Approach of an Otherworldly Person

AOP Chapter 4

Arriving at the central market in their municipality, Yoronea felt nostalgic as she remembered their everyday selling of junk food on a cart that they pushed whenever they started and went home. Ending her reminiscing of the past, Yoronea strolled inside the public market asking every stall if they needed a helper. Until she found herself in front of a familiar stall inside the big market, and the owner who was currently talking to a customer glanced at her.

"Yoronea, it's been so long, how's your mother? How are you? I haven't seen you in a year. Your father, where is he?" The owner said while assisting the customer.

Yoronea felt suddenly warm and excited, but she waited till the customer was done buying before she answered to the very familiar owner.

"Good day sister Fei, I'm happy to see you too, true that it has been a year. Mother is currently working in a small factory and she goes home before midnight when there's no overtime."

Fei finished what she was doing while getting a stool for her to sit as she motioned Yoronea to also take a seat in front of her.

"Is that so? Is she fine? How about your father and sister? And you? You've grown beautifully, my child." Fei said as she couldn't help herself touching Yoronea's hair, which made Yoronea bow shyly.

"Yes, when we stopped our vendor business, Mother was told by my Father's sibling, Vee, to work in a small factory where she works, saying that it was for our foods and other necessities. Mother didn't hesitate to apply for it and luckily she was accepted, even though it has a small work pay as long as she can feed us."

Fei just nodded to her, and she continued.

"Father is always in the house, and I prefer it that way. Though it had a huge impact in terms of our financial situation, it was more tolerable than seeing him getting miserable in his workplace circles. That's why he's now in charge of things related to our household. Katelyn, my sister, is now babysitting kids close to our home, just so she can stop asking Mother for what she wants." Yoronea said, holding herself to show her irritation towards her sister.

Fei looked shocked by what her father's situation was, or, rather, Yoronea's family situation.

"Katelyn looks like she has grown up too. I don't know what to say regarding your Father." Fei, who was still trying to suppress her shock.

Yoronea just smiled at the lady in front of her.

"Yes, but I think she's still a child. A spoiled child, to be exact. And she's not listening to any of us. As for me, I'm now studying at a college university in the neighboring city, but now our classes have been put on hold. That's why I decided to temporarily find part-time work, so that I can help Mother a little bit in terms of finances. I started strolling here hoping to stumble on a stall needing a helper."

Fei has the gist of what Yoronea wanted to say at the end of what she just said. That's why she momentarily fell in her thoughts, not minding what the other things that Yoronea had just said.

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Yoronea doesn’t know what to say anymore after she tells Fei what she’s doing in her stall. The lady in front of her fell into a deep thought as if being bombarded with a huge clue relating to a really big issue.

She kept silent and just looked at Fei to be in her early 30’s but still looked young despite having children close to the age of her sister. Fei has shoulder-length black hair, with a slightly high bridged nose, and high cheekbones that highlighted her hazel-colored eyes. Yoronea stopped examining the lady when a customer came in, but Fei called her child to assist.

Looking back at Yoronea, Fei didn’t hide her worry about the kid.

“As you can see, my child, I have my child to accompany me here, even though we lack the manpower for heavy jobs within the stall, I cannot afford you to go through some really hard work. You’re a lady now, it wasn’t appropriate for you to lift heavy things and carry them around the market. It would be fine if you’re only a saleslady or something, but I’m the one who’s handling it and sometimes passes it onto my kid when I have sudden errands.” Fei said, controlling herself not to sound so bad.

Yoronea’s face hinted with disappointment which she was trying to hide and just nodded in front of the lady.

“I understand, but I just really need something where I can earn it, no matter what the job is. I can lift heavy objects or things and definitely can carry them around, as at that time when Father was not with us, I was the one who was handling that kind of work, together with Mother.” Yoronea said, trying to convince Fei, but the lady just shook her head indicating she was not approving of the idea.

Keeping herself forcing the lady that can lead to something, Yoronea just accepted Fei’s advice. The sudden heavy feeling brushed through her system, realizing that she had got ahead of herself, thinking that she had finally found hope with the lady.

"It was nice seeing you and finally talking to you again, Fei. I hope to talk to you again next time. Thank you for sparing your time hearing about my situation.” she tried not to look too bad in front of the lady.

Fei just patted her head and nodded at her before bidding them goodbye.

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‘I thought I could finally relax after seeing Fei. I forgot that she’s the kind of person who has great value towards a lady in terms of how they should act.’ Yoronea thought to herself, trying to cheer herself up.

Fei is the owner of the stall and she’s the one who’s always helping Yoronea whenever her mother is giving her errands for their own stall outside the market, where you can see a bunch of street food vendors.

They’ve known each other for nearly 6 years, forming a deep connection with the lady. Still, she just accepted the fact that Fei would always take her back, not hiding her disappointment anymore but not hating the lady. Yoronea continued to stroll inside the market, through the wet area till the dry goods.

Until she felt the exhaustion of non-stop walking inside the big public market, Yoronea decided to finally put a stop for a moment to her target part-time work hunting and rest for a while outside the market.

Seeing an empty bench, she let herself slump onto it and heaved a heavy sigh till she heard her stomach grumbling. Scanning her surroundings, she found herself in front of cafés that made her feel hungrier. Feeling not too exhausted anymore, Yoronea decided to enter after feeling her money in her pocket.

Pulling the glass door of her chosen café, upon entering, Yoronea heard the bells of chimes as the inside of the café entered her vision. Seeing an empty single table, she immediately occupied it and felt the coldness of the seat. It was just a normal café but it can definitely bring peace when you’re inside of it.

With the silent air conditioning, accompanied by the instrumental sound illuminating inside, you can feel your system calming. The minimalist style of the interior design added to the comforting atmosphere inside the café. It looked like it was newly opened because of the number of people inside, despite the fact that the place can accumulate based solely on her opinion.

Sensing a person approaching her, Yoronea retracted her focus from studying the inside of the cafe and faced the serving staff who offered her a menu and gestured to her to just tap the call bell when she’s done thinking. Feeling amused with the new process of ordering made her feel relieved from the anxious feeling of being pressured when you’re thinking of what you want in front of a waitress. Scanning the menu that was given to her, Yoronea felt her stomach grumble once again, not wasting any more time. She tapped the call bell once and another staff member walked to her table.

“May I take your order now, Ma'am?” said the serving staff member while smiling.

Yoronea smiled back and stated what she wanted, especially now that she felt hungrier. She hoped that it could be served in a short time.

“I would like to have one order of spicy jalapeno burger with a side of fries, and a baked mac ala carte with garlic bread.”

“What drinks would you like, Maam?”

“Water is fine, thank you.”

“I will repeat your order once again, Ma'am, please confirm it later. One order of spicy jalapeno burger with a side of fries, and a baked mac ala carte with garlic bread. And drinks would be water.”

Yoronea nodded her head upon confirming her order. The serving staff collected the menu before leaving her and another staff member walked to her table and gave her a big glass of water and a crushed ice on the side.

Another thing that she liked in this cafe is that their food is affordable and it also comes with a side, she’s just hoping that the taste will leave a really good impression on her. While waiting, Yoronea prepared her payment in advance and drank the water in front of her.

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