❝Lee was certain that it was the universe's way of punishing him for trying to outsmart it.❞

— ❁ —

        LAURIE WAS out of sorts that morning. Her awful mood probably began with Theo who decided to wake up late. May café kasi silang dinayo sa Bacoor. Nilibot niya ng tingin ang interior. There wasn't anything special.

        Parang pinagsama-sama niyon ang trends sa interior design. There were neon lights and modern cylindrical lamps. Kahoy naman ang sahig at furniture. For Laurie, there was no cohesiveness in the interior but she wasn't really in a position to judge.

        Effective kasi ang kung anumang ginagawa ng Café Maurice. Matunog din ito online dahil sa partnerships nito sa influencers.

        "Why aren't you eating?" Theo mumbled. Medyo salubong ang kilay nito. "I heard about Lee, by the way."

        Her brows immediately shot up. Hindi naman kasi tsismoso si Theo. "Stefan told you, didn't he?" Tumusok siya sa kaharap na lemon meringue cake. "What exactly did he tell you?"

        Theo sipped from his iced tea. "Not much. He just told me about him. Ex-boyfriend mo raw from college."

        Laurie bit her lip. Uminom siya ng kape pagkatapos. Parang kailangan niya kasi ng pampagising. There was just something with the way Theo said that phrase: "ex-boyfriend from college". "Yes, and what about it? Offended ka ba na ni-reject kita dahil sa kanya?"

        Kumurap-kurap ito na ikinatawa niya. "Would you stop saying that?" mahinahon nitong sabi. "Fourteen ako no'ng naging interested ako sa 'yo. It doesn't count."

        "You haven't liked anybody since so I'll always bring it up."

        "I don't even think I liked you. Natuwa lang ako sa 'yo no'n," bulong nito.

        Napatawa siya nang mahina. "You haven't answered me, by the way. Offended ka bang sinabi ko sa lolo mo na ayokong makipag-date sa 'yo?"

        Theo pursed his lips, thinking. "No, you had a valid reason. Besides, I don't think he was serious."

        "I believe I never asked you but back then, no'ng nag-away kami ni Dad, did you think my reason was valid, too?"

        He just stared at her. Hindi yata ito makapaniwalang tinanong niya iyon. Laurie just wasn't the type who cared about what other people think. However, she always wanted to hear Theo's opinion. Wala kasi itong paligoy-ligoy. Masyado ring madaling basahin ang mukha nito kada susubukan nitong magsinungaling.

        Napabuga ng hangin si Laurie. "Is that a 'no'?"

        "No," Theo answered. Tinusok nito ang kaharap na blueberry cheesecake slice. "I get why you tried to leave years ago."

        Her brows knitted. "So, you were on my side?"

        "I wouldn't say I was on your side." Muli itong sumubo ng kapirasong cheesecake. "Pa'no ko ba ipapaliwanag? I guess I was empathizing with you? I think that's the better term for what I felt about the issue."

        Laurie leaned against the chair. Tinitigan niya si Theo. When she didn't respond for a few more minutes, he just continued eating the cheesecake in silence.

        "When you said you wouldn't be a hundred percent here, I thought you were joking," he mumbled.

        Minu-minuto niya kasing sinisilip ang phone. She left Malie and Cheska alone in the café. May tiwala naman siya kay Malie pero nangangapa pa kasi si Cheska. Before the pandemic, they hired part-timers. One quit because of Stefan. Umuwi naman sa pamilya iyong isa. Back then, they had a week of training.

        Laurie took a sip of her coffee again. "Why did you think I was joking? I don't remember smiling when I said that."

        "You know that Stefan felt the same way, too, right?"

        Napatunghay siya kay Theo. She was completely caught off-guard. "What now?"

        "He understood why you tried to look for your mom in Spain," wala sa sarili nitong kuwento. "Back then, he really wanted to stand up for you. Sinabi niya sa 'kin no'ng nalasing siya sa condo."

        Marahas niyang tinusok ang meringue. "Did he also confess why he didn't? Inamin ba niyang sinamantala niya 'yong sitwasyon para sa kanya ibigay ni Dad 'yong publishing company?"

        Theo gave her a weird look. "You know it wasn't like that. He was just probably scared." Inubos nito ang cheesecake sa platito. "Mukhang 'di ka rin naman interested sa publishing. If you actually told him you wanted it, maybe he wouldn't have accepted the offer."

        Laurie clenched her fist under the table. Alam niya kasing may punto si Theo. Humigpit ang hawak niya sa tinidor. "Would you mind tasting this?"

        "Why?" Theo asked as he ate a piece of the meringue on her plate. "There's nothing wrong with it, Lau."

        "I just don't taste any lemon. Ikaw ba, may nalalasahan ka?"

        He ate a small piece again before shaking his head. "You're right. There isn't any hint of lemon."

        "Right? Akala ko, 'di ko lang napapansin dahil sa kape."

        "Oh." Biglang suminghap si Theo at tumuro sa kanya. Maliit siyang napangiti. "You just changed the subject."

        "Took you long enough," nangingiti niyang sabi. Pilit niyang inubos ang natitirang lemon meringue. "By the way, tuloy 'yong product shoot, 'ha?"

        "I thought you and Malie are still experimenting?" he asked before drinking his iced tea. "Alam niyo namang per hour rate ko, 'di ba?"

        "What? Akala ko, depende kung ilan 'yong kukunin naming photos?" Naningkit ang mga mata niya nang mapansing 'di makatingin nang diretso ang lalaki. She fought the urge to kick him under the table. "Did you really think you could fool me easily? Sa 'kin mo pa kaya tinanong kung pa'no rate mo sa shoot and events."

        "No," he said, smiling meekly. "Stefan told me to try anyway."

        Laurie just scoffed in response.

        Because Theo paid for Alejandro's last time, she shouldered the food. Mas marami rin naman siyang in-order kaya okay lang. Paglabas ng Café Maurice, kaagad siyang sumakay ng kotse. Doon na lang niya hinintay si Theo na sumaglit sa CR.

        While waiting, she checked the photos she took. Kumuha siya ng pictures ng interior, menu, at mismong pagkain ng Café Maurice. Ipinadala niya ang mga iyon kay Malie kahit hindi ito online. Just as she was about to call Theo, she received a notification from Lee. He friended her on his personal account the other day.

        For "business" purposes naman daw.

        Despite finding it weird, she opened his message. Simpleng "goodmorning" lang ang laman niyon na sinundan ng isang picture. Laurie's forehead creased as she stared at his selfie.

        Lee had this goofy smile on his face. From the looks of it, he seemed to be at the café. Nakatayo ito sa bandang pintuan at nakaturo sa itaas. Only after zooming in did Laurie realize what he was pointing at.

        On the door frame hung some door chimes with various ornaments.

        As soon as she saw Lee typing, she pressed the "lock" button.

—

        LEE HAS been staring at the telephone icon for minutes now. Ikinabit na kasi niya iyong door chimes sa pinto. Bukod sa Binondo at Quiapo, may basbas na rin iyon ni Malie. She even secured the foot of the stool while he attached the chime. For the rest of the morning, she was giddy and smiling.

        Hindi tuloy mapigilang magtaka ni Lee kung paano ito naging kaibigan ni Laurie.

        Ilang minuto na rin siyang hindi mapakali. Nakita na kasi ni Laurie ang message niya pero wala itong reply. He couldn't help but feel worried. Baka kasi nairita itong nangialam siya sa café.

        Lee was pacing back and forth when he heard a long beep.

        His life quickly flashed through his eyes. Parang slideshow. Parang pelikulang naka-fast forward. Lee was certain that it was the universe's way of punishing him for trying to outsmart it until he opened his eyes.

        Until he didn't die.

        He didn't see the white light. What he saw was a guy with features almost comparable to that of an angel. Lee blinked. Nang tuluyan niyang imulat ang mga mata, doon lang niya napagtantong natumba siya at kasalukuyang nakatihaya.

        Kaya naman pala niya napagkamalang anghel iyong lalaking bumungad sa kanya dahil nakatayo ito at nakatalikod sa araw.

        "Are you okay?" seryosong tanong sa kanya noong lalaki. Nilahad nito ang kanang kamay, nag-alok ng alalay. "I'm sorry. Na-delay 'yong preno ko, e."

        Pinaningkitan ito ng mata ni Lee. He looked familiar. He knew he saw him once but he couldn't exactly remember when. Sigurado rin siyang alam niya ang pangalan nito kahit pansamantala niya iyong 'di maalala.

        Kinalkal niya ang isip habang pinapagpag ang maong na pantalon. Inobserbahan niya ang mukha nito. Flat lips, faded bowl-cut, and innocent eyes. Mukha itong college student o fresh graduate. Still, Lee couldn't remember his name.

        Gayunpaman, kumbinsido siyang hindi nito sinadya ang nangyari. "Okay lang. May kasalanan din ako." He accepted the guy's hand, then expressed gratitude with a smile. "'Di ko napansing nasa driveway na pala ako. Sorry for the inconvenience."

        "No, it's fine." The guy extended his right hand toward Lee. "Theo nga pala."

        Lee snapped his fingers. "A, Theo!" Tinuro pa niya ang lalaki. Mayamaya, napalabi siya. Theo introduced himself again, meaning he must have forgotten about meeting Lee, too. Lee decided not to mention anything anyway.

        Theo glanced at the café doors. "Anyway, aren't you going in?"

        "Actually, hinihintay ko 'yong may-ari."

        Parang bata itong tumingkayad, masilip lang si Malie sa coffee bar. "Malie's there."

        "I meant—" Nakagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi. "—'yong isa. Si Laurie."

        Napamaang si Theo. May naalala yata. "Oh," he muttered, pointing at Lee. "We met before, right?"

        Smiling, Lee nodded. "Ha-ha, oo, nag-usap pa nga tayo about sa painting."

        "Oh, right. I remember now. By the way, if you're waiting for Laurie, she said she'll be here around 1 PM." Inayos nito ang pagkakarolyo ng mga manggas ng suot na dress shirt. "Why don't I buy you lunch as my way of saying 'sorry'?"

        Pinaningkitan niya si Theo ng mga mata. Tahimik niyang sinipat kung malungkot ba o sadyang bored lang ito kaya nagpapasama sa kanyang kumain. The offer was just out of the blue. "Sure ka?"

        Nagpamulsa ito, pasimpleng nilibot ang tingin sa paligid. "It's a bit hot to wait here but if you're uncomfortable having lunch with me, it's okay. P'wede ko namang ibigay na lang sa 'yo 'yong—"

        "Hindi na, okay na 'yong lunch," pagputol niya sa balak sabihin ni Theo.

        "Okay," kaswal nitong sagot. "I'm just gonna park. Wait for me here."

        Mula sa loob ng kotse, kumaway si Theo. Lee was about to wave back when he realized that Theo was asking him to move. Napahawak siya sa batok.

        At an early age, Lee realized that he needed to voice out his needs. Malamang din ay wala siya sa kasalukuyang estado ng career niya kung naging mahiyain siya. Gayunpaman, nakaramdam siya ng panliliit nang sabay silang lumakad ni Theo papunta sa coffee bar. Theo was one and a half inches taller.

        "So, what do you want to eat?" Before Lee could answer, Theo faced Malie. "Laurie said you'll be adding things to the menu?"

        With a big smile, Malie pointed at the menu behind her, just above the array of machines. "What you see is what you get. 'Di pa kami nagde-decide ni Lauwie, e." Kay Lee ito bumaling nang lumipas ang segundo at hindi pa rin umo-order si Theo. "Ikaw ba, sir, o-order ka ulit?"

        "Sabi ko naman sa 'yo, 'Lee' na lang," umiiling niyang sabi. "Anyway, carbonara and iced tea na lang sa 'kin. Wait, may strawberry chocolate na ba kayo?"

        "Okay, Lee, ilang slices ba?" tanong nito habang sinesenyasan iyong nakasalaming babae sa register. "Tatlo na lang pala kasi reserved na 'yong is a."

        Agad siyang napangiti sa narinig. "Kay Laurie 'yong isa, 'no?"

        "Mm-hmm," Malie hummed with a knowing smile. "Ikaw ba, Theo? Wala kaming tortellini kung 'yon inaabangan mo. All we have for pasta is still carbonara."

        "Then carbonara it is," Theo answered, sighing. "If you still have cinnamon sticks, I'll have an iced horchata coffee. If you've run out, iced tea na lang."

        "Okay, coming up~" Malie served the food and drinks minutes later. Sa halip na bumalik sa pagkalikot ng phone, pumangalumbaba ito sa counter. "You're an odd pair. Kailan pa kayo naging close?"

        Lee immediately ate some of the pasta. "Kanina lang." Sumimsim siya mula sa baso ng iced tea.

        "Oh, right. 'Di na kami gumagamit ng straws. Sinusubukan din kasi naming tumulong sa environment. . . you know, climate change, deforestation, and pandas becoming extinct."

        He nodded. "Kumusta nga pala mga ni-recommend ko sa 'yo?"

        Malie grimaced. "Sobrang ugh. Ewan ko ba kung bakit ko pa pinapanood 'yong mga gano'n, e, nandidiri lang ako," naiiling nitong kuwento. "Ang ayos ng pacing, though. Commendable din 'yong pag-handle ng topic kasi napaka-sensitive ng pedophilia."

        "Kung walang victim-blaming, matagal na sigurong na-solve 'yong case. Until now, wala pang final na number ng biktima, e," nakangiwing sagot niya.

        Biglang tumikhim si Theo, dahilan upang mapatingin dito sina Malie. "Are pandas really extinct?" he asked, looking genuinely concerned.

        "Gosh," nangingiting sabi ng babae. "Nand'yan ka pa rin?"

        "Is it true, though?"

        "Uh-huh, pero mali yata 'yong term na ginamit ko. Endangered pa lang sila. On the way to extinction pa lang," paliwanag ni Malie. "Sabi sa nabasa ko, around 1000 na lang sila, e."

        Theo continued munching on his carbonara. "Can you send me the article?"

        "Sure, 'pag nahanap ko, ise-send ko sa 'yo mamaya."

        Nagpasalitsalit ang tingin ni Lee sa dalawa. Pinagpatuloy na lang niya ang pagnguya. It was as if something incomprehensible happened. He just couldn't keep up with Malie and Theo. Noong una niyang nakasama ang dalawa, parang hindi naman close ang mga ito.

        Tumitipa si Lee ng reply sa Lola Pasing niya nang tumunog ang door chimes.

        "Good afternoon, Lauwie!"

        Nabulunan siya sa narinig. Theo came to his rescue, though. Nilapit nito sa kanya iyong baso ng iced tea. "Thanks," he mumbled after gulping. After that, he tried to play it cool. Ramdam niyang nakatingin sa kanya si Laurie pero hinayaan lang niya. He wanted her to strike the conversation first.

        Laurie sat on one of the stools. Kay Theo ito tumabi na nasa kaliwa niya. "What were you talking about? Parang bigla kayong tumahimik pagdating ko."

        "Pinanood ko kasi 'yong ni-recommend ni Lee tapos nagtanong si Theo about sa extinction ng pandas," natatawang sagot ni Malie.

        Nanatiling tahimik si Lee. Tutusukin sana niya ang strawberry sa cake kaso tumunog ang phone niya. He glanced at Theo and Malie. "Excuse me," paalam niya sa mga kasama.

        He pressed "answer". Lumayo rin siya nang kaunti kina Laurie.

        "Can you be here in 30 minutes?" bungad sa kaya ni Charlotte sa kabilang linya. "Kulang kasi sila Jegs, e, may busking sila bukas. Gusto yatang mag-practice."

        "Jitters?" nakatawa niyang tanong.

        "Yep, jitters. Unang performance na bitbit ang R/C, e. You're coming, right? Practice-in mo na rin set list mo for Pobla. Papasundo na lang kita kay Junnie. Saan ka ba now?"

        Lee pondered over telling Charlotte the truth. He glanced at the coffee bar where Malie, Theo, and Laurie sat. "Uh, diyan-diyan lang."

        Pumalatak ang babae. "Sa 'kin ka pa magsisinungaling."

        "Hala, 'di naman ako nagsisinungaling," natatawa niyang sabi. "Pero okay, sige. Aaminin ko na, ha-ha. Nasa Cafuné ako right now." Lumihis ang mga mata niya sa cake niyang nakahain sa counter. Laurie was staring at the strawberry on top. "Dito banda sila Jegs sa Friday, 'di ba?"

        "Ugh." His manager sighed into the call. "So, ano? Should I send Junnie or kaya mo na?"

        "Sa condo na lang siguro ako magpapasundo?" Nilaro niya ang suot na kuwintas. "D'yan na siguro ako around 4-ish."

        "4-ish ka d'yan. Be here by 3 PM, okay? Bye."

        As he made his way back to the coffee bar, Lee inserted the phone in his pocket. Kaagad niyang napansin na nakatitig pa rin si Laurie sa strawberry'ng nakaupo sa ibabaw ng cake. Pasimple niya iyong tinusok gamit ang tinidor.

        After that, he gave Laurie the fork. She gave him a puzzled look in return. "P'wede mo naman kasing hingin, Lau." Napangiti siya nang tanggapin nito ang tinidor. "Ibibigay ko naman, e."

        Lee was expecting Laurie to grimace but she didn't. Instead, she ate the strawberry. "Thanks, by the way," mahina nitong sabi. Gamit ang tinidor, itinuro nito ang pintuan. "For the strawberry and the door chimes."

        He ran his fingers through his hair, attempting to mask his nervousness. Si Laurie lang naman ang nakapagpapakaba sa kanya nang gano'n. Tumunog ang door chimes. Theo and Malie turned toward the door. Laurie did, too, with a small smile on her lips.

        Lee felt relief wash over him. He was right. Mas malawak nga nang kaunti ang ngiti nito.#