"Hilda"Joanna smiled while I sat down
"What's up?"she asked " How was school?"
"Please, get me some water first" I said and she left to get me a glass of water.
I took two glasses of water and I felt filled.
"Order" a man called and Joanna left to attend to him. I went in to change into my work clothes.
We didn't have time to talk. I wore a grim look for the rest of the day.
"That will be the last of our customers" Joanna said as she watched our last customer walk out. She walked outside, threw the trash away, scrutinized the area and locked the door.
"The resty's officially closed" she said as she turned the cardboard sign to CLOSED.
I was busy packing up and so did she.
"Boss will be so happy with the progress we're making" she said and I nodded. We took a cab home. We both collapsed on the couch after the door had been locked behind us.
"I'll go prepare dinner" she volunteered and I nodded. We had dinner of spaghetti and meatballs. I barely ate my food and she noticed.
"What's up?"she asked, her mouth FL of spaghetti.
"If it's about school, you shouldn't get tired yet. It's just your second day. I'm sure every...."
"Then what do you do when an extremely rich kid asks me to pay a million dollars " I said and she spat her water out in surprise.
"A million dollars?"she screamed" Even if we work for two years, we can't get such a money."
" I know. Two years is a great duration. I'm given a week." I said.
"Wh...what happened?"she asked
" I might have destroyed Brixan art materials. Mere looking at them, they gleam with wealth. I'm in trouble." I said
"Did....did he give you another option?" she asked and I nodded
"Is it something you can do?" she asked and my expression worsened.
"I can't be his contractual maid" and she spat out her water again, this time on my face.
"I'm ....I'm sorry" she said "It's just that I'm shocked"
"I can't believe I'll be more miserable than this" I said and sighed.
*************
I opened my locker to take my books when a heap of dirt fell off, from my locker. I bit my lip, annoyed.
"Process your transfer" a guy and a girl voice echoed.
"Hey, you" the janitor called, referring to me " Clean up that mess"
"Yes, sir" I said, warily.
I thought classes would be better, only to get a shocker. I hadn't noticed they had loosened the nuts of my chair. I sat down unaware and fell abruptly. The class erupted in a loud laughter. I had to stand throughout my classes.
"Just work your transfer" they would tell me. I felt really lonely. My eyes were teary but I refused to cry.
School had closed and I left for my locker. I found a letter in my locker.
"2ND DAY" it read and I felt gloomy again.
I rode my bicycle home. Joanna was on shift. I was free for the day.
I had finished taking my bath when my phone rang. I looked at the caller I D and smiled.
" Hey, Mum" I said
"Honey" she said and I smiled " How are you doing?"
" Fine" I lied.
" Joanna told me you love your new school" she said.
"She did?" I asked
" Yes" she said and I nodded.
"How is work?" I asked
"I'm still working hard, honey. Everything will be fine. I haven't forgotten I'll keep a spot for you" she said and I smiled.
" How are you faring at school, work, church and at home?" she asked
"Fine"
"Fine for all of them?"
" Yes" I lied.
" Do you still have your rosary with you?" she asked.
" Yes, Mummy. Everything is fine. " I said
" Be a good girl, Hilda. Don't get into trouble. You know how hard I work. Please study your books and get good grades. I want you to get into the best college. I don't mind the cost, I'll pay. I love you, honey"
" Iove you too, Mum" I said and she hung up.
If only she knew I had already gotten into trouble.