ONE WONDERFUL NIGHT

I stretch my hand to the bedside table and look for my phone. It has been ringing since earlier but I am way too sleepy to give a damn about it.

However, it seems like the caller has no plan to stop calling me. And I can no longer bear its noise, that is why I don't have a choice but to just answer it.

As soon as I reached my phone, I automatically swipe it to answer the call, without looking who the caller is.

"Hello?" My voice right now is a piece of evidence that I just woke up.

"Hello?! Flynn, Hijo?!" A familiar voice of a woman from the other line squealed.

"Yes, Mom? Good morning..." I answered her lousily.

With my other free hand, I reached for my temple and massage it. I grunted when I felt it throbbing. Sh-t, hangover!

"Hijo, I have been calling you for God knows how many times already! Bakit ngayon mo lang sinagot ang tawag ko?" My mom whined hysterically when she heard me answer her call.

I just sighed audibly and bring my hand to the back of my neck. I slightly crack the bones under my nape, thinking that it might ease even a bit of the headache that I am feeling. But I was wrong, kasi ang sakit pa rin nito! Urgggh! "And, why is your voice like that? Are you sick?" Her tone abruptly shifted into a concerned tone right now.

I sighed and cleared my throat first before talking again.

"I just woke up, Mom. I'm sorry if I didn't answer your call right away. And... I am not sick." I am just emotionally in pain, though.

But of course, ako lang ang may alam no'n. I sighed again and shut my eyes tightly. I slump my face back to the mattress, sideways, while I am still holding my phone using my right hand.

"Why, Mom? Do you need anything?" I ask her instead, trying to divert my thought.

"You just woke up?" I heard her exaggerating gasp on the other line.

"Are you for real, hijo? Do you know what time is it already?" She unbelievably asks.

With my heavy eyelids, I tried to look at the digital clock on the bedside table. It's already 2 PM but I am not even surprised that I woke up late.

It was 3 AM earlier when I dozed myself to sleep. Thanks to the alcohol that I drank, though. Dahil kung hindi dahil dito ay baka magdamag akong gising sa kakaisip sa nasaksihan ko kagabi.

As I have said, I will respect her decision, whatever may it be. And I guess I did. I already accepted the fact that she doesn't want to be in a relationship with me. And that she can't really like me back.

But, that doesn't mean I can't be hurt anymore. Because honestly, I am still really affected. And I won't deny it. It fuckin' hurt... so much! It pains me so much, to the point na kakailanganin ko pa talagang uminom para lang hindi ako mabaliw sa magdamag na pag-iisip sa nakita ko kagabi.

Seeing her in the arms of another man is like a slap on my face. It is like she has proven that everything that happened between us is just nothing to her.

Parang kailan lang ay ako ang kasama niya. But now it is different. She is with another guy. She is with the guy that she said was just her friend. Pero may magkaibigan ba na gano'n kung umakto?

I doubt it, though. Because I am also a man. And I know, even just looking at him, I can say that he likes Farrah. Not just as a friend, but more than that.

But what can I do, really? There's actually none. Maybe I am just not really enough for her. Whatever may be the score between them now, labas na ako do'n. Dahil wala akong karapatang makisawsaw sa kung ano ang meron sa kanila. I scoffed and shook my head in dismay when I felt a sting in my heart.

"Flynn Noah! Are you still there?"

I snap out from a reverie when I heard my mom again on the other line.

"I'm sorry. Yes, I am here, Mom." I apologized and I heard her heave a sigh. "Were you saying something?"

"What happened to you? Are you sure that you are fine? It's already 2 PM, Noah! Where are you?" She asked again.

"Yes, Mom. I'm fine. I'm here at my condo. Why? Do you need anything?" I asked her directly.

It is very unusual for her to call me kasi. Especially now that I just went home the other day. Because actually, she will just call me whenever she wants me to go home to our house, or if there is an event that she wants me to attend, or if she has something important to tell me or ask me.

"What?! You're still at your condo? At this hour, hijo?!" I can honestly picture out her exaggerating reaction right now.

My forehead creases because of that. Why does it seems like she's making it a big deal that I am still at my condo at this hour?

Tumihaya ako at mariing napapikit nang tumama sa mga mata ko ang silaw ng haring araw. I covered my eyes with my free arm, while my other hand is still holding my phone.

"I'm not going to work today, Mom. I'll have my rest day." I explained. "And wait, why does it seems like it is a big deal to you that I am still at my condo right now? Do you need anything in perhaps, Mom?" I ask her again. "Oh! Is that so?" Shock is evident in her tone now." Gosh! I'm so sorry, hijo. I just didn't know that you will be having your rest day on weekdays pala." I can feel her wince on the other line.

"It's fine, Mom. No probs." I assured her.

I heard her dramatic sigh.

"Anyway, hijo, the reason why I called you is that, I would just like to tell you that your Tita Feliz called me earlier. She said that she wants to visit you in your restaurant today. But, is it fine, though? E 'di ba you said that you'll be having your rest day now?"

I honestly don't have any plans in going to the restaurant today. Not after seeing her with that same man, again. I was hoping to give this entire day just to myself. To have some rest from everything, and to everyone.

But I know I just can't refuse Tita Feliz this time. Not right after that little incident from her last visit sa restaurant ko. I know kailangan kong bumawi sa kanya ngayon.

I let out another sigh in defeat. I guess I don't have any other choices, right?

"Yes, Mom. Sure, no problem." I answered her. "Maybe I'll just go to the restaurant now, then. What time are you planning to go there, anyway?"

"Your Tita wants to have an early dinner. So, maybe around 6 PM, hijo. And, pwede naman siguro na h'wag ka na lang pumunta ng restaurant mo ngayon. Maybe you can just call your employees there and inform them beforehand? Just take your rest day today, hijo. You need that. Magkita na lang tayo later there, okay?" Mom suggested.

Napaisip naman ako. Yeah, maybe Mom's right. Pwede ko namang e inform sila as early as now, para makapaghanda sila. And I know I can trust them, as always. They are not perfect but I know they are doing their best, every day, for which I am so grateful.

"Okay, Mom. Thank you." I mumble and nod my head, like a good boy obeying his Mom's order.

I am waiting for her to end the call so that I can call Lina now, and inform her to reserve a table for us later. And maybe after that, I can at least go back to sleep again. Mamaya pa namang 6 PM ang dinner. So, maybe I can still lay here in bed, for a few more hours.

I was about to tell Mom to hang up now when she speak up again.

"And by the way, hijo! One last thing... Freya also called me earlier and asked me about your whereabouts. I'll tell her that you are in your condo, okay? Papupuntahin ko siya d'yan, so that someone will attend to your needs, while you are resting."

One of my eyebrows abruptly raised. Why is Freya suddenly asking about my whereabouts now? I sighed and just shrugged it off.

"Okay, Mom. Just tell her to call me when she arrived here. Or maybe she can just press the doorbell." I said.

I am way too sleepy right now and my throbbing head is not helping. It maybe sounds rude, but I badly want to end this conversation already and just go back to sleep.

"Oh, no need for that, hijo. I will just tell her your door's security code. You didn't change it, do you?"

My mom knows my condo's security code since pumupunta na siya dito dati pa man. And, I didn't change my code so that's what I told her. After I told her that, she then ended our call.

After ending the conversation with my mom, I immediately dialed Lina's number. She is the manager in charge for today that is why she is the one I called. I ask her to reserve a table for us and inform her that we will be having an early dinner there later. It was just a brief call with Lina before I slump myself back to sleep.

Farrah Nicolah's POV:

"Ma'am Lina, tumatawag po si chef."

Napabaling ako sa likuran ko nang marinig ko ang sinabi ni Via. Si chef? Si Flynn ba ang tinutukoy niya?

"Ha? Ah, sige. Salamat, Vey." Sagot ni Ma'am Lina nang inabot ni Via ang cellphone sa kanya.

Pumunta si Ma'am Lina sa may bar's counter at swinipe ang cellphone niya, para sagutin na ang tawag.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

Out of curiosity, pasimple akong pumunta sa gilid ng mesa para marinig ko ang tawagan nila. Patuloy ako sa pag didish-out habang ang mga tenga ko ang nakikinig sa kay Ma'am Lina at sa kausap niya. "Hello, good afternoon, chef." Narinig ko ang pagbati ni Ma'am.

Hindi ko man marinig ang sagot ng nasa kabilang linya, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang makinig sa kanila. Mabuti na lang talaga at umalis na 'yong mga guest na naka-upo sa table 'to.

"Yes, chef. Okay naman po kami dito. Yes, po. Wala naman po'ng problema po."

Napangiwi ako sa naririnig ko kay Ma'am Lina. Diba ayaw ni Flynn ng palagi siyang ginagamitan ng "po"? E bakit halos di ko na mabilang ang lumabas sa bibig ni Ma'am Lina ngayon?

"Sure po. Mga ilang pax po ba, chef? Sige, po. Noted, chef. What time po ba?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ni Ma'am Lina.

Habang pasimple akong nakikinig ay dahan-dahan ko namang senegregate 'yong mga crumbs na nasa plato. Tinipon ko iyon sa isang plato lang. Pagkatapos ay pinagpatong-patong ko na ang mga dinner plate at linagay ang mga pares ng kubyertos sa ibabaw nito.

"Copy, chef. So, 6 pax po and around 6 PM, right? Any pre-orders po?"

Inayos ko muna ang mga upuan. Alas dos na ng hapon kaya hindi na gaanong maraming guest ngayon na nandito sa restaurant. Sa assigned tables ko ay may isang grupo na lang na kumakain ng desserts habang nag-uusap-usap. "Okay po. Sige, chef. Noted po. Goodbye po."

Nang marinig kong nagpaalam na si Ma'am Lina ay tinapos ko na rin ang ginagawa ko. Pinunasan ko ng huling beses ang mesa at linagay ang mga plato sa tray. Pagkatapos ay kinarga ko na ito at dinala sa dishwashing area. "Nicz, pa reserve ako ng table na 'yan mamaya ha?" Sabi ni Ma'am Lina sa'kin ng bumalik na ako sa assigned area ko.

Itinuro ni Ma'am ang isang mesa na nasa may dulo at hindi masyado expose sa ibang tao. Usually ang mga VIP's ang mga linalagay namin do'n.

"Ah, sige po, Ma'am. Sure po." Magalang kong sagot kay Ma'am Lina.

"6 pax 'yon, Nicz. And probably VIP's. Si chef Flynn mismo ang nagpa-reserve, e." Sabi ni Ma'am Lina.

Wala sa sarili akong napalunok ng marinig ko ang pangalan niya. So, siya nga 'yong katawagan ni Ma'am Lina kanina? Asan kaya siya ngayon? Busy ba siya sa company ng tatay niya? Kaya siya wala dito ngayon? Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi ko.

E, ano naman ngayon sa'yo kung asan siya Nicolah?

"Sige, Ma'am. Noted po. What time po ba ang expected arrival nila?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"It's an early dinner daw. So, probably mga 6 PM 'yan kaya mag set-up ka nalang ng maaga, Nicz." Suggest ni Ma'am Lina.

Magalang naman akong sumagot kay Ma'am Lina at tumango. "Sige po, Ma'am. Copy po."

Lumipas ang ilang oras pero parang kay tagal nitong dumaan. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako tingin ng tingin sa isang magarang orasan, na nakadikit dito sa sentrong bahagi ng restaurant.

Hinhintay ko ba ang pagdating niya? Asan ba kasi siya? Ano bang ginagawa niya ngayon? Gano'n ba talaga siya ka busy do'n kaya wala pa siya rito?

It's almost 5 PM at tapos na akong mag break. Akala ko talaga sa pagbalik ko ay nandito na siya, pero hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin pala.

Usually kasi kapag pumupunta siya sa do'n sa Lewis Manpower Agency ay mga ganitong oras ay bumabalik naman siya dito sa restaurant niya. Gano'n ba siya ka busy do'n sa komapanya nila ngayon? Hindi ba siya pupunta ngayon dito? Bumuntong hininga ako at bahagyang umiling. Focus, Nicolah, focus!

Nagpatuloy ako pagseset-up dito sa table na pinareserve ni Ma'am Lina ng dumating siya.

"Nicz, mamaya pag dating ng mga guest ni Chef Flynn focus ka lang sa kanila ha?" Bilin ni Ma'am Lina sa'kin.

Napatango naman ako bilang sagot. Kasama ba siya sa mga guest niya papunta rito? O ano?

"Sige po, Ma'am." Magalang kong sagot sa kanya.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Tumawag ulit kanina si Chef. Sila Ma'am Crizelda pala at Sir Fabian ang mga guest na mag didine-in diyan mamaya." Saad ni Ma'am Lina.

Napabaling ulit ang buong atensyon ko sa kanya. "Ah, sino po 'yon sila Ma'am?"

"Mga magulang 'yon ni Chef Flynn. Kaya pagbutihan mo ang pag serve sa kanila mamaya ha? Don't worry andito naman ako. At saka 'yong ibang assigned tables na sa'yo ay ibigay mo nalang kay Via 'yon. Focus ka lang sa kanila, okay?" Tugon ni Ma'am Lina.

Napalunok ako at tumango. Parang biglang kumalabog ang puso ko, nang sinabi niya na ang mga magulang pala ni Flynn ang pagsisilbihan ko mamaya.

Tinapos ko na ang pagseset-up sa table na 'yon. Dinouble check ko talaga ang lahat, galing sa table napkins na dapat malinis at walang gusot, ang mga utensils at plato na walang dumi, yong table cloth ay dapat hindi tabingi, pati ang temperatura ng aircon na dapat ay sakto lang ang tama ng lamig do'n sa pwesto nila.

Pagkatapos kong magset-up ay nagpaalam muna ako kay Ma'am Lina na gagamit ako ng banyo. Kailangan kong mag freshen-up dahil VVIP ang pagseservan ko mamaya.

Nang mag 5:45 PM na ay pinapwesto na muna ako ni Ma'am Lina sa may glass door. Sabi niya ako na muna doon para daw ako na mismo ang sumalubong sa mga VIP guests. Hindi naman daw ako mahihirapan sa pag recognize kung sino sa mga ito dahil kasama naman daw nila si Sir Flynn.

Habang naghihintay ako sa pagdating nila ay may ibang mga guest naman na nagsisidatingan na. Lahat ng mga pumapasok ay pinagbuksan ko ng pinto, nginitian, at binati.

Si Ma'am Lina naman o di kaya ay 'yong iba kong kasamahan ang gumigiya sa mga ito papunta sa mga mesa nila.

Nasa labas lang ako ng restaurant habang hawak-hawak ang isang menu na nakalagay sa isang black cover book. Isang ngiti ang nakaplaster sa labi ko kahit nagsisimula na akong kabahan sa kaloob-looban ko.

Palubog na ang araw at dumidilim na dito sa labas. Kasabay nang pagdaan ng segundo, minuto, at oras ay ang mas lalong bumibilis na kabog ng puso ko.

Alam ko anytime from now ay dadating na sila. Kaya siguro ako kinakabahan ng ganito. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito ang reaction ko. Siguro ay dahil ito ang unang beses na makita ko ang mga magulang niya? Pero ano ang koneksyon no'n?!

As if naman ipakikilala ako ni Flynn sa mga magulang niya ng personal!

Nahihibang kana yata, Nicolah!

Baka nakakalimutan mong pagsisilbihan mo lang naman sila kaya umayos ka! Hindi ka pwedeng pumalpak ngayon kaya dapat mag focus ka!

Nagpakawala ako ng isang malalim na hininga at inayos muli ang sarili ko.

"Good evening, Ma'am and Sir. Table for 2 po ba?" Tanong ko sa kakarating lang na mga guest.

"Yes, please." Palakaibigang sagot no'ng lalaking guest.

"Sure po. Please follow me." Sabi ko sa kanilang dalawa at pinagbuksan sila ng pintuan.

Pagkapasok ng dalawang guest ay lumapit naman si Ma'am Lina.

"Good evening, Ma'am and Sir. This way, please." Si Ma'am Lina na ang gumiya sa dalawang guest papunta sa pang-dalawahang mesa.

Nang masiguro kong okay na sila ay bubuksan ko na sana muli ang glass door at lalabas na nang makita ko siya. Ang kamay kong nakahawak sa door handle ay naninigas. Hindi ako makagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko dahilan para kumunot ang noo niya at ng mga kasama niya.

Napakurap-kurap ako ng siya na mismo ang nagbukas ng glass door.

"Good evening, Ms. Nicolah."

Pormal niyang bati sa'kin ngunit hindi ako makapagsalita. Para akong biglang napipi at hindi ako makabati pabalik sa kanya.

Ang mga mata kong nakatingin sa mukha niya ay bumaba patungo sa mga mapuputi, makinis, at maliit na mga barasong nakayakap sa matipunong braso niya.

Nilunok ang ko ang bukol na humaharang sa lalamunan ko, na parang nagsanhi ng kahirapan ko sa panghinga.

"Good evening din po, Sir."

Binati ko siya pabalik. Pagkatapos ay tumingin ako sa babae'ng katabi niya, na parang tuko na mariing nakadikit sa kanya.

"Good evening, Ma'am."

To be continued...