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Customer

I sighed as I saw on TV how a dog was killed for being hit by a car. People said that it was an accident and no one really cares about its death because it’s just a dog. Yes, I already know how inhumane the people are. They killed an innocent animal and leave it behind like it was nothing.

According to the ten commandments, we must not kill. It is not stated there whether it talks about a human, an animal or a tree. Which only means one thing. We all are evildoers. We may not killed a human, but we killed animals, trees, insects and every living things that God made.

I sighed once again. I accepted the factuality that I have sinned. I have given myself to God and I kept on asking for forgiveness but again and again… I sinned.

It is the reason why I wanted to help those innocent kids and innocent animals. They deserve a harmless place where they could live securely.

“Bakit ang hahaba ng mga buntong-hininga mo, besh?”

Napalingon ako kay Rhyth. I’m surprised that she didn’t go to the jungle to have an adventure.

“Wala, may iniisip lang ako,” sagot ko.

“Ano naman ang iniisip mo?” She sat in front of me and placed the bowl of strawberries in front of me then she started eating.

“Kanina kasi, napanood ko iyong news tungkol sa mga asong nakatira sa gilid ng kalsada tapos nasasagasaan tapos iniiwan lang. Naaawa kasi ako, eh. I want to help them. I want to save them. I want to give them a home,” saad ko.

Tumaas ang kilay niya habang nginunguya ang strawberry na hawak niya. “Anong plano mo? Magpapa-fund raising ka?”

“I still don’t know, eh. Manghihingi nga ako ng tulong kay Mom at Dad. They know what to do since sanay na sila sa ganoon. Ang problem ko lang is that iyong mga kids na palaboy-laboy. Hindi kasi sila sumasama no matter how good your intention is.”

She shrugged. “I would be too if the world was cruel to me and if people around me broke my trust.”

Napakamot ako sa noo ko. “What should I do, then?”

She shrugged once again. “Gaya ng sabi mo, humingi ka ng tulong sa parents mo. Tiyak alam nila ang gagawin.”

“Actually, plano kong magpatayo ng animal shelter,” wika ko. “Para doon na lang patitirahin ang mga street animals.”

She nodded. “That’s a nice idea. I’ll support you there.”

“Oo, tsaka I’m planning to make the shelter as somewhat tourist spot for children to go there and for families to bond there. In that case, magbabayad sila for entrance fee, or they can donate money on the animal shelter at iyon ang gagamitin natin na pambili ng foods para sa animals.” Napapalakpak ako sa sariling iniisip. “What do you think?”

Ngumiti siya saka tumango. “Magandang ideya iyan. Suportahan kita diyan. Pero ang tanong kailan mo sisimulan? Tsaka, teka lang, ha? Pansin ko, nauubos na ang pera mo para sa iba, ah.”

I chuckled, picked a strawberry and placed it inside my mouth. “Well, wala naman akong ibang pagagastusan sa pera ko. I mean, I already have everything. Things, jewelries, condo unit, a car, nice clothes… what else would I want? I think it’s already wrong if I would ask for more.” Muli akong kumuha ng strawberry. “Kaya itutulong ko na lang.”

She nodded and smiled. “Alam mo ikaw? Pinapamukha mo talaga sa akin na wala akong ambag sa mundo maliban sa pagiging maganda at hot ko, ‘no?”

Tumawa ako saka napailing. “Well, I know naman na sa tuwing nag-a-adventure ka ay tumutulong ka to preserve the nature, eh. People were posting about you on social media.”

Napairap siya saka napaungot sa sinabi ko. “Argh! Do you think I’m happy about it? I don’t like people posting my face on social media! It’s creepy.”

Mahina akong natawa. “Well, you can ask them naman to stop posting without your permission, diba? Surely, they’ll respect you.”

She sighed. “Balik tayo sayo. So, ano nga ang plano mo? Sasama ako sayo. Sabihin mo lang sa akin kung kailan ka magsisimula.”

I smiled. “As of the moment, wala pa akong ginagawa. Pinaplano ko pa lang ang mga dapat kong gawin. But maybe tomorrow or next week, I’ll talk to Engineer Mariano. He can help me build my animal shelter.”

“Hindi ka ba magpapatayo ng orphanage?” tanong niya.

Umiling ako. “Nope. But I’ll donate money sa Paradise Orphanage para madagdagan nila ang buildings ng orphanage. Para hindi maging overcrowded.”

She nodded. “Okay. Simulan mo na agad iyan. Baka kasi kapag nagsimula ka na ay wala na ako rito sa La Seriah.”

Tumaas ang kilay ko. “Why? Aalis ka na naman? Where are you going?”

“I’m going abroad,” aniya.

“Okay. Saan abroad? And anong gagawin mo doon?”

“Sa Japan. I will of course study their culture there and try to fit in. Also, I would be studying about how they were able to preserve their environment para ma-apply ko rito sa bansa natin,” aniya.

I nodded and smiled. It’s nice knowing that I and my best friend have the same goals.

“Kailan ka aalis? Para makapaghanda ako.”

“Probably next month,” aniya.

“So, ilang araw ka roon?” tanong ko.

“I will stay there for three months or more. Kaya nga I’m encouraging you na simulan mo na iyang pinaplano mo, eh. Para nandito pa ako kapag nasimulan na,” aniya.

I nodded. “Sige. I’ll try.”

“Anyway, heard Zek had been adopting stray animals as well,” aniya.

“Really? Bakit hindi ko iyan alam? Sinabi niya sayo?”

“Nope. Narinig ko lang din sa secretary niya. Nagpagawa raw ng animal shelter ang isang iyon saka in-adopt ang mga animals,” aniya.

Napangiti ako. “Well, at least we have the same goal. Anyway, kailan kaya uuwi ang isang iyon dito?”

She shrugged. “Siguro ay hindi iyon makakauwi agad-agad. Alam mo naman na sobrang busy ng isang iyon.”

Napanguso ako. “Sabagay.”

After that day, I talked to my parents. I asked my parents kung pwede ba nila akong tulungan to convince the kids na pumunta sa orphanage at doon na lang tumira. Good thing is pumayag agad sila and they immediately created a plan.

I made an appointment for Engineer Mariano. I was already certain about building an animal shelter so I didn’t waste more time and talked to him.

It was Saturday morning, and  decided to go to my café. Tumulong ako sa mga employees ko doon. I became a waitress for the day. Some of my customers were even trying to hit on me and I immediately noticed it. Pero hindi ko na lang sila masyadong pinagbibigyan ng pansin dahil hindi naman ako interesado.

“So, madalas ka ba rito sa café mo, Ma’am?” One of my customer asked.

He’s a man and I could see his flirty smile that I hate the most. Pilit ko na lang siyang nginitian kahit pa naiinis ako.

“Hindi naman. Just whenever I have spare time,” sagot ko habang nakaupo ako sa loob ng counter.

He nodded. Mas lalo pa akong nainis dahil talagang sa harap siya ng counter naupo. Naiilang tuloy na um-order ang ibang customers dahil sa kanya. Tsaka dini-distract niya ako sa trabaho ko.

“Uhm… if you’ll excuse me. May trabaho pa kasi ako,” wika ko.

“Teka lang naman,” aniya. “Ikaw naman ang may-ari, eh. Huwag ka nang kumilos diyan. Iyang mga empleyado mo na lang ang pakilusin mo.”

He have that annoying smile on his face. Parang ang sarap sampalin. Hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit ako naiinis sa kanya?

Kinunutan ko siya ng noo. “Uhm… I don’t have time for chitchats, Sir. I am not here for that. I am here to work. I bet you’re also here as a customer, to eat, and to read, yeah? Then you may enjoy. I’ll just do my job. Have a nice day.”

Mabilis akong tumalikod saka tinapik ang balikat ng kasama ko sa counter. Lumabas ako ng counter saka tumulong naman ako sa mga waitress at nanguha ng orders.

“Ayos ka lang, Ma’am?” tanong ng isa kong empleyadong si Caston.

I smiled at him for assurance. “Yeah. I was just really annoyed.”

Mahina siyang natawa. “Naaasar nga rin ako doon, Ma’am, eh. Madalas kasi iyang pumupunta rito sa café tapos kapag dumadating ikaw ang palaging hinahanap. Tapos inaangasan pa po kami minsan po ay binabastos ang mga waitress.”

Nakuha niya agad ang pansin ko. Kumunot ang noo ko at nawala ang ngiti sa labi ko. “Binabastos niya ang waitresses? Inaangasan kayo?”

Tumango siya. “Opo.”

“Ano naman ang ginagawa ninyo? Nananahimik lang?” tanong ko.

Kinamot niya ang batok niya. “Eh, nananahimik na lang po, Ma’am. Wala naman po kaming magagawa, eh. Ayaw namin matanggal sa trabaho kaya umiiwas na lang po kami sa gulo.”

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko. “Hindi ko naman kayo tatanggalin, ah. You have to fight for your rights too. Kapag pansin ninyo ay binabastos kayo, then go and fight for yourself. Tsaka, bakit ngayon mo lang ito sinabi sa akin?”

“Eh, ngayon ko lang po nasabi kasi mukhang binabastos na rin po kayo, Ma’am, eh,” aniya.

I sighed. “Don’t worry. We’ll ban that man from our café. Just as soon as he goes out of the door. Sa susunod kapag ginaganyan kayo, ipaglaban ninyo ang sarili ninyo… karapatan ninyo iyan.”

He nodded and smiled at me. “Opo, Ma’am. Thank you.”

I sighed. Muli akong nanguha ng mga orders ng mga customers. When I noticed that the man didn’t go out. Para bang wala itong planong lumabas ng café.

“Primm?”

Napaangat ako ng tingin nang marinig ko ang boses ni Zek. My eyes widened when I saw her standing on the entrance of the café, smiling widely at me.

Mabilis kong nabitawan ang hawak na tray at nilapag ito sa mesa. Mabilis akong tumakbo patungo sa kanya.

“Oh my gosh, Zek!”

Agad kaming nagkayakapan nang magpang-abot kami. I could feel how much we missed each other just by the way we embraced each other. Sobrang higpit.

Nang maghiwalay kami mula sa yakap ay sinapo niya ang magkabila kong pisngi. “Oh my gosh, you look healthier na! I could still remember how stressed you were noong umalis ako. I should have stayed with you.”

“Shh… ayan ka na naman, eh. Like what I told you, it’s nothing. Yes, I was stressed more like depressed back then, but look at me now. I’m healthier and happier. I already moved on from the pain. I finally set myself free. Kaya don’t regret na umalis ka ng bansa because you were just chasing your dreams naman, eh,” saad ko saka inakbayan siya saka niyakap.

Niyakap niya ako pabalik. She looks taller now and slimmer. Also, mas lalo pa siyang pumuti, tumingkad lalo ang kutis niya.

“But how you doing na? Ang tagal na pala since umalis ako. We almost go out of communication,” aniya.

Tumango ako saka unti-unti siyang hinila sa isang bakanteng mesa saka naupo kami doon. I smiled at her. Hearing her ask me if I’m okay feels so nice.

“Well, as you can see, I’m doing good. Tsaka, I already built this café and I’d been donating money sa orphanages saka mga animal shelters. So, yeah, I’m moving on. I’m finally free,” wika ko. “How about you naman? Tsaka kailan ka pa dumating?”

She smiled and held my hand tight. “I’m so proud of you, Primm. I was so worried noong pumunta ako sa ibang bansa for my studied kasi nag-aalala ako sayo. But seeing you like this, strong, independent and free… I feel like sobrang worth it ng pag-alis ko.”

Matamis ko siyang nginitian. “Well, sobrang worth it naman talaga ng miles apart natin. Kasi I am now happy, contented and free tapos ikaw, you’re now successful at magagawa mo na lahat ng gusto mo.”

She giggled. “I bet marami kang ibabalita sa akin. I am willing to listen. I have all month for your chikas.”

Tumawa ako. “Well, I have. At sigurado akong ikaw rin naman. Sobrang gusto kong malaman ang mga bagay na ginawa while you were abroad, and kung paano ka nag-cope-up.”

Ngumiti siya. “Oh gosh! Sobrang na-miss ko ang ganito natin. How I wish Rhyth is here too. Nasaan na naman ba kasi siya?” Ngumuso siya.

I sighed. “She went abroad para sa preserve nature advocacy niya. Sobrang ganda naman kasi ng advocacy niya so I supported her even if it means we have t separate ways na naman.”

Ngumuso siya. “I came home para sana e-surprise kayo, eh, pero ako pa tuloy ang na-surprise. I was planning to have a vacation with you two alone tapos umalis naman pala siya. Paano iyan?”

I smiled. “Eh, kung mag-adventure din tayo. Since nandito ka naman, I will come with you and we’ll go surprise Rhyth.”

Ngumisi siya. “Oh my gosh! I like that idea! Saan naman siya ngayon?”

“Sa Japan,” sagot ko.

Ngumisi siya lalo. “Then, we’re bound to go to Japan!”

“Oo na!” Tumatawang saad ko. “So, what do you want to order? Anything you want to read?”

Saka lang siya napatingin sa paligid niya. Her mouth slightly opened as she roamed her eyes around my place. I could see the glitter on her eyes as she look around.

“Oh gosh, Primm! You’ve got a nice place! Actually, Rhyth told me about me this but I didn’t know na ganito pala kalaki at ganito kaganda!” Mangha niyang sabi. “I mean look at the designs! Vintage and aesthetic! And oh gosh! Those books! Ang dami! And I love your menu! Iyan talaga ang palagi nating kinakain noon during college!”

I smiled. “Good thing na nagustuhan mo. And yup, kaya nga iyan ang pinili kong menu kasi kayo ni Rhyth ang naaalala ko, eh.”

She clapped her hand excitedly as she stood up and walked towards the counter. Tiningnan at sinuri niya ang bawat pagkain na nasa menu habang malawak ang kanyang ngiti.

“Uhm… I would love to taste your café’s  chocolate pizza, cheesy donut and your iced coffee,” saad niya.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. “Coming right up, Ma’am.”

Agad kong kinuha ang mga order niya sa kusina ng café. The dine area and the kitchen are separated. I placed everything she ordered on the tray and then went towards her.

I placed it in front of her. “Here’s your order, Ma’am. Enjoy!”

Mahina siyang natawa habang pinapanood ako. “You look really good waitressing. I wonder why you chose to be a teacher than being hotelier.”

I chuckled and sat in front of her. Agad siyang nagsimula sa pagkain.

“Well, because I love kids,” saad ko. “How about you? Tell me what happened in your life while you were away. I am just really wondering how your life went. Was it hard being away?”

She smiled and started eating the chocolate pizza in front of her. “Well… of course it was hard,” aniya. “I have to go abroad and study there which means I have to separate ways with you and my family. Sobrang nahirapan ako. When I was there I was all alone. Kasi I was scared of making new friends.”

Mahina akong tumango. “What did you do then? Were you able to make friends there? Or did you stay being alone?”

She smiled and sipped on her iced coffee. “I was able to make friends, luckily. Iyon nga lang, medyo nahirapan ako. Kasi iyong mga tao doon mga racist sa mga Filipinos. Buti na nga lang nagawa kong maging parte nila, eh.”

I sighed. “Uhm… hindi ka naman ba nakakarinig ng mga backstabs tungkol sayo?”

She sighed. “I did.”

Bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata ko. That must’ve been hard for her.

“What did you do then?” tanong ko.

“Well, tiniis ko na lang. I showed them every good things that I could. Kasi sabi nga nila, kindness is the best revenge,” aniya.

Napangiti ako. “Tama! I agree with that!”

“How about you,” aniya. “Kumusta ka naman noong umalis kami? After you… got a miscarriage?”

I smiled a bit. “It was hard for me of course. I was depressed and I couldn’t move forward. But then… slowly, natanggap ko naman siya at nagawa kong makawala sa bangungot na iyon. As you can see, I’m happier and healthier.”

She smiled. I could see the proud she is for what I’ve become. “Bisitahin natin si baby later, ha? Samahan mo ako.”

I nodded. “Sige. Later—”

“Uhm… hi, Ma’am.”

Napabaling ako sa nagsalita. Ang customer ko iyon kanina. Iyong lalaking nakakainis.

“Yes? How may I help you?” tanong ko sa kabila ng inis.

Bigla siyang naupo sa tabi ko kahit pa hindi ko naman sinabi. Kumunot ang noo ko. Nagkatinginan kami ni Zek at alam kong parehas kami ng iniisip sa lalaking ito.

“Is she your friend?” anito na kinakunot ng noo ko.

“Yes,” sagot ko.

He smiled. Humarap siya sa akin. “So, are you free this night, Ma’am?” tanong nito sa akin.

Tipid akong ngumiti. “Uhm… not really. I have a lot of things to do.”

“Really? Ano naman ang gagawin mo later?” aniya.

“Uhm…” Nagkatinginan kami ni Zek. “Lesson plans,” maiksi kong sagot.

“Iyon lang naman pala, eh,” aniya. “I can help you with that.”

“No, thanks. I can do it on my own. Tsaka busy lang talaga ako later kaya hindi ako free,” saad ko.

Naiinis na ako sa isang ito. Kanina pa ito, eh.

“Why not?” aniya. “Ayaw mo bang tulungan kita? Busy ka pala, eh. Edi, kung hahayaan mo akong tumulong mababawasan ang pagiging busy mo.”

Napailing ako. “You’re just saying that because you want me to go out with you, Sir. I’m sorry but I don’t go out with someone I’m not familiar with.”

“And besides, bakit mo pinipilit ang kaibigan ko, eh, ayaw nga niya? Don’t you know how to respect a woman’s decision?” sabad ni Zek na pansin ko ay inis na rin.

Napamaang siya sa amin. “I am not. Gusto ko lang talagang tumulong sa kanya—”

“I can’t see that,” wika ko. “Please lang, Sir. I don’t want to disrespect you so just stop annoying me.”

“Wala akong ginagawa, Ma’am. I am just trying to help—”

Napatili kami nang binato siya ng iced coffee na punong-puno ng laman. Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko upang tingnan si Zek kung siya ba ang may gawa pero hawak-hawak niya pa rin ang iced coffee niya.

Napalingon ako sa ibang customers upang tingnan kung isa ba sa kanila at hindi nga ako nagkamali. A man in a black hoodie with a black face mask just stood up as he zoomed out of the place.

Napasinghap ako saka napahawak sa dibdib ko. Napatayo ang lalaking nasa harapan namin. Namumula ang mukha niya siguro ay sa inis.

“What the fuck?! What the fuck is wrong with your customer?!” asik niya sa akin.

Kinunutan ko siya ng noo. Galit siya na binastos siya ng isa sa mga customers ko pero hindi siya galit sa sarili niya na binabastos ako.

I shrugged. “Nothing’s wrong with him, Sir. He probably noticed how disrespectful you are kaya niya iyon ginawa.”

Masama niya akong tiningnan saka nagdadabog na lumabas ng café. Nagkatinginan kami ni Zek pagkatapos at sabay kaming natawa.

“Who do you think was it?” tanong niya sa akin.

“Who?” tanong ko.

“That man who threw an iced coffee,” aniya.

Saka ko lang na-realize na hindi ko nga pala iyon kilala. “I don’t know. Tara, tingnan natin sa office ko. Nandoon ang mga CCTV’s baka makilala natin.”

She nodded and stood up. “Sige, tara.”

Agad kaming pumasok sa opisina ko. Agad siyang naupo sa harap ng computers saka hinanap ang kuha no’ng lalaking naka-hoodie.

“Here he is,” aniya.

Kumunot ang noo ko. “Hindi naman niya tinatanggal ang suot niyang face mask. Paano natin siya makikilala?”

“Tingnan natin sa iba pang kuha ng CCTV. Baka makilala natin,” aniya.

“Paano nga? Eh, hindi nga natin kilala iyan dahil may takip ang mukha?”

“Look!” aniya.

Napatingin naman ako agad sa computer. “Palagi pala siyang nandiyan sa café mo pero wala namang ginagawa. He’s not eating nor drinking. Nakaupo lang siya palagi.”

Bigla akong kinabahan. Titig na titig ako sa computer. Totoo nga ang sinasabi ni Zek. Palagi itong naroroon sa café ko pero hindi naman kumakain. Nakaupo lang ito at walang ginagawa.

Nasapo ko ang dibdib ko. “Oh my God! Kinakabahan ako, Zek.”

Nilingon niya ako. “Should we call a police?”

I sighed and sat on the chair. “No. Hindi na. I bet he’s one of the bodyguards na ni-hire ni Dad.” Ngumiti ako. “Kita mo naman ang ginawa kanina, diba? Binato niya ng iced coffee ang lalaking lapit nang lapit sa akin. Kaya huwag na. There’s nothing to worry.”

She sighed. “Oo nga naman. Ang dami mo palang bodyguards.”

“Yeah. Probably my bodyguards.”

…
©️thorned_heartu