I’m a night owl with a coffee by my side.

Warmth. Tranquility. The smoke of coffee cuddling me. I’m sleepless; counting sheep above the rainy night skies- It was a hectic day for me. These case files seemed to go on forever. Every day, I will investigate: gather evidence, and pursue justice for the righteous. Repeat it all over again. Pursuing a career as a lawyer is a significant challenge for me. The difficulty arises when your opponent can distort every piece of evidence and when the perpetrator of a crime can deceive anybody within the courtroom. I, Alexandra Osmeña, the lawyer in this tale.

             I’m taking a view thru the window and see the lights blink in homes and streets. The traffic jam won’t end. Some people are having a beauty sleep while others are work at home and few were playing video games- ‘ BANG! BANG! ‘ …crazy teenagers; there was a family that keeps playing their karaoke. I guess they’re celebrating someone else’s birthday or an anniversary. I'm constantly alone inside my tiny apartment because my partner, Christino Herbasyo, a teacher who is continuously working on new lectures and monitoring the coursework of his over two hundred students. Both are workaholics, but how does he manage his time? Even though I know he is tired, he can take considerable moment with me.

I think of him every day. We only have time if I’m were able to close my eyes.

              Tick. Tack. It’s nearly ten-thirty-six o’ clock in the evening. I was waiting for Christino to come home, so I hurried down the stairs and stood at the main door, waiting for him to arrive. I hear the pounding of the doorbell… Ding-dong! A pizza boy arrived as I open the door.

“ Ma’am, are you Alexandra Osmeña? “ he said. Sweaty, having visible eyebags.

“ Yes. “ I replied as taking the pizza from him.

“ Sir Christino wants to give you this pizza. Is that correct? “

“ Yes iho, here, I want to give a tip so you can rest. “

              I asked him to wait a few seconds to fetch my purse and then handed him a thousand peso tip, which he couldn't believe. It’s not that big for me in terms of amount. The pizza boy had goggle-eyed ,

“ It’s really a huge help for me. I can finally pay my expenses for lola’s medicines. “ while saying these words, he let himself no single drop of tear will be free from his blue eyes.

              Remembering my lola who is in need, I’m always taking care of her until her hourglass of life fade away- 

“ No problem. If you need any assistance, I can lend you a hand anytime. “

“ Thank you, ma’am Alexandra. “

“ Just call me by name only. Xandra will do. I’m praying for your lola. “ , I motioned him to place his hand, and gave him a scrap of paper with a handwritten number. As he drove away, he had a smile on his face...

              This was one of the most memorable nights of my lifetime. I went upstairs with two boxes of freshly baked pizza in my hand and noticed a pink sticky note on the upper box pizza that said,

"Eat well." Caffeine should not be taken in excess. – MaTINo na ako

“ If I’m going to eat fast and drink the coffee within a single shot and toothbrush--- “ I told to myself and go inside my bedroom.

              I open both boxes in such a clumsy way and these pizzas- Vegetarian edition. I didn’t notice that there was a small sentence and same writing skills located at the left corner of the sticky note:

‘ My favorite pizza flavor. Devour the twelve for me. ‘

              I completed the first box's six slices of pizzas. I'm enjoying the cuisine while traveling halfway through my tasks—what a productive day you've had, self. A helping hand is offered. Lot of effort. Pizza. Coffee. His footnote, on the other hand, I'm worried about Christino, so I go down to the kitchen and place another box atop the dining table. I, I- He'll be OK if you keep your thoughts clear.

              The night is drawing to a close as the clock strikes eleven o'clock, I'm not weary. I’m used to work eighteen hours everyday and sometimes the literal “no sleep” just like making a thesis defense and research in college days. Just keep pushing. Do take a schedule for breaks. Stay hydrated… These phrases of Christino have been with me for a long time. While I'm at work, I'm doubting myself and wondering why he's teaching me something that he never do. Another clock sound effect is hooked in my mind, and I'm ready to make an imaginary friend as a result of these late-night musings.

“ Come home now… “ I whispered gently.

              I heard a doorbell ring swiftly across the living room, and Christino carefully opens the door. I help him with his backpack, two paper bags filled with documents and a lesson planner, and his bulky shoulder bag. He stared at me as he was putting his things away. Smiling because he said I seemed like a blooming flower, not like him, who looked like a zombie.

“ Did you ate them all? “ , this is the first sentence that he asked for,

“ No, I leave the half for you. “ I replied with sorrow.

“ I almost ate six. I know you’re having a hunger strike so I request a delivery of two boxes. “

“ My tummy is like a baby. “ , nothing is funny. He didn’t laugh so I make a fake laugh in front of him. Sounds cringe but all I ever want is let him to be free from tiredness.

              He sat on sofa, take a deep breathe, and close his eyes then he speak,

“ *sigh* Did you take a cup of coffee again, Xandra? “

              I lied even I aware that I don’t know how to fool someone. He look straight to my eyes and added,

“ How many cups did you take on this day? “

              I stutter, and recalling… It’s two, I say. I’m fighting the sleepyhead of myself.

“  If you want to take a drink before rest, try milk. “

“ But how about chocolates? Or choco-na-gatas? “

“ No, Xandra. You’re a hyper woman that I ever-... “ he begin to snore.

              A blanket by his side was shining bright, like a hint in video games. I gently snatching it but it went tough, he is sitting the half part. He is quite heavy, or should I say a really heavy guy.

“ I don’t need a blanket; hey, don’t carry me to my room. Good night. “

              After nearly two years, he eventually said, "Good night." to me, despite the fact that we used to hang out a bunch. As I pass by in my room, seeing a bunch of paper heaps all over my desk, opened laptop, and crumbled junk foods papers around the small feline trash can, I tried to ensure not to make a single noise-  I made a vow to myself that I would never leave a single mess in my home. Tidying up takes over twenty minutes.

              I'm starting to feel fatigued. Coffee is the only answer I can think of. Make it different. Close your eyes and imagine a dream. My thoughts is hollow, and lifeless. This night is becoming more interminable. I can eventually travel myself back to a moment when I was a child who begged to remain up all night. I recognized that I had to spend more time sleeping. A new day begins…

“ Are you late? “

              I heard a man’s voice… I have to open… My… Eyes…

              Sunlight blazed into my face, not allowing to see what’s happening. Heat is turning up along with a person who holds the curtains that permits the sun to burn me. Wait a second…

“ I’m late! Totally late! “ I yelled like no one is in my room.

“ I didn’t wake you up so you can have the rest that you need. “ , it is Christino.

“ It’s nine o’ clock. I prepared a dish for you. “ , as he close the windows and tie the curtains back to the method that I do.

              He pointed at me saying, “ It’s Saturday. “  his pointer going up to the hanging calendar placed on the upper part of my closet, “ You have two days of rests. “ . By observing him, he is very concerned- I must be the one who will. His health condition is more threatening. There are times he may hysterical, or faint in a sudden; He presented the dishes that he prepared a while ago: My favorite kare-kare, chop suey, and the leftover microwaved six-sliced vegetarians’ pizza. Christino tapped my shoulders twice and pushes me to my seat.

              I was front of him; vice versa on his point of view. I take my spoon to have a scoop on each ulam, he quickly clutches my left hand- “ Dahan-dahan lang. “  …he replied with a serious emoticon.

              He told me today that I need to get some cool breeze and relax more. I'm not having it. He advises the same thing again a few seconds later. I refused.  Then, a couple of hours later, he did it again. What had I done previously? Grinding at work, only a quarter of the jobs from last night remain.

“ Need a hand? “  he questioned while sipping a hot chocolate.

“ I can handle this. “ , only three papers left then I can finally take this to the court.

“ Maybe I can give you the stuffs that I learnt before. “

“ Are you sure? You can read and solve the case? “

“ Mmm… I have a little knowledge in terms of  crime scene scenarios. “

“  You’re now my personal assistant. “

              When I said 'personal assistant,' I was gobsmacked. It was not my intention to say it. Christino keeps bouncing while sipping his drink and sticking close to me. And he takes a small seat next to me, like a child watching their parents doing an activity. He chuckled as examined the papers and a collection of photographs from the present case. A menacing board with many pinned newspapers, written information, and photos of victims and suspects stares at us.

“ So far, this is the biggest case that you are solving, huh? “

“ Yep. I was assigned to do it. “

              We continue solving the case as we go deeper than the Mariana’s trench- Boom, we made evidences. The time today is two-fifty-seven in the afternoon. He give me two soft balls to play with to relieve stress. Squishy, softy; The balls were crushed into bits.

“ You want bubble wrappers to pop? “ , he handed me a bubble wrapper.

              Both of us pop all tiny dots, then I squeeze it all so there will be more pop! sounds. It is very pleasant to the ears. Childhood memory unlocked.

“ Oh, Xandra! Check it out! Papercraft Café… “

              A brand new coffee shop near my home. It takes a small count of thumblings. Latest tambayan spotted.

“ Say nothing more, Tino. “  , I said this with a cool energy.

“ Let me check something else on their webpage. Let’s see… Aha! Twenty-four seven open. Sounds cool for night owls like you with a coffee beside? “ , he is showing an advertisement picture regarding to the previews of cafeteria.

              This will be an exciting day, and another fortunate day because I will be able to consume coffee once more. While we're traveling down to Papercraft Café, I have a little storytelling to share. We're used to spend sleepless nights and drink a lot of energizers like chocolates and coffee since I was in third year of college until I and Christino graduated.

              Here is it, welcome to the cafeteria! Look at these golden wheat colored walls with coffee and frappe shaped glazed black cherry tones! Pure hickory and mahogany checkered floor! A compilation of jazzy music is playing as backgrounds. So many seats, and table of orders! Donuts, frappes, coffees, croissants, pancakes- Most desserts are available. Me and Christino run to the counter and get some goodies. Number fifteen is our seat. we take a rest while waiting for a pack of orders…

“ Total cost is one thousand and ninety-nine pesos… You are going to eat the following: Four slices of Tiramisu cake, One Black Forest donut, One medium cup of Hazelnut ice cream, and for the drinks- Your favorite flavor of coffee, French Vanilla Cappuccino- Two. ULTRA Large. Cups. My order is just water and it’s FREE and UNLI. “ , he is looking at the receipt while gazing at me back-and-forth. 

              Then, a waitress come over to our table and serves happily. “ Thank you for ordering, ma’am and sir! Happy Valentine’s Day po! “ , she greets us in a romantic way.

              Before I do my first taste, I sensed Christino is watching me and we are now doing the staring game.

“ It’s two large cups. Both are 16oz not 24oz. “

“ But if you add both 16oz then it will be 32oz. “

“ This coffee flavor, “ I pointed the first cup of my beloved coffee, “ Is buy one, TAKE one. You forget about the list of our orders. “

“ Okay then? “ his face come closer to mine, “ Give me your wallet or hand me another cup. “

“ No way! Remember? Last year, you asked me to borrow my two thousand pesos for your book binding, and journals. Plus, school materials. “

“ *sigh* Whatever… “

              I’m eating the Tiramisu cakes and I heed a thing. I was recalling what the waitress mentioned,

“ Did the waitress said ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’, Tino? “ , and I took a mouthful piece of cake

“ Aye. Today is February 14, 2015. “

“ What? “ , I dropped my fork with attached last bite of Tiramisu. “ I thought it’s Friday! “ , I added.

              He chuckles- My most hated noise. The number one on my index. Waste of time so I eat the rest of left tiramisu slices. I’m trying to offer him a cake, he declined. 

“ Sweets are not my type anymore and I’m limiting myself on drinking coffees. I don’t know why I vomit every time I combine those two. “ , he said.

“ You’re not hungry? Why don’t you try this donut? “ , showing the Black Forest flavored donut, Christino took a munch while I’m holding it. A very large space was eaten by him and my hand almost touch his fangs.

“ You’re ‘not’ hungry…? “ , he don’t mind my question. He took another bite on the remaining half. My donut is digested.

              A smooth rock music playlist is currently performing by an indie band group. All crowd cheered as they hear their popular song: “ Tap, tap, tap “ …

“ Is it your first time to see them performing? Or are you familiar to that song? “ , Christino said while watching at the singer.

“ Yep. It’s my first time. I’m only familiar with their older ones. “ , I replied with a palm on my chin, and being charmed by them.

“ That singer. “ , he pointed the curly long-haired singer, a man with dark gradient shades. “ He is my old best friend back in my high school days. “  

“ What is his name? “

“ Jamar Santos. He always perform every school event and during foundation day. “

“ I bet he always wins. “

“ We, Xandra… I was his duet, the one who beatbox and tapping a cube-shaped wood to produce as music. “

“ That’s wonderful. “

“ You know the story behind the song? “

“ ? “

“ It’s all about him and me last highschool. The flashback that I mentioned already. “

              The lead singer, Jamar, and his groupmates notices Christino.

“ ‘Oy, Tino! Kanta ka dito. “ , Jamar requested my partner to come up on stage to duet with him. As he come up to join them.

“ At tayo ay muling hahakbang

Sa malawak na entablado,

At nanginginig ang tunog

Sa ating malakas na boses “

              I have one cup of coffee with you again. Performing a motivation song for everyone inside the café. Thank you for having a spare time with me.