It was a Sunday. Sandy sat across from her mom, Ivy, in their favorite little restaurant tucked away on a quiet street corner. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was cozy and always served food that tasted like home. The dim lights flickered softly above them, casting gentle shadows on the wooden tables.
Ivy had always been the one to bring Sandy here, a tradition that started when Sandy was young. She loved these moments, just the two of them—bonding together and forgetting the outside world for a while.
“So, I was thinking,” Ivy said, setting her menu down and smiling at her daughter. “How about we go on a little trip next month? Maybe to Tagaytay, princess. What do you think?.”
Sandy smiled, sipping her iced tea. “I’d love that, Ma.” She paused a bit, looking troubled suddenly. “Pero medyo busy ako sa work, too many pending projects. I’ll make it happen though—I’m just not sure kung keri na next month.”
Ivy’s eyes softened, and she reached across the table to pat her hand. “I think you deserve a break, honey. You've been working so hard lately. Kailangan mo rin huminga at makaranas ng break, you know? Masyado kang workaholic.”
Sandy felt a lump in her throat at the tenderness in her mom’s voice. She had always admired how Ivy seemed to know exactly what she needed, even before she did. “I’ll make it happen, Ma. Promise.”
Ivy smirked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “And don’t tell me you’re too busy to spend time with your old mom. You can’t be that popular, right?”
Sandy laughed, her cheeks flushing. “I guess I’m not. Besides, I could never be too busy for you.”
They both chuckled, and Sandy felt the warmth of the moment settle over her like a cozy blanket. There were no pretenses here, no hidden agendas—just the comfort of being in each other’s company, as it always had been.
The waitress arrived shortly after, a friendly woman around Sandy’s age—with a bright smile and a notebook tucked into her apron. She took their orders with a calm professionalism, her pen scratching across the pad.
Sandy was already halfway through another sip of her tea when her eyes wandered up to the waitress’s face—and froze.
Her heart skipped a beat.
The waitress had this... something about her. It wasn’t just her striking features, though they were beautiful. It was the way she moved, the quiet confidence that radiated from her. Something about her made Sandy feel like she was seeing a ghost—like she'd seen her before, but didn’t know where. Or maybe she was seeing a Goddess in front of her.
The waitress smiled at Ivy and Sandy after taking their orders, then turned to head off to the kitchen. That’s when Sandy’s brain started to catch up with what her eyes had just witnessed. She stared after the waitress, her mind racing as she processed the familiar feeling creeping into her chest.
Ivy’s voice broke through her thoughts, light and teasing. “I see we’ve got a little admirer.”
Sandy’s face flushed bright red, her mouth hanging open in surprise as she snapped back to reality. “I—what? H–hindi kaya, Ma!” she stammered, but the words wouldn’t come out properly. Her mom’s sharp eyes had caught her staring.
Ivy leaned back in her chair, her smile widening into something playful. “Talaga lang ha? You’re not fooling anyone, dear. Masyado kang halata..”
Sandy shook her head, still trying to process the mix of emotions that had flooded her all at once. “I wasn’t staring. I just… I mean—she just looked—”
Ivy raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. “Uh-huh. That ‘just’ sounded like it came with a whole lot of something. You sure it wasn’t a little bit of admiration there?”
Sandy groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Ma, please. It’s nothing. Just forget it.”
“Oh no, I’m not forgetting that,” Ivy teased, her voice dripping with amusement. “You don’t get to act all innocent after that. Come on, tell me the truth. You like her, don’t you?”
Sandy’s face burned even hotter. She wanted to sink into the floor, to escape the teasing that was coming her way. “No, Ma. It’s not like that.”
Ivy leaned back, a grin curling her lips. “Sure, sure. But I’ve been around the block, sweetheart. You know about that girl Colet? I’ve seen how you had the biggest crush on her.” She leaned closer, her tone softening. “You know, there’s no harm in having a little crush.”
Sandy shook her head, laughing nervously. “I don’t even know her name, Ma! It’s not a big deal.”
Ivy let out a small, knowing laugh. “Right. Sure. Just don’t take too long figuring it out. I can already see the wheels turning in your head.”
Sandy groaned, feeling utterly caught. “Mas malala ka pa kay Jho, Ma. I swear nga, it’s not a big deal.”
The waitress returned moments later, carrying two steaming plates of pasta, each fragrant with garlic, herbs. She set them down with a graceful ease, flashing another warm smile at the table. As she started to move on to the next set of customers, Sandy’s mind was still spinning from the earlier teasing.
But before she could even gather her thoughts, Ivy’s voice rang out across the table, smooth and casual but carrying an undertone of mischief. "Hey, wait a second," she called, the waitress pausing mid-step and turning toward them.
“Yes po, ma’am? May need pa po ba kayo?” The woman asked politely with a smile.
Sandy froze, heart pounding in her chest. She could already sense what was coming.
Ivy’s smile widened as she gestured toward Sandy, her tone dripping with a teasing warmth. "My daughter finds you cute," she said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Sandy’s eyes went wide, her entire body instantly flushing with heat. She didn’t even know how to react. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, but the words were stuck somewhere deep inside her. She couldn’t believe it. Her mom had just said that out loud.
To the waitress.
Right in front of her.
It was too much. Too much too fast. Sandy could feel her face burning, her heart hammering, her mind going into full-blown panic mode. She wanted to crawl under the table and hide, to disappear into the floor and never come back.
And yet, as if her body had a mind of its own, she began slowly inching herself down below the table, her hands pressed to her face in an effort to shield herself from the complete and utter humiliation that was flooding through her.
The waitress, clearly taken aback, blinked and hesitated for a moment. Her eyebrows knitted together in mild confusion, but she still maintained her professional composure. "Uh… thank you?" she replied politely, though there was a trace of uncertainty in her voice as she tried to process what had just happened. She gave a small, polite smile and nodded. "That’s… sweet of you to say po."
Sandy’s mind was a blur, and she could feel her body melting into the chair as her mom’s words continued to echo in her head. Her hands were pressed firmly to her face, her entire body slumped as she tried to hide her burning embarrassment from the world.
Ivy, on the other hand, was practically glowing with delight, a smirk tugging at her lips as she leaned back in her seat. She caught the waitress’s eye and gave a small, conspiratorial nod, as if she were giving Sandy’s unspoken approval for the bold statement.
The waitress, still uncertain about how to respond to Ivy’s blatant teasing, simply nodded again. "Well, thank you po ulit," she repeated, offering a polite smile before turning to move on to her other tables, though there was a noticeable flicker of amusement in her expression.
As soon as the waitress was out of earshot, Sandy let out a quiet, strangled groan, sinking further into her seat. She could feel the weight of her mom’s gaze on her, the knowing look that made her want to shrivel up and disappear.
"Ma naman! I can’t believe you just did that,” Sandy muttered, her voice muffled as her hands stayed firmly covering her face.
Ivy’s laughter rang out, warm and full of affection. "Oh, come on, honey," she teased, "you’re cute when you're all flustered. Besides, I had to help you out a little, didn't I? It’s not every day I see you so taken with someone."
Sandy wanted to protest, but the words got stuck in her throat. There was no use arguing with Ivy when she was in full-on mom mode, determined to embarrass her daughter for all it was worth. All she could do was sink lower into her seat, her face completely hidden by her hands, as her mom’s laughter continued to echo around her.
"I’m never going to live this down, am I?" Sandy mumbled, her voice barely audible.
Sandy’s heart was still racing by the time she excused herself to the bathroom. The blush on her cheeks hadn’t faded, and she could still feel her mom’s teasing grin burning into her thoughts.
As she made her way to the restroom with a mixture of embarrassment and disbelief at how the entire situation had unfolded, all she wanted was a few minutes to collect herself, to breathe without thinking about that waitress.
When she entered the bathroom, the soft hum of the ventilation fan was the only sound. Sandy leaned against the counter, exhaling deeply as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. “Just calm down, Sandy,” she muttered to herself. “It was just a compliment. It’s nothing. Hindi mo siya gusto. You’re not going to be so gay for another woman again. Tandaan mo, mas straight ka pa sa ruler ni Jho.”
But despite her best efforts, she couldn't shake the image of that waitress—how beautiful and confident she had seemed, how polite and smiley. And her mom had just gone and said that right in front of her.
Sandy shook her head, pressing her palms against her eyes. Why am I freaking out this much?
As she stood there, trying to calm her racing thoughts, the bathroom door creaked open. Out of the corner of her eye, Sandy noticed the figure of the waitress entering, heading straight for the sink. The waitress—who she still didn’t know the name of—was now washing her hands, her movements smooth and graceful.
For a split second, Sandy froze, her heart leaping into her throat. The waitress glanced up, catching her eye, and a smile spread across her face. It was like the world suddenly stopped. The way she smiled at her—genuinely, warmly—made Sandy's knees buckle, the weight of it all crashing into her chest.
Sandy opened her mouth to say something—anything—but before she could, her vision blurred and spun. She felt dizzy, her legs gave out, and everything went dark.
The last thing she heard before hitting the floor was the sound of the waitress’s voice, full of panic. "Oh my God! Are you okay?!"
Ivy had just finished paying for their meal when she noticed the unmistakable absence of her daughter. Her brow furrowed, and instinctively, she stood up, glancing around the restaurant. It wasn’t like Sandy to just disappear.
She spotted the waitress in the hallway, looking worried, her hands wringing the towel in her hands. “Excuse me,” Ivy said, walking up to her. “Have you seen my daughter?”
The waitress turned to face her, looking flustered. “Uh, yes… your daughter, I think… she fainted? Nasa bathroom pa rin po siya. I don’t know what happened, but—”
Ivy’s eyes widened in concern. “What? Fainted?”
The waitress nodded, biting her lip. “I think she just… passed out. Wait, kukunin ko lang po siya, or uh, you could follow me nalang po—” She quickly excused herself and dashed back toward the bathroom.
Ivy’s stomach dropped as she followed the waitress, her heart in her throat. What on earth had happened to her daughter? Had she eaten something wrong? Was she sick?
As they reached the bathroom door, Ivy’s breath hitched. The waitress had already opened the door, and inside, Sandy was lying on the floor, her face pale as a sheet. Ivy rushed inside, dropping to her knees beside her daughter, gently shaking her.
“Sandy?” Ivy’s voice trembled with worry.
Sandy groaned softly, blinking as she slowly came to. Her gaze was unfocused, her hand reaching up to rub her temples. “Ma?” she mumbled, her voice a little dazed.
The waitress stood at the doorway, still looking confused but clearly relieved that Sandy was regaining consciousness. Ivy sighed in relief, brushing her daughter’s hair from her face. “Sweetheart, what happened? May masakit ba?”
Sandy’s eyes fluttered open, and her gaze wandered around for a moment before landing on the waitress. The moment their eyes met, Sandy’s face immediately turned crimson. She blinked rapidly, still dazed. “I… I think I saw… an angel…” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
Ivy raised an eyebrow, puzzled. “An angel? What are you talking about?”
Sandy's gaze stayed fixed on the waitress, still looking dazed. She blinked again, her mouth falling open slightly. “Ma, may nakita akong anghel… like, an angel—wearing an apron… with the kindest smile I’ve ever seen.”
Ivy couldn't help but stifle a laugh. She shook her head, clearly seeing where this was going. Oh, no...
The waitress looked at Ivy, confused and slightly uncomfortable. “I—uh, I’m really sorry if I upset her,” she said, her voice soft with worry.
Ivy smiled warmly at the waitress, her concern for Sandy still lingering but now mixed with a touch of amusement. “No, no. It’s not you. Trust me, she’s just… going through a moment.”
Sandy’s face was still hidden behind her hands as she muttered something about angels and aprons, and Ivy couldn’t help but laugh quietly under her breath. She ran a hand through her daughter’s hair and sighed. “Sandy, honey… I think you just had a little gay meltdown, huh?”
Sandy’s entire face flushed as she heard her mom’s words. “Ma, please—” she began, but the words died in her throat as her hands remained pressed to her face.
Ivy chuckled softly, brushing her daughter’s hands away gently. “It’s okay, sweetie. It happens. But you gotta admit, you made a dramatic exit. And I’m pretty sure that waitress had no idea what she was walking into.” She turned to the waitress with an apologetic smile. “Thank you so much for your help. She’ll be fine. I promise.”
The waitress smiled uncertainly, her eyes softening with a hint of understanding. “No problem. I’m glad she’s okay. And, um… I hope she feels better.”
Sandy just nodded, still unable to meet anyone’s gaze, her face a deep shade of crimson as she tried to gather her bearings.
“Well,” Ivy said, helping Sandy to her feet, “I think we need to get you some fresh air. You’re definitely not allowed back in that restaurant for a while, though. I think you might’ve traumatized our waitress with the angel comments.”
Sandy let out a long groan, but Ivy didn’t let up. Her teasing smile was the last thing Sandy saw as she allowed her mom to guide her out of the bathroom and back into the restaurant. But as they exited, Ivy’s voice rang in her ears. “And don’t think for a second I’m letting you live this down.”
As Ivy helped Sandy out of the restaurant, still chuckling softly, they reached the front door when they heard the soft tap of footsteps behind them. The waitress, now out of her apron and wearing a relaxed expression, jogged up to them, holding something in her hand.
"Hey, teka lang po!" she called, her voice warm yet a little out of breath.
Ivy turned, raising an eyebrow. “Oh! The girl from earlier, What is it?”
The waitress smiled sheepishly. “I think you might have forgotten a purse inside.” She held it up, a small leather bag that Sandy instantly recognized as hers.
“Oh, right,” Sandy muttered, her face still slightly flushed. She reached for the purse with an almost embarrassed glance toward the waitress. Her thoughts were still swirling with everything that had happened.
“Thanks,” Sandy added, quickly grabbing the purse and trying to hide her face in the process.
The waitress nodded. “No problem. Just wanted to make sure you didn’t forget it.”
As Sandy and her mom headed toward the car, Ivy kept her arm around her daughter’s shoulders, trying to comfort her with a teasing smile. “You’re going to be fine, sweetheart. It’s just one of those things. You’ll get over it, and the waitress will probably forget about it in a week or two.”
But Sandy wasn’t listening. Her mind was still occupied with the exchange and the memory of the waitress’s smile. Once inside the car, she absently opened her purse, distracted by the flurry of thoughts that rushed back. But as she reached in, something crinkled—a small piece of paper tucked inside. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“Ano to?” she muttered under her breath as she pulled out the note.
The paper was folded neatly, and as she opened it, her eyes went wide. There, scrawled in careful handwriting, was a number. And beneath it, a message:
“Hi. Sandy, right? This is Ariadne—the ‘angel in an apron’. Medyo nag aalala ako sayo. Bakit ba bigla ka kasing nahimatay? Hahaha! Anyways, my number’s here na rin. Shoot me a text if you want, I don’t mind getting to know you. I find you cute too, and yung pagtago mo under the table was pretty funny.”
Sandy’s heart skipped a beat, and her breath caught in her throat. Ariadne—that was her name. The cute waitress who had sent her into a full-on panic attack earlier, the one who had smiled at her so sweetly that she nearly passed out on the floor. And now, she had left a note with her number, along with a message that was a mix of flirty and concern.
Sandy didn’t know whether to laugh, scream, or die of embarrassment. Her face was so hot she could feel it practically radiating. She glanced at her mom, who was looking at her curiously, clearly aware that something had caught her daughter’s attention.
“What’s that?” Ivy asked, leaning over slightly, her eyes narrowing as she caught sight of the note in Sandy’s hand.
Sandy’s face went from crimson to even redder. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come out. Instead, she silently handed the note to Ivy, who took it with a knowing smile.
“Well, well, well,” Ivy said, her tone light with amusement as she read the note aloud. “Ariadne, huh? Sounds like she’s interested. And she even noticed you fainting. How charming.”
“Ma, please,” Sandy muttered, sinking lower into the seat, her hands covering her face in full-on mortification. “I can’t— I can’t believe she gave me her number. Anong gagawin ko dito? Am I supposed to text her? To call her? Like does she want me to panic or something? Or maybe she knows na magmumukha akong tanga and—”
Ivy’s laughter filled the car as she handed the note back to Sandy. “I think it’s clear what you should do with it, sweetie,” she teased, her voice affectionate but definitely amused. “You call her. Maybe don’t faint next time, though. You wouldn’t want her to think you’re too fragile, right?”
Sandy’s only response was a muffled groan. She couldn’t look at her mom. She couldn’t look at the note. She couldn’t think about Ariadne and what this meant.
She had been caught in an embarrassing moment, only to be left with a number from the very person who had made her nearly faint in the first place.
Ivy, clearly enjoying the moment, added, “I know you’re in shock right now, but believe me, this isn’t the worst thing that could happen. Maybe this is the start of something. And maybe next time, you won’t have a meltdown over it, hmm?”
Sandy just groaned again, clutching the note tightly in her hands as if it might explode into something more real at any second. “Ma, pwede mo na siguro akong sagasaan ngayon.”
Ivy was already turning the key to start the car. “Hey, at least now you’ve got a good reason to text someone cute.”
Sandy buried her face in her hands once more, feeling like her entire life had been turned into a reality show. Maybe, just maybe, this would be a chapter she could look back on later with a sense of humor. But for now, all she wanted was to bury herself in the back seat and pretend the world had forgotten the moment she had fainted in front of the waitress.
But, deep down, a little part of her couldn’t deny that a flutter of excitement had started to build in her chest. Maybe this angel in an apron wasn’t such a bad thing after all.