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 n 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 mong 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, akong ang may m 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 upte.


    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 epted the fact that she doesn''t want to be in a rtionship 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 kakanganin ko pa tgang uminom parang hindi ako mabaliw sa magdamag na pag-iisip sa nakita ko kagabi.


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


    Parang kanng 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,bas na ako do''n. Dahil w akong karapatang makisawsaw sa kung ano ang meron sa kan. 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 sw 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 exined. "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 p." 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 ns 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 herst visit sa restaurant ko. I know kangan 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 nning 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 nang 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 nang tayoter there, okay?" Mom suggested.


    Napaisip naman ako. Yeah, maybe Mom''s right. Pwede ko namang e inform s as early as now, para makapaghanda s. 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 uster. And maybe after that, I can at least go back to sleep again. Mamaya pa namang 6 PM ang dinner. So, maybe I can stilly 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! Onest 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 thereter. It was just a brief call with Lina before I slump myself back to sleep.


    Farrah Nich''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. Smat, 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 theplete 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 n. 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 kabng linya, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang makinig sa kan. Mabuti nang tga at umalis na ''yong mga guest na naka-upo sa table ''to.


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


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


    "Sure po. Mga ng 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 to. Tinipon ko iyon sa isang tong. Pagkatapos ay pinagpatong-patong ko na ang mga dinner te 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. s dos na ng hapon kaya hindi na gaanong maraming guest ngayon na nandito sa restaurant. Sa assigned tables ko ay may isang grupo nang na kumakain ng desserts habang nag-uusap-usap. "Okay po. Sige, chef. Noted po. Goodbye po."


    Nang marinig kong nagpam na si Ma''am Lina ay tinapos ko na rin ang ginagawa ko. Pinunasan ko ng huling beses ang mesa at linagay ang mga to sa tray. Pagkatapos ay kinarga ko na ito at din 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 lingay namin do''n.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    "Ah, sige po, Ma''am. Sure po." Magng 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.


    W sa sarili akong napalunok ng marinig ko ang pangn niya. So, siya nga ''yong katawagan ni Ma''am Lina kanina? Asan kaya siya ngayon? Busy ba siya sapany ng tatay niya? Kaya siya w dito ngayon? Nakagat ko ang ibabangbi ko.


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


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


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


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


    Lumipas ang ng oras pero parang kay tagal nitong dumaan. Hindi ko m 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 tga siya ka busy do''n kaya w pa siya rito?


    It''s almost 5 PM at tapos na akong mag break. Ak ko tga sa pagbalik ko ay nandito na siya, pero hanggang ngayon ay w pa rin p.


    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 n ngayon? Hindi ba siya pupunta ngayon dito? Bumuntong hininga ako at bahagyang umiling. Focus, Nich, 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 kang sa kan ha?" Bilin ni Ma''am Lina sa''kin.


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


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


    If you''re loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for theplete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Tumawag ulit kanina si Chef. S Ma''am Crizelda p 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 s Ma''am?"


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


    Napalunok ako at tumango. Parang bing kumbog ang puso ko, nang sinabi niya na ang mga magng p ni Flynn ang pagsisilbihan ko mamaya.


    Tinapos ko na ang pagseset-up sa table na ''yon. Dinouble check ko tga anghat, galing sa table napkins na dapat malinis at wng gusot, ang mga utensils at to na wng dumi, yong table cloth ay dapat hindi tabingi, pati ang temperatura ng aircon na dapat ay saktong ang tama ngmig do''n sa pwesto n.


    Pagkatapos kong magset-up ay nagpam muna ako kay Ma''am Lina na gagamit ako ng banyo. Kangan 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 ss 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 n si Sir Flynn.


    Habang naghihintay ako sa pagdating n 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 n.


    Nasabasng ako ng restaurant habang hawak-hawak ang isang menu na nakgay sa isang ck cover book. Isang ngiti ang nakaster sabi ko kahit nagsisim na akong kabahan sa kaloob-looban ko.


    Palubog na ang araw at dumidilim na dito sabas. Kasabay nang pagdaan ng segundo, minuto, at oras ay ang maslong bumibilis na kabog ng puso ko.


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


    As if naman ipakikla ako ni Flynn sa mga magng niya ng personal!


    Nahihibang kana yata, Nich!


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


    Nagpakaw ako ng isang mlim na hininga at inayos muli ang sarili ko.


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


    "Yes, please." Pkaibigang sagot no''nglaking guest.


    "Sure po. Please follow me." Sabi ko sa kanng dwa at pinagbuksan s ng pintuan.


    Pagkapasok ng dwang 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 dwang guest papunta sa pang-dwahang mesa.


    Nang masiguro kong okay na s ay bubuksan ko na sana muli ang ss door atlabas na nang makita ko siya. Ang kamay kong nakahawak sa door handle ay naninigas. Hindi ako makagw sa kinatatayuan ko dahn para kumunot ang noo niya at ng mga kasama niya.


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


    "Good evening, Ms. Nich."


    Pormal niyang bati sa''kin ngunit hindi ako makapagsalita. Para akong bing 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 salamunan 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...