N A Y A 
3 MONTHS LATER...
“Thank you.” I take the go-to cup of my coffee and smile at the girl behind the counter. What a tiring day but still it's beautiful and worthy of coffee.
“Naya!” The brunette girl I met from the park three weeks ago is sitting at one of the tables across the room. 
I wave back at her and don't watch where I'm going. I am about to push the door open when someone pushes before I can be able to. He bumps into cause my coffee to spill over my white shirt. It thuds on the floor and I just stare at the hot burn feeling on me. 
“I'm sorry, miss. It was an accident.” 
I eye the guy. “Ryan?” 
“Naya?” I think he can recognize me enough. 
“Hey, wow, your hair. You look different from the last I saw you.” He hugs me. He looks different too. He looks expensive. 
“Yeah. I cut my hair short a few weeks ago.” I tell him further. It's nice to see a familiar face. “How are you?” 
Someone from behind wants to pass our way. “Can I...if you don't mind buy you another coffee and we'll talk outside?” 
“Yeah. I was about to head but I think it would be good to talk you know. So I'm taking your offer.” I give him an assuring smile. 
Ryan asks about my drink before he goes to the counter. I told him, “Just Latté.” 
Am I nervous seeing him again?
No, I don't think so. I have nothing against him. It's time for me to talk to someone after three months of avoiding role getting my way. I spent the last two months moving on from Adam. The relationship never ended but somehow I have decided that sometimes some things end without closure. If I sit here with Ryan, it would help me get distracted from being alone for a long time. 
A few minutes pass, and he comes to our table and sits across from me. “Here's your coffee.” He has this smile I used to see before. It's a warm smile. 
“Why are you smiling like that?” I have to ask him because it's distracting me in a certain way. 
He shrugs a shoulder. “I guess I am happy that I bumped into you. How are you doing?” He takes a sip. 
“Good. I'm working part-time at the public library in town. I needed financial support.” I answer. It's been about a month or so since I began working. “You?”
“I am running a business in New York,” he answers.
My eyes brighten at the name. "New York? I dream of going there and living there one day.”
“You do?” He seems to get enthusiastically curious.
I nod more twice. “Yes. After I graduate from college.” 
“I can bring you there if you want to even if you haven't graduated yet. You could do a visit. I will be your guide.” I can't believe he's offering a massive amount of my dream. 
I laugh, “Don't be silly. There's so much money to spend. I'm still saving for it.”
“No. You won't be spending even a scent. I'll treat your visit there. You just have to enjoy the view.” He's seriously saying this right now?
I try to take a dip in my coffee. “Ryan. You're joking about this.”
“If you want to go there tonight. If you have time. I would take you there.” 
I look at the gold watch around his wrist. He's probably not joking about this offer. Maybe he's too kind. 
“I can't believe this. Of course, I would have time but see you serious about spending that amount of money on me? NYC is expensive I've heard.” I try to slow him down on his decision because he can't be this serious. 
“I am certain in taking you there, Naya.” 
I have to look away from him. I can't trust him, can I?
“This offering sounds appealing to me, honestly. But I have work tomorrow early and I have school and I have a lot of stuff to submit, so I don't think it's possible tonight.” 
I watch as his face slowly falls into a disappointed look. “Is that so? It's fine. You don't have to decide tonight. Do your priorities first. New York can wait.”
Well, I'm glad he's not forcing me. I put my gaze away from him and focus my eyes outside the glass window. 
“Thank you for the coffee by the way,” I say to him after a few seconds of silence. 
He waves his hand in front. “It's fine. I drop your coffee and ruined your white shirt so I owe you this one.” He says. “Can I ask you something personal?”
“Yeah sure.” 
“Are you seeing someone right now?” He asks. 
I feel stoned by his query. That's not what I am expecting. He's so direct and in don't I am ready to answer it this time. 
I shake my head. “It's not my thing anymore. I am only dating myself.” 
That makes him laugh a little. “Yeah. Self-love. That's a perfect thing to do nowadays.” 
I nod, agreeing with his statement. “I can't do a romantic relationship right now.” 
“Why not? I mean would you go with someone to dinner if he asks you?” He keeps his eyes on mine. 
I just blink away the fact that he's probably making a move. “No.” I shake my head. “I have no time to go to NYC. I have no time going on a dinner date, as well.”
“I would like to respect that.”
“Thank you, Ryan,” I tell him. “You?”
“I am single.” He simply says. He still doesn't change. So blunt. 
When I look to the other side, I think I saw him standing outside the coffee shop. I feel the time stop or my heart stops beating inside my chest. I try to blink but the moment I do, he's gone. Maybe I am only imagining things. Maybe I haven't moved on yet and I am still hoping he would come back to me. 
“Is everything okay? Naya?” Ryan's worried voice diverts from my illusion to what's real.  
I reluctantly nod my head but I don't look at him.  “I'm fine. Just tired from a long day that's all.” My smile is weakening. I feel depleted all of a sudden. 
“Look. Before this day end. I want to thank you for giving me a chance to talk to you. I know things between us ended a few years ago and I didn't think you would actually like to have an encounter like this. I want to apologize and say thank you for your kindness.” 
This time I give smile that is worthy of his kindness too. “You're a good guy, Ryan. Past is in the past. I have moved on and everything's fine now.”
“I hope I can see you again after tonight.” His eyes are full of hope. 
“If you visit this coffee shop thrice a week. I think we will see each other again.” I tell him. 
Probably, seeing him is for the best. We got our closure. He apologizes and I have forgiven him long before he says it. If his only intention is to be my friend, then I would like to see him if fate allows it. 
He's about to say something but his phone rings from his pocket. He pulls it out and glances at the screen. He looks like he's about to go. “Look. I have a business meeting tonight. I have to get going.” 
We simultaneously slip out of our chairs, “That's okay. I think I'm heading out and take an early rest.” 
He moves closer to me and extends his hands for a shake. “Thank you.” We both say at the same time. Our laughs entangle and I just take my hand back to myself.  
“Bye, Naya.” He waves his hand and disappears from the door. 
I only wave back. I pick up my bag from the table and go on my way. I exit the coffee shop and walk to the sidewalk. My phone dings for a text message. When I turn it on, Cannon's text appears on the lock screen.
I slap my mouth with one hand when I start to read her message. It says, “Adam's here at Naya's party. I don't think you believe it either but he's here. Be here, quick!"