**Chaeng was reading her latest chapter. Thinking what else she should add for the last scene when Mina approached her.**
**Mina was again wearing her mustard apron with a small kettle on her tray.**
Mina: So serious, eh?
**Chaeng shifted her eyes to Mina, smiling. She could live here forever, writing and drinking coffee with this gorgeous lady beside her.**
Chaeng: A bit. I guess I’m missing something on the last part, so I’m thinking so hard about what else to add.
Mina: So… I think I should distance myself for a while now and let you do your thing.
Chaeng: Hey! It’s fine. You don’t have to do that. You’re always welcome to enter my space, whether I’m in my reality or not.
**Mina smiled and continued to close their distance together so she could pour Chaeng’s now empty cup with a fresh one. The author loves her coffee, so she doesn’t mind if she’ll take two or three cups in one sitting.**
Chaeng: Thank you!
**Then someone caught Chaeng’s attention from afar. It’s Bam who entered the café. And instead of searching for the table to sit in, he was scanning the entire floor searching for someone. She’s guessing he’s looking for Mina and nothing else.**
Chaeng: Hmm… you’re boyfriend’s here.
**She said as she lifts her now full cup to her lips. Mina creased her forehead, yet followed Chaeng’s eyes. Indeed, it was Bam standing close to the door looking straight to where she’s standing, smiling at her. Then what cringed her more is when he waved at her with his left.**
**She needs to do something like maybe it’s better if she’ll introduce Chaeng to him. At least with that, he’ll get the idea of what she’s talking about last night, that she’s going out with someone will solidify. Maybe he’s thinking that she’s only making a story that’s why he still keeps on coming back and bothering her.**
Mina: I’ll be back.
**Chaeng was puzzled by what Mina said. How could she be back sooner if her childhood friend is here? But then, she put her attention again to her laptop and continued to read the last few paragraphs that she had written. She knew that she needs to add something to it. So maybe it’s better to focus all her energy on her story, than care about the presence of Bam at the café.**
**Mina walked towards Bam, who’s still waiting for her at the door. He hasn’t moved yet to find a space for himself. He’s waiting for Mina to be near him.**
Mina: Uhm… you’re early.
Bam: I know, and... sorry if I didn't call.
**He answered with a broad smile.**
Mina: Well, would you mind if I introduce you to someone?
**So… this is what she’s thinking? Introducing him to Chaeng? Is this why she said she’ll be back to her? Bam’s expression changed, but Mina didn’t notice it ‘cause her back was already at him and she’s now walking back to Chaeng’s table.**
**But even though that question changed Bam’s mood. He willingly followed her, trying his best to wear his sweetest smile. He knows who she wanted him to meet. It’s the “someone” she talked about yesterday.**
**Chaeng was surprised to see Mina paced towards her. And not only that, she has Bam on her back. What’s going on? She wants to ask. But instead of muttering it, she just looked at them until they reached her table.**
Mina: Uhm… I know it’s all of a sudden.
**Mina whispered after she stood beside Chaeng.**
Mina: Hmm… this is Bam. I’ve already mentioned him to you, right?
**Chaeng slowly stood up, pressing her lips and trying to let out a smile. She was staring at him, though it feels a bit awkward to have eye contact with someone who likes the person you like.**
Mina: And Bam… this is Chaeng, she’s this someone I mentioned to you last night. And… I guess it’s fair that you know her since she’s staying here at the hotel. It’s just I feel like at least you two are aware of each other.
**That is if you keep on coming back here, Bam. She wants to add.**
**Bam is a bit hesitant in extending his hand to Chaeng. He still feels sad about the situation. And extending his hand will show that he’s already accepting his defeat. Well, at the back of his head, he’s not. But the question is, does he has another choice?**
Bam: Nice meeting you. I actually wondered what kind of person Mina’s… you know, dating.
**Then he held out his hand, which Chaeng grabbed as soon as he placed it in front of her.**
Chaeng: Nice to meet you, too.
**Mina’s relieved that the two finally met and that at least Bam was okay with it. Well, as far as she could remember, Bam is a true gentleman since their younger days. So introducing him to Chaeng won’t be a problem.**
*****
Ryujin: So, what do you think about Bam now that you two finally met?
**Chaeng wasn’t sure what to say to Ryujin. She’s more concerned about getting inside the bookstore than answering her question. Well, the weather is a bit weird today—it’s hotter than yesterday. And she could feel the heat of the sun toasting her hair and skin. It’s as if she’ll be on fire any minute.**
**Chaeng sighed, relieved that the bookstore saved them from the sun’s fury outside.**
Chaeng: It feels like we walked under a burning roof. That’s so fricking hot!
**She exclaimed, could no longer hide the irritation she’s feeling because of the heat.**
Chaeng: Anyway, about Bam. I don’t know. I don’t think I can assess him that quickly after just meeting him for several minutes… you know? Maybe… just maybe… he’s a nice guy.
**Then she shrugged and continued to walk towards the counter to find something cold to drink. Ryujin followed her without saying another thing.**
Chaeng: What do you like?
**Ryujin cleared her throat and pretended that she’s looking at something on the board on top of the counter. But in reality, her head was drowning in untamable thoughts. Her mind was filled with things that she couldn’t decipher. In short, she’s nervous as hell.**
**Chaeng tilted her head towards Ryujin and saw her lips trembling. Is she really this nervous? Then she heard someone spoke. It wasn’t coming from Ryujin, so it might be from the girl behind the cash register.**
Chaeng: Hi!
Lia: Uhm… it’s you again.
**Ryujin abruptly turned to Chaeng, surprised that the girl she mentioned to her already knew her.**
Chaeng: Ah… yeah. I… I actually forgot to buy the book I saw yesterday. I don’t know why it slipped from my mind.
**Lia smiled, and Chaeng understood it immediately. It’s as if telling her that it’s because of the girl she went out with yesterday. Well, she’s right. It’s because of Mina, so it’s kind of difficult to remember everything ‘cause the only thing in her mind is her.**
**Chaeng shook her head before she got back to her.**
Chaeng: Anyway, I’m with her sister. This is Ryujin.
**Chaeng said flatly. She’s trying her best to not sound as if she’s intentionally introducing Ryujin to her. But of course, it’s the cryptic message behind the “this is Ryujin” thing.**
**Lia’s smile broadened. But instead of answering Chaeng, she turned to Ryujin without losing her broad smile.**
Lia: Lia. I'm Lia. Well, it’s been a while since you visited.
**Which made it more nerve-racking for Ryujin to stand in front of her.**
Chaeng: Ooh! It seems like you know everyone coming here.
Lia: Hmm… not really. Only a few. Only those people who come here for the books and not for the coffee.
Chaeng: Oh… so this young lady beside me…
**She turned half of her body to Ryijun with a smirk on her face.**
Chaeng: comes here all the time?
Lia: Hmm… not recently. I think the last time was three weeks ago?
**Lia was sure about it, but she needs Ryujin’s to confirm it. Well, not to correct her, but just want to hear her speak, since she never said something to her or laid her eyes on her except when she needs to pay something at the counter.**
Ryujin: Ye—yeah. That was the time I was looking for something. But unfortunately, I couldn’t find it here.
Lia: Oh… have you… have you seen it already? I mean, from other bookstores?
Ryujin: Naaah… it’s ahm… it’s a new book, so I’m pretty sure it’s reasonable that you haven’t had a copy of it yet during that time.
Lia: Oh… right. Well, we have new books on the shelves and I hope it’s there. But if you still couldn’t find it on the new arrival, just let me know. I’ll include it in our inventory book so we could order it for you.
**Chaeng is elated that finally, the two are now having a conversation. And she doesn’t want to interrupt them. So she just stood there, pretended that she’s invisible, and have little care about her throat that already turned dry due to the hot temperature that greeted them outside.**
Ryujin: Thanks. I’ll… I’ll let you know later.
Lia: Great! So… can I have your order now?
**Chaeng gave her order to Lia, while Ryujin is still having difficulty which one to get. How can someone like her who’s expert in making coffees having trouble choosing which one to get?**
Chaeng: That was smooth.
**Chaeng whispered as they head towards the shelves. Her tone might be low, but Ryujin could feel how teasing her voice is. She didn’t answer ‘cause she thought it wasn’t the time yet for them to talk about that encounter. Maybe Lia will notice that they were talking about her, which is the last thing she wants to happen.**
Chaeng: Anyway, once I find the book I’m looking for, I’ll leave you here. So, you two, you know, could have another talk. And please… please don’t waste anything. Okay?
Ryujin: Hey! That’s not fair! You asked me to come with you, and then you’re going to leave me here?
**Chaeng shrugged and darted at the shelf where she first saw the book she was looking for.**
Ryujin: You tricked me!
*****
**Chaeng left the bookstore right after she paid for the book she mentioned to Ryujin. She has no intention of spending more time there since her mere reason for going back and asking Ryujin to go with her is for her to introduce her to the girl behind the register. In which, she succeeded. But to her surprised, she bumped into someone she wouldn’t like to bump into.**
Bam: Hi…
**He was smiling endlessly. Like the smile he used to wear when Mina introduced him to her. He was walking at the pavement where the bookstore is. So, where is he exactly going?**
Bam: You came there?
**He pointed at the door of the bookstore at her back, and she nodded immediately keeping a short smile on her face. He was the last person she wanted to see in her stay here, so why do they need to cross their path, anyway?**
Bam: Well, I know we have a bit short introduction earlier. I think it wasn’t enough for us to… you know, know each other.
**I’m not interested to know you, Bam. You used to be the past of my… soon-to-be… girlfriend. Besides, you keep on bothering her even if it’s already obvious that she’s not into you. So, what’s the point of us getting a long introduction? That short one is enough already.**
Chaeng: Hmm… yeah. I think so, too.
Bam: So… what do you think? Would you like to at least have something to eat? Snacks, maybe? You know, everyone seems to be busy. My childhood friends are, I’m kind of bored. And… I think you’re one of the guests in the hotel, so it means you won’t have much to do, except for roaming around?
**Not really. I’m a writer and I write stories wherever I go. And roaming around isn’t my thing. Okay? Chaeng wants to blurt out so he could go wherever he’s about to go while she could drive back to her hotel room and take a nap. That’s what her plan for today is, and not spend her precious moments with someone she doesn’t like.**
Chaeng: Uhm… I… I have other plans today, so maybe… maybe some other time?
**Bam pouted his lips, trying to look like he’s begging even though no words are coming out from his lips. Stop looking at me like that. Please!**
Bam: Please?
**It doesn’t take Cheng one full minute before she said yes.**
Chaeng: Fine… all right.
Bam: Great!
**And Chaeng could see from Bam’s eyes that he’s excited with this little… snack time between them. Even so, she still doesn’t feel spending her time with him ‘cause it’s like pretending that you like the food they had served to you, even though you know it tastes horrible.**
No comments:
Post a Comment