01

Did fulfilling your dreams at the age of twenty five be a bit late or was it a good timing? 

Personally, as the time went by I realised that entering a masters degree was not for the weak,  I had a lot of things to sacrifice, my sleep, money, and time for myself. 

Although the work for the past few weeks has been manageable. I was able to handle the pressure of both of my work alongside my studies. 

I realized entering masters at this age was the right move, in the past few years I haven’t been financially stable enough. Since I’m paying for both of my parents' memorial and life insurance plans. 

As an adult, I wasn’t fully prepared for this type of battle in life. 

Kung go go go lang sa buhay si ruffa, ako ay mag gogoodbye na. 

“Nics, we will be having a meeting with the flame corner for the holiday drinks Ideation.” I look at Ms. Sarah, one of our foodservice sales agents too. 

Wala manlang good morning muna. 

This actually happens in the food service industry, specially in beverages, most of our clients were asking to have different concepts and recipes depending on each month or season. Since the holiday season is coming, some of them were planning what concepts to release in the coming months.  

“Anong araw kaya ito ma’am, ano mga kailangan nilang flavors sa atin?” 

“Actually, kailangan rin i-set ang schedule ni Sir Josh. Saturday pa naman.”

Sir Josh is our in-house mixologist, he’s the one who creates most of our mocktail recipes based on the flavor drinks that we offer. 

Shet may pasok pa ako. 

“Ano ganap ko do’n ma’am?” 

“The marketing and the purchasing manager wants to discuss the rebate program for next year, since they were able to target the minimum quantity of order for this year. They were asking for an increase for the incentives.”

Napahinga ako ng malalim, mukhang mahaba-habang discussion ito sa management. Kung susukatin, hindi naman malabong mangyari iyon. 

It’s just we will be having so much discussion to justify both parties and forecasting of sales for the next year, since we can’t be complacent with the current trends. 

“Okay sure, let’s align this first to the managing director before we proceed.” 

Lunes ngayon at maraming hahabulin na trabaho dahil wala kaming pasok kahapon dahil day off. Parating ganito naman ang monday at hindi na bago sa nangyayari sa akin. 

Kung magkakaroon kami ng ideation sa flame corner ibig bang sabihin no’n ay nandun rin ba si Samuel? Feeling ko hindi naman siya makakapunta dahil hindi ko naman siya nakameet nitong mga nagdaang taon. 

Isa pa, puro mga f&b manager at purchasing lang naman talaga ang nakakausap ko, bibihira sa restaurants ang makausap ang owners. 

Dumating ang araw ng sabado, hindi na ako pinapasok ng managing director at sumama na agad kay ma’am sarah, medyo malayo ang byahe dahil ang office namin ay sa quezon city morato at ang head office ng flame corner ay sa taguig pa. Bukod sa malayo, traffic pa kahit naka skyway na sa haba ng pila at puro stoplight ang kalsada ng taguig. 

“Kasama pala yung may-ari sa meeting Nics.” aniya sa akin ni ma’am Sarah habang may tinitipa sa kaniyang cellphone.

“Sure.” antok kong aniya. 

Gumising ako ng alas kwatro ng umaga para makarating din kami ng maaga, hindi ko rin gugutuhing malate masyado ang meeting dahil may pasok pa ako sa school. 

Wow, may pasok pa sa school. Feeling teenager ulit. 

“Sosyal pala dito Sarah.” komento ni Sir Jc na nasa gilid ko, bitbit niya ang mga syrups and powdered drinks na i-pepresent namin. 

Expected with the flame corner, knowing that they have fifty two branches nationwide, it won’t be impossible to have a building that has eight floors with beautiful interiors. 

The office looks like they integrated the biophelic and modern interior design while still incorporating the traditional landscape design of an office, brown cubicles of each department per employees while the managers have their own glass offices.

“Kaya nga eh, pag pumupunta nga ako dito feeling ko alikabok ako dito eh.” 

Natigil ang pagtawa namin ng bumukas ang elevator. Bumungad sa amin ang purchasing manager and f&b manager ng flame corner. Iginiya nila kami kung saan pupunta. 

Wala pa naman tao sa conference room, ipiniprepare lang namin ang mga dala namin sa mesa. 

“How’s life has been, Nics. Tagal kitang hindi nakita ah.” aniya ni Sir Mike, ang f&b manager. 

“Pretty well naman, as you can see sir.” emphasizing my face, he burst out laughing. 

“Alam mo, you should visit here often or go along with ma’am sarah.” rekomenda ni sir Mike.

“Nako sir, nag-aral pa siya, mukhang hindi pa daw siya busy sa life.” komento ni ma’am sarah. 

“Wow, masters?” tumango ako. “Sir Samuel is pursuing it too, he might be one of your classmates.” 

Nahinto ang usapan ng bumukas ang pinto at pumasok ang marketing manager at si Samuel. 

We greeted each other and shook hands, he kept himself composed like he was pretending that we just saw each other last sunday. 

Ma’am Sarah presented all the flavors that we have, along the mocktails that we created just yesterday. 

“This actually fitted on the valentines theme, since the taste was more flowery and sweet.” Samuel commented with the rose syrup and lychee syrup mocktail . “Let’s include this in our plan for next year.” 

“Try this too sir, it's just a bit zesty but the rose syrup balances the zesty flavor because of the sweetness.” I recommended, he looked at me for a while before he was able to taste it. 

“This too Miike.”

“Noted sir.”  

The meeting did not last long, the mocktails that we presented were all approved and ready to execute for the coming months. Samuel did not open the topic of us being classmates and I think I'm okay with it. 

“Ms. Nics, may calling card ka? Can I ask for it?” tumango  ako sa  tinanong ni  sir Mike. Hindi ko pala sila nabigyan noon ng calling card ng bumisita ako dati  sa kanila. 

“Sure  po, here.” I distributed to them my business cards, including Samuel who seems to not pay any attention to it. For sure,  after this meeting he will throw it to the trash. 

After the meeting, I went to buy a coffee at the nearest coffee shop in the university since I didn't have much time to prepare for it earlier. I just hope the coffee tasted good. 

 “It was not your coffee?” Samuel asked after I gave his coffee. 

“Bukas nalang, wala na akong time kanina.” saad ko.

“Oh right, nice presentation by the way. I forgot to commend you earlier.” 

Nakalimutan daw! Hindi mo nga ako pinapansin kanina. 

“Thank you.” 

He sipped on his coffee. I looked at his reaction. It seems that he doesn’t like it, he was trying to like  it.  

“Your coffee is better than this.” 

Napansin ko na hindi na basag yung  cellphone niya, pinaayos na siguro niya. Pwede ko naman pala ipaayos iyon, nagpresinta pa akong pagtimplahin siya ng kape. Nagpagood-pagod pa  ako. 

Hindi naman masyadong nagtagal ang klase, balak  ko matulog muna bago ako umuwi. Feeling ko nadrain ang utak at katawan ko sa meeting kanina. 

Madaling maubos yung energy ko sa mga ganoong trabaho, ang weird nga. Kinuha ko ang marketing na kurso, pati ito naging trabaho ko pa pero ang bilis maubos ng energy ko makipag interact sa mga tao. 

“Do you  still have work after class?” Samuel asked me when I was about to grab my bag.  

“No, I’m going to sleep when I go home.” 

“Ah okay, can I send you a message on viber regarding coffee recommendations?”  My brows creased, he doesn't even have my number yet. 

I took my phone out of my bag. “Sure, this is my number.” 

“I already have, you gave me your calling card, remember?”

Napasapo  ako ng aking noo, oo nga pala. Kasama pala siya kanina sa mga binigyan ko.

“Ah okay.” tanging naging sagot ko nalang. 

“About the coffee?” huling hirit pa niya.  

Libre na nga lang, demanding pa siya!

Pero dahil  may atraso akong nagawa sa kaniya ay susundin ang gusto niya. 

“Oh okay, sure no problem.” 

Nagising ako ng may nareceive akong message galing sa viber, ang isang mata ko ang dilat habang binabasa ang message na iyon. 

From: +639 **********

Good day

This is Samuel, sending to you my 1 month coffee recipes’ recommendation. Please see the attached file. Thank you :) 

Coffee recommendation.p*f

Alas sais palang ng umaga, sinubukan kong matulog ulit ngunit hindi na talaga ako hinila ng antok. Nadatnan ko ang mommy sa sala na nagzuzumba habang sinusunod ang instruction sa tv at ang daddy naman ay nagsurfing sa Ipad nito. 

Nakabihis na ako ng pang jogging, isang linggo na rin akong hindi tumatakbo dahil nag-aadjust sa bago kong schedule. 

I grabbed a coffee nearby at my house after I went to the park, I’ve already changed my outfit bringing my Ipad too. I was shocked when I saw Samuel from the counter getting his drink and pasta. What's even more shocking is that he smiled at me. 

He fucking smiled. 

“Good morning, do you plan to work here too?” I nodded. 

“I have to accomplish some of my pending school work. How about you?”

“Backlogs at work and answering emails.” 

“On a Sunday morning?” He laughed at my question. Of course Sunday has to be your day, leaving your stress behind!

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin paalis, napaupo siya sa may mahabang lamesa at high stool chair katapat ng window glass. Sinabi ko na rin nag ordder ko sa cashier at hinintay ang order ko sa gilid.

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Samuel pagkatapos, napatingin siya sa akin saglit “I hope you don’t mind.” 

“I don’t mind.” he said while seriously looking at his laptop. He barely ate his pasta and even sipped his matcha drink. 

He’s really busy, a type of guy who probably doesn't seem to have much fun. 

“What do you plan after class?” 

Napaisip ako sa sinabi niya, nag-aaya ang kaibigan kong si Benj magramen date. Sa isang buwan niyang busy sa hospital ay deserve niya daw. 

“Hmm, probably going to date at Ramen Lab.” he looked shocked about it. 

“Oh, was it okay with your boyfriend that you made me a coffee?” my brows creased at his question. Is he assuming that I have a boyfriend just because I am having a ramen date with someone? 

“Are you simply asking me if I do have a boyfriend?” I curiously asked, he looked away and sipped his drink. 

“Do you feel uncomfortable questioning you about personal things?” He fired back. “If you don't like to answer, it’s okay.” 

“I don’t have, I’m going to have a friendly date and no one would get mad because I made you a coffee.” I assured him, to cut his thoughts that someone might have attacked him.. “How about you–” 

“I don’t have one.” 

“Okay, it’s obvious?” I joked, but he doesn't seem to like it. “Sorry.” 

Hindi na ako nakipag-usap at sinimulan ko ng tapusin ang mga pending kong school works, medyo kaunti lang naman iyon dahil simula palang naman ng klase. 

Napatigil ako sa aking ginagawa ng may nagmessage sa akin. Naramdaman ko ang paglingon ni Samuel sa aking gilid. 

My dad is just asking me for permission if he can use my car to go to the grocery store, I permitted him to do so. 

I’ve already finished doing my schoolworks while Samuel is still busy answering emails. 

“I have to go, Sam.” he just nodded and bidded me a goodbye. 

After class I had to go to Taguig to meet Benj, he was already inside the ramen restaurant wearing his scrubs. 

“May work ka pa rin kahit sunday?” tanong niya at tinulungan ako sa mga bitbit ko 

“No, I just came from the class.”

“Wow, masters?” tumango ako. “How was it?” 

“Hmm, it was fun actually and a bit stressful since I’m already loaded with work.” 

Halos pangangamusta lang ang pinag-usapan namin habang hinihintay ang Ramen, alam niya na ang favorite kong taste sa ramen kaya nakapag-order na rin siya bago pa ako nakarating. 

Anything with garlic and creamy soup, I’m okay with it. 

Nagulat ako ng makita ko si Samuel ang nagserve ng food namin, nakasuot siya ng black chef coat. 

Tahimik siyang nilalagay ang food namin sa table habang gulat pa rin akong napatingin sa kaniya. 

“Enjoy your food ma’am  and sir.” he greeted us and I was still left shocked. 

There was a small piece of paper below my ramen bowl. 

Is he a boyfriend or a friend?

Why was he so bothered if I do have a boyfriend or not?