I just found myself outside, drinking coffee.

After days of hibernating inside my apartment, I am now at the real world. Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa sistema ko at naisipan kong lumabas. Maybe it was that love guru advertisment that I found online that caused all of this.

The morning aroma of coffee enveloped the whole place, which somehow calmed my nerves. The atmosphere of the place radiated calmness and serenity. Mga bagay na ilang araw ko ring nakalimutan.

My lips formed a soft smile as I took a sip from my drink. Ilang araw rin pala talaga akong nakulong sa loob ng bahay. Pakiramdam ko ay mas mahaba pa 'yon kumpara sa house arrest ng ibang pulitiko.

My thoughts were interrupted by the knocks on the glass wall. Nagsisimula na naman palang umulan. The droplets formed images on the road.

Another rainy day, I guess.

A sigh escaped my lips. I couldn't help but to remember the times when I was with someone special. Parang dati lang ay sabay kaming sumasayaw sa gitna ng ulan.

I just found myself spacing out, maybe lost in my past loves and heartbreaks.

"Ang lalim ng iniisip natin Sir 'ah."

Mabilis akong napaayos nang upo nang may marinig na nagsalita. The barista's soft smile welcomed me. Hindi ko tuloy mapigilan ang mapangiti. She looked charming. Charming, with a large floor mop.

"Hindi, may naalala lang." I answered, slowly scratching my nape. "Good Morning 'ah."

She smiled. "Good Morning din sa 'yo Sir. Mas pogi ka po kapag nakangiti."

I just followed her with my eyes as she walked away. Iniisip ko tuloy kung talaga bang para akong pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa. Siguro naman ay hindi.

I took a sip of my drink, overhearing a conversation of a couple at the table next to me. Nagtatanong ang isa sa kanila kung mamahalin pa rin daw siya ng isa kung sakaling maging ipis siya. Sinabi naman ng isa na kahit maging alupihan pa siya. Ang korni lang nilang pakinggan.

Pero kung ako 'yan, ay nakakakilig yan.

Thoughts about what happened last night entered my mind. That advertisment about the mystery dating coach surfaced inside my thoughts. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay totoo yung offer nila. Hindi ko rin naman alam kung anong pumasok sa utak ko at nag-fill-up ako ng form. Maybe it was the red color palette that hooked me. Hindi naman sila nanghingi ng too personal details kaya hinayaan ko na.

Pero paano nga kung scam lang ang bagay na 'yon. Masyado ko namang pinagmukhang tanga ang sarili ko. Masyado akong uhaw sa pag-ibig, pati sa ganoong bagay ay nagpapauto ako.

I held my phone and scanned through the website again. Wala naman akong makitang mali sa mga detalyeng nakalagay sa website nila. The details, schedules, and even the meet-up dates were specified.

My eyes widened as I saw a notification. Ngayong araw pala ang schedule ko para makita ang magiging mentor ko. My throat suddenly became dry as I read the details.

Mabilis kong inayos ang kwelyo ng suot kong damit. I don't want my first impression to be a disaster. Baka biglang sabihin nito na kaya ako iniiwan ay dahil dugyot ako. The thought of meeting "the coach" today is quite a surprise for me.

"Sir, ayos ka lang po ba?"

Napalingon na lang ako nang marinig ulit ang boses ng barista na bumati sa akin kanina. She looked worried, maybe because of the sudden panic she saw. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay para akong tanga na nangmamadaling mag-ayos ngayon.

I just answered her with a small smile before I fixed my table. Hindi ko alam kung paano pakakalmahin ang sarili ko. My knees were shaking because of the sudden surprise. I tried to inhale and exhale slowly, hoping that it would calm my nerves.

I closed my eyes to calm myself. Ngayon na 'yon. Bahala na kung anong mangyari sa akin. Ginusto ko 'to. Wala akong choice.

I was still lost in my thoughts when I felt a presence in front of me. As I opened my eyes, a pair of coal black eyes welcomed me. A man had just taken the seat across from me.

He was unlike anyone. His hair was neatly combed back. It was the shade of midnight, causing it to stand out from the crowd. His eyes were a cativating shade of deep black, as if studying me as well. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung iiwas ba ako ng tingin o hindi.

Pakiramdam ko ay nagsisimula ng tumaas ang hiya sa katawan ko pero, hindi ko pa rin maialis ang tingin ko sa lalaki. May kung ano sa kanya na dahilan para hindi ko mailayo ang tingin ko.

Mabilis akong napalayo nang ilapag ng lalaki ang mga palad niya sa mesa. He leaned back oh his chair, a grim formed on his lips, as if I'm an amusement. Siguro akala nito ay isa akong malaking biro.

"Well, Alex," he began, his voice smooth and confident, "according to our records, you just came from a heartbreak. Your fifth, I may say."

My jaw dropped as I heard everything. Pakiramdam ko ay tinamaan ang buong pagkatao ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Kung hindi lang siya nakasuot ng mamahaling americana at kung wala lang siyang hawak na papel, kanina ko pa naitapon sa kanya ang kape ko.

The man creased his eyebrows."Asking how to mend a broken heart. Asking how to find a new love. Wow, ang dami mo rin palang hiling ano?"

I blinked, momentarily taken aback from what he said. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba ang naririnig ko. Sasabihin ko pa lang sana kung ano ang hinala ko pero, nabasa na yata niya ang tumatakbo sa isip ko.

"I'm Eros, your love coach. I guess that's an introduction already."

This was definitely not your average mentor.