Two

"Wow, totoo ba itong nakikita ko?"

Halos mabilaukan naman ako sa sarili kong laway sa narinig ko kay Jeanne. It's the first time na openly nyang pinahayag na hinahangaan niya ang itsura ng lalaki na nag pe-prepare ng isang drink and I was too shocked too. Kumpara naman kasi sa mga lalaki sa school namin, he's different. He looks handsome kahit na sa simple white polo and brown apron na suot, too appealing for Eve's daughters, evident na sa daming babaeng customer na naririto ngayong sa cafe.

"Mukhang pipitsugin si Grayson sa tabi niya ha" Nami even commented making my other friends giggle.

"Hoy Joe, wag mo titigan. Baka matunaw yung tao" awat pa sa akin ni Kris sa tabi ko pero hindi ko rin sinunod.

"Order na nga tayo," aya ni Raine sa akin kung kaya naman naalis ang atensyon ko sa lalaking naroon sa counter na hindi ko nakita kanina.

I looked at the menu, trying to find non-caffeine drinks and immediately spotted a strawberry latte that I think I would like to try. There's also hot chocolate na gusto ko sanang order-in kanina but my body already adjusted to the temperature. Maybe it's just that it's too hot outside, given na hindi pa kami nagpayong kasi tinatamad kaming kunin sa loob ng bag namin.

"Caramel machiato sa akin besh," Jeanne told me. Napataas naman ako ng kilay sa kanya.

"Oh, bat sakin mo sinasabi order mo? I'm not the one who's gonna order" I defended. Ang sarap na kasi ng pagkakaupo ko rito tas patatayuin pa ako para um-order.

"Iced americano naman sakin, Joe," Nami added habang nakangisi.

"Green tea latte naman sa akin" Kris told me, giving a one thousand peso bill to me.

"Libre mo besh?" Nami teased. Na bigla naman kaming apat nang tumango ito, agreeing to her.

"Oh sh*t, Kris ikaw ba yan?" Jeanne exclaimed sabay higit sa mga balikat ni Kris, inaalog na parang ginigising.

"Ansarap talaga pag libre" Raine just commented and stand up while looking at me, inaaya akong um-order.

"Tumayo ka na Joe, it's time to shine! Keber naman, pag um-order ka, mas matititigan mo yung mukha nya" Kris told me, pilit akong pinag-order kasama si Raine.

"Heh, sige na nga! Tutal libre naman tsaka gwapo yung nandun," natatawa ko na lang sabi at tumayo na

"Go besh, mahal ka pa rin namin kahit marupok ka sa mga gwapo" tukso pa ni Nami.

"Support ka namin mamsh," natatawa pang saad ni Jeanne sabay labas ng phone at tinutok sakin, probably would try to take some pictures habang nasa counter kami.

"Tara na nga Joe, kayo ah, ang haharot nyo" Raine commented as the three just laughed it off. Halos mabigla naman ako na g hilahin na niya ako papuntang counter. Nag-flying kiss pa nga si Kris sa kanya nang paalis kami na kinangiwi pa ni Raine.

"Lezzgo mga pokpok" bulong pa niya sa akin na medyo kinatawa naming dalawa. Basta talaga pogi usapan ay magkasundo kaming dalawa. Kahit naman kasi tahimik, graceful at masyadong seryoso si Raine ay mayroon itong funny side, gaya nang karupokan kapag gwapo ang kausap. She's just openly admiring men's looks but not trying to take an action para maging boyfriend ito. She's not that desperate for love, unlike me na sabik na magka jowa. She's the type na pag-aaral muna ang uunahin kesa ang pagbo-boypren.

Not realizing na nasa counter na kami, halos matulala na lang ako nang makita ko up-close iyong sinasabi nyang barista. He looks good, no, scratch that! He looks hella handsome, manly to be honest with those broad shoulder highlighted by his white polo pero he has that small waist na mahahalata mo sa pagkakatali ng brown nyang apron. Though I'm trying to assess him, pinipigilan kong matulala at ngumanga sa paghanga sa lalaking ito ngayong papataas ang tingin ko, observing his features. He's got that princely gentleness on his face, his eyes looks less sharper, his nose a little pointy and those lips, those full lips looks luscious na pwede pa syang mag-endorse ng lipstick sa Avon. I could say he pulled off that round face kahit na hindi ganun ka-sharp ang jawline nya which is usually my type.

"Done checking me out?" I just heard a male voice asked me.

"Hm, yeah?" conflicted to admit, I answered. Halos manigas naman ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang ma-realized ko kung kanino ng boses iyong nanggaling.

"Hoy gaga, nandito tayo para um-order" I heard Raine whispered to me kaya naman nabalik ako sa katinuan.

"Ah-eh, sabi ko nga o-order na ako" I told her, stuttering as I stepped forward to the cashier girl who greeted me earlier.

"Nako ma'am, pagpasensyahan nyo na si Uno, medyo lumakas po ang apog nang marealize na sya iyong dinadayo rito" she said which made me chuckle.

"No, it's fine... uhm... Risa" I managed to say her name as I looked at her silver nameplate where her name is engraved plus a laurel leaf design. Feeling that there's nothing to say to her, I directly told her our order and reached out for Raine whom looking at the cakes displayed.

"Babae, yung pera" I told her sabay kulubit sa kanya. Nakalahad pa mga kamay ko, hinihingi iyong pa bayad.

"Wait, pipili lang ako ng cake" she told me, still crouching trying to choose from all the cakes. Well, I can't blame her. Sa lahat ng cakes na naka-display ay mate-tempt kang tikman ang lahat.

"Hindi ako maka pili between the oreo cheesecake and tiramisu cake nila" sabi pa niya sa akin, pouting na parang bata.

"Then order both, nandito naman kami lahat to help you finish it"I reasoned out and told Risa our additional order while I could still feel a gaze on me na kanina naman ay wala.

" So 1 green tea latte, 1 iced americano, 2 caramel machiato, and 1 strawberry latte for drinks, Ma'am?" Risa repeated our order and I just nodded.

" Then 1 tiramisu and 1 oreo cake. For dine in po Ma'am?" she asked again.

"Yes, for sure dine in yan" I heard the barista told Risa. What's his name again? Uno?

"Shh, Uno, i-prepare mo na lang yung order nila" Risa scolded him and he just shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, you can't blame my visuals, mapapa-dine in talaga ang mga tao dahil sakin" I heard him blurted out while chuckling, so confident that it made me scoff.

"Oh, di ka ba agree sa akin, Miss? Mukha kasing tutol ka sa sinasabi ko samantalang titig na titig ka sa akin kanina" he directed to me na kinagulat ko. I was caught off guard by his words, not expecting na makikita nya yung reaction ko sa sinabi nya. Hinagilap ko naman si Raine na alam ko ay nasa tabi ko lang pero wala na. Halos magulat pa akong nandon siya sa place na inuupuan namin kanina, with blanket draping from her shoulder habang nakikipag-tawanan kila Jeanne while looking here at me.

"You aren't that handsome naman. I'd say, 7 out of 10 in my opinion? " sabi ko sarcastically sabay irap at umalis na sa counter tutal nabayaran ko na yung order namin, got the change and the vibrating coaster which would vibrate (obviously) when our order's already done. I don't know but I am just annoyed how confident he is like us it required for him to boast his good looks in front of a customer? Akala ko pa naman ay gentleman and has princely attitude but nah, he's only good-looking. Wait what, did I just tell that he has good looks? Scratch that, he's a no-no!

Marching back to our table, I heard them laughing at me.

"Bakit naman mukhang constipated ka sissy?" Nami greeted me na kinangisi ko na lang.

"Kanina naman hindi ka ganyan" Jeanne even commented.

"Well, ask that your so-called barista, lakas magbuhat ng sariling BANGKO" I just said, trying to dismiss the conversation about the guy in the counter. I even emphasised the word bangko as I was so pissed.

Without giving much thought about the situation, naupo na lang ako sa tabi nila, sulking while looking at my phone.

I was waiting for someone to chat me kanina pa. But when his message came, my bad mood changed into something good as I beamed in excitement.

Graysonorous: got home already? May sasabihin pala ako sa'yo bukas.

"Potek, sana all may nagtatanong kung nakauwi ka na hahaha" Kris teased me and I went red again. Nakakainis kasi ang bilis kong kilig in when it comes to boys. I hate that I have high level of dopamine and norepinephrine which makes me feel giddy and euphoric because of our simple interaction. But then, I was so sure I wasn't in love with him. Like 99.9% sure it wasn't love I'm feeling but perhaps attraction towards men. Hirap maging marupok sa mga anak ni Adan lalo na kung sharp yung jawline.

"Are you sure na walang real score between you and Grayson?" Raine worriedly asked me after Kris teased me. Napatigil naman ako sa pamumula at sa pagngisi kanina sa kilig.

"Sure na sure na wala, final answer" I told her na kinashrug na lang nila ng shoulders.

"Just make sure ha, baka mamaya iba na pala nararamdaman ng tao sa'yo. Napansin ko kasing iba na rin sya tumingin sa'yo and I could even tell he cares for you" Nami warned me, probably one of the rarest moment na hindi siya nagbibiro.

"We talked about it naman, he's just making his ex jealous with me. I then gain attention from him and feel happy when he's around so it's just fair. Tsaka syempre he cares for me, utol ko yun eh. You know, we're like soul mate pero di destined for each other " I reasoned out, trying to make my words make sense.

"At saka the problem here is not Grayson, it's me," I continued, telling them what I'm feeling these past few days.

"Bet, may chika si madam"Jeanne commented, trying to light up the mood yet everyone seemed to dismiss her words and are intently looking at me now.

"Well, kilala nyo naman ang frennie nyo, pokmaru sa boys especially when they're so handsome, " I continued nang mahagip ko na naman yung Uno na barista sa cafe, I even saw him smirked at me and I just rolled my eyes in irritation.

"We know about that" Raine commented.

"But then alam nyo naman yung kay Grayson. These past few days, I've been thinking about the situation and I think it's not normal anymore. There are so many what ifs, what if I fell in love with him, what if he fell in love with me, what if this is just trouble that I caused for the both of us. " I then paused for some air. I wasn't tearing up naman but I just spoke in a serious manner. Ako naman sa sarili ko ay alam kong I'm at the verge of falling for him, talagang pinipigilan ko lang dahil takot akong masaktan. Na in the end, ako yung iiwan at babalik na sya sa nam-basted sa kanya.

"The problem here really is me. I love boys especially when they're crush-able. But then, kung gusto ko man yung isang lalaki, I feel giddy but then alam ko sa sarili ko na I wasn't ready to commit. Or I just don't want to" I finished. Napansin ko namang naka tingin lang sila sa akin.

"Alam mo, deep inside kasi, kahit gusto mo magka jowa na, ayaw mo pa rin kasi mas gusto mo mag-aral muna. Studies first ganern," Jeanne patted me in my head like an ate giving some advice to her sister.

"Oo nga ghorl, we're not so different" Raine even told me na kinakunot ng noo ko. I wanted to rebut but the vibrating coaster is already beeping, indicating that our order is already prepared.

"I'll get our order," I volunteered, trying to make myself occupied by the task and avoiding the topic. I just feel tiresome and hungry that all I want to do right now is eat.

"Here's your order, ma'am. Enjoy" Risa told me and I just smiled again. I checked if the one I received were our orders but then I noticed that there is something.

"Hey, Risa, if I remember correctly I didn't order some macaroons" I informed her, showing the macaroons on the tray.

"Oh, it's on me. Sorry for being rude earlier" I heard a male voice told me and went to the other tray kasi dalawang tray ang nasa harap ko containing our orders. He went for the tray containing the beverage and carried it while I was just standing there, processing what's happening.

"Hmmm... There's no need to apologise and for the macarons, thank you. Lastly, I don't need help with these trays" I just replied, trying to snatch the tray from him but he just took a step back so that I can't have the tray or else I would've spilled the drinks.

"No, I insist"he just said in front of my face, staring directly into my eyes and continued to walk to our table's direction.

" Tatayo ka na lang ba dyan?" he even asked when I didn't move. Seryoso pa ang mukha nito, kahit na ba hindi nakakumot ang noo at mukhang iritado ay medyo natameme ako.

" Uhm, eto na nga sabi" I replied and carried the tray containing the cakes and the macaroons. I admit, I was easily softened by the fact he volunteered to help me carr the trays though I am doubting he's just doing it for his job. Not that bad naman siguro, kahit naman medyo malakas ang hangin and mataas ang confidence sa sarili ay nagagawa nya nang maayos ang trabaho niya.

As we walked, I even noticed how other girls turned their heads to our direction just to steal a glance from him. So I was relieved when we reached the table where my friends were and they were nudging at me.

"Enjoy your order" he just told them and waited for me to sit and then proceeded to put the beverages and the slices of cakes to the table and grabbed the tray back to the counter.

"Holy shit, my eyes have been blessed" I even heard Jeanne whispered, tulala pa rin sa nangyari.

"Sulit din pala libre ko" tuliro pang sabi ni Kris na kinatawa ko.

Dahil medyo nawindang pa ang mga kaibigan ko at nakatingin pa rin kay Uno, I already went for my strawberry latte and just sipped from it and was even surprised that it tasted good kasi balanse ang lasa ng strawberry and milk plus it's not too sweet nor sour. Kaagad ko namang nilingon ang counter to see Uno again and surprised that he's looking at me with a serious look. I just smiled at him and tried to grab something to redirect my attention just for the macaroon to be grabbed from the table. Na bigla naman ako nang may makapa akong paper so I looked at it only to see something.

'Hope my apology was accepted but it's just a fact that I'm really handsome. In a world full of 8, I am the only 10' was written na kinasamid ko pa.