Keep Me Closer

12th: Beyond Facades

I STOOD at a corner while holding an empty tray after just serving orders for the next two customers who just went right inside the grill 10 minutes ago.

An hour ago I was basically doing my job and logged in for my shift only to be troubled by what happened earlier when I arrived at the grill and that scene with Rhyl took place.

It even wouldn't let me be in peace after seeing the flat expression I saw on Eustace's face when I broke free from Rhyl's hold and stepped backward, wiping my lips. Rhyl was in complete shock as he stared at me-confused and fuming mad.

The next things happened so fast all I knew was that Eustace has immediately said goodbye, telling me he'd better go. Turning his back away from me without meeting my eyes even for one second before he leaves.

Tumalikod ako kay Rhyl at nagmadali akong pumasok sa grill at nagpakilala sa staffs. They immediately informed me about my schedule, welcoming me warmly and then giving me the uniform that the other staff was also now wearing.

At ngayon ay nandito na ako at nag-se-serve ng mga orders. Danica was with me earlier but she had to leave early because there was an emergency at her apartment. The management allowed her for reasons that she has to make up for the lost hours of her shift that she wasn't able to complete.

I still have to go through another 2 hours for my shift. Kailangan kong ayusin ang trabaho ko at hindi dapat nagpapadala sa kung ano'ng iniisip na nagpapagulo lang sa lahat sa puntong 'to.

Inayos ko ang sarili at tinitigan ang repleksyon mula sa salamin ng quarters ng mga staff ng grill at ngumiti. On the outside, no one could see how deeply conflicted I am. How troubled and mad I was after Rhyl kissed me without even my consent. I had to know what reasons he has to do actions that he wouldn't ever do when he was still in his sane mind.

Agad na sumagi sa isipan ko ang magulo niyang buhok, ang pagod sa buong mukha at ang malalim at halos mangitim na ang ilalim ng mga mata niya. Is he going through a rough patch?

Noong puntahan niya ako sa apartment complex nang hindi ko inaasahan, matingkad ang mukha niya kahit pa maya't-maya ay nakikita ko ang pinipigilan niyang mga emosyon.

But tonight... he looked way different like he had aged several years with only a few days that had passed.

I couldn't believe it.

Nagsimula na akong maglakad palabas ng quarters at inayos ang uniform. Ngumiti ulit ako at hindi na iyon inalis sa mga labi.

I closed my eyes then inhaled a breath before walking straight to the customers who had just arrived. "Table for two ma'am and sir?"

"Please," the woman politely said.

"Of course. This way, ma'am."

Hanggang sa natuon na nga ulit ang buong atensyon ko sa shift na iyon at hindi namalayan ang paglipas ng mga oras.

It was dawn when I finally board the train and headed to Livonia. I was silent and tired and couldn't even make a single sentence to describe how the night had been. Nang makarating sa apartment at bubuksan na sana ang pinto ng unit ko, sumulyap muna ako sa unit ni Eustace.

Nang hindi matiis na tumitig lang doon buong pagkakataon ay lumapit na ako doon at inilapit ang tenga sa mismong pintuan, umaasa na may maririnig na kalansin para malaman kung gising na ba siya sa mga oras na ganito o baka himbing pa rin sa pagtulog. Teka, paano kung hindi naman pala siya umuwi kagabi?

I immediately strengthened my back, nodded to my own thoughts, and was about to turn and walk near the front door of my unit once again when a faint sound of someone clearing his throat floated in the silent and solemn corridor.