Past Shadows

Alisa

“ Hey, ALISA! I have been seated here for a while now. Please get me my food. “

“ Yes sir. I am coming. “

“ ALISA. Get me my food. I need to return to my store. “

“ Sure. I will be back in a jiffy. “

“ ALISA… MY FOOD… “

“ Yep mam. I will be right back. “

An able young lass looking like one in her late teens bustled to and fro within a little restaurant. Apparently, she worked akin to a waiter, delivering food to the customers in the eatery.

Occasionally, she would enter into the kitchen and return with trays of plates of various delicacies of food. Other times, she would return with a nylon used to pack a plastic take away plate of food.

Numerous shouts and yells resounded in disarray within the room, unintentionally causing a clouding of her thoughts. But she remained tranquil, responding to only a few customers at a time.

“ Hey Girl. This food wasn’t well prepared. I don’t like it’s taste. “

“ Yes. It’s too salty. “

Confusion shone on Alisa’s face. Her mom’s food! Salty? How?

“ Fine. Let me have a taste. “ Alisa said, approaching the duo.

Seeing her approach, the faces of the two trouble makers developed a frown.

“ What are you checking it for. If we say it’s salty, then it is. Are you trying to call us liars. Be careful with your words lass. “ One spoke in feigned fury, wearing an expression that sought fear from it viewers.

“ Right bro. This girl seems to be looking down on us. She needs to be taught a lesson. “ His partner in crime backed him up. He stood up with a fierce momentum while he spoke, hoping to scare Alisa off.

Unfortunately, Alisa didn’t seem one bit shaken by their ferocious behaviors.

She boldly walked forward until she was close enough to them before speaking. “ You complained that your food is salty right? Then I would like permission to taste it. “

“ … “

‘ Seems like she is a hard nut to c***k. ‘ The two thought in dismay.

After a bit of eye contact, a wordless discussion seemed to have taken place. The one who stood up ferociously previously, did it once more. Only this time he took a step closer to Alisa, aiming to give her a sudden fright.

Alas, Alisa remained unmoved. ‘ Sigh… Another set of clowns. Better know when to stop. ‘ She thought.

Seeing their plans to scare her off fail consecutively, the two decided to change strategy. Throwing each other weird glints and facial moves, they came to a quick decision.

“ Know what, I can’t be bothered with a little lass like you. Bro, let’s leave this place. “ The one standing spoke to his fellow.

“ Sure. “ The latter stood up in response. After that, he turned to Alisa and pointed a finger at her unrestrainedly. “ Look lass. We will let you off the hook today. But next time you dare disrespect us, we will make sure you regret it. Did it clock in? “

Her response was a slap on the finger pointed at her.

“ You… “ The fellow raised his hand in an attempt to slap her, but his partner held him back.

“ Let her be. She is just an ignorant child. Let’s just go. “.

Just as the two tilted towards the door’s direction in an attempt to leave, a pair of hands grasp both on one hand of theirs each.

“ You haven’t paid for the food you both ate. Even though only half of it was eaten, you would still have to pay the full fee. We can’t return left overs back to the pot. The total fee is five thousand naira. Please, pay up. “

It was Alisa.

“ How impudent! “ The two boys exclaimed in fury. With a plunge back, they tried to forcefully free themselves from her grasp. But to their amazement, Alisa didn’t stagger. Neither did her grip loosen one bit.

“ How? “ They both exclaimed in shock. How come? They could actually be held in place by a lass. Fear unknowingly seeped into their hearts.

“ Lass. Let go! or you will regret it. “ One of the ruffians threatened.

“ I thought you wanted to use force. Why did you stop? What? You guys haven’t eaten enough? “ She taunted in disdain.

“ You… “

“ What do you think you are. A lass like you really thinks she can match us men. Quickly let go before we manhandle you. “.

“ Hahahahaha… Manhandle me. Seriously! At least stop shivering first. “

“ You… “

“ Enough of your tantrums. Pay up, before I do something more drastic. “ Alisa spoke sternly. She applied more force to her grips causing the two young men to let out shrieks.

“ Fine. We will pay up. Just let go of our hands first. “

“ Yes. Just let go. Please. “

Hearing their plea, Alisa chuckled. “ Why? Two hefty able men like you two can’t take a grip from a little lass like me. How shameful. “ Alisa taunted.

“ You… Ahhhhhhhh. Fine, fine. Please let go of us first. “ The two pleaded shamelessly.

Verifying their sincerity in pleading, she finally let go of them.

“ Ahhhhh. “ They both let out breath of fresh air.

Suddenly, the two exchanged gazes again. It was pretty obvious they were up to no good. But a glare from Alisa caused them to rethink their action.

Thence, with the absence of options, they gave up on playing cunning and dipped their hands into their pocket. With their hands came out a bundle of cash, a lot more than the five thousand fee they were billed.

‘ So they do have enough money but choose to play such games. Since that’s the case, both of you are screwed. You will pay double.’ She thought and spoke almost immediately. “ The money is ten thousand. “.

“ You! “ The two yelled in fury. But Alisa didn’t feel an ounce of sympathy for them. Such scums deserved worse. “ You better pay up before I take every penny on you as compensation for this farce. What you guys just did is very well akin to stealing. Thus, you can’t pursue a legal case. That is except you want to dig a pit for yourselves. Think carefully. But every ten seconds… I am gonna add another thousand to your bill. “

‘ This presumptuous lass. ‘ They thought.

“ Fine, fine, fine. Here is your ten thousand. Please, could we go now. “ They quickly handed it to her.

“ Wait! Let me count… 1,2,3,4,5…10. Fine, quickly get out before I change my mind. “.

The two wasted no more seconds, quickly running out from the stall.

Just then; “ Hey! You scumbags, watch where you’re going. “.

“ You… Who do you think you are talking to lass. When did you ladies start getting this presumptuous? Do you think we men are people you can just bully… Ouch. “

“ Who do you think you are talking to. “

“ Sorry ma, sorry ma. I won’t do it again. “

“ I didn't hear that clearly. “

“ I said; SORRY MA, I WON’T DO THIS AGAIN. Please tell him to let me go. “

“ Good for you. “

“ Get lost. “

“ Yes mam. “

Hearing that voice, Alisa face quickly turned pathetic. This voice…, a memory resurfaced in her thoughts.

It wasn't just her. A few of the regular customers within the restaurant also developed frowns.

‘ Trouble! ‘ They all thought.

All gazes tilted to the doorway, patiently waiting.

From there, a young extravagantly dressed lass accompanied by four hefty men on suits walked in.