman niya napapansin na hindi ako sumasagot dahil ang dami niyang sinasabi.

"And it is about time that you sing, Vie," paalala ni Tita.

"Tita, matagal na po akong hindi nagpe-perform sa harap ng madla," sabi ko matapos gawin ang isang frappe.

"Vie, we are your family. Hindi kami basta madla. Lolo Gustin loves your performances. Huwag mo sanang biguin ang Lolo." Humawak sa braso ko si Tita Lar. I only sighed.

When I heard the sound of the chimes as the entrance door opened, I knew I was going to be in another trouble. Why was I suddenly in the middle of endless troubles lately?

I'm aware that what I did was not nice, but I wouldn't categorize it as something to have transgressed one of the Ten Commandments.

Sure, there's love thy neighbor, but he wasn't exactly my neighbor, was he?

I acted like a normal and cool self-proclaimed barista that was me and tried to dodge the view of the approaching Jerkrick.

"You know, you gotta stop calling me jerk," he said, not minding that Tita Lar was just three steps away from me.

At obviously ay narinig iyon ni Tita. So what did I earn? Nothing big but just a we-will-talk-later-young-lady look from her. Let me tell you, dudettes, ayoko na ng another reprimand session because I've had enough my whole life.

"I'm sorry, Sir Jerrick?" Ngumiti ako nang matamis. "May I get your order?"

"Kung pwedeng maka-order ng respeto mo, Miss Vivien?" He sounded annoyed but still tried to keep his cool. How did he even do that?

Dapat magwala na siya para siya naman ang negative sa paningin ni Tita.

"I'm no Vivien, sir," I answered. Pinipilit kong hindi matawa. Kinagat ko na't lahat ang labi ko pero mukhang walang epekto. Gumuguhit na sa mukha niya ang pagkainis, konti na lang ay sasabog na siguro ito.

"She's Viennica, Jerrick, my niece."

I almost gaped at what Tita Lar did. In just a snap, the victory was Jerrick's. Siya naman ang naka-ngisi. Nangangati na naman akong magbuhos ng kape, naku! Sakto pa naman na may maling order ng frappe kanina ang malapit sa 'kin ngayon.

I didn't want him knowing my name. It's shallow, but I don't want to hear it if it's only gonna come out of his mouth.

"Ang ganda naman po pala ng pangalan ng pamangkin niyo, just like her," he smiled sweetly and as if he was so sincere of what he said. If I was a normal girl, I would have swooned over him already. But I am not.

Okay, konti lang! Kasi alam ko namang gwapo talaga siya pero hanggang doon lang 'yon. Walang epekto iyang ngiting 'yan sa akin!

"Yes, she is a charming girl as well. Oh, by the way, she has something to say," Tita nudged me and I knew exactly what she wanted me to do.

"Ah? Wala naman. Hehe," tawa ko nang pilit.

"You have, Vie. Break time mo na, go talk to Jerrick outside."

"It's not yet—"

"Go, Vie!" hiyaw pa ni Tita.

Nakita ko ang pagngiti ni Jerrick dahil hindi ako naka-angal pa. Nakakahiya na rin doon sa susunod na customer na nakapila. It's taking Jerrick forever to get his order.

"Look, I need this over and done with. If you would just tell Tita I said sorry then we'll both be free. Agree?" I said with enthusiasm I never knew I had in me.

"No, Miss Viennica," he said huskily. I closed my eyes hearing his voice. "Only if you just say your apology will all this be over and done with."

My name in my tag was misspelled for a reason.

"Why would I say sorry? 'Di mo naman deserve," I mumbled while facing down and inattentively kicking the ground.

"Why?"

Inangat ko ang ulo ko, "Ha?"

"Why don't I deserve it? It's not nice to pour coffee on other people's head. That's not the norm, Vie."

"Geez. I don't need another mom," I rolled my eyes. Jerkrick, I know you came from your mother's uterus and she's amazing for that, but please, don't get too attached.

"Alright, then. Hindi na kita titigilan hangga't hindi mo sinasabi."

"What? You are going to irk me all day?" Umirap na naman ako.

"All day? You're not worth all my time, honey. But I'm gonna be here every single day until you retreat." Ngumisi siya.

I hardened my face before I could even gape at what he said.

"Fine. It's war!" I glared and challenged his look. He looked amused and wasn't going to succumb to me so I just walked out.

"Don't forget tomorrow marks the first day," narinig kong sabi niya bago ko isinara ang pinto ng café.

I'm not threatened, of course. He should be easy to infuriate. Kung mga kalokohan lang din naman ang pag-uusapan ay dapat siya pa ang matakot!

Pagkatapos ng shift ko ay tinawagan ko kaagad si Jules. Binuhos ko lahat ng inis ko sa kanya at nag-rap ng rant for about thirty minutes.

"Hoy, huminga ka naman! Calm down."

"Nakinig ka ba sa kwento ko? Nakakainis diba? Paano ako makakapag-calm down?"

"Okay. First of all, medyo wala akong naintindihan sa kwento mo kasi ang gulo. Puro ka 'like what the f, right?' at 'I'm gonna win the war and have his ass handed back to him,'" pag-gaya pa niya sa tono ko. Napairap ako. "Meron ka pang endearment sa kanya na Jerkrick, ang sweet mo naman."

"Alam mo ngayon nakikita ko na kung bakit kayo nag-click noon eh. Parehas kayong sakit sa ulo."

"Can't say we weren't a team," tumawa pa siya. "Anyway, just apologize. He said he'll stop if you did."

"Hindi ka nga talaga nakinig sa rant ko, Jules!" I scolded. "But let say I might reconsider that stupid option—no, wait, actually I won't. Hindi na ako aatras. The warfare had already been declared."

"Ang OA mo, pasakal pag-uwi ko ha? Pwede mga tatlong beses? Dahil 'yan sa kaka-nood mo ng series mo!"

"You know me," I made a snapping sound to inform her that I winked or something.

"Ide-delete ko lahat ng series mo pag-uwi ko. Just so you wait, Viennica," babala niya.

"Ba't ka ba ganyan?" I whined. Napapadyak ako. "Gusto mo pa rin ba 'yong ex mo? Mukhang pinagtatanggol mo pa, ah!"

"Crybaby," my cousin hissed. "Vie naman kasi, I moved on. Hindi mo pa ba nare-realize kung gaano ka-dreamy ang boyfriend ko para tumingin pa sa iba?"

"Oh, boohoo! He's sitting beside you right now, is he?"

"Right. Gotta keep the impression."

"And he made you say it, didn't he?"

"Yup," she popped the 'p'.

I should believe her, right? Ilang years na rin ba sila ni Chris? Well, I wouldn't know because I refuse to thirdwheel on their anniversary dates every time they invite me.

I admit that it's a long overdue revenge plot on Jerkrick, but I still couldn't apologize, especially now! Ayokong mag-back out. The wrongs that were made in the past will never be corrected by time itself.

Hindi porke't noon pa nangyari ang pagkakamali ay tama na iyon ngayon. Pinaasa niya ang pinsan ko at habang buhay na iyon nakatatak sa kwento nila.

Come the next day ay suspended pa rin ako. Sometimes I tried helping at the café but I could only do so much like clean coffee makers and call the names written on the cup of frappuccinos. Nagkaroon tuloy ako ng maraming time para mag-overthink.

Nasanay akong gumising nang maaga dahil sa part-time ko sa café. But now that I'm technically banned, I'm spending my morning in bed. 'Di naman kasi ako kailangan doon ngayon dahil ayaw pa rin ni Tita Lar.

I have a lot of unread messages in my phone but I just couldn't force myself to read them like the usual. I'm not really a chatty person. Also, I had painfully dropped the social media and texting out of my vocabulary. It's for some reasons.

"Vie, ikaw ang in-charge sa café today. Isasama ko si Jules at Pol sa meeting ngayon. Iiwan ko sana si Pol but he's good at inventing signature drinks, so I need him to see the coffee beans himself."

Napaupo kaagad ako dahil sa sinabi ni Tita. I may not be a real lady that my mom dreamt me to be, but I really liked to work. Vacancy bores me to death. I like to get busy from time to time. Kasi, according to my mom, when I'm idle I tend to do crazy stuff. One of which affected their work.

"Paiwan mo na lang si Jules, Tita," sabi ko while I stretched. This is going to be a long day.

"Baka magkuwentuhan lang kayo noon! We'll leave after the café opens. Act nicely," kumunot pa ang noo ni Tita.

"Yes, Tita! I'll be bright and beautiful!" Humagikhik ako nang malakas nang kurutin niya ako sa tagiliran.

"Be nice to every customer, Viennica. I'm still not lifting your suspension. Kailangan ko lang ng tao ngayong araw."

Ang harsh naman nitong si Tita. If I know ako ang pinaka-fave niyang pamangkin.

"I know you still love me, Tita. Ramdam ko kaya 'yon sa kurot mo." Mabilis akong humalik sa pisnge niya pagkabangon ko mula sa kama.

Nagpipiit lang ng tawa si Tita bago ko siya iwan at pumasok sa bathroom. Pagkatapos kong magayos ay ready na sina Tita Lar para umalis. Tinatanaw ko sila mula sa loob ng café. Pol is driving the car, while Jules is already sleeping in the backseat.

Sumaludo ako kay Tita nang lingunin niya ako. Umiling lamang siya, pagkatapos ay tumingin kay Pol para siguro sabihin na umalis na sila.

Today's the first day that I'm left alone with the business. And of course I wasn't going to fail myself today.

All right, I can do this! All I have to do is wear a big smile while brewing coffees and assist the lovely customers in the most saccharine way I could.

I brewed my own Americano after serving my fifth customer. Kumuha pa ako ng muffin to reward myself. This feels nice. Being able to do something right every once in a while.

Hi, Saint Peter, are you seeing this? I'm a good kid, ain't I? I definitely deserve a spot in heaven, please take note.

When the metal bars chimed, I readied myself to welcome the next customer. Sinuot ko ang matamis kong ngiti at humarap sa counter.

Nakangisi na siya nang makita ko. My smile immediately wore off at the sight of him.

"Why are you already frowning? It's the first day of the war. Don't tell me you're going to retreat this easily?"

Nakaputing V-neck shirt lang siya and black pants but his aura didn't scream plain to me. Magulo gulo pa ang kanyang buhok, but it was an attractive mess. I wouldn't let that get into me, though. That's just a façade. I'm more of into-the-substance person.

Tinungkod ko ang pareho kong kamay sa counter at tumingkayad para maabot ko ang kanyang mukha. He seemed taken aback when our faces gone way too close than I planned.

"Edi game on," tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

Nilapit niya pa nang kaunti ang mukha niya. Pinigilan kong manlaki ang mata ko. Ngumiti siya. This time I couldn't not gulp!

"That's how I like it, Viennica."

Naaasar ako! Like, really, pissed! Because how was that even possible? Paanong bakit parang wala siyang pores sa mukha! What were his secrets? Like, kailangan kong malaman ang facial scrub niya!