Polly Orders a Coffee

The rain decided for Polly. It started halfway across the square, and the nearest door was a corner cafe with fogged windows and a striped awning dripping in slow drops. "Hello, good afternoon!" A badger in a bow tie looked up from the coffee machine as if visitors on rainy days were his favorite kind.

Ang ulan ang nagpasya para kay Polly. Nagsimula ito sa gitna ng plasa, at ang pinakamalapit na pinto ay sa isang maliit na kapihan sa kanto na may malabong bintana at guhit-guhit na tolda na dahan-dahang tumutulo. “Kumusta, magandang hapon!” Tumingala ang isang badyer na may bow tie mula sa makina ng kape, para bang ang mga bisita tuwing umuulan ang paborito niya.

"A coffee with milk, please. Not too hot, if possible." The badger nodded like someone taking the request very seriously, then slid a glass case forward without a word. Inside, golden and sugared, waited the famous ones. "Do you have churros? Everyone talks about them." He pretended to be offended that the question was even necessary. "For here, please. I want to sit by the window for a while."

“Kape na may gatas, pakiusap. Huwag masyadong mainit, kung maaari.” Tumango ang badyer na parang seryosong-seryoso ang pagtanggap sa order, tapos itinulak niya sa harap ang isang salaming aparador nang walang sinasabi. Sa loob, ginintuan at may asukal, naghihintay ang mga sikat. “May churros ba kayo? Lahat ay nagsasalita tungkol dito.” Nagkunwari siyang nasaktan na kailangan pang itanong iyon. “Dito ko iinumin, pakiusap. Gusto kong umupo saglit sa tabi ng bintana.”

The window seat came with the sound of rain and a view of umbrellas hurrying past. Polly dipped, tasted, and understood the entire neighborhood a little better. "The check, please. How much do I owe you?" The number was small; the discovery was not. "How delicious! I am definitely coming back tomorrow." The badger just polished a cup and smiled, because he had heard that before, and it was always true.

Kasama sa upuan sa bintana ang tunog ng ulan at ang parada ng mga payong na nagmamadali. Isinawsaw ni Polly, tinikman, at naintindihan ang buong lugar nang kaunti pang mas mabuti. “Ang bill, pakiusap. Magkano ang bayad ko?” Maliit ang numero; ang natuklasan, hindi. “Ang sarap! Babalik ako bukas, sigurado.” Pinunasan lang ng badyer ang isang tasa at ngumiti, dahil narinig na niya iyon dati, at palaging totoo.