FATE 1: LOVE, LIES AND FATE - COMPLETED 2018

Chapter 16

"AKALA ko naman nagsara na ang DESTINED MART," aniya habang iginagala ang tingin sa buong second floor ng DESTINED MART na ngayon niya lang nakita at naakyat. Storage room yata 'yon ng DM dati. Darwin transformed it to his café's second dining area. Allysa can't help but glared at Darwin. "Ilang buwan na tayong magkakilala pero 'di mo man lang sinabi sa akin na ikaw pala ang may-ari nito kahit na may hinala na ako."

Natawa lang ang loko. "Ano ka ba naman Bes, humble ako eh."

Pumwesto sila sa isa sa mga vacant table roon. It was near the glass panel wall not far from the second floor stair landing, from there, she can vividly see the people walking on the busy street of Serendepity Road. Come to think of it, nasa perfect location pala talaga ang café ni Darwin.

"Tsk, pero 'di nga, why changed of business?"

"Wala lang," he shrugged with a smile. "Gusto ko lang ng new environment at saka new life."

"Echosero nito," akusa niya sabay tawa. "But I like your new idea." Bawi niya naman agad. "Wala pang café sa lugar na 'to at malapit pa sa eskwelahan at simbahan. Even the name of the road is perfect for DM and Dolce Fate."

Well, she still had to admit that she liked the transformation of the place, from the plain convenient store to this creatively thought café. It was really a big step for Darwin despite the inevitable risk of putting up a business na on the trend sa panahon ngayon. From the meticulously picked furnitures, fixtures, color palettes, glass panels, display decors, lights and floor tiles... it was really creative, she must say.

Too modern yet very classic. There is a rustic design blade signage outside the café, attached to the frame of the door that says, 'Let's Meet Here'. The idea was cute and catchy. It was a destiny themed café, as per Darwin. So most of the wall decors and menu names are quotes and terms that are all related to destiny.

The renovation is almost finished. Sa hula niya, second or third week of December ang opening ng Dolce Fate Café, the new name of Darwin's business. Malapit na rin 'yon.

"I know right," he chuckled. "Pero maiba ako, mukhang masaya ka, ah?" he mischievously leaned closer on the table. "Iba ang aura mo ngayon." Pinakatitigan siya nito nang maagi with that lopsided grin on his face. Sapo ng isang kamay nito ang kaliwang bahagi ng mukha nito. "Nadiligan ka na, no?" Oh now, he's teasing her!

Napamaang siya. "Wow, ha?"

Hindi maalis ang ngiti nito. He leaned back on his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. "Alam mo Allysa, alam na alam ko 'yang saya mong 'yan eh. 'Yang mga ganyang aura nadidiligan 'yan lagi ng mga asawa nila."

"Alam mo minsan Darwin iniisip ko kung anong meron 'yang utak mo at hype na hype ka sa usaping kamunduhan."

Malakas na natawa ito. "Ito naman, 'di na mabiro. At saka Allysa, ano bang ikinakahiya mo eh may asawa ka naman."

"I don't entertain explicit content topics." She answered him with her usual resting bitch face. "So let's change the topic, shall we?"

"Oh well," Darwin just shrugged his shoulders, still, nandoon pa rin ang mapanuksong ngiti sa mukha nito. "Kumusta naman ang baby loves mo? May naalala na ba? Sana huwag na siyang makaalala, no?"

"Grabeh siya oh," still she can't help but sighed. "Lance's fine. May naalala na siya." Napangiti naman siya nang maalala ang gabing 'yon. "She remembered me playing the piano."

"Sure ka bang ikaw 'yon?"

"Alam ko, ako 'yon. Huwag kang panira ng moment, Darwin." Binato niya ito ng tissue. "Kasalanan mo 'tong lahat. Grabeh mo ako kung sulsulan."