Undying Flame (Nathan Kyle & Jhauztine Chloe Story)

Chapter 21

"Kyle. . .my words fell almost a whisper. I cleared my throat and tried again. "Kyle, hey. Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

He stared at me for a while before he faced tha barista again, "Can you make another of her drink? Magbabayad na lang ako ulit."

His statement made me make my way beside him, "You don't have to."

"I've been paying for it for two weeks. You don't seem to mind it then, why change your mind knowing it was me who's been giving you free coffee twice a day?"

I looked at him addled. Sabi ni Archie siya raw? Sino bang nagsasabi ng totoo?

Napatingin ako sa barista at bago pa ako makatanong, "Siya 'yong nagbabayad, Ma'am. Si Sir Kyle po."

"Thank you sa mga libreng kape. But I think it's best of you stop now. Kaya ko naman bilhan ang sarili ko ng kape."

He shrugged his shoulders, "I didn't say you can't." then he slide his card towards tha counter.

Napabuntong-hininga ako, "Paano kung hindi ko na lang tanggapin?"

"That's your decision to make. Kunin mo o hindi, I'll still pay for it everyday."

I looked at him, study his profile from the side. Malalim ang eyebags niya pero hindi mo pa rin mamimintis ang tamis ng ngiti niya.

My knees are starting to go weak the more I spend time close to him. That's when I knew I have to stop this before it goes to the road I promised not to visit again.

"Kyle, really. What are you doing?" I'm proud of how my voice sounded so firm.

He took his receipt and card from the lady and answered without looking at me. "Do you have time. . .to talk? Maybe, after your shift, if that's okay?" saka siya nagtaas ng tingin.

The old me would have jumped right in, no doubts, no care, no second thoughts. Kaso kinalimutan ko na ang Chloe na 'yon. Dapat kinakalimutan ko na siya, hindi 'yong nakikipagdaldalan pa ako na para bang may hinihintay ako na mangyari.

"No, I don't." I clipped.

He nodded his head and smiled before looking down at our shoes. "I guessed I deserved that."

Hindi ko alam kung gaano ko pa siya katagal tinitigan bago ako lumabas ng shop at nag-drive papunta sa opisina. It was after I parked that I let out the breath I've been holding ever since I walked out on him.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit pakiramdam ko ang ginhawa dahil nakita ko na naman siya. Ilang beses kong pinigilan ang saili kong ngitian siya kanina.

God, this feeling I have for him is like an uncurable disease.

Winasiwas ko ang dumaraming ideya sa utak ko saka ako nagtungo sa floor namin. Mag-vendi coffee na lang ako kahit hindi masarap. Kesa naman bumalik pa ako roon. Ilang oras na rin lang naman lunch na.

Sh!t, magpapalit na rin ako ng coffee shop. Balik Dreamer's Bean na ako ulit. Para lang akong gaga, pangalan lang naman ng shop ang pinagkaiba, dahil iisa lang naman ang may-ari ng pinipilahan kong kapehan.

Saka ko naalala ang libre kong kape. I picked my phone up and confronted Archie.

Me: Bumped into Kyle at KRB minutes ago. The barista confirmed he's responsible for the giveaway coffee."

Agad naman siyang nag-reply.

Archie: Did he say anything to you?

Me: Not much. Why did you lie to me?

Matagal akong nakatitig sa chat bubble naghihintay ng sagot. Ibababa ko na sana ang phone ko nang may lumitaw na reply.

Archie: I didn't think that one out properly. I'm sorry. I didn't fully intend to lie. I felt jealousy creeping over me when you mentioned about your free coffee. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin, so I went along with it. Sabi ko aalalamin ko kung sinong nagbibigay niyan sa'yo and I would tell him to back off since you're already taken. And now that I know whi the mystery man is, the more I have to shove him away.

I read his text over and over again. Waiting for that fluttery feeling I get whenever he talks like this, but I felt nothing. Mas lalo lang akong naguluhan sa nangyayari.

Bakit pa siya bumalik? Okay na ako. Bakit na naman niya ako guguluhin? He rejected me. What does he possibly want now? It's not me to speak ill of somebody but my confussion is fast turning into anger.

Me: You don't have to worry about him. But I don't really like that you lied.

Archie: Yes, I know. And I'm sorry. Going back, may sinabi ba siya sa'yo?

Me: Wala naman masyado. Pinilit niya lang na kunin ko 'yong kape tapos tinanong niya kung puwede niya ba akong makausap after work.

Archie: What did you say? You're changing shop by the way. Sa Dreamer's Bean ka na lang mag-kape.

Me: I thought of that, too. Wala. Sinabi ko hindi ako pwede, he said he deserves it then I left.

Archie: I really have a bad feeling about this.

Me: Archie, it's fine. You and me are happening. He's just a part of my past.

Archie: I know. I'm sorry for needing assurance.

Me: You don't have to apologize. Ako nga dapat ang mag-sorry sa'yo.

Archie: You don't have, to. Alam mo namang gagawin ko lahat para sa'yo. Anytime, anywhere. Always.

Me: Yes, I know. Sorry pa rin. Sige na, I have to work. Marami akong gagawin since late ako and I'm still texting you hahaha. Mukhang working lunch din ako.

Archie: Okay, just don't skip meals. Ingat, and please, Dreamer's Bean ka na from now on.

Me: Roger that, Sir! Take care when you go to work.

Archie: Yes, duly noted Madam. I will miss you today and tomorrow morning but I'll be there to pick you up in the tomorrow afternoon.

I felt my lip tipping up before

placing my phone on my desk. See, not so bad. Archie make me happy. Trully happy. 'Yon lang dapat ang lagi kong iniisip. Hindi iyong libreng kape at lalong-lalo na hindi si Kyle.

My work got busier and busier until a few of the people from our side started to stand up and chat on what merienda they are going to buy.

Napatingin ako sa relo ko. Alas-tres na pala. Kailangan ko ng kape. Hindi sapat 'yong kape sa vending machine, ang pangit ng lasa. I pressed sleep on my computer and decided to visit the Dreamer's Bean I was avoiding ever since Kyle.

Pero ngayon wala ng rason. Nakaya ko nga siyang kausapin kanina ng 'di nauutal. For sure, wala na lang sa'kin kung may maalala pa akong tungkol sa kaniya kapag nakarating ako roon. At saka, KRB na ngayon ang iiwasan ko.

I took my wallet and phone before heading towards the coffee shop. Dahil break time, medyo mahaba ang pila. I don't mind, basta makatikim ako ng masarap na kape. (Sigurado ako, pati Author nitong kuwento ko gano'n din ang mindset niya. Hahaha) Dapat kasi may iba pang kapihan na malapit dito.

I sighed but was quickly distracted when I felt my phone vibrated.

Archie: On my way to work, Chloe. Ingat sa pag-drive mamaya and please text me when you get home.

Me: Yes, I will. Ikaw rin, ingat. Don't text and drive.

Wala na akong natanggap na reply pagkatapos. I busied myself playing Adorable Home until it was my turn at the counter.

"Hello, good afternoon. What will you ne having?" he immediately inquired, pulling out his pen.

I smiled at him, "Iced Caramel Macchiato, Tall."

He was writing it down at the side of tue cup only to look up to ask my name.

"Chloe." I replied.

Nag-akma siyang magsusulat ulit pero mabilis siyang tumigil at nilingon ang kasama niyang nagmamando sa kabilang kahera. He excused himself and went to whisper to the other barista.

"Chloe from Empire Financial Holdings?" he asked after when he's back in front of me.

I nodded my head, suspicious. Burying the gut feeling that I know where this is going. "Your coffee's already been paid. No need to pay Ma'am."

I don't want to ask.

Tanggihan mo na lang 'yong kape at umalis ka na diyan.

Utos ng utak ko pero ayaw maki-ayon ng paa ko.

After a few awkward seconds of me just staring to the man, I was able to whisper. "B-by who?"

"Kyle." Sagot ng katabi niya. "Dumaan po siya kaninang alas-dos. He ordered and paid the same drink you requested saka niya sinabi na dadaan ka po rito to pick it up at three or a little past three."

Well, I'll be damned.