Yssa arrived at work later than usual, her thoughts still entangled in the events of the previous night. She hadn't slept much, her mind replaying every word, every look, and every touch. After her first three classes, she slipped into the canteen, craving the comfort of coffee to push through the day. She glanced at the clock—11:00 am. Only a few more hours, she told herself, but her exhaustion felt like a weight pulling her down. She asked for an extra packet of sugar, hoping it would give her the energy she needed.

As she stirred her coffee, the cafeteria door slid open, and in walked Brandon. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on her, and his face lit up with a smile as wide as the SM Megamall. He hurried over, his excitement palpable.

"Well, hi, Yssa," he greeted her, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "You look great today. I've been dying to hear what happened."

"Hello, Brandon." Yssa managed a small smile, pressing her palm against her forehead, trying to keep her thoughts from spiraling. Brandon dashed to the counter, grabbed his coffee, and returned to her side in record time, barely able to contain his anticipation.

"So, what's he like?" he asked, not even looking at her as he struggled with the sachet of cream. His eagerness was evident.

"I don't even know where to start," Yssa replied, her mind racing.

"Start at the beginning," Brandon urged, his eyes twinkling. "I don't want to miss a thing."

Yssa took a deep breath and began recounting Glenn's early morning visit, his sudden decision not to go to church, to which Brandon immediately responded with a teasing, "Ulol, ulol, ulol!" She continued with the jeepney ride to the Rivera's, the incident in the kitchen, the small talk at the swing, and the invitation to dinner. She shared every detail, leaving very little out, as Brandon listened intently, hanging on every word.

"It sounds like you had a wonderful time," Brandon said, a proud smile spreading across his face.

"I did. It was one of the best days I've ever spent here in Olongapo. But..." Yssa trailed off, her smile fading.

"But what?" Brandon leaned in closer, concern replacing his earlier excitement.

"There was this look in his eyes on the porch, like something was bothering him. Like he was worried about something," she admitted, the memory of Seth's distant gaze flashing in her mind.

"What do you think it was?" Brandon asked, his brow furrowed.

"I thought it was Kristina, the girl in his novel. The girl he seemed to love so much. His face went completely blank while we were talking, as if his mind was somewhere else."

Brandon burst out laughing suddenly, catching Yssa off guard.

"What's so funny?" she asked, confused by his reaction.

"You are," Brandon said, his laughter subsiding. "What did you expect? You knew he was still in love with that Kristina person before you went there. Remember, it was his 'undying' love that you found so attractive in the first place. Did you think it would be that easy for him to love someone else the way he loved Kristina?"

Yssa looked away, feeling a little embarrassed, and Brandon laughed again. "You never thought about that, did you? That's exactly my point."

"Brandon, you weren't there... you don't know how right everything seemed between us, up until that conversation on the terrace."

Brandon's voice softened, his expression turning serious. "Yssa, I know you had high hopes, but like I told you, don't set such high expectations. If it's meant to be, it will happen. Just take things as they come."

Yssa nodded, thinking about his words.

"Let's look at the facts," Brandon continued. "Seth knew nothing about you, except that you were Elisha's teacher. Yet he still asked you to talk on the terrace. So something between the two of you must have clicked right away. He even told you that you were the best part of his day, his week, his year. That doesn't happen every day, Yssa."

Yssa laughed, appreciating Brandon's humor. He was right—there was something special about her time with Seth.

"So, you're saying I shouldn't worry about whether he'll get over Kristina?" Yssa asked.

Brandon shook his head. "Not exactly. But take it one step at a time. You've only spent one day together. That's not enough to make any big decisions. If I were you, I'd focus on how you feel about Glenn."

Yssa frowned at the mention of Glenn.

"Let's see what happens in the next few weeks. When you see Seth again, you'll know more than you do now. Then you can decide."

"Do you really think so?" Yssa asked, her worry evident.

"I was right about you going to the party, wasn't I?" Brandon smiled reassuringly.

* * *

As the half day of school neared its end, Yssa watched her students file out of the classroom. The bell rang for dismissal, signaling lunchtime for the teachers. She glanced at her watch—12:00 noon. Her stomach growled, and she wondered where Brandon was.

Moments later, Brandon appeared in the doorway. "Where are we gonna eat?" he asked, grinning.

"I don't know, where do you want to eat?" Yssa countered, playfully.

"Let's argue about it on the way," he joked, and they both laughed as Yssa gathered her things.

Outside, the sky had darkened, and tiny raindrops began to fall. They exchanged knowing looks—trouble was brewing as they walked down the corridor towards the gate.

"Did you bring your umbrella?" Brandon asked, covering his head with his hand.

Yssa rummaged through her bag and gasped. "Oh no, I forgot it! It wasn't raining this morning," she said, a hint of panic in her voice.

The rain intensified, forcing them to dash for the waiting shed by the parking lot. They were both laughing as they reached it, their clothes nearly soaked.

"Oh Lord, forgive us our sins and help us!" Brandon hollered, making Yssa laugh even harder.

"This is fun," Yssa said, her spirits lifting despite the downpour.

Brandon gave her a mock glare. "Fun for you. I'm starving!"

"Teacher Yssa!" a small voice called out, and when they turned, they saw Elisha waving from the front seat of a white Honda Civic. Seth was walking towards them, carrying two umbrellas—one a large, colorful one like those used by street vendors, the other a simple black folding type. He used the large one to shield himself as he approached.

"Now, here's the answer to my prayers," Brandon whispered to Yssa, grinning.

Seth reached the shed, folding the oversized umbrella as he did. He was dressed casually in a black windbreaker, faded jeans, and black leather sandals. Beneath the jacket was a gray shirt with an angel print, and Yssa couldn't help but notice how neat his toenails were. She blushed as their eyes met.

"Hi, how are you? Can I help? I saw you from the car. You can't go anywhere in this weather," Seth said, his gaze warm and inviting.

"Hello, Seth. I'm fine, except for my slightly wet uniform," Yssa replied, trying to sound casual.

Brandon quickly shook Seth's hand. "Hello, I'm Brandon, her co-teacher."

"Nice to meet you, Brandon. Yssa's mentioned you," Seth said with a smile.

"You picked up Elisha today?" Yssa asked, wondering if he had come just to see her.

"Yeah, I had nothing else to do, and maybe..." Seth hesitated, scratching the side of his face, "Maybe I wanted to see you again."

Brandon's smile widened, and Yssa felt her heart skip a beat. She elbowed Brandon lightly, hoping to keep him from saying something embarrassing.

"So, where were you two headed?" Seth asked.

"We were about to have lunch. Any recommendations?" Brandon replied.

Seth thought for a moment. "I like Wimpy's near the public market. The food reminds me of my childhood, and I'm sure you'll like it, too."

"I thought you worked from home?" Yssa asked, curious.

"I do, but my publisher's office is nearby, and I go there occasionally," Seth explained.

"What kind of food do they have?" Brandon asked.

"The usual diner food—burgers, spaghetti, palabok, and other sandwiches, like clubhouse. But they also have noodles, mami, lunch viands, and more."

Yssa noticed Brandon's polite smile, sensing he wasn't thrilled with the suggestion, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

Seth felt a bit awkward in the silence, unsure of what to say. Finally, he offered, "If you'd like, I can show you the place. I'm hungry too, and I'd be happy to join you."

Yssa smiled. "I'd love that. What about Elisha?"

"She loves it there. They have her favorite spaghetti with fried chicken," Seth replied, relieved.

Yssa glanced at Brandon, silently asking if it was okay. Brandon knew this was what Yssa wanted, so he nodded. "Okay, you're the boss," he said with a smile.

Seth handed them the large umbrella while he used the black one, leading the way to his car. As they walked slightly behind him, Yssa and Brandon exchanged a triumphant high-five.

* * *

Wimpy's had been in business for as long as Seth could remember. A staple in the city, the restaurant was a favorite among locals who preferred the simplicity of home-cooked meals outside their homes. Though it somehow lacked ambiance, it overflowed with character. The scent coming from its kitchen was something familiar as if traveling back through time. The moment they stepped inside, Yssa was hit with the fragrance of grilled beef burgers that clung to the air, making her stomach growl in anticipation.

The place was modest, with tables and chairs arranged in an organized manner. Yssa's eyes were drawn to plates piled high with fried chicken, adobo, and shrimp and egg foo young carried by waitresses who chatted animatedly. This wasn't a place that demanded formal attire; it was that welcoming. In fact, many patrons looked as though they'd just rolled out of bed.

"Trust me," Seth said, raising his voice over the chatter of the other customers as he led them to a table. Elisha clung to his side, and he gently guided her along. "The food here is worth it, no matter how the place smells and looks."

They took seats at a corner table. Seth pushed aside a couple of dirty plates smeared with ketchup that hadn't been cleared yet. There was a menu on the walls, but they were still handed the traditional cardboard ones. Some of the words had faded over time, making them hard to read, but the regulars didn't need a menu to know what they wanted. Yssa glanced around, noticing that every table was occupied.

"It's crowded," Brandon remarked, settling into his seat across from Elisha and beside Yssa, who found herself directly across from Seth. Elisha busied herself with the tissue paper on the table, and she soon asked Seth for a pen to draw on the napkins.

"It always is," Seth replied, handing Elisha a ballpen. "Even on weekends, this place is packed. The food and the prices keep people coming back. You can get a complete meal for about one hundred pesos, and that includes a free glass of iced tea."

"One hundred pesos?" Yssa echoed, her eyes widening. "How can that be?"

"The sheer volume, I guess. This place is always busy," Seth explained, glancing around at the full tables.

"Then we're lucky to have found a table," Brandon commented, his eyes scanning the menu on the wall.

"Yeah, we are. Especially at lunchtime. It's a miracle this table opened up just in time for us," Seth said, adjusting Elisha in her seat.

Yssa took one last look around the restaurant before turning her attention to the menu. "So, what do you recommend?"

"Elisha always gets the spaghetti with fried chicken, and I usually go for the Executive Lunch."

"Tito Seth, I want a two-piece fried chicken today," Elisha requested, still focused on her drawings.

"Alright, sweetheart. two-piece fried chicken it is," Seth said, leaning over to kiss her cheek.

Yssa couldn't help but smile at the tender moment. "What's in an Executive Lunch?"

"It's a mix of chop suey, rice, and a choice between fried chicken or grilled pork chop in one meal. I usually go for the two-piece fried chicken as well."

"That sounds like a lot," Yssa laughed, while Brandon raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by Seth's appetite.

"Perfect for big guys like me," Seth said with a grin.

"I think I'll stick with a clubhouse sandwich," Brandon said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"How about you, Yssa?" Seth asked.

"I think I'll just have a burger steak with rice. The smell of grilled beef patties got me," she replied.

A few moments later, a waitress arrived to take their orders. Seth ordered his usual Executive Lunch, Elisha had her two-piece fried chicken with spaghetti, Brandon had a clubhouse sandwich, and Yssa opted for a burger steak meal. Soon, the waitress got them four glasses of water.

"Water is fine," Brandon remarked, inspecting the glass with mock seriousness. "I thought free iced tea?" Brandon again raised an eyebrow.

"Wait for it," Seth said with an easy smile. Shortly after, the waitress returned with four glasses of iced tea. Yssa laughed, and Brandon shot him a playful look.

"There you go," Seth murmured, joining in their laughter, while Elisha giggled.

Their food arrived soon after, and the conversation flowed easily as they ate. Seth and Brandon engaged in lively banter, clearly enjoying each other's company. Yssa mostly observed, particularly watching Seth—how he spoke, the way he looked after Elisha, always making sure she was comfortable. The bond between uncle and niece was evident; Elisha often leaned into Seth, seemingly comforted by his presence. Yssa couldn't help but feel a pang of envy at their closeness.

Seth quickly picked up on why Yssa was so fond of Brandon—his charm and humor were infectious, and Seth found himself laughing more than he had in a long time. Brandon peppered him with questions about his novels and other works, while Elisha ate her meal in contented silence.

Yssa was pleased to see how well Seth and Brandon were getting along. She noticed how much more relaxed Seth seemed compared to the night before. The broad shoulders, the enigmatic brown eyes, the ease with which he moved—all the things she had noticed before were still there, but now, he seemed more at ease, less guarded. So this is what Seth is like during the day, she thought with a smile.

The meal was as delicious as Seth had promised, with even Brandon giving his approval. They lingered over dessert—a cup of coffee each for the adults, while everyone enjoyed a slice of caramel cake. Thunder rumbled outside as the rain still poured down. The restaurant was cold, but the warmth of their shared laughter and conversation made up for it. When the bill arrived, Seth casually pulled out his wallet and said, "My treat," with a smile, to which Brandon responded with a thumbs-up sign.

"Are we ready to go?" Seth asked, motioning for them to get up.

"Whenever you are. And thanks for lunch. It was great," Yssa said, genuinely appreciative.

"It's been nice meeting you, Seth," Brandon added, giving him a friendly nod.

* * *

Seth dropped them back at the school just in time for afternoon classes. They thanked him for what felt like the hundredth time, and he smiled, touched by their kindness. Yssa and Brandon watched as his car's taillights flickered in the pouring rain, gradually disappearing down the road.

As the 1:30 pm bell rang, Yssa and Brandon walked unhurriedly toward the faculty room, the sound of rain still echoing in the background.

"So, what do you think?" Yssa asked, her voice laced with anticipation.

"He's nice and funny," Brandon admitted with a nod. "Better looking than I expected, too."

"I know. My heart skips a beat whenever I look at him," Yssa confessed, her eyes softening at the memory of Seth's smile.

Brandon grinned. "I noticed. And the way he looks at you? It's clear he really likes you. There's something gentle and warm about him, Yssa—something genuine. I could sense it."

"Really?" Yssa's voice held a mixture of hope and disbelief.

"Yes," Brandon affirmed, his tone sincere. "And from the way you two talk to each other, it's obvious you're a good match."

"You really think so?" Yssa asked, her heart fluttering at the thought.

"You know me," Brandon said with a knowing smile, then turned serious as he looked at her. "But can I give you some advice?"

Yssa nodded, and Brandon gently took her arm, leaning in close so no one else could overhear.

"Whatever you decide to do," he began softly, "remember that you're dealing with real people and real emotions. It's hard to break someone's heart, Yssa. Sooner or later, someone's going to get hurt. But if you're sure that Seth can give you the love you need and that you'll be happy with him, then you have to do whatever it takes to hold on to that. True love is rare, and it's the only thing that gives life real meaning."

"But it's still too early to tell," Yssa murmured, uncertainty clouding her thoughts.

"Of course it is," Brandon agreed. "But I'm warning you, that decision will come, Yssa. Mark my words—it will come."

Yssa knew he was right—he always was. But the truth of it weighed heavily on her heart, stirring up worries about what the future might bring. She thought of Glenn, of Seth, and the tangled emotions she was grappling with. The uncertainty made her feel a little dizzy, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. She was tired. Tired of the confusion, the doubts, the endless questions. She longed for the day when everything would finally make sense, when she would be certain of her feelings and her choices.

She knew that day would come. And she would have to face it, no matter what.