Elsewhere Cafe Mga Nobela at Kwento

Nasa gilid na table kami ng COffee shop malapit sa glass window kitang-kita at mga kotse na tumatakbo. Instagramable ang coffee shop ni dad, pero mas lamang ang Love Café sa kabilang side ng kalsada five blocks away from here. Ang alam kong owner niyan ay si Axel Dela Cruz nag-aaral sa Monteville Academy. Well dad only build this cafe because he loves coffee and ipakilala ang nakasanayan niyang kape noon, though may mga bagong bersiyon ng kape dito dahil suggestion ko sometimes kase ay dito din ako nag kakape.

masayang sabi ni Kara. Nang maibaba ni Kara ang tawag ay masaya niyang tinanaw ang kabuuan ng Kyros’ Cafe na kanilang ipinundar na mag-tiyahin. Isa itong coffee shop na may mga librong puwedeng basahin ng libre at mayroon ding bookstore. Sa loob ng halos dalawang taon nilang paninirahan sa Singapore, naging tahimik naman ang kanilang buhay.

After taking our order, we walk out immediately from the store at agad din namang naglakad patungo sa isang café malapit sa university namin. It’s like a coffee shop na may minimal interior designs and they offer some sort of frappes, milkteas, iced coffee, and even snacks. As soon as we reach the place, Lorraine and I look at each other before grinning. Tinulak ko siya ng mahina para mauna pero agad din namang bumalik para sumabay sa akin. I groaned. “Ikaw mauna.” I murmured, trying to hide behind her back dahil may ibang mga costumer at staff na nakatingin na sa gawi namin. Good thing she is taller than me kaya medyo nakakatgo naman ako.

Ngayon ay magkasama silang nakaupo sa isang mamahaling café sa Regenshire, ang Lustre, isang high-end café na kilala sa aesthetic interior at exquisite desserts. Ayaw sanang sumama ni Selena nang malamang dito siya dadalhin. Alam niyang hindi biro ang presyo ng mga pagkain dito, lalo na’t kilala siya sa pagiging praktikal o kuripot, ayon kay Ophelia.

“May cafe dito?” Ngumiti ang staff. “Mayroon po. You just have to go to the other side of the corridor. May makikita po kayong malaking puno and behind it is our cafe.” “Thank you for your help,” ngiting wika ni Klaire. Naisip niya na maaari ngang naroon ang kambal. Madali pa namang magutom o mauhaw ang mga batang ‘yon!

Sikat din talaga kasi ang cafe ni Aya, their coffee, smoothie and fruit shakes has unique taste at hindi nakakasawa. She even put my own recipe of macaroons and Ate Milady's recipe of cheese cakes. Binalingan ko ulit ng tingin si Emrys. "I don't know yet. If I'll stay at my home for sure ma bobored lang ako, Kung pupunta naman ako sa ibang lugar ma bobored lang din ako kasi wala naman akong kasama." Kinuha ko ang pen tsaka notebook ko at nag guhit nalang ng kung ano ano.

Hindi ako nag atubiling sagutin ito. *Him Calling [" Where are you?"] "Gold Cafe near the University. Kasama ko si Alistair." Natahimik ito sa kabilang linya ng ilang saglit. ["I see. Baka lang nakalimutan mong magkikita tayo ngayon. If you still have time, come and visit me here."]

**KAPE AMPARO** It was small. Squeezed between a laundry shop and a cellphone repair stall with a half-dead sign. The café had dark green paint on the door, slightly chipped, and a window fogged from the inside. Warm yellow light spilled out onto the wet sidewalk. It didn’t look fancy. But it looked alive. I stood outside for maybe thirty seconds too long, holding Caelan’s paper like an excuse. Then the door opened. Caelan stepped out carrying a trash bag.

Their kindness was already priceless for me, it was expensive. Umupo kami sa dulong bahagi ng shop. It was a table for two. The café was built in modernized concept that has a cozy vibe and aesthetic designs. I prefer places like this. Minimalist, yet trendy. We waited for our orders to be served until the staff placed them on the table. I took a straw to put in her drink before doing the same in mine. "Celeste," She called again. Napatingin ako sakaniya. It felt weird and awkward. "I'm sorry."

Sa isang cozy milk tea café sa tapat lang ng campus, nagkumpulan ang apat sa isang sulok na booth—maliit pero sapat na para maging ligtas sa mga mata ng ibang estudyanteng tila patuloy pa rin ang bulungan sa labas. May halo-halong ilaw ang loob—soft yellow at warm orange, may fairy lights pa sa kisame. Tahimik ang background music, lo-fi beats na parang ginagawang mas mabagal ang mundo, na para bang sinasadyang bigyan sila ng oras para huminga. “Gusto ko ng wintermelon, large, with pearls and pudding, and less ice!” mabilis na order ni Cheska, habang excited na pumipindot sa tablet na ginagamit ng café para sa self-order.