❝It sounded like a plea.❞

— ❁ —

        THE DOOR chimes twinkled. For the nth time that day, Laurie smiled. Saglit lang din ang itinatagal ng mga ngiting iyon. Kaagad niya kasing nilulunok. Ever since meeting Lee again, checking the café's entrance became a habit.

        Muling umingay ang door chimes. That made her gulp some of her Americano.

        "Lauwie naman! Sabi na, 'di ka nakikinig, e!"

        Sumulyap si Malie sa kaharap nilang painting. After that, she sighed exasperatedly. Laurie was about to deny whatever Malie was thinking when the latter puller her. Dinala siya nito sa may bintana ng café kung nasaan si Theo.

        Theo set his lighting equipment by the windows. He and Malie even argued earlier. Mas mainam daw kasi kung natural light ang gagamitin. Ang sabi naman ni Malie, mas mabibigyang-pansin 'yong intricate design ng pastries kung artificial light ang gagamitin.

        Eventually, Laurie stepped in. May mga customer na kasing napalilingon sa direksyon nila. Laurie sided with Theo, declining her best friend's puppy eyes.

        Mukhang sigurado naman kasi si Theo sa ginagawa. Pinaliwanag na lang niya iyon kay Malie.

        "What is it this time?" tanong niya sa dalawa.

        "I need help retouching the food." Inabot ni Theo iyong pinggan ng waffles at pancakes. "Padagdagan na lang ng syrup para magmukhang appetizing."

        While Laurie glossed the plates with more syrup, Malie brought the plates of eclairs and croissants over. Pati ang mga iyon ay nilagyan nila ng syrup upang kuminang ang ibabaw sa pictures. Ipinatong niya ang pinggan ng eclairs sa stool. Katatapos lang kasi ni Theo sa waffles.

        "Are there more of these?" Theo was referring to the eclairs. "I need to lay them on the counter. That way, makukunan ko rin 'yong marble. I'll just edit my shadow in case I'm visible."

        "We made six of them, pati 'yong croissant. Is that enough?"

        "Yep, I can just clone them." For the next few minutes, Theo did his job. Tumungtong pa ito sa stool, makuha lang ang shot na gusto. Mayamaya ay inilahad nito ang kamay. "We're onto the main dishes. I need a plate of carbonara and the cheese tortellini."

        Laurie took the readied plates from the fridge. Si Malie kasi ang umaapak sa paa ng stool para mabigyang-balanse si Theo. Kinuha niya ang lemon meringue slices. Ang carbonara naman, ipinatong niya sa countertop. Ilang minuto niya iyong pinaikot-ikot para kay Theo.

        "There, that's okay," he finally said.

        "May discount dapat 'to, kami nag-aayos, e," bulong ni Malie. Ngumiti ito nang labas-ngipin matapos itong titigan ni Theo. "Joke lang," she said with a V-sign.

        "By the way—" panimula ni Theo habang pumipindot sa camera. "—I thought you were still finalizing the additions. Bakit lahat ng bago pina-picture-an niyo sa 'kin?"

        Humalukipkip si Laurie. "Sabi mo naman, depende sa pictures na kukunin ang payment."

        "And what if all the pictures look good?" Theo clicked his camera continuously. "Kukunin niyo ba lahat?"

        Nagkatinginan sila ni Malie. "Maybe. Magpapa-print na rin kami ng posters para sa labas."

        "Really, Lauwie? Medyo 'di pa kasi natin napi-perfect 'yong sa bagong desserts."

        "Oh, that's why," wala sa sariling sabi ni Theo. "I haven't tasted the eclairs but I can already tell they're too hard. Mabilis namang mag-crumble 'yong croissant niyo."

        Nalukot ang noo ni Malie. "Bakit ang dami mong alam?"

        "My mom used to sell baked goods online." Saglit na ibinaba ng lalaki ang camera. "Masyado nga palang harsh kapag naka-flash ako. I need more light. Can you hand me one of the—?" He gestured toward the window where he set up.

        Laurie just stared at him, confused. Blangko namang tumingin si Theo kay Malie, parang nagtatanong. "Pagpasensyahan mo na," naiiling na sabi ng babae. "She's going through something emotionally, kaya medyo lutang. Pakikuha raw ng isa sa mga ilaw, Lauwie."

        Inismiran ni Laurie ang dalawa bago niya bitbitin ang isa sa light stands.

        "Naaalala mo pa si Lee? 'Yong nilibre mo ng cake saka kape?" Narinig niyang tanong ni Malie kay Theo.

        Tinakpan ng lalaki ang lens ng hawak na DSLR. "Of course, I do. Muntik ko siyang masagasaan no'n, e."

        "What?" kunot-noong tanong ni Laurie. "Muntik masagasaan? How did that happen?"

        Nagitla si Theo sa biglang pagtaas ng tono niya. "Na-delay 'yong preno ko," maikli nitong paliwanag. "I bought him lunch as an apology. What about him?"

        Malie laughed. "They were college sweethearts."

        Laurie squinted at Malie's words. "Alam na niya."

        "Ay, weh? Does he know the whole story?"

        "Hmm. Stefan told me she's still hung up on Lee. Intindihin ko na lang daw kung bakit ayaw mong makipag-date sa 'kin no'n. Back then, I had no idea he was referring to Lee, though. 'Di naman daw niya kilala."

        "That's because he was studying abroad when I was dating Lee. Umuwi lang siya no'ng. . ." Huminga siya ng malalim at saka, nag-iwas ng tingin. "Well, you know what happened."

        Umuwi lang si Stefan noong nalaman nitong binalak niyang pumunta ng Madrid.

        "So, is he the reason why you're preoccupied?" Theo asked, shifting the subject back to Lee. "He doesn't seem to be the annoying type."

        "Preoccupied?" Malie snorted. "Hindi lang preoccupied tawag d'yan. Halos 'di na nga nakakakain, e."

        "I ate breakfast earlier, Mal," Laurie said, disproving her best friend's claims. When both Malie and Theo seemed unconvinced, she waved her thermos in front of their faces. "I'm eating right now."

        Theo gave her a disapproving look. "I don't think coffee counts as food."

        "See, I told you~" bulalas ni Malie. "Baka magkasakit ka niyan kapag puro kape ka lang. Pa'no mo tuloy babalikan si Lee kung magkakasakit ka?"

        Days ago, Malie was unsure of lending the café for Lee's music video. Nagbago yata ang ihip ng hangin dahil sa pagkukusang-loob nitong bumili ng door chimes. Malie and Lee have been probably chatting a lot lately, too.

        Napangiwi si Malie. "I took it too far, didn't I?" Si Theo ang nilingon nito nang 'di siya umimik, waring nagpapakampi. Mabagal namang tumango ang lalaki. "Sorry, Lauwie. Won't happen again, promise."

        Muling tumunog ang door chimes. Napalingon silang tatlo roon. Nang dumiretso ang customer sa coffee bar, nagpaalam si Malie sa kanila ni Theo.

        "I should scold him for that," buntonghiningang sabi ni Laurie.

        "Who, Lee?" magkasunod na tanong ni Theo.

        Laurie's brows momentarily furrowed after hearing his 1-syllable name. "I'm talking about Stefan. Bored ata lately."

        "So, it is about Lee?"

        "Hindi nga." Muli niyang pinaikot ang mga mata. "Si Stefan nga."

        "You know that I don't mind if it's true that you're still in love with him, right?" Pinagpatuloy nito ang pagkalikot sa camera.

        She blinked. "I'm not in love with him. Ayoko lang na may kumokontrol sa buhay ko kahit para pa sa business. That's the only reason why I don't plan on dating or marrying you."

        Saglit itong huminto sa pagtingin ng nakuhang shots. "So it's not about Lee?"

        "Why are you making a fuss about Lee?"

        Nangunot ang noo ni Theo. "Ikaw 'tong nagpakuwento sa 'kin."

        Laurie bit her lip again. Noong marinig kasi niyang muntik itong masagasaan, nawalang bigla iyong inis niya kada mapangingiti siya dahil sa door chimes. Lee had always been reckless. Back in the university, there were countless incidents of him almost getting in accidents.

        He would blame the lack of proper bicycle lanes. And Laurie would blame him. Hindi na nakapagtataka kung hindi nito napansin si Theo dahil lang abala ito sa phone.

        Untiunti niyang nilimot at isinantabi ang mga iniisip. "Can you call me out whenever I ask about him?"

        Theo looked at her weirdly. "Why me? Si Malie na lang."

        "You're more of the evasive type. Malie would tell me to confront my feelings."

        "And you don't want to?"

        Napaismid siya sa tanong nito. "You sound like her just by asking that."

        "What?"

        "Ewan ko sa 'yo, Theo." Laurie grimaced before dragging the light stand closer to the countertop.

—

        LEE STARED at his coffee sitting on the countertop. Its glass was fancy-looking. May chocolate sprinkles pang nakapaikot sa bibig niyon. Still, it tasted nothing like Laurie's blend. He slowly stirred the drink with the straw. Sumimsim siya. Halos hindi nga niya malasahan iyong kape sa tapang ng mocha flavor.

        "Thank you, guys! Don't forget na may busking kami later near Cafuné Café," nakangiting paalam ni Jegs sa audience.

        "Anong oras daw?"

        Nakatawang hinapit ni Jegs ang mic. "Sino 'yong sumigaw?" Kumaway ito sa lalaking nagtaas ng kamay. "Around 1 PM po tayo later. Thank you po, see you!"

        As he sipped his drink, Lee snorted a laugh. Kasalukuyan siyang nasa isang café para sa isang gig. Katatapos lang ng set nila ni Sandro na sinundan ng Makamundo, ang banda nina Jegs. Muntik niyang mabuga ang iniinom nang may tumapik sa balikat niya.

        "Kuys, 'di ka ba sasama mamaya?" Si Jegs. "What time ka ba sa Pobla?"

        "Four daw sabi ni Manager," he said with a smile. "On the way na ako dapat ng mga alas-dos."

        "Hey," biglang singit sa kanila ni Sandro na galing ng CR. "I'm gonna bounce na pala. I have to go somewhere pa, e."

        Lee and Jegs exchanged looks. "Dadaanan mo 'yong fling mo, 'no?" pang-iintriga niya.

        Sandro drank the rest of his coffee. "Uh-huh. It's her birthday so you know." Nagkibitbalikat ito na parang sapat nang paliwanag iyon. "I'll see you later na lang, Lee, yeah?"

        "Papahatid ka ba kay Junnie?" sigaw niya nang magsimula itong humakbang palayo.

        "Yep," Sandro replied with his back turned against them. Itinaas pa nito ang kamay bilang paalam sa kanila ni Jegs.

        Umayos ng upo si Lee. Muli siyang sumimsim sa biniling mocha. "'Wag kang gagaya do'n," tumatawa niyang bilin kay Jegs. "Kaya tayo nai-stereotype na malandi, e."

        Jegs laughed. "Never, stick-to-one ako, 'no!"

        Lee felt intrigued by Jegs' comment. Nang sundan niya ang tinitingnan nito, nangingiti siyang napailing. Nakatitig kasi ito kay Icai, iyong kabanda nitong in-charge sa keyboard. "Hala, siya. Delikado 'yan 'pag kabanda."

        "Kaya ka ba nag-solo, Kuys?" biro ni Jegs. Seconds later, Icai fixed her glasses and glanced in their direction. She waved and smiled at them. Agad namang kumaway si Jegs, dahilan upang matawa si Lee. "Congrats nga pala sa MV. May schedule na raw sabi ni Manager?"

        "Iko-confirm pa namin do'n sa café," he said, nodding. "But yes, mukhang tuloy na tuloy na."

        Kunot-noo itong bumaling sa kanya. "Ba't parang 'di ka excited? Dami kayang excited sa Twitter. Kulit nga ng iba, may theory-theory pang nalalaman."

        Napabuntonghininga si Lee. Theories are fun and all but they're also expectations set by the audience. Noong araw naman, hindi uso iyong may universe at storyline sa music video. Singers used to do the most random things. Nowadays, the audience is more passionate. Mas kritikal na ang mga tao.

        Binangga ni Jegs ang balikat niya. Napatunghay siya rito. "Daan ka mamaya, Kuys. Kahit mga 30 minutes lang."

        Lee raised both his hands. "Ten minutes." After that, he pushed his drink toward Jegs. "Mahilig ka naman sa matamis, 'di ba? Sa 'yo na lang."

        Jegs mumbled a "thank you". Habang umiinom, nanatili ang mga mata nito kay Icai na nakikipagkuwentuhan. Maliit na napangiti si Lee. He was in no position to scold Jegs. Hindi rin siya makapagbigay ng advice.

        Saktong ala-una natapos sina Jegs sa pagse-set up ng speakers sa kalsadang katapat lang ng Cafuné. Lee told Charlotte about staying for a bit and she agreed. Bale ang napagkasunduan nila, ihahatid silang lahat ni Junnie sa venue ng busking. Lee was scheduled to leave right after Makamundo's set. Si Junnie rin ang maghahatid sa kanya.

        He was swaying his head along the beats of HYE when his phone vibrated. Si Sandro iyon, nagtatanong kung anong oras siya darating. He snapped a picture of HYE rapping and hit "send".

        Just as HYE passed the mic to Makamundo, Lee received another notification. Kay Malie naman galing. She was asking whether he was one of the performers. Panigurado kasing rinig ang speakers hanggang sa café.

Marianne Alison: sisilip sana kami ni lauwie eh

        Napamaang siya sa nabasa. Minabuti na lang niyang 'wag mag-reply. He just didn't know what to say. Instead of sinking deeper in his thoughts, he decided to watch Jegs and the band. Buong kanta siyang tumatango habang nagbi-video. Tuloy, parang anak niya itong unang beses na lilipad palayo sa pugad.

        Makamundo just finished its second song when Jegs gestured at him. "Dahil dinumog niyo kami, s'yempre may pa-surprise guest tayo," nakangising sabi nito sa mic. "Kuys, isang kanta lang, promise. Your choice."

        Kinantiyawan at pinalakpakan si Lee ng kumpol ng taong nakapalibot sa kanila. Napahawak siya sa batok. Lalong lumakas ang hiyawan. People began raising their phones, too. Jegs handed him the acoustic guitar. Iyong electric naman ang isinuot nito.

        Hinagod niya ang buhok palikod. Namataan niya sina Malie at Laurie na palabas ng café. "Okay, isang kanta lang, 'ha?" he mumbled as he gripped the mic. "Bounce na 'ko after nito."

        Tawanan.

        Bumaling siya kina Jegs para itanong kung anong kanta ang tutugtugin. Jegs mumbled "Makapiling Ka". Lee didn't bother complaining. Bukod sa alam naman niya iyong kanta, panigurado kasing confident doon sina Jegs. Their band uploaded a cover just a month ago.

        Jegs began plucking the guitar. Lee followed shortly.

        "Pagdilat. . ."

        Isang salita pa lang iyon pero kaagad niyang naramdaman ang bikig sa lalamunan. Oo nga pala. He smiled bitterly. He almost forgot about that night outside Laurie's house. Momentarily, he let go of the guitar. Pagkatapos ay pasimple niyang pinunasan ang sulok ng mga mata.

        Tumunghay siya. Nahigit niya ang paghinga. Nagsalubong ang mga mata nila ni Laurie.

        Medyo malayo ito dahil sa kumpol ng taong nakapalibot. He couldn't see her face clearly but her arms were crossed over her chest. Nanatili ito roon nang ilang segundo. Nasa bridge na sila ng kanta nang kumapit ito kay Malie.

        Nag-aya na yatang umalis.

        Muling napangiti nang maliit si Lee.

—

        LEE BEGAN sounding faint. At that moment, all Laurie could hear was her heart, beating loudly. Para siyang nabalik sa gabing nakakawit ang mga kamay niya sa batok ni Lee. Pati ang pagdagundong ng kongkreto na dulot ng speakers noong gabi ng Battle of the Bands, ramdam niya. Umihip ang hangin. Medyo marahas iyon, nakagigising.

        Laurie swallowed hard. Right.

        Lee sang the same song over the phone. Laurie bit the inside of her cheek. Naalala na naman niya iyong gabing iyon. Kung paano niya tinakpan ang bibig, hindi lang tumawid sa kabilang linya ang mga hikbi niya.

        As she watched him sing, she felt her heart sink – deeper than ever since they met again.

        She felt like melting, too. And vomiting.

        Laurie nudged Malie's elbow. "Mal, let's go. Mag-isa si Cheska do'n." With a concerned frown, Malie held her right hand. Nagpumiglas siya pero hindi siya nito pinakawalan. "Sabi mo, kakampi kita," nalilito niyang sabi.

        "I am," Malie answered with a smile. "That's why I'm making you stay. 'Di mo naman kailangang mag-isip masyado. Makinig ka lang. Love letter niya yata 'to sa 'yo, e."

        That's bullshit, she thought.

        Imposibleng mahal pa rin siya ni Lee. Lalong nagdikit ang mga kilay niya sa inis nang magtagpo ang mga mata nila. Biting her lip, she squeezed Malie's hand. It just wasn't fair how Malie knew her feelings even before she expresses them.

        "Nananabik—." Ipinikit ni Lee ang mga mata habang binabanggit iyon. Hindi pagkanta ang ginawa nito. "—na makapiling ka."

        He just whispered the words, unlike the previous ones. It sounded like a plea.

        Laurie swallowed again, almost choking a sob. Bago pa tuluyang maging luha ang tubig sa gilid ng mga mata niya, nagpungas siya gamit ang kabilang kamay. Hindi kasi p'wedeng makita ni Malie.

        Muling nagsalubong ang mga mata nila ni Lee. She kept her poker face but he just smiled. As he played the final chords of the song, Laurie sighed. Mahinahon niyang inalis ang pagkakahawak sa kanya ni Malie.

        "'Di mo man lang ba tatapusin 'yong buong set?" tanong nito.

        "I'm going back in," tukoy niya sa café.

        Tumango lang ito bilang sagot.

        Nakaupo nang muli si Laurie sa isa sa mga stool nang marinig niya ang malakas na pagbuhos ng ulan. Later, Malie joined her. Medyo naputikan ang dulo ng puti nitong sapatos. She handed her the box of tissues.

        "Okay ka lang?" tanong nito habang pinupunasan ang sapatos.

        "Of course, I am," Laurie answered.

        "He's still there. Nag-offer akong tulungan silang mag-pack up pero kaya na daw nila," kuwento nito. "May extra payong tayo sa mini-bodega, 'di ba?"

        Laurie scrunched her nose. Pinigilan niyang magreklamo tungkol sa pagpapaulan ni Lee. She lost the right to be concerned a long time ago.#