Glasses 2

Chapter 3: Taxi

To serve people with a smile, returning that smile to me as they drink my coffee.

Or else I wouldn't be looking for coffee beans all day if I didn't like what I'm doing.

"Matagal na kaming walang stock ng coffee bean na yan. At sigurado akong wala ka ding makikita dito sa Manila niyan." (We don't have these kind of coffee beans anymore. And for sure you won't find one here in Manila.) the store owner said.

"Saan po kaya ako makakakita nito?" (Do you know where I can find this?) I asked.

"Dati sa Mindoro pa kami kumukuha ng supply." (Well before we get supplies from Mindoro.) he answered.

What? Mindoro? Is he trying to make me harvest them myself?

"Ganon po ba? Salamat po." (Really? Thanks a lot.) I replied.

I left the store feeling hopeless. I've been going back and forth and it's the 10th store that I tried but I can't find the coffee bean that I want.

Before wearing my helmet, I shook my head in frustration, thinking if I should continue to visit more store.

Do I really have to go to Mindoro?

I rode my motorcycle and had the engine starting.

I was lost in thoughts with my coffee bean problem, not aware of a taxi that's been constantly following me.

At first I wasn't aware but I'm certain that it's really following me. I looked at my side mirror several times only to confirm it's really following me.

Someone might have recognized me and is planning to run me over.

Is it one of those thugs I trash-talked during a game? Are they really going to kill me for that? I quit gaming a long time ago, what do they want.

Eager to lose them, I decided to change course. Somehow it excites me. It's like I'm in a game.

I turned to every corner, I went through narrow roads that surely a car can't pass.

I looked at my side mirror and the damned taxi is finally gone for sure.

I went back to my apartment feeling all tired and sweaty. I've been out since morning and I've been followed by a suspicious taxi. I think I will not open the shop today. I still have to think where to buy that coffee bean. As soon as I laid my back on the couch, I fell asleep.

"Eto po manong." (Here's the fare.) someone said as he reach for the driver's hand.

The white taxi left revealing Jordan's agitated and suspecting face.

One hour ago...

Jordan stands in front of a store. It seems like he's waiting for someone to come. And then his phone rang.

"Nandiyan ka na ba? Sorry traffic dito sa EDSA." (Are you already there? I'm sorry, it's traffic.) said the woman on the phone.

"Ok lang. Take your time. Di ba sabi ko babawi ako sa 'yo?" (It's ok. Take your time. I said I will make it up to you right?) answered Jordan followed by a smile.

"Sige. Saan ba tayo kakain mamaya? Gutom na ako eh." (Ok. Where are you taking me for lunch? I'm starving.) asked the woman.

And then his smile slowly disappears as his eyes focused on someone at a different direction. It's the vivid figure of Riley wearing a helmet and riding a motorcycle.

His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. Clearly, he was shocked.

"Oy Jordan. Nakikinig ka ba?" (Hey Jordan. Are you listening?) the woman asked.

"Ahhh. Sorry. I'll be back." said Jordan as he puts down the call. "Jor--" ***

He literally ran to approach a taxi and when he did, he quickly went it.

"Sundan niyo po yung motor na 'yon." (Please follow that motorcycle.) Jordan said.

But no matter how he tried, how fast they drive, they still lost him.

Even after going back to his apartment, he still have this troubled expression on his face thinking very hard.

He turned on his phone and went for Gino's contact. He pressed call. Gino quickly picked up.

"Gino?" confirms Jordan.

"Yup. Bakit Jordan? Napatawag tayo?" (Yup. What's up Jordan?) asked Gino on the other line.

He let out a sigh before answering. "Si Riley ba... umuwi na?" (Is Riley... home?) asked Jordan nervously.

Then the line went silent for a second.

"Ahhh. E-ewan ko. Ako ba mama niya?" (Uhmm. I-I don't know. I'm not his mom.) Gino tensely answered.

"Hindi! Ang ibig kong sabihin, nasa Pilipinas na ba siya?" (No! What I mean is, is he back in the Philippines?) Jordan explained.

"E-ewan ko nga. Bakit sakin mo ba tinatanong?" (I said, I-I don't know. Why are you asking me?) Gino responded defensively.

"Baka lang alam mo. Parang nakita ko kasi siya kanina." (I'm hoping you know something. I think I saw him earlier.) Jordan said.

"O talaga? Siya ba yon? Baka naman namalikmata ka lang?" (Really? Are you sure you didn't mistake him for someone else?) Gino replied.

"Hindi eh. Malakas ang kutob ko siya yun." (I don't think so. I have a feeling that's him.) Jordan confidently uttered. "Kaya sinundan ko siya pero hindi namin siya naabutan." (So I followed him but I lost him on the way.) he added.

"Sinundan mo siya?!" (You followed him?!) yelled Gino.

"Bakit mo 'ko sinisigawan?!) (Why are you shouting at me?!) Jordan irritably asked.

"Wala. Sorry sorry. Hehe." (Nothing. Sorry sorry. Hehe.) Gino nervously chuckled.

"Kung hindi siya yon, bakit kailangan niya kaming takasan di ba?" (If he's not really him who I saw, why does he need to get away like that?) Jordan interrogated.

"Uhmmm... Ahhh. Syempre! Ikaw ba namang sundan sa daan? Kahit ako matatakot ako eh." (Uhmmm... Ahhh. Of course! If I'll be followed like that, I would've done the same thing.) defensed Gino.

Jordan thought for a minute. "Siguro nga ganon." (I think you're right)

"Kitams?" (See?) Gino jested.

"Baka nga hindi siya 'yon." (Maybe that's not him.) disheartened Jordan answered.

"Alam mo, namimiss mo lang siya." (You know what, you just missed him!) said Gino. "Namimiss mo siya no?" (You missed him, am I right?) he teased.

Jordan paused a bit. "O siya, ibababa ko na 'to. Salamat. Bye." (Whatever. I'll be ending the call. Thank you. Bye.)

He rest his head on the backrest of the sofa and in low spirits, he sighed.

*flashes simultaneously the sleeping Riley*