Seeing Through Aroma: Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Americano Coffee

As soon as I got out from the house, I've decided to drop by the Café and grab some coffee before heading to work. I need some buffer for a very long day to come. I always assume to have a busy working environment right after my rest day because that always happens.

Then right at the moment when I am already in front of the Café , I saw Isaiah.

He is at the counter and facing towards me. Although I don’t see his face but with my heightened senses I can tell that he smiles at me.

I just looked straight to him through the glass door.

Then the glass door opened and the bell rang which brought me back to my senses.

I went inside together with the lady who opened the door and I smiled at her, expressing my gratitude.

I ordered hot Americano coffee on-the-go , the largest size. I went on my favourite spot while waiting for my order to be ready.

Isaiah called my name and handed me the coffee. Then he said, “Have a nice day with this coffee,” He was holding my right hand while handing me the coffee I ordered.

To my surprise, I just nod at him, turned my back and went straight outside the Café.

It was brief yet a pleasant kind off suffocation. As if my vitals where all on their extreme limits except from my respiration. His scent that I looked forward to did not make an impression on me that day but rather the strongest smell of hot Americano Coffee that goes along with the memory of our hands join together for that short time overpowers the scent that I usually longed often.

I was walking but the feeling was like gliding in the air, and again it was an outside world experience. Then I heard something ringing.

I woke up from a daydream and it was my phone! The alarm set on 7AM was ringing and I am late for work!

The usual thing happened at work and as expected, the surgical cases for today is overflowing. Then again, even if I will bet my entire whole life salary, I will be having overtime instead of working for only 8 hours. What keeps me going with this busy hours at work is my passion towards it. Although sometimes I blame it why until today, I am the only one in the work place who’s single or unmarried.

After my shift I just remembered that the Americano Coffee I ordered was just halfway consumed so I went to the pantry to check if it is still there and yes! The cup is still on the table. Since one of my co nurses were also near the table, I asked a favor to hand over the cup so that I can throw it out.

“Oh… are you sure you’ll gonna throw out this cup? Ahhmmmmm… “ Joana showed me the backside where the name is supposed to be written.

“What’s that? Is there something written on it?”

“Come, read. I guess it’s not only the coffee that you brought out from that Café .”

I approached Joana. Some of my coworkers and resident doctors at that time got also curious with it as well.

“Come back at 9PM. I will wait here at the Café. –Aiah.”

They were teasing me! They were asking me who that person is.

I grabbed the cup from Joana and ran away from them but I can still hear them teasing me.

I shouted,”Bye!” and they were all laughing.

I got curious with what Isaiah wrote on the cup.

Why he wanted to see me?  Is it something serious? How will I handle it? What if he noticed that I felt something towards him? Or he got angry to towards my behavior of being obvious in liking him. What if… what if….

A scene inside the Café caught me by surprised. It was Isaiah. He is sitting with a girl while holding her hand. He was wiping off her cheeks and touched it. The girl then closed her eyes while touching Isaiah’s hand on her cheeks . Then he stood up and approached the girl. He brought her up from the chair and hugged her and caressed her back.

I was in a state of shock rather than being jealous or angry.

And again I asked myself, why? Why would he call me out to his Café and see all those scene?

I did not get inside. I dropped the cup and walked away rapidly.

I found myself in tears, tears of confusion - confused to why I am acting like this.

I realized, I like him so much that I put everything about him as a hypothesis-a 50% chance of looking forward for him to like me back as well and hoping that I would hear a positive statement out of my hypothesis.

I had an inner debate with myself. Am I acting rationally?

No. I was just too focused on myself not considering whether he likes me as well. I crossed beyond the line by only thinking of my affection. I did not consider the fact that what I’ve seen earlier could happen and it did.

I got too fond with the comfort that he provides me, the comfort of his own scent that captured me and brought me to a different kind of experience.

I got too familiar with the comfort I’ve felt without thinking that I do not know much about him.

It was an unrequited feeling.

Walking towards the Bus stop, I was drenched and soaked wet by the heavy rain that poured without noticing it. The sky empathized with my unsorted emotions by sending the dark clouds and pouring the water down to me maybe because it doesn’t want to see me crying out of things I cannot figure out myself.

I stayed for a while on the bus stop while waiting for the rain to stop.

Trying to compose myself rationally, I tried to justify my reaction towards what I have witnessed a while ago.

I went home feeling a bit relieved by looking forward for a happy drug – another sunrise, another day, another chances for new beginnings.

I dried myself up and went to bed.

The next morning came and I still have a bit of hungover from the sight last night but I need to pull myself up. I feel a bit sick maybe because I was soaking wet from last night’s heavy rainfall.

For the first time, I did not had coffee. The colds I have right now seems a blessing in disguise because I am not craving for any scents or smell.

At moments like this, unless the person talks to me first, those people I know are like a complete strangers to me, I hardly recognize them.

To those who are not aware of my condition, they most often tell me I am arrogant or snobbish.

Well, I learned to live with it.

As soon as arrived the Operating Room, I checked the OR Schedule Board.

I was assigned as the scrub nurse to a major case that I guess would last the entire shift.

I prepared the operating room for the procedure scheduled for 10 am.

Just as I was about to receive the patient to be prepped prior the induction of anesthesia, I received a call from the Emergency Room.

It is a stat OR case. A vehicular accident case with multiple cranial and panfacial fracture schedule for Emergency Craniectomy.

I informed the surgeon and anesthesiologist. The Supervisor transferred me to this case and assigned the 10 am case to other nurse.

I received the endorsements from the ER and prepped the patient at the OR.

The patient had a severe hemorrhage on the frontal lobe which would take long for the procedure to be finished because the reconstruction surgical team will then take over after the decompression of frontal hemorrhage. I was assigned on the Cardiac and Reconstructive procedures so I guess I will be staying the entire day in the OR.

I did not notice the time passed so quickly. The procedure was successful and the patient was endorsed directly to the Intensive Care Unit post surgery.

Then Joan called me,” Hey! There is a message for you here at the station”

“Okay thank you Joan. I will read it later.”

“Read it now, the coffee might get cold”

“What coffee? I did not order for some to go coffee?”

“Hhhmmmmm… Just come here at the station.”

I got curious so I went directly to the station and looked for the said coffee.

It was a vacuum thermos tumbler about the size of the tallest cup to go.

There was a sticky note on it saying, “9 PM at the coffee shop. I waited but you did not come last night. – I J “

It was Isaiah. I was reminded of my irrationality.

What is it that he make me go there after what I had seen last night?

It’s not typical either for an acquaintance to have such request unless it is urgent.

Yeah, I forgot! It might be something urgent that he needs my presence despite my absence last night.

But what will I reason out for not going?

A part of me says,” Go, to put an end to everything and to clear things up. As this would let myself hear and know where I should stand”

I am just a mere acquaintance in his Café. That’s it!

There is no holding back!

I arrived at his Café and I stood still in front of the glass door.

There were only empty chairs and table inside and him. It will only be him and I.

As soon as he opened the glass door, the bell rung and his calming scent welcomed me inside. I was captivated by it, like a magic spell taking its effect when casted on me and charmed by his love potion. He led me to my favorite spot while going with my pace.

“Have a sit first. I’ll prepare something to eat.”

I nodded and smiled back. I sat on the spot where I usually stay.

I was looking at the direction where he prepared the food and drinks.

Then he went back to me bringing the tray with the food on it.

Judging on its smell, the food is delicious. But as far as I could remember, it doesn’t smell familiar.

He put the tray on the table and he sat with me.

The food he prepared is not on the food shelves and by looking at I suspect it is off the menu.

Then he said”, This is off the menu. I had only prepared this food to two persons.”

Wait, did he read what my mind says? Or my looks were making obvious on what my mind says.

“Oh really? I am flattered. Thanks.”

He was looking on the table when he said, ”I was expecting for you to come last night. Something urgent must have come up along the way.”

Is he numb? Dumb? Isn’t he aware of what he did last night? I forgot, he did not know I saw everything last night.

And so I replied with a sarcastic tone,” Isn’t it weird for a guy like you calling out to see a guy like me? We’ve barely know each other?”

He looked towards me. I cannot see his facial expression but with my heightened senses, I can feel that he is smiling at me and he said

“Isn’t it too obvious?”

“Obvious what? Come on dude were both men!”

“Then if you are so concerned with that matter, Why did you come here tonight?”

And I was caught off guard. I do not want to stutter. I want myself to believe that what I have seen last night in this very place is the most rational thing.

“I was thinking you might need something urgent… like someone you know is sick and you might need some opinion about it?”

“If that’s the case I could have made a suggestion of having a check up with a specialist, am I right, Sebastian?”

He even knew my name! Is he a stalker? Or does he really liked me that much that he knows a lot about me!

I am trying to stand firm with my statement on both men having a date.

“I have to go”

“I understand Sebastian. You might be shocked with my confessions right now. But I hope you would consider me. I liked you so much that it pushed me to my limits of holding unto my feelings.”

I stood up from where I seated and stared at him for a while. I do not quite understand how it goes with what other people were saying about proving ones sincerity by looking through his eyes.

I cannot decipher his face and it is still too soon to judge whether it is just a scam, prank or if it is really a sincere confession.

“Isaiah, I’m glad you understand me right now. I am confused and shocked with what I’ve heard right now. At least give me some time on how to sort out my feeling so that I could respond to what you’ve said to me”

He held both my shoulders and tapped twice.

“I understand. Just don’t run away. I will prove to you that I am sincere.”

“They say that by looking through someone’s eyes proves his sincerity with his words and acts. But for me that is not the case.”

“I kinda knew about it. You don’t have to worry.”

“Well that’s quite impressive of you! You did your research about me, huh?”

“Hmmmm… not that much. Just enough to feed my curiosity about you.”

“I’ll go ahead. It’s quite late already.”

“Okay. If you have time tomorrow let’s have some breakfast here.”

“Sure, if nothing urgent will come up. I will try.”

“I’ll be expecting. Take care on your way home.”

“Thanks”

I went out the Café ahead of him.

I tried to rationalize and justify my thoughts about what I have seen and what he said a while ago.

He seemed serious, but what was that about the scene last night?

Is he just comforting a lady friend?

And whether I admit it to myself or not, I got jealous and hurt yesterday with the sight of it.

However, I feel a little good tonight than yesterday. Everything was unexpected although confusing.

I do not want to make any assumptions despite the fact – or I guess the act of telling me on “what-he-felt-towards-me” thing.

The Americano Coffee flashed back – the note on the cup. Its scent give me a 50-50 impression which is the impression of telling me that he likes me and the impression of seeing him with a girl. But these impressions fall under one general truth and that is confrontation. I was confronted with both situation that still needs to be verified if they are both right or just one of these is the right one.

I kept on asking myself if I should answer with his invitation to have a breakfast at the Café or not.

Either way, I cannot escape from this situation. He seems persuasive and I cannot even say no.

As if I am unknowingly captivated by the wholeness of how unique his own scent combined perfectly with Citrusy Lemon Grass scent.

I almost passed through my drop off point. I was drifting away every time I remember his scent.

I arrived home and called it a day.

I woke up early today and I trying to have a fresh morning.

My body was looking for something to warm it up, Hot Americano coffee!

So I’ve decided to have some breakfast at the Café before I go to work.

I grabbed my phone and it vibrated, so I checked on it.

I received a text message from ISAIAH!

It says “Hi there! You’re breakfast is ready. Just drop by the Café. See yah later.”

Woah, he is persuasive indeed. I just hope he will be consistent to prove his worth. I appreciate the acts more than any other factor. Who knows, I might give in.

So I prepared to start my day and I went to the Café after.

The sight of the girl still bothers me until today. I should ask him about it.

I arrived at the Café and there I saw him through the glass door. Everything seems in slow motion, from the time I opened the door, and every stride I take until the very moment he held my hand and I’ve heard him saying “Wait for me at your favorite spot, I will bring the breakfast”

I went to my spot and I noticed something. A small golden metal plate nailed at the corner of the table and something is written on it.

To my surprise, I almost went out of breath.

It was very sweet and thoughtful act. He reserved this spot just for me!

The plate says,

“Kindly look for another seat. This spot is reserved for Sebastian intended just for him in any instance he wants to be here”

He brought the food and I can feel he smiles at me.

I am surprisingly happy right now. I did not expect this to happen. So asked him while pointing on the golden plate “Isaiah, when and why?”

He answered with in a very calming and romantic tone “The day before I called you to drop by here, I decided to put that on this very spot. Ever since I opened this Café, I noticed you already. I do not know but every time I look at you there is a weird sense of calmness that I can cee on your face. It enlightens this entire place. I dedicated this whole place for my passion in delivering a sense of belongingness through food. And so by the time you walked in here, it sums up my purpose of having this Café.”

“Why reserved a place for me?”

“Because you deserve it. The girl who went here that night, she said that she’s so grateful that I have this Café because she has a place to run to or stop by every the world seems so cruel and unaccepting.

She was my best friend in our hometown. When I went into high school, my family had to move out and settle here. Although I was separated with here, we continued our communication so she knew every little detail of my life. When she had a work already, she decided to move here since her parents passed away when she was in college. She had so much in her hands at that time and just recently, her husband died due to a car accident. They were supposed to celebrate their anniversary here and so I decided to call you to introduce you to her.”

My heart broke and shattered when I’ve heard what Isaiah said.

I was being too hysterical at that time and I neglected the other factors like this when I saw him with her. Jealousy took over me and I was being irrational.

I almost cried but so I held back my tears.

“I am sorry to hear that Isaiah, I hope she’ll be better in time. I totally understand how she feels that moment.”

“It’s okay. I felt the need to tell you this because I want you to know and believe in me. I want you to believe that I sincerely like you.

I want to know more of you and share myself as well. I know for myself that I will regret if I will let go of this moment telling you how I really feel.”

Isaiah, I want to take thing slowly. Let’s see each other more often and see how things will work between us. I appreciate so much all these stuff that you did for me. And for the record, the last I checked, you are the first guy who did these stuff to me and you cause little heart attacks on me”, I responded with a smile and I felt my face was a little warm.

I was staring at him while he holds my hand. I was thinking about the night when I saw him with the girl until this very moment that he confessed everything.

I therefore conclude that I was wrong and irrational. Jealousy is a dangerous storm that would cover up the rational things and when you ended up drowning on it, it will be a disaster.

Emotions should not be on top but rather at par with your mind. They should come hand in hand and share common decisions inorder for you to come up with the best and rational decision. Take things one step at a time because a rush decision can mostly end up in a domino effect of failures.

He serves me a hot Americano Coffee when I summed up all these thoughts and so it gave a more meaningful to me now that the hypothesis in my mind where all segregated well as to which one is the truth and not.