《Coffee With You》 Weight of Absence Coffee with You Prologue: Weight of Absence Chapter 1: There are times in our lives where we really need to sacrifice our own happiness to make others smile, but would you let your world to only revolved solely around them? and let it stole away your chance to finding love and be finally genuinely happy for the rest of your life?. Date back to July, 28, 2023 Terms meanings: (Kuya = Older brother Bunso = Younger sibling) Ring Ring phone buzzed. While Sam was busy putting make-up to her face, She notices name pops up on her phone beside her. "Kuyaa you finally called", She exclaimed with great enthusiasm . " Yeah, bunso it was really tight day today, anyway you owe me an apology" "What for? ", She asked with her one eyebrow raised up. "For not telling me it was your graduation day today how could you!". Sam chuckled, "Stop with pout there, it was meant to be surprise, sorry ". Her brother sighed, okayy¡ª apology accepted, how was your preparation for the event then? ". Event, yes¡ª mom and I decided to keep my graduation day a surprise until we arrived at the events place but didn''t expect he''d found out maybe because of my excitement I accidentally typed in to my instaglam notes "Graduation day??" dumb self. I was so dumb grrr. "It was fine, I let mom pick out my attire for the graduation", Sam''s voice dropped. "I see¡ª, hey what''s with the sudden low tone voice there bunso? ". "Nothing", Sam hesitated. Though she said " Nothing" the tightness in her voice told me everything and ached my heart knowing I can''t be there beside her. " Hey kuya, when will you be back here in the Philippines from London? ", Sam asked low tone voice. Silence for a moment "I am not sure yet when, but soon¡ª ,Yes boss I''ll be there in a second". " I am really sorry bunso but I''ll have to end the call for now bunso, job is growling at me, take care you and mama and have fun on your graduation bunso. Goddamn my boss is calling me I forgot to hand him the scripts for the film. "Thank you kuya, you too take care", Sam said while trying to stop the years from falling from her eyes. " You and mom too, Congratulations bunso", Her brother whispered hurriedly before the call faded out, it felt like warmth hug sent to her from thousands of miles away. The call ended but the longing to his absence speaks aloud, Flashback: *I was in elementary and there was a contest in our school, I practice singing weeks before the event, my mom who''s sick in hospital and my brother was my first audience of my song they cheered and compliments always gave me compliments even though I know myself that my voice wasn''t that great. *The day of event finally arrived I sang my piece with full power, I don''t know if I did sang well I can''t hear my own voice during my performance, my piece finally end I closed my eyes and all I hear was crowd cheering in applaud and clapping hands vibrating my heartbeat in joy, but as open my eyes and tears about to fall from my eyes I knew they can''t come to cheer me and pains my heart, I was later announced to be first place I can''t hide it anymore no one my sadness that no one will came but in my shock as I my eyes scattered the crowd I heard a loud clap and cheer there in the corner near the gate of the school my brother standing proud, how d-did he ge here wasn''t he had classes to attend to? Did he just? As I was asking that myself the judge notices that I was crying and I think she taught it was because I won but in reality there is something deep behind it, after I wiped my tears I hurried into brother and showed to him my certificate and medal for getting the first place,he held me up and said "i was so proud of you bunso your hardworks payed off", as he held me down slowly I remembered I was shocked how he still get to attend my school contest ,i reached the floor and asked him directly, he simply replied with the brightest smile "it was just a class and an attendance, also didn''t I promised I will not missed you singing?".Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. *It was the greatest day of my life he really did kept his promise despite having classes to attend to. I missed you both kuya you shouldered the responsibility of being a father for us me and mom after dad died when I was still young even though it means sacrificing your own happiness just for us, I love you brother I am also proud of you I wish you were her with us I missed you we missed you kuya. ** It was a very long time since Kuya was still here with us. After momentary flash of memory and nostalgia Sam looked into the mirror in front of her and didn''t realize she was already crying in here seat, she didn''t want it to ruin her make-up and for her mom notice her crying , she immediately wiped it up in an instant leaving no trace left behind. After a moment of staring at the mirror reminiscing the happy memories, She glances at her mom who''s still busy searching at the wardrobe, Sam approached her mom and told her mom that her older brother called and hugged her tightly which her mom returned with the same tight warm hug. Mom patted Sam''s head like she was a little kid and ask, "I heard a while ago you and your brother were talking about graduation, I thought it was meant to be a surprise?". Sam looked at her mom, " Well uhmm, it was but uhhh¡ª he saw my instaglam notes", She said and smiled with her teeth exposed. Sam''s mom smiled and patted again her head, "How was your conversation after that then? ". "Nothing really, But he congratulated me at the end", Sam answered with a smile. " Oh, mom exclaimed. Did you said your thank you?". "Of course I did". " Great, Anyway Bunso here are the dress that I bet for you", Sam''s mom said and pulled out the two dresses and showed it to Sam. Term meaning: Toga = Graduation gown "Which one do you like? This pink dress on my left, or this red one on my right? ". " My toga is dark blue hmmm,pink is girly and cute, but red had a regal style to it and also it contrasts my toga¡ª, I bet the red one ma". "Okay red one it is, Sam''s mom left impressed and hand over the red dress to Sam and told her to wear it together with toga for her mom to see, and then hide the pink one inside the closet and close it. Sam hurried to her room with excitement and immediately put on her red dress and her blue toga. After polishing her make up. Sam room door slowly open revealing Sam in her elegant red dress together with her dark blue toga. Sam turned 360 and ask her mom, " So¡ª, How I look mom? ". "My goshhhh bunso, You- you are stunning, you are beautiful". Sam''s mom exclaimed in amusement, and approached her daughter. " You are just as beautiful as I am", Sam''s mom complimented and pinched Sam''s cheeks in amusement. "Of course mom, Who else I will inherit this beauty",Sam replied with confidence. Fast forward to Graduation Ceremony. 6:00 pm Sam and her mother arrived at the said location basketball court of her school. The place inside is filled enthusiastic atmosphere with regal red, yellow and white decorations and beautiful and wonderful fragrance coming from white and dark blue flowers up front of the stage, behind the chairs of the guest and teachers a large screen at the wall with a visual that congratulations us students in our Graduation Ceremony, the court was crowded with variety of smiling 4th year students in their glaring dark blue toga sitting on their own respective chairs and powerful enthusiasm from the host that echoed the whole basketball court and excites the all of the Graduating College students. "This was it the day I am finally waiting all my college life, and end of a chapter and a bloom of a new beginning", Sam said to herself as she enters the court together with her mom in red dress too. An opening for the future I always dream, hopefully I can find a career that fits course about media and journalism. All students was excited, some are also chattering about their future all was happy and joyful. Except for Sam even though she was glaring in red dress and dark blue toga sitting in the reserved vacant sit in front by her friends, Sam felt a pain as she looked at the empty seat but she hide it with a force smile. But just a glance at her eyes was enough for her mother to notice that Sam was bearing a pain behind her smile. "I am sure your dad and brother abroad is proud of you sweetie, come here at my lap". " I wish they were her with us". "They might be somewhere far but one I am sure sweetie is all of us is happy for you and rooting for your success. " "So who''s Davie??? " "H-he is just a frien¡ª, wait... Mom! " Sam replied with a grumpy face as she realized the conversation shifted to her boy best friend. "Remember, No boyfriend boyfriend till you get a stable job". " Yes mom". After long great speeches from the guest, host, and teachers the giving of diploma finally arrived and every single one of students cheered for the moment, "Taylor Santos Samantha, Bachelor of Arts in Communication". Sam eyes shifted from melancholic to sparkling with excitement and joy, all her classmates cheered for her including her boy best friend that was the loudest from them all. " Woooohh Slay it up gurlll, my beshie Sam!!", Screamed by all of Sam''s Girl Best friends as they stand up amused. "You looked stunning Sammie", Cheered by David Sam''s boy best friend as he also stand up joining all the girls scream and amused. After a moment the crowded settled quiet temporarily and the diploma was bestowed. Sam nervously received the diploma and the camera arrived below the stage in the center. Sam and her mother stood for a while for a picture. " Stay Still for moment. 1...2...3...chiz!". Camera flashes. Sam dashing shiny red dress inside her toga and beautiful sparkling smile glow bright as the flash of the camera hits her. After graduation ceremony ended , Sam,her girl best friends and her mom celebrated the milestone with dinner at a restaurant, Sam video called her kuya to join theme but he didn''t answer as seen in his instaglam notes he was already sleeping tired, but despite that celebration still continues and the day finally over with joy and laughter as new chapter of life Sprouted from a miserable and stressful school days. Chapter 2: Job appointment through the heat Chapter 2: Job appointment through the heat Events after the graduation a month later~~ The summer month had arrived in the Philippines, the month of May. In the road of Manila, 1 pm¡­ Where the sun burning up to its peak, Sam didn¡¯t expect it was gonna heat this much, so she drove a bike to her appointment. Terms meaning: Nak = Child Nay = Mother Bunso = Younger Sibling Sam¡¯s mother opened the gate of their house for Sam¡°You do sure about this nak?¡±. ¡°Yes ma, don¡¯t worry about me.¡±,Sam replied enthusiast-ly, and ride her bike. ¡°I know nak, but won¡¯t ride a jeep or tricycle be much safer under this summer? The heat might burn up?¡±. ¡°Riding a bike will be much quicker nay~¡±, Sam grip the handle of her bike, preparing to get going despite the heat and risk. ¡°Just be careful on the road, little brother. You sure you don¡¯t want to get a cab instead?¡±. ¡°I will be quick nay, I will simply attend my job interview and go home.¡± ¡°Okay¡ª, don¡¯t return home complaining about your outfit getting wet by sweat. I already provided an alternative, and you rejected it. ¡°Take care on the road~¡±. ¡°Yes nay~¡±. Sam followed her own will and drove the road with her bike, despite her in a fancy outfit of beige shirt and a skirt. She consider it a quick trip¡­ ¡°Too hot¡ª damnn it¡­¡±, panting, Sam holds her shirt neck, fanning some air in to at least slightly reduce the heat. Frustrated, Sam clenched both hands to her hips. A load of vehicles covered the road in Metro Manila. While she¡¯s stuck in the traffic''s side, she heard a news radio from the car beside her, stating that the summer might last up to May, followed by the current heat degree 91¡ã Fahrenheit ( 33¡ã Celsius). Sam open her mouth a little and felt her throat. ¡°My throat is about to be dry¡±, Sam clenched her teeth out of too much heat and sweating, and fanned herself using her hand. Sam gets too much frustrated because of the heatwave and can¡¯t hold it any longer, she screamed¡°Grrhhh Hot weather and traffic!¡±, her both hands drop and curled like a claw out of anger looking like she¡¯s about to choke someone. ¡°I have an appointment to attend and this traffic is making me late!!!¡±, Sam cried. Everyone noticed her and stole a glance, they were surprised by her sudden burst of anger in the middle of a traffic jam. The driver beside her knocked the windshield of his car, telling Sam to cool down. Sam is very mad the driver is disturb, He opened his windshield, ¡° Shh calm it down we are all on this hot weather, you¡¯re adding to my headache¡±. Sam eyed the driver and respond,¡±How I will gonna get chill, when I am going to be late for my job appointment¡±. Sam cried. The driver turned his head to the road after listening to Sam¡¯s reasons, ¡°Hey get a hold of yourself¡± he responded twice. The driver get worried, he ducked down looking for his handkerchief, he picked it up and offered it to Sam to wipe her tears and sweat. Sam refuses the handkerchief, ¡°Thank you for your generosity, but uhh I can get through this.¡± Sam responded and smiled to the driver, she then noticed a gap beside the car Infront. ¡°Hmmp, Okayy~¡± ,The driver replied with a smile then looked to the road. Sam also looked straight to the road, while looking she noticed something that grabs her attention, an open gap a space big enough for her to get through, Sam locked in her view to the gap, ¡°Take the chance or let it slip¡±. The driver¡¯s eye beside her widen out of shocked ,¡± wait wait wait¡ª did I heard it right, what you just had said,Miss?¡±. ¡°Huh?¡± Sam¡¯s confused and tried to looked to the gap, but¡ª the driver pulled her attention again by asking her a question,¡°What you just had said a while ago, it¡¯s Eminem right? ¡±. Sam tried to not be distracted of her goal but the driver keeps asking her, she ended up answering,¡°Okay Okayy~ ahh uhmm, Yeah it was, I just heard it from my kuya¡¯s playlist before¡±. She answered, awkwardly looked back again to the gap. ¡°I knew it, they are cool right?¡±. You can see the driver¡¯s enthusiasm to the Eminem as he responded with his both hands opened extended out his windshield. Sam felt awkward about the sudden situation¡­she sighed and nodded. ¡°Yeah¡­¡±, Sam answered awkwardly. The driver doesn¡¯t seem to care about the awkward reply of Sam, and continued blabbering his idolization of Eminem and his songs. Because of the driver¡¯s blabbering, Sam¡¯s focus detached to her main objective, she looked at the gap again and¡­a car drove into the gap. Sam nodded to the driver with a fake smile but deeply mad at him, ¡° I am going to kill you¡­¡±, Sam said to herself. ¡°And that is why I really love Eminem¡±,The driver said which ended his heart fully sharing of his idolization of Eminem. Sam¡­ She just smiled and death stared the driver guy which scared the hell out of him and closes his windshield. Sam on the same moment, her head is getting a little dizzy not because of the strange dude but instead due to the heat. ¡°Gosh that guy, now I am super late at my appointment for the job.¡± ¡°Such a bad day was it¡±. ¡°Goshh, I¡¯m drowned of my own sweat, and I smell awful ¡±, Sam cried. Sam sweat much to the point her throat almost dry and her baige shirt color gets darker due to it being wet by her sweat.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Sam take a peeking of her bike and noticed that one of her tire, the back tire already melted the air gusting out, she standed up beside her bike and her face evokes dismayed and sad almost gonna cry, got no other choice to do, she just accepted the situation and slowly dragged her bike out of the road and parked it by the sidewalk. Even tho she sitted under a waiting shed, the burning sun still hits her face, she tried to block it using her pouch but the heat still went through. ¡°Ugh~, my skin fells sticky¡±, sniffed her outfit, her shirt smelled awfully disgusting that she almost vomit. ¡°Just how unfortunate I will get this day, firstly I am super duper late to my supposed to be interview, and secondly my tire melted ughhh grrr¡±. Sam complained to herself, then her head hurts and her visions getting blurry. She fainted, her body laid down on the ground of the sidewalk, due too much exhaustion and too much waste of water (sweat). A ton of bystander gathered around her¡ª Davie was listening to a music and bumped to one of the bystanders. ¡°Huy watch where you going!¡±, a bystander shouted to the guy that just arrived. He plucked out his earphone and immediately apologizes. ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡±, he asked to the guy he just bumped into. ¡°A girl just fainted some witnesses guessed, it may be because of the heat and exhaustion.¡±. ¡°Really?¡±, he responded. ¡°Where is the girl? Is she alright?¡±, Davie followed up. ¡°I am not sure tho, I wanted to know too but this crowd upfront it blocked me.¡±,the bystander replied. ¡°Can you move to the side so I can see?, I just have this feeling dunno why¡­¡±, Davie begged to the bystander. ¡°S-sure¡±, the bystander understood and step back aside. Davie stood still for a moment and breathe deeply, ¡°Hope my feeling, isn¡¯t true¡­¡±, he opened his eyes, he asked all the bystander to stand aside but some refused so he did what he must do he insistedly pushed to get through them, and he get through, almost about to fall, he¡¯s eyes were closed, he opened them one by one and he saw Sam laying on the ground helplessly. ¡°S-Sam?¡± ¡°Sam?!!¡±, his eyes widen. He immediately checked her pulse using his two fingers to see if it¡¯s beating,¡±Good thank you lord, it¡¯s beating¡±. Davie held up Sam¡¯s head near his chest.¡±You scared me, I had thought I would lose you~.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what I will do¡ª if I really lose you, Sammie¡±, Davie murmured to himself. Davie, turned his back against Sam but he still held her head using his left hand, he was gonna look for a towel to wipe the sweat off Sam. He found the towel and was about to wipe Sam¡¯s face when she suddenly open her mouth and asked for a water to drink. A both of Surprised and anxious mixed into Davie, he was surprised happy that Sam finally get conscious, but anxious because he didn¡¯t have a water bottle to his disposal. ¡°W-water¡­¡±, Sam begged thrice in a low tone voice in a row, her throat is too dry for her to asked in her usual voice. ¡°W-water? Uhh, Shitt I don¡¯t have one uhhh¡ª¡±. Davie looked to his back, and the guy he bumped earlier saw him and pulled a water bottle from his backpack and give it to Davie. ¡°Thank youu dude, thank youu~¡±. Davie heart fully thanks. Davie shaking, opened the water bottle and held up Sam hunched front. He gently poured the water into Sam¡¯s opened mouth, Due to too much exhaustion Sam finished the entire water in the bottle water. Davie turned his back against Sam and give back the water bottle to the bystander, the guy he bumped earlier. Sam finally recovered and slowly opened her eyes and was shocked to see Davie by her side. ¡°D-Davie!!?¡±. Davie asked the crowd to step back away to give Sam space for air to get in as they are heavily crowded by tons of bystanders. ¡°Yes Sammie, it¡¯s me Davie¡±, Davie replied. ¡°D-Davie, what happen?¡±¡ª The crowd noticed that the incident was finally fine, Sam finally recovered. All of them step out. The bystander Davie bumped into raised an eyebrow and smiled to Davie, telling he¡¯s gonna leave. ¡°Thank you dude~¡±. Davie thanked the guy before he finally fade out of Davie¡¯s sight. ¡°Hmm?¡±, Sam looked at Davie¡¯s eyes confused. ¡°Nothing just a gold hearted guy¡±, Davie Smiled. ¡°What just happened, why are you suddenly here?¡±. Sam asked. ¡°I should be the one to ask you that.¡±. Davie responded. Sam¡¯s sighed,¡±Yeah¡­¡± , ¡°Well¡­uhmm what happened was¡­uhh¡­ I received a call this morning¡ª¡± ¡°A call? From who?¡±,Davie disturb and asked. ¡°from an insider in a media studio¡±,Sam replied. Davie¡¯s eyes widen, ¡°You got a call? Great, but then how did this happen?.¡± ¡°Let me finished my story first beforehand Kay?¡±. ¡°Before that¡­can you stand?¡±, Davie asked to Sam while he tried to slowly stand up his legs a bit numb due to long sitting position. After he finally get to stand up he offered his hand to Sam. ¡°Why, where are we going?¡±. ¡°It¡¯s getting a little bit embarrassing that we talking here in the middle of the sidewalk hahah¡±. ¡°Oh¡±, Sam¡¯s eyes widen after she realized they are really at the middle of the sidewalk.¡±Get me up, Get me up before we get scolded by some folks haha¡±.Sam hold Davie¡¯s hand tight, because she struggled much to stand up due to not fully recovered yet from too much exhaustion. ¡°So where to?¡±, Sam asked Davie after she fixed her hair and wiped her wet shirt using her handkerchief. Davie fixed his hair, ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯re very late to your appointment didn¡¯t you?¡±. He asked and looked toward Sam which is at his side also looking at him. He blushed. ¡°Are you blushing?¡±, Sam noticed. ¡°Huh??¡±. ¡°Don¡¯t deny it, your face even your nose is red as tomato haha¡±.Sam teased. ¡°You pretty I can¡¯t stop it¡±.Davie said to himself. ¡°You saying something?¡±. ¡°Nothing~¡±. To avoid getting teased and bullied further Davie back the topic, Davie looked at Sam despite blushing ¡°So¡­uhh, ermm, What time do you still have left till your appointment?¡±. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can still¡ª wait let me check.¡±Sam opened her cellphone and scroll down to find her notes. On the very top she finds : ¡°Job Appointment(Interview for media): 2:30pm - 3:30pm¡± ¡°Okayy, what time is it now?¡±. Davie asked Sam he also leaned his head to also looked to the time at Sam¡¯s phone. ¡°2:00pm¡ª ¡°, they both said and bumped each other¡¯s head as they raise up. ¡°We still have time!¡ª¡±. Davie exclaimed and looked to Sam¡¯s with great motivation. ¡°But my tires melted¡­¡±, Sam displayed a sad and grumpy emotion while she looked at her bike, ¡° and I looked disgusting and felt sluggy ugh~ I can¡¯t go like this no way¡­¡±. Davie stood for a second to think of what he¡¯s gonna do for the situation¡­ ¡­ An idea strucked into his head, a ridiculous one¡­ Davie leaned his back down and his knees, low enough for him to balance and enough for Sam to hop on.¡°Hop on to my back~¡±. ¡°What?? Hahaha¡±.Sam shocked at Davie¡¯s idea and laugh at where she¡¯s standing, which is beside Davie. Davie looked at Sam and shouted¡°Hurry, I don¡¯t have my motorcycle with me, so hop on hurry¡±. Sam while laughing and can¡¯t believe what his friend resorted to, since she doesn¡¯t actually have enough time she just go on with his friend¡¯s ridiculous idea to get on the office. ¡°Hold tight to my belly~¡±. ¡°Okay~ hahaha this is soo ridiculous Dae hahah¡±. Davie prepared for the run like what a racer did to a race, and ran as fast as he could~ As they both fleed like a kid playing a piggy back on the street, they caught attention of those they passed by, some cheered, some shocked and can¡¯t believe what they just saw, some also laughed at them. Since Davie didn¡¯t know where exactly is the office, Sam became his road guide. They hit stopped at a mall(Mall of Asia) to bought a decent outfit for Sam¡­ The guard of the mall was worried at them, seeing Davie panting and Sam getting off from Davie¡¯s back. The guard can¡¯t believe what he had just saw with his two eyes. After Sam get off from Davie¡¯s back, ¡°Your heavy¡±, pant¡­pant¡­ ¡°You almost crack my back¡­¡± ¡°Hey wait up!.¡±, Davie¡¯s panting with his back hunched down walking like an old grandpa. ¡°Hurry up, Dae~, We need to be quick or I will be late.¡±Sam hurried to the inside of the mall and immediately proceeded to the nearest dress section to buy new clothes. Davie finally caught up to Sam at the dress section. ¡°How much time I still have left?¡±, Sam asked Davie which is standing behind her. Davie opened his phone and checked the time, ¡°15 minutes (2:15pm)¡±. ¡°Can¡¯t believe I actually ran pretty fast despite you on my back heavy as a pig¡±, Davie teased Sam. ¡°Who you calling a pig?¡±, Sam responded to Davie with a dilated eye that stares straight to Davie¡¯s soul. Davie felt nervous and replied with stuttering voice¡°P-piig?, I n-never said such a thing?...¡±. he looked away and gulp his throat. Sam spend the next 5 minutes choosing a decent dress, she headed in to the dressing room to try her newly picked dress. ¡°Hey Dae, can you hear me?¡±,Sam shouted inside the dressing room. Davie turned his head back, to the sound where Sam is in, ¡°Yes, Why Sammie?¡±. ¡°Could you please come into the dress section, I will come out and you judge my dress if it nice.¡± ¡°Sure, no problem¡±, Davie put his phone to his pant pockets and entered the dress section and waited to the front of the dressing room. Sam opened the dressing room, revealing her in an open two button dark blue tuxedo coat, with a white polo on the inside one button untucked on her neck, paired with baige pants and a black pointed shoes and a ponytailed hair. Davie frozed on the spot he was standing after he saw Sam on her job appointment outfit. ¡°Hello Dae are you still there?¡±, Sam curiously asked Davie. Davie snapped back, ¡°Oh¡ª yeah, yeah, right¡­¡±. ¡°Get serious, I will gonna be late.¡±, Sam said to Davie. ¡°Well¡­ what I am gonna say, I¡¯m left speechless, you looked¡ª pretty¡±, Davie compliment, he was truly left speechless and blushing. ¡°Really?¡±, Sam doubted, and turned 360¡ã rotation. ¡°Yeah~¡±, Davie replied with a smile. Sam gets satisfied with Davie¡¯s compliment, she headed to the dressing room to undress and payed for the outfit at the counter, afterwards Sam head again to the dressing room to change. Sam and Davie finally walked out the mall, but before the finally leave the area the guard called them both. ¡°Wait, Did you guys know you are cute couples?¡±. Sam and Davie looked at each other shocked and laugh, ¡°No, no, we are just friends¡±,They both replied to the guard. ¡°You sure? You two looked like couples and also you both holding each other¡¯s hand¡±. Sam and Davie looked at where the guard pointed and they both realized they unconsciously held both of their hands. ¡°It¡¯s an accident, we are just friends¡±. ¡°Okay, denied it all you want¡±... Davie checked the time on his phone and noticed it¡¯s already 2:20pm. Luckily a tricycle arrived at their spot, and they ride it to the office. They arrived¡ª It was a very tall glass building, 32 floors hypothetically, and it¡¯s name can be seen above ¡°Mega Tv Station¡±. ¡°I am getting nervous Dae~~¡±, Sam held up tight both hands of Davie. ¡°Breathe in, Breath out¡±. ¡°Okay~~¡±, Sam followed Davie, she deeply exhaled and inhaled thrice. Davie patted Sam at her head and hugged her tightly and patted her back. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink too much, just looked at the interviewer¡±,Davie fixated Sam¡¯s face in the center looking at him and gestured to just looked at the interviewers eyes. ¡°and do your best at answering¡±, Davie followed up. ¡°Good luck Sammie~~¡±. ¡°Thank you Dae¡±, Sam heart fully thanks Davie before she stepped into the building. Davie waved back before Sam finally fades of his sight¡­ After an hour of waiting Sam finally finished her interview. ¡°Thank you ma''am for the opportunity~¡±. Sam shake the hands of the interview and bowed as a gesture of gratitude. ¡°Thank you too, Miss Samantha Taylor, We will hit you a call after we further inspect your provided CV¡±. ¡°Please do call me Ma¡¯am, I''d gladly accept any job position, thank you again Ma¡¯am¡±, Sam thanks before she step out of the office. Davie on the other hand bought a dunkin donut tray containing 4 donuts and 2 Dunkin coffee also In a tray but on his left hand. Sam step out of the building and shouted while jumping,¡°Daee!! ¡±. Davie held up the donut and coffee he was holding, ¡°Sammie~~¡±, and approaches Sam. ¡°How was the interview?¡±. Davie asked Sam after he offered Sam a donut. While munching the strawberry donut, ¡°Mmshh-ee shweemmm¡±, Sam gulped in the donut and asked for the coffee Davie was holding in his left hand. ¡°Hey, Digest it slow and nicely¡±, Davie worriedly said to Sam. Gulp,¡± So what I am saying was¡ª she said she''d hit me a call after they further check my CV resume¡±, Sam nervously said to Davie, her voice almost crack, then hugged Davie tightly, ¡°Daeee, I''m really nervous¡±. Davie eyes widen when Sam Hugged him, ¡°Hey, don''t cry~¡±. Sam cried intensified. After a few minutes of hugging, Davie and Sam finally arrived at Sam''s house door. Sam and Davie knocked on the door. Sam''s Mother opened the door, she noticed Sam was with Davie so she invited him to joined them for dinner. Davie refuses but his tummy growled. ¡°Hey, you are my friend, don''t be shy~¡±. Sam teased Davie and hold him by his shoulder and forcefully dragged him inside. Next morning~~~ Sam waked up 10:00am by her alarm clock, then she received an unknown number call¡­ To be continued on Chapter 3 Chapter 3: Dinner Chapter 3: The dinner Terms meaning: Nak = "Child" Nay = "Mother" Bunso = " Younger Sibling/Child" Earlier at dinner... Sam knocked at the door... As they entered the house Sam kissed her mother on her forehead as a way of respect to elders, she then slipped through her mother and went to her room, she heard a noise at her back her mom is assisting Davie into the kitchen table. In the last second before she stepped into her room she got a glimpse of her mom, her mom''s eyes dilated at her with her eyebrows up, and lips protruding outward. Sam also saw that her mom''s expression changed as soon as she looked at Davie, her mom''s expression shifted from a mad to a sweet smile. (The house exterior is modern-like(one story) cemented, and painted in white and blue. As you step in you will be greeted with a living room upfront. Two rooms on the left side, one for Sam and her mother and the other close to the bathroom is for her older brother, and on the right side is television.) Sam just shrugged her mom''s expression off and stepped inside her room to change clothes, she stole a laugh when she stepped in. She thinks it was funny that her mother is a little protective of her towards boys she let in their house. Sam leaves the room dressed in a pink oversized shirt and dark green sport shorts, and in her ponytail hair. Sam saw Davie helping her mother in placing plates on the table...She thought they didn''t need her help to place the plates given that they''re Davie and her mother on the last two plates to be putted on the table, she just move toward the couch in their living room and turned on the TV to kdrama channel and watch the Goblin. She stepped up off the couch to have a little stretch¡ª afterwards the rich, lingering scent of "Kare-Kare" drifted to the air, making her mouth water, rumbling her tummy... She followed the scent to the table... Sam noticed Davie, he said something to her , "Oh, there you are Sammie, where''d you been?". While Davie is asking Sam unconsciously his mouth left half opened or ajar and paused for a second after he saw her in her Indoorware, He shook his head and focused on placing plates instead. Sam remained unfazed by Davie''s stunned expression and decided to asked about the menu on the table."What is the food served?". She pointed her finger at the closed food, closed by another plate on top. She noticed that Davie took a paused before answering her and nearly dropped the plate he''s carrying on his right hand, "Food? Ah yes...". "it''s K-Kare-Kare...", he stuttered. "Hmm Okay~", Sam replied and turned her back to continue the kdrama she''s watching. "He seems off that moment". "His hands are shaking, are my shorts too short for him to turn on? Damnn Dae", Sam said to herself. After watching her favorite drama the goblin on tv, Sam stood up and proceeded to the table to eat. She sneaked up behind Davie''s back to check if he was still tense, and she jumped to surprise him. Ahhh!!!!!, he exclaimed, so loud that it almost shook the birds up their roof. He stood up, soaked, "What the heck was that for Sammie!!". Sam bursted into laughter... He was so shit scared he poured the water on his shirt and almost tipped over. Due to the excessive splash of water on his shirt the fabric clung to his chest wet...it molded to his body...revealing defined contours such as muscles in his abdomen... The temptation was irritable...locked in Sam''s focused to Davie''s defined muscles...from the food on the table. Her hands shaking however she managed to stopped it, though her face blushed as red roses, she sat on the table Infront of Davie, she self putted rice and food to her own plate and pretended or get along with the hot rice and sauce to avoid humiliation... She blew and fanned herself to make it seem that the blushed on her face was from the heat of the rice and food. Despite all that, She still can''t focus on eating the Kare-Kare on her plate... She blindly poked at the chicken and dipped it into the red tomato sauce using the fork she''s holding in her left hand... her eyes kept staring at Davie''s handsome face, and reached a point where she spoke to her mind. "His eyelashes are too good, thick, like I can put a piece of rice above it...his nose is pointy and flawless face...Goshh I am So lucky, Davie grew up this good looking~". Unknowingly she got caught by Davie stealing a glance at him...he smiled at her. Sam''s eyes widened and blushed; her face as red as the tomato of this moment. "His fucking damnn hot!". Sam continued on eating hoping the blushed will fade on its own. "Are you saying something?", Davie asked.Stolen novel; please report. "Gosh, I might have said it aloud, he heard me"... However... Sam can''t resist looking again at Davie. he''s already done eating...what about mom tho?, she quickly pivoted her eyes to her mom as she was really curious about her emotion. But her intrusive thoughts win in the moment. "She''s eyeing Me!!",she exclaimed in her mind... Her one eyebrow is raised up. It seems so to me she is mad, Mom looked like she''s going to devour me whole with her eyes. She would probably. Sam had a picture in her mind of what might happen if she stayed on the table for too long, might be an Interrogation. But for what?. Although she''s got nothing to spill on the table, she''s troubled by the uncertainty of her thoughts, it kept spiraling inside her mind... "Gosh¡ª I can''t keep this up!!",Sam said to herself, her heart racing, still clenched her shorts at this moment, anxious. So to avoid such interrogation by her mother and for spilling something she wouldn''t want to. At the same time, Davie asked Sam for a glass of water. "Thank you!, I am saved!! ", Sam told herself, she stood up and went to the kitchen to get Davie''s water~. Like as Sam imagined it to be, an Interrogation happened. Davie is going to have a hell of a lot of questions spit at him by Sam''s mother. While walking toward their kitchen, something reminiscing strucked her, and old memory of how terrifying the interrogation of her mom toward visitors she just met. Just like what happened to her Kuya Harry''s first friend a girl he introduced to them. It was hell, her mom asked the girl about who her parents were and if the girl was some kind of Harry''s girlfriend without hesitation!!. Sam didn''t really mind her mom''s terror interrogation, she''s matured enough to realise that it was also for them, her overreacting and protectiveness, "Gosh I missed Kuya...", sighed... The dish washing area is quite far from the table, a room away to be exact. That is why Sam can only look at them and can''t hear a word they are saying... Although she may be just overthinking it all, and she knew beforehand that Davie only thinks of her as a FRIEND nothing more. He, Davie, Didn''t drop any hint of any kind other than him being a kind guy and caring. Sam just shrugged off her thoughts and proceeded to fill the glass she''s holding with water~ from the jug water dispenser. Like her Kuya, Harry''s friend, Davie hasn''t stepped in the house so her mother has not met him yet personally. Which could potentially add up to raised the suspicion of her Mother, Did she regretted in inviting Davie inside the house?, Partially yes, but she can''t have the guilt of leaving her friend Dae or Davie outside with a growling stomach more specially since carried her all the way from Cubao(the traffic) to the Mall. But anyways while she''s at the edge of filling the glass with water, her grip tightens when she sees Davie tapping his pants, his tense, and based on the movement of her mom''s mouth the questions seem to be some sort of about her! About her!!, Sam overthinked. Her grip tightens more and almost cracks the glass she''s holding, the tension deepens when Dae looked straight into her eyes, he''s looked like a terrorist getting interrogated by a cop lol, his cheeks changed from white to slightly red poor him :( After a while... To lessen her feeling of nervousness she drank a water from the same glass she''s supposed to hand over to Davie, she cleaned it afterwards or that is what would have happened if she didn''t let her crazy screws turn in her head...it will be an indirect kiss she thought... She refilled Davie''s glass and walked toward the table, she heard her mom giggled, she paused walking and hid behind a wall to listened to what they were saying. Before you can reach the table you''ll be greeted by a wall where they hang their family frames and other home decorations such as paintings and school medals. She heard Davie''s voice, nervous like he was before, "It''s just somewhat hard to just give in to my feelings, we''ve been friends for a long time since childhood..." "What is he talking about? Feelings?", Sam asked to herself, her heart beating faster than usual, she moved a little closer to get a clear context. After a short pause, Her Mother answered to Davie,"I see I understand, courage is all it takes dear, life is full of risk and uncertainty, you have a handsome look. I''m sure she''ll understand that your feelings change down the road." ... At the end of the conversation, Sam saw and heard that Davie excused himself to go to the bathroom to pee. Sam peaked out behind the wall... Sam looked at her mother, she''s alone at the table. She approached her...and pretended that she hadn''t heard a single word of their conversation, while holding the glass of water, Davie''s water. "Nay, Where is Davie?", Sam asked and put down the glass of water at the table. "He head to the bathroom, Why?" , Sam''s mother replied. Sam looked at the bathroom and she saw the light was on, it was true, Davie is really inside the bathroom... Her mom patted the chair beside her asking Sam to sit beside her. She sat beside her. The air between Sam and her mother gets a little awkward... Sam''s mother talked, "He seems like a good guy, what do you think bunso?". The sudden question startled Sam on the spot, even though she was a little bit prepared for it, she blushed, "Well he is handsome Nay~~". She still kept overthinking what the question might actually be about but based on Davie''s response to the questions she heard, her guts kept telling her that her intrusive thoughts were right. After some time... Sam heard a sound from the bathroom, it was Davie opening the door, he stepped out, his face was wet, and so his shirt which was obviously from what happened before, it was all wet, almost see-through-like, "damnn I can see his abs underneath~". Sam pivoted her head toward her mother, her mother smiling at her, like she''s teasing her...which Sam responded with a smile as well. Sam''s heartbeat synchronized to Davie''s steps, walking toward them... As soon as he got an inch close to them Though embarrassed, Sam asked Davie to sit on the other side of the table, which was the seat In front of her and her Mom. They finally get to talk all together, facing each other. The air between them becomes tight and awkward as seconds fly by... ... Sam''s mother cut through the awkward silence, "Ehermm...!, Are you two just going to look at each other or do the other way around?? Talk to each other?". "Or maybe..." Sam''s mother looked at them both and thought for a moment..."Oh right I feel sticky, I think I will go shower...happy talking, you both. ", she then smiled and left them both at the table. Both Sam and Davie looked away, shy to each other, avoiding eye contact. And her mother left to go to the bathroom¡ª but her eyes fixated on both of them. At last¡ª Sam gulped, fidgeting her hair trying to think of something to say " Uhh¡ª Dae?" He raised up his eyebrows in response... "Y-You seem tense earlier, I wonder what kind of question Nanay has asked you?". Davie looked at her for a moment, and focused on the empty glass of water Infront of him,"Nothing special in particular...", he muttered. Sam leaned herself toward Davie, "Huh?", she asked, confused. "What do you mean nothing special?", she followed. "Let''s just move on to another topic...", Davie replied. "Why?", she asked and leaned closer to Davie. He got started and took a deep breathed before further answered, "Just move on to another¡ª" She didn''t realized that she leaned too close to Davie, her chair tipped over, she can feel Davie''s breath as he answered... The table they''re both at wasn''t that long so¡ª her eyes locked into him... and his into hers... ... Sam''s heart was beating faster as the seconds passed by, she didn''t know why but something deep in her insisted to ask Davie what was the question actually about...she felt something was off when he replied, "Nothing special in particular". As soon as she started to blushed like crazy Sam snapped to avoid further embarrassment, and pulled herself out of the situation. She arranged her chair, Davie wanted to help her but she insisted that she can do it herself... Both of them get back to their own chairs... "You seem too tense for it to be just a simple question doesn''t it?", Sam asked, leaning her upper body forward, and crossed her arms. Davie picked up the glass of water on Sam''s side of the table and drank it all and said, "I am not sure if you''ll understand..." "Hey that''s mine!", she exclaimed. "How can you said so, of course I would, just tell me what it is?", Sam insisted and leaned more toward Davie. "I am sure it''s not something that will make me disgusted or mad in some way won''t it?", Sam followed. "It doesn''t", It''s something much deeper Sam... What if you''ll get mad and what if it will be the cause that could ruin our friendship "I love y¡ª". "I-I love the food". I am scared to say it... Davie told himself and sighed... He pushed himself back and stood up and looked directly at Sam''s eyes. " I will have my leave and to... Mrs. Taylor... thank you for the food, and thank you too Sammie and goodluck to the interview" Sam stood up and tried to drag Davie inside, but he insisted on leaving and said he''ll be having something to do tomorrow so he actually needs to leave... Thank you... The feelings can''t be controlled or be fooled. ... He kissed Sam on her forehead and ran away, which left Sam speechless and blushing like crazy. "Did he just..." ... She hold her forehead and said,"He kissed me..." Damnn you Davie Magdangan... Before closing the door of their house, Sam heard thud behind her, someone was approaching from behind¡ª it was her mom... she leaned toward Sam''s shoulder, hugged it not so tight, she said something to Sam. "So how''s the conversation going?" Sam leaned to her head and replied, "Sometimes he''s really hard to read..." Mrs Taylor looked at Sam and replied, "Well...Boys are really like that sometimes, just like your dad..." she shrugged it off with a sour face and turn her back; Holding Her daughter back gesturing to get inside and close the door because the night getting dark as it was already 9:00 pm. Given Davie''s vague actions to her, Sam went to her room with the weight of thoughts running in circles in her head... Lots and lots of what if including the outcome of her job interview yeste rday... ... Authors Note: Hi! I am Patzgeraldt, Fyodor I would be happy to see down the comments what do you think is gonna happen in the next chapter, also it would helped me motivated down the road. Thank you for reading my works CWY Readers!.