❝It was impossible to forget.❞

— ❁ —

        "LET'S GIVE it up for Sandro Tan and Simeon Lee of R/C Records!"

        Applause and a bunch of "woohs" welcomed them. Lee flashed his sweet smile as he climbed onto the stage after Sandro. Paulit-ulit niyang hinagod palikod ang buhok. Paulit-ulit din kasi iyong tumatakip sa mata niya. Pinili na lang niyang tiisin.

        "Let's get this party started, yeah?" Sandro turned to Lee. Tango at ngiti lang ang isinagot niya.

        Lee held onto his guitar. Sandro played the first few chords of "In Your World". Naghiyawan ang mga tao nang bumagsak ang ilang drum beats sa kalagitnaan ng kanta.

        Tumatango si Lee sa saliw ng kanta nang maaninag niya si Charlotte sa gilid ng stage. She was handing him a hair tie. He quickly took it. Sumenyas siya kay Sandro bago pakawalan ang gitara. Kinagat niya ang kaninang gamit na pick. With both hands, he tied his hair.

        It looked like a sprout sitting on the top of his head. The audience screamed louder. Kunot-noo siyang bumaling kay Sandro. Sandro pointed at his hair before making a face.

        Pagkatapos ng set, inakbayan at inakay sila ni Charlotte papunta sa mesa. She gave a bottle of water to Sandro. Besides water, she gave Lee a plate of cheeseburger and fries. Lee threw her a confused look.

        "You haven't had dinner, right?" Charlotte asked before sitting down.

        "I haven't had dinner din kaya," Sandro quipped. Pinaningkitan nito ng mata ang manager nila habang sumisimsim ng tubig.

        "Sa 'yo na lang." Tinulak ni Lee papunta kay Sandro iyong plato. "'Di pa naman ako gutom." Before Sandro could dig in, Lee stole a fry.

        Charlotte kept looking around. Sinundan ni Lee ang tinitingnan nito. Isang lalaki. Charlotte waved, smiling. "We can go after you eat. Nakapagpaalam na 'ko," she told the two afterward.

        Tumango lang si Lee. Si Sandro naman, sinimulan nang lantakan iyong burger.

        Lee kept yawning the whole time which was weird. Nasa loob kasi sila ng bar. Malikot ang makukulay na ilaw. They were sitting near the speakers, too. He was probably used to everything by now. Kaya siguro siya inaantok, imbis na mairita sa ingay.

        Sandro was on his last bite when Lee's phone rang. Sa wakas ay tinawagan na siya ng lola niya.

        For the last few days, Lee has been calling her nonstop but she never picked up. Nagtampo yata ito. Kaagad niyang sinagot ang tawag. He set the call to speakerphone before gesturing to Charlotte and Sandro. Pagkatapos niyon, nilapag niya sa gitna ng mesa ang phone.

        "'La, ba't naman ngayon ka lang tumawag?" nakangusong pambungad ni Lee na para bang nakikita siya ng kausap. "Tin-ext ko si Tito Jake. Lagi mo naman daw hawak phone mo pero 'di mo 'ko sinasagot."

        "O, e 'di ngayon, alam mo na pakiramdam ng naghihintay sa wala?" May himig ng ngiti sa tono ng Lola niya. "Nasa bar ka na naman, ano? Mag-uli ka na."

        "Kasama ko po ngayon si Sandro, saka si Manager. Pauwi naman na po kami, kumakain lang po saglit."

        "Lola Pasing." Charlotte leaned over to his phone. "Ayaw pong kumain ng apo niyo. Ayaw po kasing mag-exercise pero ayaw din daw niyang tumaba."

        Lee scrunched his nose. It has always been like that. Hindi na dapat siya nagulat na sinumbong siya ni Charlotte. Kulang na lang ay ampunin ito ng lola niya.

        "Lala, your apo's been drinking without eating," tumatawang pagsingit ni Sandro. "I've been telling him to cut it out pero he's not listening."

        "Nano man, Simeon?" Lola Pasing sounded irritated. "May balak ka bang sumunod sa imu iloy? Naku, 'ha, Charlotte, pagsabihan mo. Kung habo makinig, itigil niyo na 'yan. Pauwiin 'yan dito nang makakain nang maayos."

        Napahawak sa batok si Lee. "Lola, nandito pa po ako, ha-ha. 'Wag ka pong mag-alala. Wala naman akong balak sumunod kina Papa."

        "Nakita ko an imu retrato sa Facebook. Napakapayat mo, anak. Malakas makapayat an puyat. Kumakain ka dapat nang marami."

        Sabay siyang tiningnan nina Charlotte at Sandro. Both had amused looks on their faces. In Lee's defense, he wasn't deliberately starving himself. Sadyang napadadalas lang ang pagtulog niya nang hindi naghahapunan.

        "Kumusta naman po d'yan sa Masbate?"

        "Ay, gano'n pa rin naman. Katatapos lang san camino didi sa tapat natun." Nakarinig sila ng magkakasunod na kaluskos sa kabilang linya. "Adi ako san lamay ng Tiyo mo. Nagakanam kami san bingo."

        Lee smiled softly. Iyon lang naman ang kaagaw niya sa oras ng lola niya: bingo. Kaya naman pala gising pa ito ng dis-oras ng gabi. "Si Tito Jake po, nasa'n? Pahatid na kayo, 'la. Tama na 'yan. Bukas naman."

        "Lamay is like wake, right?" Sandro asked. "Are they, like, playing beside the casket? The dead body?"

        Pinigil ni Charlotte ang pagtawa. "Yep. Gano'n sa probinsya. They celebrate death like it's a new beginning for the person who died and for those who are grieving."

        "Lola, d'yan ka pa ba?" Lee took his grandmother off speakerphone. "Hello, 'La?"

        Sighing, he ended the call. Malamang ay aksidenteng naibaba ng lola niya ang tawag. Hindi na rin bago iyon. When he gifted her a new phone for Christmas, he spent three hours discussing how Messenger calls work. He had to allot an additional hour to teach her how to download videos. Hindi raw kasi nito alam kung paano siya panonoorin online.

        "By the way, Lee?"

        Napatunghay siya mula sa phone. "Hmm?"

        "May go signal na tayo from Sir Ryan. We can start shooting as early as next week." Charlotte downed a bottle of water. "Anong balita do'n sa café?"

        Lee sighed, remembering how his conversation went with Cafuné's barista. He ended up lending his painting. Ayaw kasi nitong maniwalang totoong may inaalok siyang oportunidad. "Dalawa kasi silang may-ari. Nakausap ko na 'yong isa so hinihintay ko na lang decision nila."

        "Wait, kaninong contact binigay mo?"

        "Binigay ko business card mo," sagot niya, sabay hikab.

        Sandro stretched his arms. Pagkatapos niyon, dinampot nito ang natitirang fries sa plato. Tinungga rin nito iyong mineral water. "Let's go na ba? Should we say goodbye first?"

        Charlotte shook her head before standing up. "I already told the organizers that we're leaving early."

        Lee could feel his eyelids growing heavy by the second. Ilang beses siyang humikab habang binabaybay ang bar. On the way out, they still had to smile and greet a few people. Pagsakay ng van, tuluyan siyang nakatulog. He needed to sleep early anyway.

        Balak niya kasing bumalik sa café.

—

        THE CAFÉ'S walls have always been blank. It was intentional for Laurie, of course. Hindi kasi sila puwedeng magsabit ng kung ano-ano lalo na't pinaparentahan nila iyon. Humalukipkip siya. Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang thermos niyang medyo magaan na.

        Laurie kept her eyes glued onto the newly-hung painting. She attached a picture light above it. Alam niyang hindi naman kailangan. The café's natural lighting just didn't do it justice.

        "You know you can call him, right? Nasa 'yo naman 'yong card," narinig niyang sabi ni Malie.

        Still eyeing the painting, Laurie held her thermos up to her nose to smell the Americano's aroma. "The card is obviously not his. Babalik naman daw siya, 'di ba?" Pagkasabi niyon, pumasok siya sa coffee bar. Umupo siya sa isa sa mga stools.

        Pumangalumbaba si Malie. "Wala siyang sinabi kung kailan, e. Busy daw siya pero try daw niya this week."

        "Okay." Idinekuwatro niya ang mga binti bago abutin ang purse. Kinuha niya ang phone. She opened her Calendar application. "I called Theo yesterday. He said okay sa product shoot. So now, we actually have to decide which items to add."

        Sumimsim mula sa mug ang best friend niya. "A, ayon pala 'yong list na sin-end mo kagabi?" Pagtango ni Laurie, inilabas nito ang phone. "I like the éclair and croissant."

        "So you're on the fence with the lemon meringue and cheese tortellini, too," Laurie stated, nodding. "Medyo complicated 'yong meringue but it could be a hit if we execute it properly."

        "Hmm, okay. Kaya ko naman 'yon pero 'yong tortellini talaga, e. Tayo ba mismo gagawa ng pasta or bibili lang tayo?"

        "Actually, mas maganda kung sa 'tin mismo manggagaling 'yong recipe para one-of-a-kind talaga." Tumango si Malie sa sinabi niyang iyon. "But for now, I guess we could try looking for a supplier. I'll drag Theo with me. He's been dying to get my opinion on his studio, anyway."

        Tumungga si Malie mula sa mug. "Okay, pero pa'no 'yong sa painting? Kailan mo siya imi-meet?"

        "Hindi ba talaga sinabi sa 'yo kung anong klase ng business proposal 'yong inaalok niya? It could be a scam."

        "Ayan nga mismo sinabi ko, ha-ha." Muntik pa nitong mabuga ang iniinom na kape. "Sabi ko kasi, mas okay kung dalawa tayong kakausapin niya. That way, diretso mong matatanong sa kanya 'yong clarifications mo. Mag-set na lang kaya ako ng meeting?"

        "If he drops by, ask him when he's available."

        "Okay, call." Malie clinked their thermos and mug together. "May tira nga palang strawberry chocolate. Kakainin mo na ba?"

        Laurie shook her head. "I haven't earned it. We haven't sold anything yet."

        The glass doors suddenly opened. Napatingin silang dalawa roon nang pumasok ang isang estudyante. The girl glanced at the menu before fishing her wallet out. "One iced coffee po and mango tart. Dine-in po."

        Malie elbowed Laurie while punching the order in. "Kunin mo na 'yong slice," nangingiti nitong sabi.

        Laurie rolled her eyes. She never liked being proven wrong. Still, she might have accidentally manifested that first sale. Padabog niyang binuksan ang ref. Kinuha niya roon ang cake slice. She didn't bother transferring it to a clean plate. Sighing, she stabbed the fork through the piece of strawberry on top.

—

        PULLING DOWN the sleeves of his pink top, Lee marched to the café. Buong lakas niyang hinila iyong babasaging mga pinto. Tumunog ang door chimes. While walking towards the coffee bar, he fixed his white cap.

        "Goodmorning, sir, and welcome to Cafuné!" Nandoon ulit iyong kulot na barista, si Malie. This time, however, she wasn't alone.

        Isang lalaki ang kaharap nito. They weren't talking, though. May pinagkakaabalahan kasi sa phone iyong lalaki.

        Lee settled beside the guy. Tumunghay ito, nalukot din ang noo. He held out his hand. "Hi, ako 'yong sa—" Nilibot niya ng tingin ang café. Nang matagpuan ng mata ang painting, ngumuso siya sa direksyon niyon. "—painting."

        "I'm sorry, what?" The guy removed his wireless earphones. "I'm sorry, I wasn't listening."

        Napamaang si Lee. Nilingon niya si Malie. "A, hindi ba siya 'yong sinasabi mong partner mo?"

        Nangingiting umiling ang babae. "Babae 'yong co-owner ko, sir. Anyway, can I get you anything?"

        Sinubukan niyang 'wag pansinin ang mapanuring tingin ng katabi niyang lalaki. He placed his satchel bag on the counter. "'Di pa ako nagbi-breakfast, e. May breakfast menu ba kayo?"

        Tinuro ni Malie ang menu'ng nakapaskil sa pader. "May waffles and pancakes po kami. We also have rice bowls if you like."

        "Honey waffles na lang siguro and then, hot coffee."

        Saglit na huminto si Malie sa pagpindot sa register. "Black coffee po?"

        "May signature blend kayo, 'di ba?" tanong niya habang binabasa ang menu. "Ayon na lang."

        "Okay po, coming up~"

        Habang nagtitimpla si Malie, naningkit ang mga mata ni Lee. Sinubukan niyang silipin at bilangin ang bawat takal nito ng asukal at cream. He felt the guy beside him staring again. "Sorry pero nagkakilala na ba tayo?"

        The guy had this angelic baby face. Nakadagdag din sa pagkaamo ng mukha nito ang bilugan nitong mga mata. Kumurap-kurap ito. "I don't think so but I haven't really seen your face," mabagal nitong sabi, sabay turo sa sariling mukha.

        Nang mapagtantong tinutukoy nito ang suot niyang face mask, mahinang natawa si Lee. "Sorry." Ibinaba niya ang mask. Hinayaan niya iyong nakasabit sa mga tainga niya. "I'm Lee. Nice to meet you." He held out his hand.

        "Theo," Theo mumbled before shaking hands with Lee. "I don't think we met but you really seem familiar."

        "Hmm." Hinimas pa ni Lee ang baba niya, nagkunwaring nag-iisip. "Nag-eedit ka ba ng pictures kanina?"

        "Namimili lang. Before I edit, I choose the best shots first. Oh." Theo squinted at Lee. "I think I know why you seem familiar. Have you been to Maginhawa?"

        Napalabi si Lee. He never really hesitated in interacting with fans or people who simply recognize him. Hindi pa naman ganoon kalala ang mga tao katulad ng sa Korea na talagang sinusundan ang singers o idols. He decided to tell the truth. "Yep. Madalas akong may gig do'n."

        "Oh, so are you in a band?"

        He shook his head. "Nope, pero may agency'ng humahawak sa 'kin."

        "Here's your honey waffles and hot coffee." Malie carefully placed the plates in front of him. Umupo ito sa tapat niya at pumangalumbaba pagkatapos. "'Di naman po sa pagiging tsismosa pero. . . kung singer ka, bakit ka po may painting?"

        "Painting? What painting?" Theo asked before sipping his drink.

        Malie glanced at the painting beside the coffee bar. "That painting. Kanya 'yan."

        Sinulyapan ni Theo ang direksyong tinuro ni Malie bago bumaling kay Lee. Hinihintay rin ata nito ang sagot niya.

        Lee couldn't help but smile. It's the first time in a while someone asked him that. Sa bawat interview o guesting kasi, nakasentro ang tanong doon sa busking video nila ni Sandro. They would always ask why he was crying. Bilang lang ang curious sa mismong kanta.

        Nginitian niya sina Malie. "Fine Arts kasi course ko no'ng college. Traditional painter kasi 'yong papa ko kaya akala ko, 'yon din gusto ko. Over time, na-realize kong hindi pala pero 'di ako nag-shift. Sayang 'yong dalawang taon, e."

        Tumango ang babae. "Gosh, same sa totoo lang. All courses are hard, kaya mas oki talaga kung gusto mo 'yong kukunin mo. Hala, sorry. Oversharing na ba?"

        "Okay lang," mabilis niyang sabi. "By the way, 'wag mo na 'kong pino-'po' o 'sir'. Same age lang naman ata tayo."

        "Okay, sige," Malie said, shrugging. "I'll talk casually from now on."

        "You know, I think you could've profited off your art," wala sa sariling sabi ni Theo. "I know they say being an artist here is a lost cause but you could sell if you want to. Mukha ngang mamahalin."

        Natawa nang mahina si Lee. "Nadala lang siguro ng ilaw." Binawasan niya ang kape. It was mocha with the perfect hint of star anise. He wanted to confirm with Malie but he decided against it. Baka mapagbintangan pa siyang magnanakaw ng blend, e.

        "Oo nga pala," pagkuha ni Malie sa atensyon niya. "Mag-set na lang siguro tayo ng araw for the meeting? Flexible naman kami pero ikaw kasi, sabi mo, busy ka. When do you think you'll be available?"

        Kumain siya ng kapirasong waffles. "Usually, gabi naman set ko."

        "Hmm, p'wede ka ba this coming Saturday?"

        Tahimik lang na nakinig si Theo.

        "Sure, p'wede akong dumaan around 2 PM." Malakas na nag-vibrate ang phone ni Lee. It was Charlotte, calling. Malamang ay mangungumusta ito tungkol sa café. "Excuse me, sagutin ko lang."

        Ngumiti lang si Malie bilang sagot. As Lee passed by his painting on the wall, he unconsciously grinned. He continued pacing towards the comfort room despite hearing the twinkling of the door chimes.

—

        WITH BOTH hands, Laurie pushed the doors of Cafuné – making the chimes ding and echo loudly. She had a white bag dangling across her body, tracing the curves granted by her Zebra-printed wrap dress.

        "Goodmorning, Lauwie," nakangiting bati sa kanya ng best friend. Agad nitong nilapag ang phone sa counter katabi ng isang satchel bag na bahagyang nakabukas. Umamba ito ng yakap. "Hala, anong problems?"

        Pabagsak niyang nilapag ang thermos sa countertop. Shaking her head, Malie took the thermos.

        Humahangos na hinila ni Laurie ang braso ni Theo. "We should go. Biglang nagbago 'yong schedule ni Mr. Pascual. Hanggang 5 PM lang daw siya today."

        "Calm down, Lauwie," Malie said, filling the thermos with Americano. "Huminga ka muna. I'm sure aabot kayo."

        "We'll make it in time," Theo assured her. "If we don't, maybe we can reschedule."

        Umiling siya. "I don't want to reschedule."

        "You should really cut down." Napabuntonghininga siya nang ilapag ni Malie ang thermos niya. "Nagpa-palpitate ka na yata, o."

        Laurie took her thermos, knocking the fork off of the plate of waffles in the process.

        "Go on, ako na bahala d'yan. 'Wag mo nang pulutin." Malie snapped her fingers, bringing Laurie back to the present; back to her senses like always. "Umalis na kayo," tumatawa nitong dugtong.

        "Thanks," ang tanging nasabi niya sa kaibigan. Hinarap niya si Theo. "Let's go."

        Laurie walked briskly while Theo trailed behind her. Sinamaan niya ito ng tingin. Para kasing wala itong sense of urgency. She pushed the doors open. Umingay na naman ang chimes sa itaas niyon. Patakbo siyang pumunta sa sasakyan niya.

        Sighing exasperatedly, Laurie opened the car door and plopped down in the driver's seat. She waited for Theo to settle down before driving away from the café.

        The meeting with Mr. Pascual went surprisingly okay that day. Laurie thought he was entitled like some of her dad's business partners. Mabuti na lang at mabilis itong kausap. Pati tuloy ang quantity at delivery schedule, napag-usapan na nila.

        Ang inaalala na lang ni Laurie ay ang meeting nila ng painter. Malie attested to his character but that wasn't enough for her. Mabilis kasing magtiwala ang best friend niya. Malalim siyang bumuntonghininga habang umiinom ng kape. Tuloy, umusok iyon nang bahagya.

        It was Saturday. She was drinking her coffee in front of the painting again. Nakaugalian na niya iyon mula noong isabit iyon doon ni Malie.

        There was just something about it. Sa bandang itaas kasi niyon ay may parang hugis ng mata. The lower half, on the other hand, seemed to be an abstract. There were two blobs of color, too. Hugis tao ang mga iyon.

        "I told him you like his painting, by the way," kuwento ni Malie.

        "Why?"

        "Kung maka-react ka naman, parang 'di totoo. You look at that like you're seeing something I don't."

        Laurie made two steps forward, closer to the painting. Malie wasn't wrong. Totoong gusto niya iyong painting. But maybe liking it wasn't the only reason why she was so fixated on it.

        "Maybe that's it. It lets me think—" She bit her lip. "—while comforting me."

        Laurie's thoughts were cut abruptly by the twinkling sound of the door chimes. "Goodmorning, sir, and welcome to Cafuné!" narinig niyang pagbati ni Malie sa pumasok.

        Laurie didn't bother facing the door. Pinanatili niya ang tingin sa painting. Napayakap siya sa sarili nang umihip ang malakas na hangin. Sumabay iyon sa pagbukas ng pinto, sumabay sa customer na binati ni Malie. A chill ran down her spine despite wearing a thick mint green blazer.

        She drank from her thermos. Kinalahati niya iyon.

        "Hi, nandito na ba?"

        Mariing napalunok si Laurie. Gumuhit ang init ng kape sa dila at lalamunan niya. Years might have passed but his voice still made her fear for her poor heart. It was impossible to forget. Sa ilang taon niya sa kolehiyo, maraming beses siyang kinantahan, pinatahan, pinatawa, at pinangiti ng boses na iyon.

        There was no need to turn around and confirm her hunch. Her knees turned jelly. Ang mga mata naman niya, nagsimulang manubig.

        Untiunti ring naglaho ang ginhawang ipinahiram ng painting sa kaluluwa niya.

        Laurie's breathing hitched. Hindi niya nakita o narinig ang paghakbang ng lalaki. Still, she felt him approaching her, drawing closer.

        Muling humigpit ang hawak niya sa thermos. Bagaman mainit-init pa ang kape sa loob niyon, nanlamig ang palad niya. Her knees felt stiff that she couldn't move. Hindi tuloy siya makatakbo mula sa delubyong hinatid ng hangin café.

        Sa kabila ng halo-halong nararamdaman, hindi niya inalis ang mga mata sa nakasabit na painting.

        Laurie shut her eyes, as if bracing for impact, when she felt him stir beside her.

        "Laurie?"

        Tuluyang dumulas ang thermos mula sa kamay niya. There was no running from Lee now.#