Chapter 2: Pixel Brew

“Can you tell us what we are doing here?” Tiffany asked when I told them to stop the car beside the road when we passed the city hall. “May gagawin ka ba dito?” dagdag niya pa habang naka cross arms sa pwesto niya.

I looked at her using the rearview mirror and said, “We need to buy them some food.”

They looked surprised at what I said, but who cares? Kailangan kong makita pa siya ng matagal. Yes, that lady earlier. I think I like her.

“Totoo ba? Hindi ka ba nagbibiro?” Hector asked from behind, so I nodded my head to show them that my decision was firm.

“Fine! Let's find a fast food chain now,” Tyrone added and started to drive his car again.

Naghahanap ako ng pinakamalapit na fast food using a map on the phone that Tiffany gave me at sinasabi ko kay Tyrone ang direksyon kung saan siya dapat dumaan. We were new to this place, so a map was an essential to use. After minutes of looking for the fast food chain, we finally reached it and I immediately left the car. Sumunod sila sakin sa loob ng fast food at kanya-kanyang silang pabili sakin maski kukunting cash lang ang hawak ko. I left my cards at my condo, so my parents couldn’t track me.

Nasa counter na kami to pay our orders when Tyrone gave his card to the cashier. I looked at him in surprise and asked, “What are you doing?”

“I know na kukunting cash lang ang mayroon ka kaya let me pay for it. Bayaran mo na lang ako kapag trip mo na ulit maging burgis,” Tyrone said while smirking at me. He even winked at the woman behind the counter, which made the woman blush.

“Are you making fun of me, huh?” I whispered at Tyrone at siniko siya sa tagiliran.

Tyrone let out a low groan and laughed at me, “Let’s wait there.” He pointed at an empty table near the door, so we made our way to that table. 

After naming makuha ang mga orders namin ay dinala namin ito sa sasakyan ni Tyrone at muntik nang hindi magkasya kasi napasobra ang nabili naming mga pagkain. Bumalik kami sa tapat ng city hall kung saan nagaganap ang rally. Tyrone parked his car near the rally, and they went out of the car. I froze when I saw that she was looking at the car where I was, I couldn’t move at all. Bumibilis ang tibok ng puso ko at hindi ko alam kung bakit. 

“Hey! Hindi mo kami sasamahan?” Tiffany showed behind the window where I was sitting. 

Binuksan ko nang bahagya ang bintana at tumingin sa kanya, “No, I will stay here.” Pinanuod ko silang lumapit sa mga nagra-rally at kinausap nila ang mga ito. Napatingin ako sa kanya at nakangiti siya habang kausap si Tyrone, I smirked and felt a sting on my chest. Nag simula nang magbuhat ng mga boxes sina Tyrone at Hector, may mga lalaking kasama sa rally ang tumulong sa kanila na maglabas ng mga boxes mula sa sasakyan.

Pinapanood ko siya habang tumutulong kay Tiffany mamigay ng mga pagkain at napapangiti ako kapag nakikita ko syang ngumingiti. Hindi natanggal ang paningin ko sa kanya hanggang matapos sila sa pamimigay. My friends went back to the car after they gave all the food we bought.

“Are you satisfied now?” Tyrone asked nang nakaupo na sya sa driver’s seat at binuksan ang makina ng sasakyan. 

“Yeah, let’s go!” sagot ko at nagsimula nang mag drive paalis si Tyrone kung saan kami nagpark.

We finally reached our destination, the cafe that I liked to apply for as a barista. He was Hector’s cousin and he recommended me to him. The car stopped in front of the cafe named Pixel Brew Cafe.

“I can smell coffee now,” Tiffany blurted out as soon as we entered the cafe.

“Nandito na pala kayo,” a man welcomed us, and I could see his resemblance with Hector. “Welcome to the Pixel Brew Cafe!” he added and guided us to a vacant table.

The cafe was already open, but it was still empty because all the crew was still preparing in the kitchen. Jordan came back with a tray of coffee and served it to our table.

“Thanks, bro!” I told him, and he nodded his head at me.

“So, you are Timo?” Jordan asked as soon as he sat in front of me. “Totoo ba na magtatrabaho ka as barista sa cafe ko?” he added.

“Yes, if okay lang sayo,” sagot ko at may iba akong plano kung hindi niya ako tatanggapin sa cafe niya.

“Ano ka ba, bro! Syempre okay lang sakin atsaka sabi ni Hector na magaling ka daw pagdating sa mga kape,” Jordan answered and smiled at me.

“You did this?” Lumapit si Tiffany sa upuan ko at tumingin kay Jordan to ask about the coffee she was drinking.

“Oo, ayos ba ang lasa?” Jordan asked and his expression became serious.

I looked at Tiffany to warn her not to judge Jordan because it might affect his decision of hiring me. Tiffany laughed at him and said, “I like it, don’t worry! It tastes so good!”

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag ng mapigilan ni Tiffany mag-judge because I knew her, if she didn’t like it, she would brutally say it. That’s how mean she is. 

I cleared my throat to get Jordan’s attention, “I don’t care about my salary as long as papayag ka ng dito ako magtatrabaho.” I offered my hand to him at mabilis siyang nakipag-kamay sa akin.

“Deal, bro!” sagot ni Jordan.

The door opened, and our attention went to the door. I was stunned to see the lady that I liked standing at the doorway.

“Open na kayo, kuya Jordan?” The lady asked Jordan and slightly moved towards the counter.

I watched how graceful she walked and felt my chest beating so fast again. She looked at me and it took a second before she looked away.