CHAPTER 1

"Ma'am, we are here at the coffee shop you were referring to earlier." The driver said suddenly.

I'm back to my senses because of what he said. He just looked at me in the mirror in front of him, and it was evident that there was something in his eyes.

"What is it?" I asked directly at him while he's still eyeing me, then he shook his head afterward.

I do not know if he wants to say something about what he observed from me. After all, I cut my connections in the Philippines after I left for New York after what happened in the past.

"Many things have changed for you, Ma'am." He just said while there was a small smile on his lips.

I felt a pang in my chest because of what he said. I'm sure everyone who knows me will be asked the same question as to his. I just left without saying anything to them, so naturally, maybe that's what they will ask and will tell me.

I'm just not ready.

"I also have eyes, nose, and so on that normal people have, and as far as I know, I did not become an alien after I went to New York." I joked at him, and I laugh at myself because of what I have said to him.

He says something that makes me stopped. It's been a while. It looks like many people I will meet soon and have a conversation with is worse than the conversation we had with our family driver today. I should prepare myself for that. If not, I might think of leaving the Philippines and just returning to New York for good.

"You are no longer the Sofia Lorie that I know. New York changed you or maybe your past because you are no longer the girl that true to herself." He said with a hint of sadness in his tone.

I just smiled because of what he told me. I can say that he is a very observant person. I did not know anyone would notice the changes in me. But it is okay. Everyone will change, especially when you are broke. It just needs time to heal the pain you have experienced in the past for your growth as a person.

"You are just paranoid. I'm still the Sofia Lorie that you know. Just the mature one. Fetch me when it is already 5:00 in the afternoon. Keep safe in driving." I just told him before I finally got out of the car.

When our driver left, I went to the coffee shop that I used to go to. The last place I went before I flew to New York and temporarily left things here in the Philippines. This place is a bitter-sweet for me.

I walked in, and I smiled when I heard the bell ringing on the door again. It sounds, an indication that someone has entered or someone has left the shop. It is fun to play it, but it is embarrassing because there are so many people inside. I'm too big to do that. It is okay, though, because it is my life, not them, but I never do it.

I temporarily close my eyes to smell the coffee aroma I used to bring back here. I immediately opened my eyes when I heard someone that caught my attention on my left side.

"Ahem! My shop might lose its smell because of what you do." He said mischievously after he saw what I was doing in his shop.

I turned to the person talking to my left and saw the man with a big smile on his face. Someone I used to lean on before I left the Philippines. It has been a while, and now I just saw him again. After I flew to New York, I cut off all my connections with everyone.

"Mikey! It is good to see you here." I greet him warmly.

I quickly approached him when I saw that he wanted me to hug him. So, I did it, which he enjoyed.

"You suddenly disappeared, and then you forget that I am the owner of this favorite shop of yours." He smiled as he tightened his grip on me before letting go.

"Sorry, I forgot." Simultaneously holding my neck.

Of course. Mikey is the shop owner. Naturally, he is here to always monitor the shop's sales, the staff, and the customers. I am foolish. I never thought he would be the first to see or meet after how many years I left here. I have in mind to come here and eat and drink my favorite snacks that I usually ordered here before.

"You have changed a lot." He noticed.

The seriousness can be seen on his face as he looks at me. I just smiled at him because he and our driver had noticed the same thing. I need to get used to the word 'You have changed a lot' because of my sudden return here in the Philippines after I disappear like a bubble.

"Not again." I laughed as I turned my gaze to the counter just to get my order.

I just don't like it. I'm not used to it. I also don't want to talk about why I left without saying goodbye and came back that I was different or acting that I didn't go for how many years.

"Ow? So, I'm not the only one who noticed it." He commented on my answer to him.

"My order is just the same as before." I just said to change the topic as well.

As I looked at the cashier who was staring at Mikey and me. He is acting weird.

"You already know what her order, Joel," Mikey said to his staff.

"Is that her?" Joel asked suddenly Mikey that makes me confused at the same time.

Mikey nodded as the answer to Joel's question. At the same time, he smiled, and the man left immediately, but before that, he turned his gaze to me. Joel mouthed 'welcome back' which makes me frown. He became weirder.

"Does he know me? He is not familiar to me." As I asked the man beside me.

I was shocked by what the man did because he was not familiar with me. My memory is weak in remembering the people I only met once or saw or even the names and whatever. Mostly since it was a long time since I left here in the Philippines.

"It seems you have forgotten. So, I'm reminding you that I had posted your picture here in the coffee shop, and Joel became my staff right after you disappear like a bubble." He joked at me, so I beat him up because of it.

He is still annoying. That seems to be what does not change him. His is always full of mischief too.

"I asked well, so don't answer me that way." I glared at him.

I roam around, and I was pleased that nothing had changed in the shop except for his new crews. The table next to the wall glass caught my attention near the freedom wall full of letters, etc. I also saw my picture he was referring to that is posted in his shop.

Why is that photo of mine is still here? Why doesn't he just take it off and replace it? Psh! That's why Joel recognized me earlier because of that picture. Anyway, he only saw me now in person, so he naturally said that.

"Nothing is changed," I commented.

"Yes, because someone begged me not to change even if a little part of my shop." He said mysteriously to me.

Suddenly my heart beat faster, which I wondered, but I didn't pay attention to what he said. I don't want to assume things. I might just get hurt again afterward. I have learned in my past. I will not allow my departure from the Philippines to be in vain.

"Whatever. You are crazy. I'm going to sit down, alright? I am ashamed of you, I've been standing here since I got here." I said sarcastically to him, which made him laugh out loud.

The crowd then turned to us because of him. The others turn their attention back to what they were doing a while ago. Some of them are staring at us, especially at me. So, I just averted my eyes. Maybe someone will recognize me here. It's hard. Primarily I'm in the Philippines now.

"Crazy!" I shouted softly at him.

"Whatever, Sofia." He just said while a smile flashed on his lips.

I left him where he is standing and sit in my favorite spot, where I saw earlier. Fortunately, he did not follow me. He left and went to his office here in the shop.

"Excuse me, Ma'am. Here's your order." Joel suddenly said, who just appear somewhere.

I was even shocked by his sudden appearance. He quickly placed my order on the table, and I smiled at him afterward.

"Thank you." I just said after he finished what he was doing.

He left immediately after he put my order on the table. I started drinking my coffee and eating cake when I heard familiar voices not far from me. Familiar voices that I just heard after how many years I'm gone here in the Philippines. So, I turned to where they were.

"Don't be tricky, Pau!" The woman who pushed the door shouted.

"What's wrong? Accept Wendy Wong that you lost the game earlier! You'll get hurt more if you keep insisting that I tricked your team. Accept the fact that you lost." The next woman teased as she entered the shop.

The crowd looked at them. It is evident on the faces of customers that they are used to the newcomers here.

"What losses? If you did not just spread your misfortune, it would not happen." A colleague of theirs said.

"Excuse me, Mae. Maybe you forgot that the two of us are messing around outside the court. Perhaps you just forgot." Pau said right after she raised one of her eyebrows to the two girls she's with.

"You may excuse." The thin and cute girl said whose name is Wendy Wong.

Mae stepped aside immediately and held out her hand to indicate that Pau had passed after saying the excuse me.

I laughed because the three of them were funny, and the other customers who were watching and listening to them just laughed too. They are just amusing.

"What the hell, Wong!" As Pau hit the arm of Wong, who is laughing at her.

Before they got into trouble and spread madness in the shop, I grabbed their attention by reprimanding them.

"This is not a children's playground," I said seriously.

They stopped quickly because of what I say to them.

"We are no longer children! We are a grown woman!" Mae reacted while the three of them turned to where I was.

At the same time, they were surprised to see me in the shop where they are now. It was a few seconds before they realized that what they were seeing was real.

"Sofia!" They said in unison as they ran towards me.

The three naughties quickly jumped at me. Fortunately, the seat here looks like a couch, so it won't break easily to cause us to fall because of what they are doing right now.

"Ouch! Go away! I'm out of breath. Hey!" I complain because I am stuck between them.

But the three naughties squeezed me even harder under, so I beat them. They quickly moved away from me, but Wendy and Pau were sitting on either side of me. While Mae sat in front of us.

"Waaaaah! I miss you, Sofia!" Wendy shouted again as she hugged my arm.

Then she hugged my arm even tighter. Pau and Mae just shook because of her sudden actions.

"Hey, Wong! We also miss her. Don't act like you are the only one!" Pau said after she slapping Wendy's hand, which was still hugging my arm.

"What?! You may have forgotten that you are a volleyball player!" She complained as she caressed the hand that Pau had slap earlier.

"Minimize your voice. You are already grabbing the attention of others. It is embarrassing." On the other hand, Mae weaned the two naughties who were just on either side of me who continued to quarrel with each other.

"I'm ashamed of you, Mae. Look who's talking?" I said jokingly.

Mae glared at me, so I signed peace in no time. The two giggled, so I pinched them on their thighs.

"Aw!" They both groaned as they caressed the part I pinched earlier.

"What happened to the both of you?" Mae asked.

The two glanced at me, so I simply glared at them, so they immediately looked away from me. The two just smiled at Mae and said nothing.

We just talked while I was just hanging out with the three of them. The three have a lot of stories, especially about their experiences playing volleyball. I'm just happy because, during the time I was gone, they continue to achieve their dream of becoming a famous volleyball player in the Philippines even after they graduated.

"Who are you texting?" I asked Wendy, who had been fiddling with her phone earlier.

I just noticed it because she was just giggling. Then we were the only one side by side, so she once grabbed my attention. She just looked at me with a wide smile. I know that smile. She did something wrong again that's why she smiled at me like that. Her attitude did not change. Somehow, I still know them even though I lost time, and it was too long when I last talked to them as well.

"Oh! Oh! That kind of smile, Wong! That's dangerous!" Pau noticed as she looked at Wong, who was sitting on my left.

Mae nodded in agreement with what Pau noticed.

"I look like a killer for what you say." She complained to the two, so I laughed.

"Isn't it?" As Mae teased her.

They are still naughty and even more now. Maybe it would be more chaotic if our seniors were here. For sure, Mikey might close his shop immediately because of us.

People are now looking at us. Then some take pictures because the famous volleyball players are here and at the same time I am. Some are surprised to see that I have returned to the Philippines after I disappeared like a bubble. Before I cut off my connection to the Philippines, I even watched on TV that it was reported that I was leaving the country after a week that I did not show up for any game we had at that time. After that, I know nothing.

"Hey, Wong! What did you eat and you forced us to come here to this shop? You know that this day is our rest day while there is no training yet. Be thankful I don't have a schedule today."

We turned our attention to the little girl who had just entered the shop, and she was still with a tall woman. I saw them along with two more. Wendy quickly moved next to Pau for me not to be seen by the newcomers.

"You mean, what food are you going to eat again." The brunette woman suddenly said.

I missed her. She is one of the people I look up to, especially in the field of volleyball: the only phenom, Alya Valdemore.

"Who are you talking about coming back?" The white woman, who is taller than the previous woman who spoke first earlier, asked.

Denise Lawrence, the Queen Libero.

"Surprise!" The three shouted, so I just waved when they saw me.

I look like a surprise gift because of what they do. I can see that the newcomers are shocked after seeing me, and I almost blew my eardrum with their screams, especially Ella. Stood out but not the height.

Shhhhh! Hahaha.

"Sofia! Kyaaah!" The four of them screamed when they saw me.

They quickly approached me so that they could hug me at the same time. Ella is still jumping because I finally showed up to them.

"SHHHHHH!" Other customers shh us, so the new ones sat down quickly.

"I'm sorry." Kiwi immediately apologized that made us laughed because of her accent.

She is a foreigner because of her appearance as well as the accent she has. After all, she is not from here.

"Youngest. We miss you so much. Why did you just think of going home now? Why did you extend it for two more years?" Alya asked as she sat next to me.

Pau and Wendy sat in front of us. Alya and Denise took their place.

"Me too," I replied as I smile at them once.

They stared at me intently before they looked at each other as if their eyes were talking. I kept going the way they looked at me. It was perfect that Alya spoke again to break the tension between us.

"You've been missing for a long time, Sof. Perfectly, you saw these three naughty ones. Fortunately, Wendy thought of sending us here." Alya just said while Wendy was just scratching her neck.

"We are ashamed of you, Al. As far as I know, you are the one who insisted that we should come here because of the good news that Wendy says in the text." Den suddenly said as Al frowned because of it.

"Fine." Alya just said.

It's hilarious how Alya felt defeated after what her girlfriend said. I just found out. I looked outside and just saw our driver who had just arrived, and I only realized that it was 5:00 in the afternoon already. I've been here at the coffee shop for a long time. I came here around 1:00 in the afternoon.

"I wish I could stay longer, but I need to go home. I just got there because I ended up going here. I'm sorry." As I bid my goodbye.

I need to go home as soon as possible. For sure, mommy already knows that I am in the Philippines. I need to rest, as well. It's only now that I feel tired.

"It is fine. No worries. Maybe next time, okay?" Mae said as she signed okay.

Others agreed, and I was grateful. And at least I can go home quickly.

"Thank you." I just said.

I immediately wrote my phone number on the tissue and gave it to Alya. In case they have plans, they can call or even text me. Besides, I have no plans on avoiding them.

"No. I like that. Just beep my phone, alright? I have to go. Ciao!"

I immediately left the coffee shop after I said goodbye to them. I even heard the last thing Ella said that she only had the rest of my cake and coffee. She always wants to eat.

"I'm sorry, Miss." The person who bumped into me apologized.

I did not bother to look back at whoever hit me because our driver suddenly shouted that mommy was looking for me, so I also hurried to go to where he is.

-------------------

I entered the shop with annoyance on my face because of the woman I bumped into recently. I apologized, but she is not? And she's still very reluctant to look back at me—annoying creature.

"Tine, here!" A woman I knew shouted when she saw me enters the shop.

I saw the strange smile on her lips that surprised me. It looks like something good happened, and she was just in that mood.

"Oh? What's with you? You looked annoyed." Denise noticed seeing the annoyance on my face.

I approached them before speaking.

"Who's back?" I asked them while not paying attention to what Denise asked and said.

They turned their attention outside simultaneously, so I followed it with my gaze and saw the car leaving away in front of the coffee shop. So, I turned to them again.

"Whose car is that? Who are you talking about coming?" I asked again for them.

My forehead furrowed even more when I saw the meaningful smile of all of them that made me nervous. I grabbed my chest and felt it.

Weird.

It's been a while since I last feel this kind of emotion.

"Is it throbbing again?" They tease me.

I just sat next to Alya and ate the cake that was only on the table. I also drank the leftover coffee. So, they stopped harassing me.

I looked at the table again and noticed that I was only eating what was left. The rest has been scrapped. I arrived just in time. I don't have to order anymore because there is still some left. Too not focused on eating more.

"You like what you eat, huh?" They said softly that I didn't pay attention anymore.

I immediately looked at the photographs posted on the wall of the shop.

"Where is she? And who are they referring to return?" I asked in my mind.

I shook my head to forget what was bothering me and completely consumed what I was eating.

I am curious how they react towards me, but I let them look at me strangely. My friends don't seem to be used to me eating all of the leftover food on the table. Good thing there is more to stop my stomach from growling because of hunger.

Whatever!