Waitress
We ended up here at the Robinson manila and I'm still thankful because my designer is free. I don't know what she's up to.. but yeah. She's not a famous designer but her designs are goods. I want her to be my designer everytime I want something new, she's a good friend of mine. I remembered when we're at the highschool. Parehas ata kaming nagkamuscle because of our research groupmates! The guts that my groupmates have! I will never forget that.
I immediately looked at her when she sat down on the side of Chave. She's beautiful and I admit it. Well, I'm beautiful too but in my own way. We all beautiful in our own way and our own uniqueness. The only one who makes us ugly is the judgemental society and the only person who can pull us down is ourselves. No one else.
It's all started with ourselves not with anyone. If you love yourself then anyone can accept you because in the first place you already accept yourself. How can others love you if you itself can't accept who you are? What I'm pointing is mas madaling matatanggap ng iba kung sino ka kung ikaw mismo ay tanggap ang sarili mo. Judgemental people, Their opinion is not important, the important is the lesson you have learned.
Be who you are for yourself not to please everyone.
"Why are you wearing a sunglasses?" I asked and sipped my cookies and cream frappe that I order.
I looked at her when I saw the tiredness in her face. She looks like she want to give up to a something.
I looked at Chave who suddenly stood up "Talk.. May pupuntahan lang ako," he said and turned his back.
I nodded "Tawagan na lang kita if tapos na kami mag-usap."
I licked my lower lips and returned my gaze at my friend. She watched Chave walked away before looking at me. She remove her sunglasses and forcefully smiled at me.
My eyes widened when I looked at her fluffy eyes. She cried.. hard? I take a deep breath and flipped my hair before smiling at her.
"Do you have any problem? You know that you can always open up to me everytime you want. I'm not the kind of person that will turn my back when you need me the most." I said and hold her hands.
I saw how the tears coming from her teary eyes fell on her cheeks. I wipe it using my own fingers. Tumango-tango ako para ipakita sa kaniya na it's fine to cry in front of me.
Maybe I'm not a BEST friend but I promised that I always got their back until they got the best of their best.
We didn't talk too much and we didn't chat. Kapag may kailangan lang ako at kapag may kailangan siya. Hindi naman porket gano'n.. you will take it to the "Kinakausap ka lang naman kapag may kailangan." For me, It's being a childish. We all have our own path and life. We are not obligate to always talk to them. If you really are friends kahit ga'no pa kayo katagal na hindi nagkita or nagkausap you will understand each other.
"What happened?" I asked.
She smiled awkwardly and help me to wipe her tears. How can my good friend turned in to this kind of set up.
"I'm married, four months na." She said.
My lips parted and stare at her. Is she serious? I mean she didn't invited me!
"You didn't invited me!" I pouted and rolled my eyes.
"Secret wedding lang kasi ayaw niya kasing may makaalam.." her voice cracked.
I bit my lower lips "Why? You are beautiful. No man can say no to your goddess face. Is he embarrass? If yes then you don't deserve a man like him. You deserve a man who can shout at the world that he loves you.." I said.
Wow, Coming from me huh? I want to open up, 'Yung nararamdaman ko kay Magen but I don't want to add that to her problem.
"I forced him to marry me. Hindi naman talaga dapat pero gusto ko siya matagal na so why not right?" She mocked and laughed.
I took a deep breath while pretending to be strong in front of me.
"Cry if you want. Burst out if you need. Don't smile if deep inside it's hurt. Don't pretend as If I can't feel the sadness you are in. Hindi masamang gawin kung ano talaga ang gusto mo. You are.... in pain," I said reason why she cried so hard. "Put your sunglasses on. Let's go in my unit." I said and stood up.
Maybe I'm not always there beside her but I know how she really feels. She need a friend. She need someone beside her.
"S-si C-chave.." she said, worrying at my cousin.
I smiled " Don't mind him. Tatawagan ko na lang siya. Dala mo ba ibang materials mo?" I asked pinpointing the things that help her to measure my size.
She nodded "Nasa kotse ko." She answered.
I held her arm and get my phone inside my small bag. Hawak-hawak ko siya while walking. I dialled my cousing phone number.
"Chave, sorry next time na lang kita ilibre ng dinner. May kailangan lang kami pag-usapan ni Psyche. We're staying at my unit." I said and didn't give him a chance to hear his rant.
'Sinama-sama mo ako tapos iiwan mo!'
'How dare you'
That's his usual lines when I'm always leaving him when I have a emergency.
We went silent when I entered her car. She's deadly series and I don't know why while looking at her my heart is aching.
Do you experience this? Seeing your friend being in pain reason why the pain you felt are double.
"Come in, Wala naman ako ibang kasama dito sa unit. It's only me, so if you want to come here and take a chill moment then contact me." I wink and sat on the couch.
She examined my place. I watched her doing it.
"Tsaka na tayo magkwentuhan if natapos ko na 'yung trabaho ko. So you want me to style your uniform, right?" I nodded when she sat in front of my couch.
I handed her a paper bag. 'Yung binigay ni Anica. She said naman na hindi istrikto si Magen when it comes to our uniform attire.
"Yes, I want it to be a cropped top and backless sana? I mean I want it to still looked fashionable. On the neck part I want it to be a Vneck style." I explained.
She swallowed.
She sniffed.
She pouted.
"Oh? What's wrong? Is it hard ba?"
She shook her head, then why? "It's a waitress uniform pero parang pangporma mo lang sa club.." she laughed. "What time ba need? Keri ko 'to kasi tatlo lang naman. Four hours ko lang 'to gawin. Tara sukatan na kita." She said and stood up.
I nodded and smiled, Sinukatan na niya ako. She measure my waist and my chest. I don't get it, I mean pinapanood ko lang siya sa ginagawa niya.
"Gawin kong sa pagkakabackless nung damit is hanggang bust line lang 'wag na literal na backless. Hindi bagay sa quality ng tela." She said.
I nodded "Desisyon ka"
We laughed.
"Spill the tea.." I said while looking at the white ceiling.
I heard her gulped "Spill what?" She pretend.
I rolled my eyes and looked at her "Your problem."
She stopped writing, She frozed and close her eyes "I can still... deal with it." she smiled weakly.
She looks cheerless, depressed and pained.
I nodded "If you are ready to open up to me then don't hesitate to approach me. For now hahayaan muna kita if that's what you really want. I respect your decision."
Gustuhin ko man na tulungan siya or malaman ang problema niya ay hindi ko siya pipilitin na magsabi. I don't want to meddle with the problem of my friends if that's what they like. I know her, She don't like those person na pinipilit siyang gawin ang ayaw niya. She settle for what she really want. No one can brag her down because I know she's strong.
I hope... she's still.
"K-kailan mo ba kailangan 'to? bukas ba agad?" she asked and I nodded.
"7: 30 start ko tomorrow," I answered.
She's already done at me. She sat at the couch kung saan siya kanina nakaupo. I sat too where I seat earlier.
I stare at her, She's writing something.
"Tapos ko 'to mamaya bago mag-alauna or alas dose. Hindi naman kasi mahirap pinapagawa mo. Pinabawasan mo lang at may pinadagdag ka lang na style." she said while her attention is not at me.
We talked and laughed for a minutes. I didn't bring up her problem because I don't want to ruin the atmosphere. I just felt bad kasi pakiramdam ko kailangan niya ako to lighten her up but she doesn't want. She want me to be out of her problem.
Nagkasundo kami na bukas mga alas singko ng madaling araw ay magseset na lang siya ng lalamove para mapadeliver sa'kin. Well, It's fine to me since I trust her.
I curled my hair using my hair curler wand that I bought last month. To be honest, This is my first hair curler because I'm contented with my straight hair but today is different day I need to be a extraordinary gorgeous. I put some contour and brush my eyebrows. I curl my eyelashes... put a brown matte lipstick and some blush on my cheeks. Hindi naman masyadong makapal. I used my powder brush and started putting some powder on my face. I'm not fond of foundation cream or powder I'm fine with this tender care powder. Masyado kasing mabigat sa mukha everytime I used face foundation.
When my uniform arrived. I immediately wear it. It's fitted like what I like. I flipped my hair before grabbing my sling bag. Some people looking at me and looks curious. Yeah, I wear this uniform because I'm proud! I already got a job!
"What the?" Anica parted her lips when she saw me.
I smiled at her and wave my hands but she just stare at me. My brows furrowed.
"Seven pa lang hindi pa ako late, right?"
She nodded and laughed a bit "Grabe ka talaga! Ang ganda mo! Tsaka wow!" she looked at my uniform "Ginawan mo talaga ng paraan para maging pamorma 'yung uniform! pero hindi ka ba nahiya? I mean ang ganda mo tapos nakasuot ka ng uniform na pangwaitress while heading here,"
Nanliit ang mata ko "Why would I? I'm proud of this! First time kong makapagtrabaho. I don't know but I'm proud of myself because of this. Even I'm going to wipe some shits and give some of their orders." I rolled my eyes.
"Oh!" natatawang sabi niya at umiling-iling.
"Don't you have class?" I asked.
She shook her head "Mamaya pang 3 pm 'yung class ko. Mag-extra muna ako." she smiled
A few minutes later I put my bag in the staff area. One locker has been reserved for me. I can also saw my name plate inside of it that I immediately put at my right upper chest enough to see the print. This cafeteria has a good service to the both customers and temployees.
"Here's your caramel macchiato and chocolate cake," Sabi ko habang nilalagay sa lamesa niya ang order, I smiled.
"Waitress ka?" He asked and examined my whole.
I raised by brows and smiled while hugging the color brown tray. I stood properly and nodded proudly.
"Yes.. that's all po ba, Sir? If you have anything else just call me I'm just serving others or maybe just over the counter."
I served others for almost 30 minutes. Some of them are asking my number and I don't hesitate to give mine.
"Oh! Cool!" He said and sipped his order.
"Thank you!" I said and turned my back.
I walked confidently when I put back the tray in the counter. I sighed and stretch my body.
"Sa table 3 'tong dalawang mocha cake at dalawang cookies and cream frappe." Anica said when I about to seat.
I pouted, Mayro'n naman kaming mga kasama I mean. Tatlo kami, Isang waiter at dalawa kaming waitress but the customers is flooding! Ang dami pala!
"Kapag pala malapit na 'yung exam ng mga senior students dito pala sila natambay no?" I asked the obvious.
Anica just nodded and started getting the order of the girl in front of her.
I rolled my eyes, Inayos ko ang pagkakalagay ng order sa tray at nagsimula ulit na maglakad palapit sa table three.
"Ano nga ulit 'yung Vox populi?" I heard a guy asked his classmates beside him.
They are composed of five students. Three guys and two girls. They looked at me while I'm placing their order at the table.
"Wait hanapin ko sa notes ko..." a girl said.
I smiled at them "If you need something else then called one of the staff.." I smiled widely.
They nodded, I looked at the girl who's looked problematic.
"Vox populi is a kind of Latin phrase means The voice of the people," I said.
"Oo 'yon 'yun!" A girl and smiled at me "Thank you po!" She thanked me.
I just nodded and smiled and started to hugged again the tray. I turned my back and smiled at Anica when I saw her sighed heavily while touching her forehead.
I think she's already tired. Masyado talaga kasing marami ang mga customers na dumating. Halos sunod-sunod ang mga umorder.
"What the hell are you wearing?" A cold baritone voice filled my ears.
A cold one that I know where belong. My heart started to flutter because of the excitement. I face him wearing a beautiful smile and eyes but I swallowed all my confidence when I met his intense gaze.
Parang bumaliktad ang sikmura ko habang seryoso siyang nakatingin sa'kin. He didn't looked away.. he stare at me like I did something like a crime.
I want to explain pero parang nalunok ko ang dila ko. I stepped backward when he started walking.
He looked at Anica "Mamayang 10 am mag-out ka na. Wafer will be here at 9 am so you can rest and prepare for your class." he seriously said and turned to me.
I swallowed hard and force myself to smiled like he didn't make my heart pound so fast to the point that I think I'm in danger.
You know the feeling of this? 'Yung sa sobrang bilis ng kabog ng dibdib mo ay parang sasabog na?
He sighed and massage his forehead when he looked at my uniform "Seriously? Heart?" He said like I disappoint him.
I saw how his jaw clenched when he bit his lower lips. He slowly combed his hair using his fingers. He started to shook his head and held my hand. Before I can protest he pulled me away like he own me.
Yes... He really did.