In the middle-end afternoon, the sun bathed the school buildings in its warm light softly during our last class for today's college. The whole school is quiet for the students to learn and focus on their professors during the previous hour before dismissal.
"Students, you may dismiss." My professor told us professionally, smiling then leaves with shoulders back. The class begins preparing and checking before they leave the room, while I recently started doing my assignments before working at the cafe. Where there is a 30 minutes rest policy before letting the student work at the part-time job.
I immediately left the room after doing my homework with the 10 minutes left before going to work. It's a 400-meters distance from the university, and I always take a walk alone. Strangers, who I used to pass them by, start waving me, encouraging me, and giving me compliments. Most of them are older adults, and they all seem so kind to me, so I basically spread back the positive vibes before spending their own business during nighttime.
"Good luck on your shift!" The older man in the fruit shop told me, giving me a fortune after he spotted me from his uncommon blue eyes.
"Thank you, John! Have a nice day." I responded, smiling radiantly with a short wave in midair to John. People like him are so kind and optimistic.
I passed him by, still walking around a few meters to reach my work destination safely. Once I got myself in, I immediately head to the counter, making polite excuses from the standing customers, who are currently blocking my way. I wear my long khaki canvas apron with an embroidered cat in the middle and have finally started my today's duty at the counter as a cashier and a waiter.
I begin serving the number 3 table, simply taking their orders to the assigned table, "Table number 3, here is your order, ma'am and sir." I placed their food on the table, smiling to bring them excellent satisfaction. "If there is any concern, please ask me immediately as my job to take care," I said with a joyful tone, smiling in tightly lipped.
"We'll do that, thank you so much," she smiled me back, then begins to face down and picks something out from her pocket, "Here's a tip," the customer hands out a 500 pesos bill, waiting for me to grab it.
They only ordered less than that cash, and it's too much.
"Ma'am, thank you for the tip, but I somehow can't take that cash. I'm just doing my job to satisfy both of you as my customers," I smiled confidently with shoulders at the back and hands are interlocked on my front lower body.
The lady customer sighs and ignores as she quickly grabs my hand and hands out her 500 pesos tip to me, "Don't leave me hanging, handsome young man." She told me, smiling back at me, and softly removes her hand from me.
"T-T-Thank you." I stuttered and took a bow from showing her gratitude.
This is my very first time,
I-I don't know what to say…
But I'm glad that I'm doing my job well.
"Anyways, I'll eat right now, or else my son here will leave first without me." The lady customer said. Then she starts eating with the other customer.
"Thank you again, ma'am." I bow for one last time and start looking at the other customer on the same table, a male wearing all black, including his shades and flat cap. I couldn't recognize him since he is still wearing them, except that he is pretty athletic from his body, but that doesn't bother me because I genuinely do not care.
Probably he eyed at me,
Is that her husband or son?
Wait… I just said that I don't care.
.I head to the counter and take the other orders to the different assigned tables. A few minutes later, I have noticed Jaime moving jauntily like a proud school girl towards the entrance door. It seems the environment likes Jaime so much, where I started to imagine that the leaves of cherry blossoms are winding and the sun is shining through them.
I know that they're safe,
Wait… the door!
I quickly move to the entrance and gently open the door, smiling once Jaime gets in.
"Kai! How thoughtful of you!" Jaime loudly and joyfully said, despite that, I'm near them.
I responded with a dry chuckle, smiling, and said, "Thanks, Jaime."
"Better prepare yourself because it's almost 7 pm!" Jaime told me in a bit of a hurry.
"Right, I am just about to ask my partner, don't worry." I kindly said, smiling in low intensity. I am about to start heading at the counter but then.
"Wait… did I make you rush? Kai, I'm so sorry." Jaime uttered forgivingly, worrying that they knew that I'm fragile and sensitive as I always take things seriously.
"I understand your kind of feeling, Jaime, so don't be." I genuinely spoke, smiling after.
"Maybe… we can just reschedule like Saturday?" Jaime suggested, panicking and having doubts about going to the amusement park.
"Jaime…" I placed my hands to their cheeks and slowly said, "Look at me… I'm Okay." I glared at Jaime with my melancholy smile.
I know what you are thinking, but right now, I'm trying to understand,
Why would people hurt me? Probably it's not them, the problem.
It's somehow me because I'm not that person who's strong enough to encounter.
Jaime takes a deep breath and nods, "Okay, I'll just wait at the table then." Jaime said, smiling back in tightly-lipped. Then moves themselves to the empty table.
I immediately get back to the counter. Luckily, there are no orders left to serve out to the other tables yet so that I can ask my partner right ahead. "Uhm… Kenneth? It's 7 pm. So I'll probably should be going." I gently spoke to him.
"Okay, Kaiden, be careful from outside," Kenneth said, taking a short break.
"Thank you." I took a bow after from his good fortune. I get my bag, head back to Jaime, and said, "Jaime, let's go." Jaime looked at me after when I called their name.
Jaime has already taken an uber driver ride for us to the amusement park, and It's a 5-minute drive from a mile away.
After dropping ourselves off as we have finally arrived, I firstly shift my eyes to Jaime, who's currently smiling excessively at the amusement park. Jaime's smile radiates positivity from here to every living soul to feel the positive vibes here, such as having fun. A person like them would be a blessing to change every minor aspect with negativity.
Jaime holds my arm tightly with both hands, "Oh, I can't wait!" Jaime excitingly told me.
"So… shall we?" I gestured my arm, smiling at Jaime.
Jaime locks my arm once more, and we commence to enter the amusement park and have this fun going between Jaime and me. Our 2 hours of quality time here as two best friends will be spent here.