The Way to Love

It was a fair Saturday afternoon and Livia had to prepare for her part-time job at Cafe Wheels. She was a bit worried because she did not have enough time to iron her clothes and she would have another encounter with her boss who never fails to nag at her. It's ten minutes to three o'clock in the afternoon, her biometrics showed as she logged in at the cafe. Livia thanked God that she made it despite the heavy traffic. It's September and many tourists are coming to their city as it is one of the best places to be in their country - cool breeze, amazing mountain views, great artists, good food, cafes and bars all over. These are just some of the things the tourists come here for. "Livia...," a tall handsome man with a fair built said to her. His eyebrows are again touching each other conveying a disappointed look. "What did I tell you about uniforms? You just don't listen, do you?" "Mr. Brooks... Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't have enough time to...", she was not yet finished speaking when Mr. Brooks turned around without even listening to her explanation. What is about her uniform that he can't stand?  "It's just a uniform...", she whispered as she went to the counter and started the day's work.  "Hey, don't mind him." Another tall guy appeared patting her shoulder. "Oh, Josh. I didn't notice you there. I just don't get why he can't see anything nice. Just my uniform." "Well, you can make it up next time. Think about it, you have tomorrow to prove that he's wrong... Whatever he's thinking..." he said while smiling. Livia felt comforted and was glad there are people like Josh who could pull up the mood. Now she can start working without a heavy heart. She smiled to the customers heading her way and greeted them with buoyancy. Thanks to Josh, she was powered up with his comforting words and retained her energy even after seven o'clock. While she was walking home, Livia was contemplating if she would ever have a chance to improve the kind of life that she has. Will there be anything more from this ordinary routine? She has only three places significant in her life now - work, home, and school. If only her dad didn't die early. Maybe she wouldn't feel as bad as she feels. She will be turning twenty a few months from now but she hasn't enjoyed her life as her classmates are enjoying. She had to toil for her schooling since her dad died... "Sweetie, what do you want to be when you grow up?" she can still remember her dad asking her when she was seven years younger. "Dad, I want to be like you. A dashing lawyer who defends the rights of others!" she recalls her answer. That seemed impossible now since she had to take a scholarship in Math to continue studying. Mathematics was not her first choice but because of the scholarship, she had to grab the opportunity. Now that she's in her junior year, her subjects are getting more difficult as they delve into calculus and mathematical models. "What was I thinking? How can I go through this?" Many times she wanted to give up but her desire for a better life kept her hanging. She decided to live her life one step at a time as she hurdles to the finish line.   Passing by a park, she saw two love birds, tightly holding each others' hands while sweetly talking to each other. "Oh, come on..." Livia whispered as she got near them. How can these people waste their time doing crazy things? Is it just me or... She realized that she's getting bitter. She hadn't had the chance to fall in love considering her circumstance. Well, what else could she expect. Her time is not even enough to do homework, the chores at home, and even her time for work. She doesn't even know what is that love they are calling. She hasn't even felt it... Or was she just ignoring it? Not my cup of tea... She thought as she entered their house and prepared for the next day.