The sun just rise when I woke up. I check the time and it was already quarter to six in the morning. The first thing I saw was the ceiling. A different ceiling from what I am used to. It is a new room I am waking up with. I rubbed my eyes and stretched my body. Then folded my blanket and arranged my bed.I got a very nice sleep. I stood up right away and started my morning routine.
I walked outside wearing my leggings paired with an oversized white shirt and flat shoes. Tim reminded me that today will be a busy day for the both of us. We need to find a job right away. I am very nervous since I don't have any experience having a job.Guess this adventure is really for my first times.
I quietly pass by his room and went downstairs . As I walked down in the stairs, the smell of morning air is very prominent and I can already perceive the morning menu for breakfast. The houselady is in the kitchen when I saw her. When she heard my footsteps, she gave me a very warm smile and greeted me a Good Morning. I gave her my sweetest smile as well.Her smile matches her beautiful face and her motherly aura.
We ate breakfast together after Tim came down. He's on his comfy outfit like me. It was already eight in the morning when we left the apartment. This is it,the real deal. I suddenly felt my heart racing like I am going to attend a very important event in my life. Calm down ,Kathareen- I'm trying really hard to appreciate my second name like how I appreciate my state right now. And I just realized, Kathareen sounds cute.
We went to a not so crowded place. But it has this super festive mood .The sound of bells from ice cream vendors adds the mood of the place. The kids running, friends laughing, and lovers holding hands.The noise being created is not that unpleasant to the ears. It's like a sound of home. A home I've been longing for.
The houselady-Miss Chim, suggested this place for searching job. She told us most of her ex-renters worked here and the pay was good.
We first walked in the aisle of flowershops and candles. The scent of the candles are very fascinating and my nose is bless so early in the morning. Each store has it's own style- pastel- coloured, dark, just white, and the one I liked the most is the forest-like room. It's very flowery,even the ceiling.
The weather is starting to get sunny causing me to sweat. I search and search yet I found no single store showing any signs saying ' We are currently looking for a new staff ', so I suggested to go farther. Tim and I decided to go separate ways to grab more chance finding our jobs. Now that I am alone, I can't help but to feel anxious. This is the real deal.
I turned to the right corner and now I am in a different 'world'. Dresses and gowns are what they sell here. It's the most quiet part I've been to in this place since there are only few people in this section.
I explore like Dora-but I'm the unlucky explorer since I got no Map to help me. I've been to different aisles causing me to feel exhausted. Still can't find a job. No vacancies. It was terrifying and tiring. I feel worn-out from walking, so I went back to the Coffee Shop where Tim and I agreed to meet before separating ways. I waited for him while watching the passing of people. Some turn their heads to me and some just pass by with a blank face. Tim was sweaty when he came.
“ No one wants to hire me because they got scared I might outcharm the boss.” He said proudly and I punch him lightly in his left bicep.
“No one wants to hire you since you look like a criminal.” I responded. He gave me a frown then patted my head and sat beside me.
“Looking for a job for living is not that easy." He said while playing with the flower in the vase, placed in the middle of the table.
For the first time, as I stared at him, I can see he is like me. One who wants to escape from being ordinary. But he is tougher than me.
“ Living is a difficult job, too.” I stated.
We ate lunch in the next block.I only ordered a can of cold milk and strawberry flavored yogurt. After lunch, we planned to continue looking for a job until five or maybe six. Tiring but I am really having fun. I feel alive. I feel like I am a human. Tim left and he said he'll try looking in the Music Instruments area. This place is really a major leaguer.
I took a series of ' inhale Kathareen, now exhale.' I can't decide right away where to go. It's like deciding what book should I read first.I tied my hair in a low ponytail and I ended up walking in the food stalls area where most people stay- the crowded section. I scanned the places and my mouth formed in an awe. It was my first time to see a busy street gorgeously like this. It's like each store has its own personality. Dark, humorous, gibberish-you can't understand if you're not a part of it, and there's also a store like full of smoke inside since they sell barbeques.
I started walking going to the end and carefully look for a sign for a vacant work. I was already in the middle of the street when a store caught my attention. It was different from other stores. I got surprised when I saw Tim in the end of the street and he run to me quickly when he saw me. Sweats are already visible dripping to down to his forehead. He stand beside me and look at the store I am looking.
“ Yeah. It's really different.” He said answering my thought in my mind.
We tried getting closer to the stall and it was the loneliest stall- no customers, the interior design is weak, the cashier is sleepy, the entrance door is dusty and the position of the chairs and tables are awful. Like really awful.
I opened the door causing the cashier to get panick and suddenly feeling awake. The sound of the bell in the entrance made them stare at me like 'hey, guess you are lost.' The guy in the cashier smiled at us right away while the other woman just ignore us, resting her head in the table with the support of her arms as pillows. He cleared his throat before speaking. “ Good Day Sir, Ma'am, welcome to Monochromatic! ”.
I gave him what's-the-name-again face but he was too slow to get it. I got no choice but to voice it out. “What's the name, again?”
“ Uhm-Monochromatic?” He said, quite unsure.
“ That's why there are no customer.” I whispered to Tim.
“Why?” He asked innocently.
I rolled my eyes on him. “ Monochromatic is just a synonym of boring.” I stated causing him to open his mouth in surprise- he then covered it using his right palm.
“That's unbelievable.”
“ Of course, you are not here to eat, right? So, what took you here? ” Said the curly haired woman in like late 30's. She's maybe one of the staff as she is wearing the same apron the guy in the cashier is wearing. She seemed impatient.
“ We're looking for a job.” I uttered directly without stuttering.
“Sorry, no available.” Oh. That was a quick response. She got a low temper, I can sense.
“You can leave, now. Thank you for coming.” She continued and turned her back on us.
The guy in the cashier got startled and step out from sitting. “Hey there Mia.I'm the boss here.” He said looking at that impatient woman. The woman-Mia stared at him and her brows meet.
“ Sir Flinn, don't tell me you're going to entertain them. Look-see this business is drowning, we got no time to act like we're doing good. Stop this nonsense.” Mia stated with a trying-to-convince tone.
“We should leave.” Tim whispered. I look up to him since he's taller than me. I grab his arm and give him a furious stare.
“ Stay.” I commanded.
I cleared my throat to get their attention. They stopped arguing and gazed at me. Sir Flinn show me a fake smile - a tired, 'i am freaking tired' smile.
“ Actually, we're here to apply for a job.” I vocalised making Sir Flinn's eyes widened.
“ You're hired! ”
“ Wait, what?” Miss Mia seemed to not like the idea. She massage her forehead while shaking her head no, showing she doesn't approve it thinking it's a bad idea.
“That was quick.” Tim came closer to Sir Flinn and offer a handshake. “ My name's Timothy. My charm can give us success.”
After exchanging handshakes, Sir Flinn eyed me and ask. “ And you, young lady? What should I call you?”
It was a quiet moment. No one dared to break the silence. Miss Mia walked out and slammed the door. Timothy gazed at me like a Dad waiting for his child's first word. And Sir Flinn is still smiling. I blinked one more time.
“ You can call me Kathareen and I want to be the manager here.”
“ It was when our first customer came and then the moment he entered this restaurant, I heared him say 'what a monochromatic place', and I was like ' that's a cool name for a restaurant, it sounds freaking elegant'.” He sounds excited like he's telling the best story he read- he even mimic how that first customer uttered the words.That was what Sir Flinn said after I asked him how did they come up with naming the restaurant as ' Monochromatic'. His eyes are gleaming and I wonder that he doesn't know the meaning behind that word.Obviously.This is our first day of work- a work which I am not sure if we will receive a good pay. A work without proper contract or anything legal. It's really complicated right now.Miss Mia messaged Sir Flinn that she will take a day off
We started our day by getting off the dust. It was awful since it's early in the morning and we just took our bath to get soaked with dust. The exterior of this stall is really unattractive. It doesn't make the customers interested of what's inside. The color of the wall is too pale and is unmatched to the atmosphere of the interior which is pretty dark. Just by staring at the stall, it's really impossible to have atleast 5 customers per day.We left the apartment earlier than the other days. I also prepare clothes for me to use if ever I got too untidy from cleaning. Miss Chim prepared us packs of sandwiches we can eat for snacks. There's a strawberry jammed sandwich and the other one is coatwd with cheese and ham. She is really the sweetest.The most exciting part of today is meeting Miss Mia's kids. She told us that they come to vi
Timothy Williams lied. I punched him many times but it wasn't too much like what he truly deserves. Everytime I ask him “ Was it true?” or “Did you really saw them?” His forehead wrinkled and his lips are slightly open, then he would reply “ I'm... quite unsure, I think.. it's just me or maybe... my eyes are getting worse.” Then I would punch him, again and he would act like he's hurt and fall to the ground.I couldn't sleep properly because of it. Even though he already admitted it was a lie, there's still a part of me keeps on believing it.'Cause what if they are here?Are they searching for me?Are they worried?Will they take me back to that small village?And if they are really here, I shouldn't be afraid. They can't force me to go back to where I came from. Two decades are enough for me to get st
“Tim!” I shouted as I knock on his door. It's already 8 in the morning and he still didn't show himself for breakfast.I got tired from knocking and walked downstairs. I saw Miss Chim so I took the chance to ask her, but she spoke before me.“Oh, Kathareen. ” she said and then wiped his wet hands with her apron. “ Tim left earlier. He said it's an urgent emergency.”“Emergency?” I repeated for assurance.She nod and took some eggs in the refrigerator. “He don't want to wake you up since you are tired.” I froze. Speechless.After hearing it, I said goodbye to Miss Chim and excuse myself for not being with her in the breakfast table. I took the bus so I could be there faster. I got no idea what is the emergency all about.I can a
It was already weeks since Merliah's funeral. It was a day of loud cries. Seeing an angel inside a coffin. Her classmates came that time. They would say, “ She's just sleeping,right?”, “When will she wake up? We haven't finish our homeworks yet. Can you wake her up?”. It broke my heart into million pieces.I always keep my eyes on Kira and Miss Mia. I know, they are the most affected here. I would sometime catch Kira crying in the corner when no one's looking. I couldn't afford to see her like that. No words could comfort her, tight hugs are what I can give.Miss Mia- she's the bravest. When someone sends their condolences, she would give them a warm smile, trying really hard to not break down. I admire her that. I want to give her a hug every minute to let her feel that she's alone in this battle. Even though she's strong enough to carry all th
Miss Mia smiled brightly and clapped her hands. “ I love it!”Tim and I exchanged look of disbelief. It's just- like.. lighting.I thought they are just joking, but we are really opening tomorrow. TOMORROW. I kept on asking Sir Flinn what he meant by tomorrow. Then he took his dictionary and said," the day after today".They put the soft carpet covering the the dirty floor, then the lightings.Finalize the arrangement of chairs and tables. Placed the flower vase in the middle of each table that are being covered with soft white fabric.I scanned the whole stall and it was far from how it looked before.“How about the menu?” I asked Miss Mia.She gave me a proud nod.She patted my shoulder and
Mom walked going to my direction. Her eyes are in perfect despair. She colored her hair and now dark brown from being blonde. Seeing her going nearer to me is like the chances of being back to that village is getting bigger. Seeing her took me to flash back from being a prisoner of my own life. How I isolate myself thinking no one wants to be with me, how I waste all the years and life's only revolves inside a small place, and how I need to escape just to find a home. Before she could get a hold of me, I immediately run going out. I saw how customers gazed at me-they don't have any idea of what's going on. I heard Mom screamed my name-like the day Dad slapped me and Sir Flinn asking
Days pass since that day. A lot of changes happened.But there's a lot of things that stayed the same. Our store is filled with customers everyday.I sometimes feel different when Sir Flinn would call me his granddaughter, it's heartwarming.The first time he hug me as a granddaughter, he cried. I let go the last because I want to feel his soul. Guess being a veteran at hiding emotions runs in our blood. I don't want to ruin my relationship with Sir Flinn, he's part of my home and I don't want to mess anything with him. He didn't do anything to make me burst in madness, he's the man who help me and he's has a space in my heart.I wish I knew him when I was a child. He's not a typical grandpa who's back is aching. He's tough physically and mentally.But everything happens for a reason- I may not know him sooner as my grandfather, atleast I know him as Sir F