I NEVER LIKED COFFEE. I had this notion before that coffee, black or flavored coffee tasted the same.

Mapait.

Pero mali ako.

May iba't-ibang timpla, lasa, at aroma pala ang kape. Be it espresso, latte, cappuccino, iced coffee or cold brew. There's a cup of coffee for every person, that can be enjoyed warm or iced.

Just like love.... coffee are similar in the way we should enjoy them.

Start slow.

Ang mainit na kape, nakakapaso ng dila. Ang malamig na inumin, nakaka-pangingilo ng ngipin. Kaya dapat dahan-dahan lang.

H'wag magpapahalata kahit pa nalaman mong may lihim na pagtingin sayo ang taong crush mo. Kalma lang kahit kinikilig ka sa t'wing kaharap mo siya.

Breathe, Renee.

Umakto akong normal. Ngumiti ako't kumaway sakanya.

"Sorry we're clo-" Natigilan siya't napatitig sa'kin. Siguro nagtataka kung anong ginagawa ko dito sa ganitong oras at nawiwirduhan sa suot kong rabbit plush hooded pajama. "-umm... would you like some coffee?"

I don't drink coffee, but I guess I can try.

Tumingin ako sa menu board ng coffee drinks at binasa ang mga nakasulat doon.

Americano... Black... Cappuccino... Doppio...

Wala akong alam sa kape kaya nalito ako sa dami ng pagpipilian. Napatungo ako. "I have no idea what to choose."

Tumango-tango siya at tumingin sa'kin. "Would you like to try our lattes?"

"Hindi mapait?" tanong ko.

He chuckled. "Don't worry, latte is the most beginner-friendly coffee. It comes with a lot of milk that neutralizes the bitter taste."

I nod. "Oh...kay~ but can you add a bit of sugar or honey?"

"Sure," he approved.

That was my first cup of coffee, and it means a lot to me, so I left a note for him.

Thanks a latte.
-Renee

Ang akala kong una't-huli naming pagkikita ay muling nasundan ng isa...

Same time. Same place. Just the two of us.

"Hey, brew-tiful!" he beamed. "Want some cappuccino?"

I smiled how it warms my hands as I bring it to my lips and take my first sip on my second cup of coffee. "Thank you, bearista."

"How have you bean?" he asked.

"Good," sagot ko. Pinapanuod ko siya sa ginagawa niyang art sa kape. "That's so doppio!"

Ngumiti siya't muling bumalik sa ginagawa niya. I can watch him all day if I could. I mean, I can't help but to admire how passionate he is with what he is doing.

Maingat. Kalmado. Organized. Focus. Hindi lang basta trabaho lang. It clearly shows the love he has for what he does.

Tumingin siya sa'kin. "Are you ready to drink "real" coffee this time?"

"No." Umiling ako't sumimangot. "Not yet."

Every time I see him his face brightens up, but tonight's different. He's glowing... like an angel in his white uniform and with those curly brown hair.

"You're like a dream..." I said to him.

Lumapit siya sa'kin at marahan niyang hinaplos ang pisngi ko. "You just look the same way I saw you first."

Ngumiti siya.

Ngumiti ako at tumitig sa mga mata niyang tila nagniningning tulad ng mga bituin sa langit.

Being here at the rooftop of his coffee shop was like... we're being one with the stars. Yumayakap ang malamig na hangin.

So peaceful.

We stayed there in silence sitting next to each other with a cup of coffee placed between us.

Just another sip... and this night is over.

I yawned. "Inaantok ka na?"

Tumango ako at pumikit. Naramdaman ko ang paglapit niya sa'kin at ang marahang pagsandal niya ng ulo ko sa balikat niya. I breathe in his scent. He smells like fresh ground coffee beans, fruity and caramel-y.

"Can I sleep now?" tanong ko sakanya.

Tumango siya at pinakatitigan ako. "Promise me to wake up." Tumango ako at dahan-dahan kong ipinikit ang aking mga mata habang naririnig ko ang boses niya.

"Please, wake up."

Paulit-ulit... until it became a whisper almost like a faraway music.

I woke up. Tears fell from my eyes.

Bumalik ako sa coffee shop kung saan kami unang nagkita. Nagbabaka-sakali... umaasa na makikita ko siya ulit.

Pero wala siya.

No one knows where he'd gone to.

No one knows Joe, but he left traces in everything.

-End-