Awkward.
Suffocating.
Tight.
Uncomfortable.
Hot.
These were all understatements to what Luna felt about her new job's uniform.
It's been a week since she started working at the restaurant as a waitress, and she didn't understand why washing the dishes and cleaning the place wasn't stated in the description of a waitress's job.
The white long sleeved shirt that was so tight, barely letting her breathe properly and the short black skirt that hugged her lower body tight like it's long lost beloved. The only thing letting her walk was the small slit further exposing her right leg in the process.
Serving orders and clearing out tables, she walked back behind the counter to the kitchen, tugging on her skirt.
"Just a reminder, if you ruin those clothes by pulling on them, you can't afford it" a voice cut through the atmosphere as the restaurant's owner glared at Luna before ordering her.
"Wash the dishes, I want them as good as new"
Extra work, Luna didn't mind though, as long as she was getting paid.
"Am I getting paid for that too?" She asked.
"Of course not" her employer frowned as the other staffs snickered "you should be happy I even hired you".
"Any complaint?"
"None ma'am" she replied dejectedly, dragging her tired body to the sink.
..
By the time Luna had gone through the truckload of dishes, it was already 7pm and she rushed to her third job.
The local BBQ joint and she was already late for her shift.
Exhausted couldn't describe her situation.
Since she couldn't find a stable job, she had to work multiple part time jobs.
A morning shift of 8am to 3pm at the convenience store as a cashier.
Her new waitress job that continued twenty minutes after her first and was supposed to end at 6pm but she always got extra work she wasn't getting paid for.
And a night shift from 7pm to 11pm at a local BBQ joint.
Finally reaching Mrs. Wong's, she braced for a scolding for being late as she entered the noisy environment, tables crowded by groups of friends or work colleagues that needed a late night break, their chatters lingering with the smell of spicy, grilled meat and alcohol.
"Luna!!" Mrs. Wong shouts from the front counter
"You're late!"
"I'm sorry Mrs. Wong, I got a new job and my employer isn't as nice as you" Luna explained.
"Are they overworking you dear?" The aged woman in her 50's asked, pulling the younger who nodded in response closer.
"Oh you poor thing, you look exhausted, have you eaten anything today, your cheeks are so hollow" she sympathized, pulling on the little flesh on Luna's cheeks.
"I had no break since morning".
"Well hurry up to the kitchen and get something into that small stomach of yours dear before you start working" the woman shooed the younger just as an order came in from a group of men.
"Five more bottles of beer for table 7!!"
!(((((((
"Go home dear, you need to rest"
"My shift ends at 11 Mrs. Wong, I'm not done cleaning up yet" Luna turned down. "And besides, I don't think you can handle the men at table 7 , they're too drunk and I also need to help you lock up the shop since everyone has left".
..
Clearing up all the tables and cleaning the almost empty shop, Luna approached the males at table 7 the moment it clocked 11pm.
"We're closing up, if you guys could please leave after settling the bills" she asked politely.
"One more round" a drunk man slurred, his hand crashing into the empty glass cups and bottles of beer.
"I'm sorry sir, but we close at 11"
"Then you can follow me to the motel and we can have another drink and some fun" another, looking sober than the rest offered as he gripped her arm, pulling her in.
"Sir, I can't, please settle your bills...."
"Leave the girl alone" Mrs. Wong cuts in
"You heard her, we're closing up" she glared as the men finally began to pour out of the shop.
"Are you sure you don't want to take me on my offer?" The last asked as he settled the bills of his group
"You look like you could use some money, I'm a prosecutor, I'll pay you for the night".
"She said no" Mrs Wong interfered as the other shrugged before leaving the two females.
"How is my cute boy Jun, tell him to visit me soon"
"Hurry home and be careful" Mrs. Wong gave Luna a leather bag packed with food "you two should have this for dinner, you've lost more weight" she complained as they locked up the shop.
"Thanks and goodnight Mrs. Wong" Luna smiled as they started going opposite ways.
"Take care child" she called out to the younger
"And always remember.....
...we know what we are, but not what we may be"
"So don't let the world wear you out okay, things will get better"
:()((((?
Walking through the almost dark street, the barks of dogs were prominent as she trekked home, finally reaching the large apartment building as she noticed the silhouette at the entrance, before approaching it.
"You're late again Luna" Jun huffed, taking the leather bag from her.
"My shift got longer" she replied "and don't even think of talking about you getting a job"
"Did you get me new books?" He sighed in defeat as they made their way in.
"I was too busy, sorry, I'll try tomorrow" .
Going up the flight of stairs, Luna groaned "push me the rest of the way up, I'm so tired to move on my own"
And he gladly obliged with a look of concern.
Finally getting to the rooftop, she opened the door of the small rooftop unit barely the size of an apartment bedroom they had managed to rent for quarter the price of the apartment units.
Luna made a beeline for the small mattress, Jun tailing behind her as she collapsed on the small mattress with a sigh of relief for surviving the day.
"I hope tomorrow is a good day" and she was off like a light switch, leaving Jun to pull off her shoes and settle her on the bed.