Chapter 12 – Being Left Behind

Mikhael…

"Mike, I'm sorry. I can't go. Got an emergency. See you at work tomorrow.", I read Paul's text.

It took him so long to reply. I finished my lunch already, strolled the mall and done with window shopping. He must have gone into a sea of callers to be that busy and couldn't reply immediately. While waiting, I took that chance of buying clothes and school supplies for the opening tomorrow. Aside from the regular uniforms, I'm sure that there will be days that we didn't have to wear them and could put on casual clothes.

After buying what I needed, I decided to leave but it started to rain. I'm sure the rain won't last long so I went back to the coffee shop where Paul and I should be meeting.

In the coffee shop, I took the couch beside the glass wall at the far end side. From there, I could see the drizzle starting to get heavier. I sat on the couch, put down my papers bags and looked outside.

"I like this spot.", I told myself. Then I looked at my phone again thinking what emergency Paul was referring to. He didn't even tell me in details. It was so unlike him.

I asked the waiter who just passed to look over my stuff while I order and he nodded then I come to the counter to order. As I was choosing a drink, the barista looked and smiled at me.

"Why are baristas so hot?", I whispered to myself. They're all in semi fitted black collared shirt with a matching bull cap. There shirts were neatly tucked in their cream colored pants that revealed their slim and sexy buttocks. They're men for pete sake, how come they have those buttocks so sexy.

"What can I get you?", Edwin asked, I read on his name plate.

I was feeling a bit off on my usual strawberry crème frappe because it's cold and raining outside so I decided to order hot drink this time.

"Give me a hot chocolate please.", I told him.

"One hot chocolate it is.", he acknowledged. "What is your name sir?", he asked right after. I was a bit surprised how fast Edwin was. He just smiled at me, took my order and now he's asking for my name. I won't be surprised if the next question would be about my number.

I was feeling flirty inside already when I noticed the pen his holding towards my cup. Only then I realized that he was asking to write it on my cup. Silly me.

"It's Mikhael.", I replied, in shame. Edwin gave me a smirk and nodded sideways like he read my reactions. This made me more shy.

"What are you smiling at?", I asked in fake irritation to redeem myself. "It's a good thing you're cute or else.", I whispered to myself.

"Thank you. I guess I'm lucky I'm cute.", he said with a wider smile.

This made me blush so bad. I didn't know how hot my face was so I immediately turned to my back and rushed to my couch, hiding my face. I saw him smile even more when I sat down.

I focused my attention on the rain outside that was starting to get heavier. I love the rain. When I was in college two years ago, this was the time I chose to study. I felt like my brain was working double time when it sees the rain. I loved the cold wind that goes with it and smell of the grounds and plants wet by rain water. These kind of moments were perfect with a cup of coffee or hot noodles in a bowl. The feeling was incomparable. If there were tables outside, I'd definitely sit there.

While siting, I noticed a guy on the other table with a bookstore paper bag like mine. Maybe like me, he shopped school supplies for the opening tomorrow. His back was on my direction and he was talking somebody on the phone. Maybe his date didn't show up also.

With the smell of brewing coffee and the rain outside, I was starting to miss Paul. We were always together when drinking coffee. He's full of stories and fun to be with. Some thinks he was ill-mannered but if they get to know him, they will like him so much. He was so fun to be with.

"MJ!, take out for MJ.", the barista called out. There were only a handful of customers in the coffee shop. Me, the two ladies chatting on the other table, the waiter and the guy on the phone.

"MJ!, take out for MJ.", the barista called out again and at that moment, most of us were looking at each other on who was MJ. It wasn't definitely the two ladies or the waiter. I am not MJ. So obviously, it wasn't me. The guy on the phone must be MJ.

"Last call for MJ!", the barista called even louder this time.

"Oh, I'm sorry that's mine.", the guy on the phone responded finally.

The guy raised his hand and faced the barista. Only then I recognized who that guy was. I was staring blankly at him again and couldn't speak at all. The guy stood up and took his to-go at the counter. I wanted to wave at him and said hi but I couldn't. My arms stiffened and no voice came out of my mouth. I was helplessly sitting there looking at him and not saying anything.

He took his to-go and about to leave the coffee shop. I hate myself again. I have been waiting for this moment to get to know him but every time I get the chance, I blew it up. I sat there motionless and was just staring at him while he is leaving.

"Mikhael?!, the barista called out my name. Only then I got back to my senses and looked at the counter where my cup was being raised.

"Hot Chocolate for Mikhael!", I raised my hand in acknowledgement. I stood up and come to take my cup by the counter. The barista handed me the cup and some napkins. I turned to go back to my table when someone called me at the back.

"Mikhael?", he said. "Mikhael?, the guy at Southwoods who tripped over the street?", he repeated. Of all the things he could remember, it's the tripping over. That was such a not good memory to be remembered.

"Ah, yeah it's me. Glad that you still remember.", I said casually, composing myself to not look stupid.

"MJ right?", I repeated his name. He smiled in ascent. Gosh! Those smile could melt anyone.

"Are you about to leave?", I asked in my attempt to start a conversation.

"I was about to but I saw you and heard your name so I approach you.", he replied. "What are you doing here? Are you with someone?

"I was about to leave but it rained. And I was meeting Paul here but I guess he got caught up at work so he's not coming."

"Is that so?", he replied briefly.

Does he really don't talk much? I'm a call center representative, I should be used to talking much but why was I turning mute when it comes to him, MJ. I could feel the air of awkwardness and he might leave soon if I don't say anything.

"You want to join me on my table?", I invited him. I didn't even ask if he had somewhere else to be or if he was with somebody. I just invited him to come and join me in my desperate attempt to be with him.

"Sure, I'd love that.", he accepted. To my surprise, he accepted joining me on my table. "Lead the way.", he gestured.

What a gentleman. I was trying to not show how glad I was that he's joining me for a coffee. That was surreal. I have been waiting for this moment since the Southwoods scene and now here it is. I pointed out where my couch was and he followed me.

We were only a few step away from the counter when somebody called out MJ from the back.

"MJ…is that you?", a guy called and we both looked at him at the same time. Maybe it was MJ friend. The guy was waving and smiling at him but MJ remained unresponsive.

"How are you dude? I haven't heard anything from you for a while, no text, no call. Are you ok?", the guy asked continuously. "It was just a hunch but I had a feeling that I'd be seeing you here."

"Ah, yes I'm ok. Why wouldn't I be?", MJ replied simply. He did not look accommodating with the guy. "By the way, this is Mikhael. My friend.", he introduced me.

"And Mikhael this is my friend, Danny.", he continued.

An air of awkwardness drift between the three of us. Like we are three electric poles waiting to electrocute one another.

"Hmm, am I interrupting something here.", Danny broke the silence. "Should I go now?"

"Actually we just bumped into each other, nothing is planned.", MJ replied defensively.

I got offended about what he said. I felt like he didn't want me to be there with him.

"Oh really, good. Actually, I was expecting to find you here.", Danny said. MJ's reaction changed upon hearing this. Then he started acting uneasy. I had a feeling that our supposed coffee sit-up had reached its end.

"Mikhael ahmm, I'm sorry. I had to go.", MJ said after exchanging looks from me to Danny. It was obvious that MJ was shy for the sudden interruption and reluctant to leave me. Danny on the other hand, grinned about it which irritates me. Who is he anyway?

The two left the coffee shop together. And as I watched them leave, I felt a sudden burden of sadness in my heart. It was odd because we weren't supposed to meet there or have plans but when MJ left with another guy, I felt like "he left me". And there was no reason for me to feel that way in the first place.

And who is Danny? Obviously, he's friend with MJ but his reaction didn't support that. Danny was very cheerful at him; he even gave him a manly hug when he saw him but MJ didn't respond. He became conscious and uneasy with him. He even hesitated to introduce me. I even felt like he didn't want him to be seen with me. Who is Danny?

With heavy breath, I took a sip on my hot chocolate feeling a little irritated for the what had happened. Danny stole my chance of being with MJ. But for any consolation, I got his name already, that's a progress. And he simply gestured me to keep in touch while they're walking away. I didn't know how he's going to do that because he didn't have my number.

I continued sipping my hot chocolate while watching the rain from the glass wall of the coffee shop. It was a long moderate rain that's washing everything on the ground. The grayish clouds above continued to accumulate and brought cold winds. The chocolate cup warms my hands as I sat on the couch alone. I was never used to drinking coffee alone, without Paul. And the supposed chance of having a company just earlier made me feel sad.