❝After stealing one last look at Laurie, he went outside her unit to answer the call.❞

— ❁ —

        THE SMALL window between Christmas and New Year was busy. Isinakto kasi ng organizer na si Miss Himeko na pagkatapos ng Pasko ang art convention. Laurie and Malie began the day by cleaning the café. They rechecked their inventory, too. May sariling caterer naman ang event pero hindi nila magawang makampante.

        Cafuné opened its doors around 1 PM.

        To give way to the artworks, they pushed the tables and chairs to the side. Ginamit nilang dining area ang kanang parte ng café. Finger food lang din naman ang handa ng caterer kaya hindi gaanong magulo.

        "Some of the guests are requesting coffee," Miss Himeko told Laurie and Malie. "I know this wasn't part of our deal but maybe we can work something out? Pakilista na lang siguro ng orders ng guests, then we can discuss the payment later."

        The girls exchanged glances. There really was no need to discuss. Dahil bayad na ang café, wala naman na silang magagawa kun'di pagbigyan si Miss Himeko.

        Laurie smiled politely. "Sure, ma'am. We have our supplies and equipment so rest assured that we can come up with something. Our cakes, however, aren't available. Wala rin po kaming maise-serve na pasta."

        "It's okay, Laurie." Miss Himeko tucked strands of her red hair into her ear. "I should've expected that finger foods aren't enough. I apologize for the parking situation nga pala. I should've noted that you're near the intersection."

        "Ay, oki lang po. Nagkasya naman po 'yong blue Subaru na kakarating lang," pakunswelo rito ni Malie. "Pakisabihan na lang po siguro 'yong mga on the way pa lang na humanap ng parking. I think mayro'n naman pong paid parking malapit dito."

        "Okay, okay. Thanks so much, you two."

        Malie and Laurie began cleaning the countertop after that. Mabilisan din nilang dinikitan ng "unavailable" stickers ang mga pagkain sa menu. Minutes later, guests approached one by one, asking for shots of espresso.

        Using a pair of tongs, Laurie placed a piece of star anise in a cup. "Have you noticed?" bulong niya sa katabing si Malie.

        "Ang alin, Lauwie?" Maingat nitong binuksan ang pakete ng coffee beans.

        "We agreed on 60 guests, right?"

        "Mm-hmm. Bakit?"

        Laurie placed the cup on a saucer. Pagkatapos ay itinulak niya iyon sa countertop. "I don't know if it's just my eyes but I think this isn't just 60. Overcapacity na yata tayo." Nang mahanap ng mata niya ang humiling ng signature blend, malawak siyang ngumiti at sumenyas.

        The guest came running to the coffee bar. "This is mine, 'no?"

        "Yes po," she answered politely. Her smile instantly faded when the guest left. Kaagad din niyang nilabas ang phone. Dinagdagan niya ang bilang ng signature blend. After that, she turned to Malie again. "We're closing around 9 PM, right?"

        "Yep," Malie mumbled while pulling the lever of their coffee grinder. "Medyo mainit lang, but I think we're good. Labas-pasok naman 'yong iba, e."

"To think, I was hoping to actually look around." She glanced at the pieces plastered on the white temporary partitions. Baon ni Miss Himeko ang mga iyon. "Sabi ko pa naman kay Lee, papadalhan ko siya ng pictures."

        "Why? Iinggitin mo siya or may balak kang bumili?"

        "Mal, they cost hundreds of thousands. I don't have that kind of money and besides, saan ko naman isasabit?"

        Malie shrugged, smiling. "P'wede naman sa bahay mo, a? Napagkasya mo nga do'n 'yong painting ni Lee."

        To give way to the convention, Laurie decided to take the painting home. Gusto sana iyong isama ni Miss Himeko pero tumanggi siya. Bukod sa hindi niya naipaalam kay Lee, ayaw niyang mapag-interesan iyon ng guests.

        Selling Lee's painting was just out of the question, no matter how broke she was.

        A commotion caught their attention. Nakarinig sila ng bulungan na sinundan ng palakpakan.

        "Should we check?" Malie asked, concerned.

        Laurie shook her head as she scanned the situation from where they stood. "No need."

        Nalilito siyang tiningnan ni Malie. "Ano ba 'yon?"

        "Look at that painting." She gestured at the huge canvas illuminated by the center of the café. Isang pulang bilog lang iyon sa puting background. "I think that's the most expensive piece here. Someone just bought it, kaya sila pumalakpak kanina."

        "Grabe, tuldok lang naman 'yon?"

        "I thought so, too, at first," nangingiti niyang sabi. "Lumapit ako kanina kasi nagtaka ako kung bakit 'yon 'yong nakagitna. Do you see the white background?"

        "Mm-hmm. What about it?"

        "The artist painted it meticulously to the point that no brush strokes are visible." Nilingon niya si Malie. "Sa sobrang meticulous, nagmumukha siyang canvas. Obviously, not everyone can do that so it's really expensive."

        "Gets, gets. 'Yong skill ang binabayaran kaya sobrang mahal." The coffee grinder beeped. Kaagad nilang dinaluhan iyon. "Si Lee pala, hindi talaga makakadaan?"

        "No," Laurie hummed before pouring more beans into the grinder. "He has workshop today. Hindi pa settled schedule niya this week pero once or twice a week daw 'yong workshop niya. He called earlier, though. He said he bumped into Theo."

        Malie made a face at the mention of Theo's name.

        "What?" nakatawa niyang tanong dito. "Ano na namang kasalanan sa 'yo ni Theo?"

        "Hinatid niya 'ko pauwi no'ng uminom tayo, 'di ba? My gosh, Lauwie. Ni hindi ako kinumutan. Iniwan pang naka-full 'yong electric fan."

        "Come on, Mal. He was probably tired," she said, trying not to laugh. "Besides, you did something, too. It's probably why he refused to go near you."

        "Hala, weh?" Kunot-noo nitong sinapo ang dibdib bago lumapit sa kanya. "Did I do something stupid?"

        "If you count vomiting in his car, then yes, you did," Laurie said with a smile.

        "Oh, my God, Lauwie~" Malie's face flushed red. Agad nitong pinaypayan ang sarili gamit ang mga kamay. "Shit, hu-hu. Kaya ba 'di niya 'ko matingnan sa mata kahapon?"

        Pinuno niya ng kape ang thermos. Nang agawin iyon ni Malie, dumampot siya ng isang mug. "Do you really not remember anything?" she mumbled while sipping from the mug. Para maibsan ang kanina pang nararamdamang lamig, hinawakan niya iyon gamit ang dalawang kamay.

        "No. Bakit? Ano pa bang ginawa ko?" Nginuya ni Malie ang pang-ibabang labi, nag-iisip.

        "Hmm, let's see." Muli siyang sumimsim mula sa mug. "You made Theo dance the Macarena with you."

        "What the fuck?"

        Malie unintentionally said that loudly. Agad nitong tinakpan ang bibig.

        Laurie, on the other hand, burst out laughing. Upon realizing that some of the guests were looking, she smiled apologetically. Tumatawa rin siyang kumapit sa braso ni Malie. Sabay silang yumuko at humingi ng pasensya.

        Surprisingly, the guests weren't the typical rich snobs. Humagikhik ang ilan sa lutong ng binitiwang mura ni Malie. They even thanked the girls for the drinks after the event. Around 10 PM, Miss Himeko finished packing up.

        Nailabas na nito ang partitions, kasabay ng pagliligpit ng caterer.

        "I really couldn't thank you enough," nakangiting sabi ni Miss Himeko sa kanila. "My niece sold five of her pieces. Her friends were contacted by curators din, so thank you so much."

        "You're welcome po. I'm glad you had a great time." Laurie shook hands with her. "I'm hoping you'd keep us in mind for your next event."

        Miss Himeko chuckled gracefully. "Oh, you can hope more than that. The guests loved your blend. Sayang lang na hindi namin natikman 'yong food niyo."

        "Ay, there's always a next time naman po," tumatawang hirit ni Malie.

        With that, Miss Himeko bid them goodbye.

        Sunod na nagpaalam si Malie. Initially, she didn't want to go but Laurie insisted. Malinis naman na kasi ang café. Iyong inventory na lang aasikasuhin niya, pati na ang pangakong itemized list kay Miss Himeko.

        Laurie was in the middle of computing the budget needed when her phone vibrated. Sunod-sunod na pumasok ang notifications galing sa Facebook page ng café. Mahina siyang natawa sa nakita. Iyong lola kasi ni Lee, pinuno ng heart emojis ang comment section ng event.

        On her way to her car, Laurie felt chills run down her spine. Binilisan niya ang lakad. Taimtim siyang napamura sa isip. Medyo malayo kasi ang kotse niya sa café. Just as she was about to pull her door open, she felt someone approach her. Nanigas ang mga tuhod niya.

        For the next minute, all Laurie could do was close her eyes.

—

        THEO'S EYES kept following Laurie all night. Hindi rin tuloy mapakali si Lee. Ito kasi ang nagsabing sa café sila mag-dinner pero parang wala ito sa sarili. Sumimsim siya ng iced tea. "Bakit?" pabulong niyang tanong sa kaharap.

        "I just can't put my finger on it," Theo mumbled, his eyes still glued on Laurie.

        Lee glanced in Laurie's direction. Nakakunot ang noo nito habang tumitipa sa laptop. She has been more irritable since the art convention. Lee could assume she was pissed he didn't show up but she wasn't like that. Hindi naman ito ganoon kababaw.

        Isa pa, si Laurie pa nga mismo ang nangumbinsi sa kanyang pag-igihan ang workshop.

        "You can't put your finger saan?" Bukod sa paggaya sa tono ni Theo, gumawa rin si Lee ng air quotation marks. "Dumaan ka ba dito last week? May livestream no'ng event sa page, 'di ba?"

        Theo shook his head. "I had a product shoot. The livestream was from the event's page. Malie just shared it on Cafuné's."

        Lee felt someone tap his shoulder. "Are you ready to go?" tanong sa kanya ni Laurie. "On the way na si Cheska."

        "Yep, ubusin ko lang iced tea ko."

        "Okay, I'll go and get the car ready."

        Saglit silang nagtinginan ni Theo nang nanatiling nakatayo si Laurie. She just stood there, her eyes staring at something outside the café. "Lau?"

        She blinked. "I'm sorry, what?"

        "May nakalimutan ka ba?" kunot-noo niyang tanong dito. "Ako na kukuha. May naiwan ka ba sa may coffee bar?"

        "No, I—" Laurie bit her lip, then sighed. "—wala, wala. Go on, finish your iced tea. I'll wait for you in the car."

        Lee sipped the rest of his drink quickly. Saglit siyang nagsisi. Gumuhit kasi iyon sa lalamunan. He, then, wore his face mask again. Nagpaalam siya kina Theo at Malie. Matapos iyon, hinabol niya si Laurie. Pinagbuksan niya ito ng pinto, pati na iyong mga papasok na customer.

        For the whole duration of their trip to the supermarket, Laurie kept mum. She told Lee to nap but he didn't oblige. Doon lang niya kasi napansin ang pinupunto ni Theo.

       "Sure kang okay ka lang?" Inabot niya ang kamay nitong nakapatong sa manibela. "Inaantok ka ba? A, alam ko na. Period mo ba ngayon?" Matalim ang ipinukol nitong tingin. "Pang-ilang araw na ba?"

        "I told you to sleep, right? I'll just wake you up when we're there."

        Lee faked a gasp. Sinapo rin niya ang dibdib. "Hala, hindi ka pa dinadatnan?"

        "Stop," she mumbled, rolling her eyes. "If you're bored, sleep. Gigisingin na lang kita."

        "'Di naman ako bored. Nagtataka lang." Umayos siya ng upo. "No'ng convention kasi, ang dami mong text sa 'kin. Sabi mo pa, papakita mo 'yong pictures ng pieces, tapos ngayon tuloy, ang tahimik mo. Okay ka lang ba, Lau?"

        Malalim ang pinakawalan nitong buntonghininga. "Yes, sorry for making you overthink. Okay lang talaga ako. I just haven't slept lately."

        "O, tingnan mo 'to. Ikaw pala walang tulog tapos ako pinapaidlip mo." Kaswal niyang hinalikan ang kamay ni Laurie.

        Before they got off the car, he made Laurie wear an oversized hoodie. Pinagsuot din niya ito baseball cap at shades. The guard near the supermarket's entrance looked at them weirdly – which Lee found amusing. Laurie didn't.

        "Why did we have to look like serial killers in a K-Drama again?" reklamo nito nang pababa niyang hinila ang suot nitong sumbrero.

        Inayos din ni Lee ang face mask niya. "Disguise kasi, Lau. Baka may makakita sa 'tin dito, tapos picture-an ka."

        Pinaningkitan siya nito ng mata. "Are you saying you're ashamed of being seen with me?"

        "Nope," mabilis niyang sagot na ikinangiti nito. "Unang ngiti mo sa 'kin 'yan ngayon."

        Laurie sighed again. "I'm really sorry, okay?"

        "Nag-jo-joke lang ako, Lau." Hinapit niya ito palapit at saka, inakbayan. He planted a kiss on her temple. "Para kang bago nang bago sa 'kin. Alam mo namang dramatic ako minsan."

        "At least, you're self-aware," she hummed as she leaned against his chest.

        For every aisle they walked by, Lee picked some things up. Karamihan ay pagkain. Kada malilingat siya, ibinabalik ni Laurie ang mga pinagdadampot niya. Puro junk food kasi. He assured her he would pay for his share but she didn't give in.

        "You're not planning to move in, are you?" Laurie asked out of the blue.

        "May drawer na nga ako sa cabinet mo," nakasimangot niyang sabi.

        "I'm not saying 'no'. Ang akin lang, baka magdesisyon ka nang 'di alam ni Charlotte. I promised to keep her in the loop."

        Lee crossed his arms over his chest. "Minsan, iniisip kong mas gusto ka niya kaysa sa 'kin."

        "Well, she did tell me you were a pain in the ass."

        "Weh? Anong sabi mo?" Tinulak niya ang shopping cart. "Pinagtanggol mo naman ako, 'di ba?"

        Laurie averted her gaze. Napamaang na lang siya.

        Laurie and Lee were already standing in line when they heard gasps behind them. Sighing, he turned to Laurie. Ibinaba niyang lalo ang suot nitong baseball cap. Pagkatapos niyon ay nilingon niya ang nakasunod sa kanila sa pila.

        The girls gushed, elbowing each other. "Sabi sa 'yo, siya, e~"

        Maliit na napangiti si Lee. Nagmamadali niyang inalis ang pagkakawit ng mask sa tainga. "Hi," he greeted the girls. "Sorry pero kung ano, magre-request kayo ng selfie, okay lang ba kung mamaya na lang? Sa may labas na lang siguro kasi baka mainis 'yong mga nakapila, he-he."

        Naghampasan ang mga babae. "Hala, opo, okay lang po!"

        "Promise, hintayin ko kayo sa may exit," he told them, smiling. After that, he followed Laurie. "Okay lang ba kung mauna ka na sa labas? 'Di kita kinakahiya, a? Alam ko lang na ayaw mong ma-picture-an."

        "Sure," she said, nodding. "Especially not while wearing this." Itinaas pa nito ang mahahabang manggas ng suot na hoodie.

        Lee chuckled before giving her a discreet peck on the cheek.

        As promised, he waited for the girls outside the supermarket. Mabilis naman ang naging picture-taking. May mangilan-ngilang napalingon habang nagse-selfie sila pero wala namang nabuong pila. Thankfully, people seemed to doubt it was him.

        He spotted Laurie a few feet away from the exit. Nakatalikod ito at nakayuko, abala sa phone. Nakaipon din sa bandang paanan nito ang plastic bags ng mga pinamili.

        Slowly, Lee approached her. "Uy, sorr—"

        "Fuck."

        Malakas ang pagkakasabi niyon ni Laurie.

        Lee just tried to hug her from behind and then, she ducked. Niyakap din nito ang mga tuhod at doon isinubsob ang mukha. Napalabi siya. People began staring. Sighing exasperatedly, he crouched beside Laurie. "Laurie, ako 'to."

        Laurie peeked from behind her knees. Lalong nalukot ang noo ni Lee. Umiiyak kasi ito. Despite panicking, he kept a stern face. "Sorry, 'ha?" He reached for her hand and slowly made her stand up. Itinago niya ang mukha nito gamit ang hood. "Sorry, Lau. Nagulat ata kita?"

        She shook her head before wiping her face. "It's okay. Let's just go."

        Nagmamadali nitong binuhat ang ilan sa plastic bags. Walang nagawa si Lee kun'di sumunod.

        They were silent for the whole ride. Hindi niya magawang magbiro dahil kakaibang Laurie ang nakita niya. She just looked so scared and mad. He knew something was wrong but he kept the questions close to his chest.

        Hinintay niya munang makarating sila sa unit nito.

        As he shut the door behind them, Lee cleared his throat. "Lau," tawag niya rito.

        Natigilan si Laurie sa pagsasalansan ng mga pinamili. "Why?"

        Instead of answering, he gently pulled her to the dining area. Pinaghila niya ito ng upuan bago siya umupo. "Ano bang problema?"

        Nanumbalik ang kaba sa mukha nito. "What are you talking about? Problema saan?"

        "Nakita kita kanina, Lau. Anong problema? May nangyari ba?" Hinawakan niya ang mga kamay nito nang mag-iwas ito ng tingin. "Pati si Theo, napansin na parang off ka lately."

        "It's probably the coffee."

        "Halos 'di ka na nga nakakaisang baso ng kape araw-araw." Bumuga siya ng hangin. "Kung ano man 'yan, promise, 'di ako magagalit."

        "Okay, but please don't feel guilty."

        Lee breathed in deeply. "Ano munang nangyari?"

        "The night after the event—" She bit the inside of her cheek. "—may lumapit sa 'kin na lalaki tapos ayon. Nothing happened, though."

        "Ha?" He squeezed her hand, comforting her. "Ano ngang nangyari?"

        "I, uhm, I think I was almost robbed or worse."

        "Anong 'almost'?"

        "I had to park near the milk tea shop because of the event and then—" Tumikhim si Laurie. Sunod-sunod ding napalunok pagkatapos. "—may lumapit na lalaki sa 'kin. May naramdaman akong uh, tinutok sa 'kin, but I'm not sure because I froze on the spot. Anyway, nothing happened. Napansin kasi kami ng guard ng milk tea shop. He ran and the guard tried to catch him so, yeah. It's okay. Nothing happened."

        "Pucha naman, Lau." Kaagad niyang pinagsisihan ang binitiwang mura nang umiwas ng tingin si Laurie. He quickly scanned both her arms. "Okay ka lang ba? Sure kang okay ka lang? Hindi ka naman nasugatan? Hindi mo ba namukhaan?"

        Slowly, she shook her head. "Like I said, I froze on the spot. Sinigawan siya no'ng guard bago pa 'ko makalingon. I promise I'm okay. We don't need to make a big deal out of this. Wala namang nangyari."

        "Kahit na. Dapat sinabi mo agad."

        "Lee, it's okay. Hindi na rin naman mahahabol 'yon. I think he was wearing a ski mask."

        Lee felt frustration bubbling inside him. Kung magkuwento kasi si Laurie ay parang hindi ito mangiyak-ngiyak sa supermarket. "Kung okay lang talaga, bakit hindi mo sinabi? 'Di mo sinabi kasi alam mong 'di okay, Lau."

        "I know that but there's no point in talking about this," she said, pursing her lips.

        Sighing, he pulled her into a hug. Maingat niyang hinagkan ang sentido nito. "Sorry, 'di ko napansin agad," he whispered as he patted her back.

        "I promise I'm okay," she whispered. "I was just frustrated, kaya hindi ko sinabi agad. The café's been my home for years. Ngayon lang na may nangyaring gano'n. Apart from that, I just froze on the spot when I could've defended myself. It's just frustrating."

        Instead of saying anything, he hugged her tighter. Pinabayaan at pinakinggan niyang maglabas ng inis si Laurie.

        "I'm really sorry for acting so dumb earlier. I can't believe I cried in public."

        "Uy, ano ba? Hindi 'yon 'dumb'," saway niya. "Normal na reaksyon 'yon. 'Wag ka ngang harsh sa sarili mo. Alam kong nanghihinayang ka sa self-defense classes mo no'ng college tayo pero Lau, normal na reaksyon 'yong gano'n."

        "Kahit na," pilit nito.

        Napapalatak siya. "Ang kulit mo. Normal nga."

        That night, Lee waited for Laurie to fall asleep before texting Theo. Hiningi niya rito ang contact details ni Stefan. He, then, called Laurie's twin. They talked in hushed voices, making sure she wouldn't wake up. While waiting for Stefan to fulfill his request, Lee glanced in her direction.

        Alam naman niyang malaki ang tsansang magalit si Laurie sa naisip niyang solusyon.

        Ang kaso, alam din niyang hindi na mapapanatag si Laurie sa café. And as much as he wanted to promise to keep her safe at all times, he knew he couldn't. He just wasn't capable. Nakapila na kasi ang gigs at workshop niya hanggang New Year.

        If he let the incident affect his schedule, Laurie would just feel guilty. Ayaw din naman niya iyon – lalo na't sementado na ang gusto niyang mangyari by next year.

        His thoughts were interrupted by his phone. Isang unknown number ang tumatawag.

        After stealing one last look at Laurie, he went outside her unit to answer the call. "Hello po, Mr. Navarro?"#