Romans & histoires Higher Grounds Cafe

Maaliwalas nang maaga kinaumagahan, tinawagan ni Jordan si Pablo at hiniling sa kanya na magpadala ng isang tao na sundan si Rachel. Kinaumagahan, hindi nagtagal si Rachel sa iisang lugar. Sa hapon, pumunta siya sa kanyang cafe. Ang café ay matatagpuan sa Middle Road, at ito ay pinangalanang Café Grande, na pag-aari ni Rachel. Gayunpaman, si Rachel ay bihirang pumunta sa kanyang café at hindi masyadong interesado sa pagpapatakbo ng isang negosyo.

he replied bago agad na itinagong muli ang kaniyang cellphone. “Tayo nga pala ang nakaschedule sa closing ngayon,” ani nito na siyang tinanguan lamang ni Aiden. He’s about to reply when a customer entered the café, Artemis immediately went to stand on her station. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang siya na hinarap ang customer. “Welcome to Coffee Grounds, what can I do for you today?” -- A mellow song plays in the background while they slowly arrange the table and chairs. It’s 11:05 p.m.

Walang mangyayari kung uunahin niya ang hiya o galit o trauma mula sa nakaraan. Kailangan niyang maging grounded. Para sa kanila. Pagbaba nila sa ground floor, amoy agad ang kape. May pagka-mapait, may halong tamis ng cinnamon roll, at tunog ng mga basong nag-uuntugan. Ang café ay hindi puno, may ilang turista lang na kumakain. Nakita nila ang isang corner table. Mas tahimik, mas may privacy. “Stay here,” sabi ni Lizzy sa kambal. “I’ll get your food.”

She was in a slick black jumpsuit with black pumps. “Hi,” bati niya dito nang makalapit na siya. Jessica also spotted her right away and stood up from her seat. “Hi, sorry that I went here na walang pasabi.” Gabby gave a small smile. “It’s okay.” She pointed to a small coffee shop on the ground floor of her condo building. It was always less busy, a little more on the high-end side as the building itself is in an upscale neighborhood. They order coffee first. Gabby asked for a Flat white and a glass of water. They occupied a quiet corner of the coffee shop with a good view of the garden ng building.