February 2029. 

The cold, gentle night illuminates the city of Valenzuela. The view nearby of Expersso Aficionado cafeteria is truly calming, crystal clear; some establishments’ lights are about to turn off. Vehicles are moving faster, no sign of heavy traffic. A silhouette figure of a woman at the window, wiping the counter table. Maya, a busy bird barista, is sweating and stressed- still wiping the counter table. A huge portion of spilled coffee is still visible above the table. She keeps wiping it until the dark colored spill fades as she whispers to herself.

“I hope Ma’am Hilda will not scold me. That customer is so rude.” 

She keeps on repeating the method as the spilled coffee fades out. Her eyes went surprised and with silent excitement while cleaning the other parts of the counter. The joyous response with a soft voice yelled-

“Finally, I can go home in peace. But—-”

Just then, one of the owners of the cafeteria, Mrs. Hilda, walks by. She was about to leave the cafeteria but she stopped by Maya's place.

“Oh, anak! Why are you still here?”

Hilda walks out to put her belongings at the four seater table gently and observes her surroundings. Maya’s expression is surprised and happy, never in her life imagined that Mrs. Hilda is too thoughtful, treating her employees as her children. Mrs. Hilda comes near the counter and starts to soften her voice.

“Is there anything that you want to say, anak? I feel that it’s very important.”

Maya placed the cloth at the nearby kitchen counter at her back as she lowered her head. Her voice went shy.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry-”

Mrs. Hilda gently holds the hands of Maya, then continues to talk to her. Maya is trying not to shed a tear or two.

“I saw what happened, anak. You’re a kind soul.”

“Thank you, ma’am. And, I have to tell you something but I can’t put it into words.”

“Don’t be shy, ‘nak. Just think that I’m your mama.” Mrs. Hilda's response giggled.

As Maya heard the sweet voice of Mrs. Hilda, she turned her head up and eyes sparked a little.

“Can I file a vacation leave? For only two days, ma’am. I’ll use it to repair the house with Ellias.” she chuckled.

Maya’s tears are almost dropping throughout her face. Mrs. Hilda wipes the falling tears with her right hand and touches Maya’s face then answered,

“Hush, ‘nak. You need to get some sleep. I can handle  this. Go home safely, ‘nak. I’ll tell my husband about your vacation leave.”

“Thanks, ma’am. Take care.”

Afterwards, Maya thanked her again, putting aside the things as she entered the employees’ room. A black bag at the corner part of the room is placed on the floor. She grabs the bag, turns the light off then leaves. The glass door of Expresso Aficionado strikes the light from the outside; she waits for her boss to exit the cafeteria first. Mrs. Hilda’s expression is glad and worried. After Mrs. Hilda steps out of the cafeteria, Maya locks the gate then puts down the roll-up. Both made it in separate ways, Mrs. Hilda, going left, with her husband, Mr. Jason; on the right path, Maya is about to find a jeepney.

Later that night, the surroundings of the home are dark, in cold condition, and the sound of the crickets echoes in the room. Someone opened the door and turned on the lights. Maya entered the room in a muted manner, put her shoes outside, and put the bag on the couch. 

“Yown, two days.” she expressed in silence yet glad.

Suddenly, the sound running down the stairs approaches slowly and surely. It was Ellias, the husband of Maya, wearing a simple t-shirt, shorts, and slippers. He assisted Maya by bringing her a seat.

“How many orders did ya serve?” Ellias questioned.

While Maya is taking a good seat, she tells the story that happened a while ago. Her expression of gladness turned irritated. As they started a conversation.

“All good! Except for that ONE.” she answered while controlling her anger.

“Ah, geez. I guess that’s the fool who always orders.” as he cooled her down.

Maya taps the shoulder of Ellias then starts to feel energetic even though both of them are feeling heavy.

“Correct, Ellias!”

“That’s inevitable, love. Sleep now, I have to work this time.”

Ellias pats the head of his wife then walks upstairs as the smile on Maya’s face brings back alive.

Cozy furniture is everywhere in the bedroom; artistic looking: different kinds of art materials, gaming set-up, and a bed for two people can be seen in the room. Ellias is painting on a blank canvas, the monitor is open, an email tab is appearing on the screen. Maya opens the door then leans closer to Ellias. She starts questioning Ellias while he is doing his work.

“Have you eaten?”

“Yeah, the Adobo that I cooked.”

“What’s the main ingredient?”

“Liver.” he laughed out loud after answering.

Maya hits Ellias’ head jokingly and continues to lean on him.

“Gee, I’m already turning my life around-” as Maya promised.

“C’mon, I’m just busting your chops. Tonight’s meal is Adobong Pusit.” he continued to laugh.

Both of them are still laughing at each other as Ellias’ hands are shaking while painting.

“You better not mess with the painting!” Maya reminded him fiercely.

“Relax, I already got the hang of it.”

“I’m down, I’ll just take a chow.”

“Eat well.”

She headed back to the living room. A comfy couch behind Maya and a small table almost below her chest left. She is sitting on the floor while eating Adobong Pusit with hot plain rice. She is eating the meal while watching the T.V. The outfit of the reporter is in a dark palette, with a shiny silver cross necklace on her. She faces the camera solemnly. The news reporter is Pilar Salonga.

“Time check is nine o’ clock in the evening. Tonight, the streets of Karuhatan’s condition is smooth; no accidents, and no signs of traffic.”

While she is airing on T.V, two videos are being shown and her voice can be heard loud and clear. The first video shows various residencies around Valenzuela City, evening setting and the second one shows roads around Valenzuela City, evening setting.

“As for the monitoring of the supernatural invasions: there are no signs of disorder from the aswangs and their likes.”

The T.V. is still on, bright- it brings light to the dark room. While Pilar is talking in front of the camera, Maya starts to point out the T.V; stunned by Pilar.

“Wait, that’s my classmate.”

Maya looks closer at the T.V., thinking that her eyes were playing tricks on her.

“I KNEW IT! IT’S HER!” she screamed but immediately covered her mouth. 

She grabs the phone inside her bag then checks her socials if she’s still friends with Pilar. A view of Pilar Salonga’s profile on Maya’s phone.

As the sun goes up to call for a new day, the clock strikes at 11:30 AM. Ellias and Maya

are currently placing old things and the recyclables. Ellias and Maya are placing things in front of the home’s setback while chatting, arranging the things accordingly by material type.

“Love, I’m trying to look for a day job.” as Ellias’ face went slightly dejected.

“Huh? But you’re earning lots in your freelancing. And also, your body will get very drained.” she answered with such worries on her face.

“Tsk. Ya think that the aswangs can get me? They’ll face me, and their heads will be beaten, love.” as he started to mimic the martial arts moves.

“If that’s the case, then I’ll do it.” 

Ellias drops a heavy box on the ground and chuckles and starts on being serious. 

“I have no choice, Maya. You need to take a long break. I’ll take the rest.”

“How about your passion of becoming an artist?”

“I really want to pursue my dream, but some of my clients make my pocket short. You know, we get it.”

Maya comes closer to him and places her hand on Ellias’ shoulder.

“Are you sure that you don’t need my assistance?” she questioned.

“I’m more worried about your condition. What if something happens to you? Here’s the thing: I’ll drop the artist gig right now and will look for a job. You? Still a barista?” Ellias mentioned with doubts.

Maya’s expression is smiling, about to cry; Ellias is still waiting for her response: a yes or a no.

“Yep.” Maya sniffs.

He exclaimed his last words: “What the he-”

Later that day, a fresh-looking building displays a signage “MABAYA Shop” placed at the right side of the front door. On the left side, there’s a paper that says, “HIRING: MANAGERS, BUTCHERS, and SALESPERSON.” Ellias opened the door, went inside and sat in the waiting area along with seven people. 

“I promised that I’ll never curse.” he breathes.

Few seconds later, an officer enters the room and looks at the people. Ellias in the middle, the officer’s eyes are focusing on him strangely.

“Good day everyone. You’ll be called one by one. The order will be based on the number indicated at the paper you’ll be given.”

The officer gives the number one by one, Ellias receives a small piece of red paper, number 4.

“Oh my. Guide me, O Lord.”

Five minutes later, the interviewees are now on set. 

“I’m a… hardworking person.” the first interviewee is unsure of her answer.

“I can do time management. I can juggle all things at work.” the second interviewee is full of pride, yet calm.

The third interviewee is having too much pride and high standards on himself.

“Oh, yes! Even if my course is not on track with the said task, I can do it! I’m multi-talented and I know all things.”

However, the fourth interviewee, Ellias, is introducing himself with manners.

“Hello, I’m Ellias Santiago. I live in Karuhatan, Valenzuela City. I graduated from the course, Bachelor of Science in Entertainment and Multimedia Computing.”

As for the last three interviewees…

“Uhh… Can you repeat the question, sir?” the fifth interview went unclear, as the interviewee asked to repeat the question.

“Why should I do that!? I graduated from a prestigious university and you won’t let me be the manager?” the sixth interviewee got the looks, however, he got an extreme pride and attitude towards the officer.

“Maybe I can…?” the seventh interviewee is also unsure of their answer.

Back to Ellias, concluding his part with pleasing personality and sincerity.

“I’m looking forward to working with MABAYA.”

After the short break, the officer finally arrived. He announces who passed the interview. All of the Interviewees gathered at the center of the room.

“Everyone, I would like to thank everyone for their time, hard work, and effort to make

it here. Now, you’ll receive a new piece of paper. Thank you again.”

All of the interviewees fall in line according to their dedicated number. As they exit the room, only one left, Ellias. The six interviewees looked at him with frowns, surprised, while the others looked mad at him.

“Oh, wow! Only him!? I thought MABAYA was looking for more employees.” the seventh interviewee raged.

“Oh… I think he has a backer.” the third interviewee replied with an assumption.

“I guess he’s the only one who nailed the questions.” the first interviewee calmed both fellows, however, the seventh is still mad at the results.

“I’m not accepting it. I’m outta here.”

Ellias is alone in the waiting area. Suddenly, the officer went back to the area.

“Apologies for the wait, mister. Please follow me.”

Ellias and the officer go to the fifth floor. The officer introduces a modern-looking office. Off-white, ash gray, brown, and black palette all over the room. The officer leaves Ellias and the owner. Ellias steps inside the room, eyes are looking everywhere, almost shaking and sweating, standing still at the front of the owner’s desk. The desk shows a name display, Bartolome Salonga | SHOP OWNER.

“So, you’re the last man standing?”  he chuckled and gestured to Ellias to have a seat.

“Child, sit. It’s alright.” Bartolome added.

Ellias seats at the chair, looking at Bartolome, and breathes softly.

“Is this your first time to take a job interview?” he questioned, open palms.

“No, sir. I’m formerly working as a freelance artist for various clients- Filipino and foreigners, but I am primarily focusing on local.” Ellias answered, forcing himself not to stutter more.

“It’s okay to be nervous.” Bartolome interrupted his speech.

“Sir…?”

“Back to my early adulthood days, I’m just like you.”

“Po…”

“Anak, take a break for a while then later on I’ll call one of my employees. They’ll teach you the work you need to do in the near future.” 

“Thank you, sir.”

Ellias managed to exit the room. Afterwards, Bartolome signed, rolled his chair at his back, looking at the window.

Hours later, the residency sits peacefully at night. Some people are walking down the road, others doing their own thing. Ellias is walking, happily, excited to open the gate. He opened the door but the room was dark, in a cold temperature. Swiftly, the lights turned on. It was Ellias who stepped into the living room. Removing his shoes, placed his sling bag on the couch beside his wife’s bag.

“Maya, I’m here!” he yelled.

Maya happily runs at him, hugging him, and jumping in front of him.

“You’re hired, right?” she overjoyed questioning him.

“I never said a word.” Ellias sighed with a bit of seriousness.

“It’s pretty obvious!” she teases him.

“Alright, alright. I’ll cook my specialty.”

“Wow, English speaking!”

“Only this time.”

Two days later.

Maya went back to work, the sun kissed the windows of the cafeteria. There are  so many customers inside. While Maya is serving the coffees and treats, Mr. Jason is talking to her.

“‘Nak, you look like you're on spring break. What’s up?”

“Ellias recently got a new job.”

“Congrats! What’s his new job? Company?”

“His role is quality checking, sir. At MABAYA Shop.”

“MABAYA Shop… Ah! Yes, the famous store that sells meat.” as Mr. Jason places a new batch of coffees at the tray.

“I wish you and Ellias all the best.”

“Thanks, sir, hehe.”

The morning feels so slow and longer time consumes the whole body of Ellias. Ellias is assigned at the packing area, he will check if there are flaws on each and every product. His trainor continues to teach him from the basics. Fast forward phasing throughout the day. 

While the days go longer, Ellias starts being exhausted…