Arch of the Centuries

18

I’m heading na papuntang Cafe Manila. Medyo malapit lang naman pala ito sa University kaya’t hindi na ako natagalan pa sa biyahe kahit rush hour na.

Naghanap muna ako ng parking na malapit sa Cafe bago mismo dumiretso sa shop.

Nang makarating na ‘ko sa harapan ng shop ay agad kong binuksan ang sliding door, bumungad sakin ang mga bakanteng upuan at lamesa na tanging dalawang tao lamang ang naririto.

“What’s your order po?” tanong sakin ng babaeng nasa front desk na nakasalamin, suot ang uniform na itim na may tatak na ‘Manila Cafe’ sa gitna nito

“No, Actually I’m here for a job po. Can I talk to your manager po?” I requested.

Tinawag niya ito, lumantad ang isang batang babae na mas matanda lamang sakin ng ilang taon. Hindi ka maniniwala na siya ang owner ng shop na ‘to dahil sa bata nitong itsura.

“I heard naghahanap ka raw ng job? Sorry but there’s no opening, kakatapos lang ng application for job interviews last week.” pagpapaliwanag nito habang humihigop sa iced coffee niya.

“Actually, My name is Vince, I’m a substitute po for Mika. She got hired here, unfortunately she was unable to show up last night due to an accident.”

“Mika, You mean that short girl with a short hair na law student?” Naalala nito.

Tumango lamang ako.

“Kaano-ano ka ba ni Mika?”

Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko. I was completely off guard. Should I say friends or not? Are we friends or am I assuming things. F*ck. It takes me minutes before answering.

“Uhm…Cousin.” I unintentionally lied, bigla na lang ito lumabas sa bibig ko because of pressure.

“Are you sure? Kakayanin mo kaya work dito.” pinagmasdan niya ‘ko mula ulo hanggang paa.

“Mukhang hindi.” she said.

“I’ll do whatever it is.” I confidently said, I should be responsible for this since I’m the reason why Mika got into that accident. I don’t want her to lose this job because of me.

“Mabuti naman at sumulpot ka. I was about to fire her since unang araw pa lang hindi na siya nagpakita. Okay you’ll be her replacement for now.” she consented.

“For how many days?” biglang tanong nito.

“Only for two days.” I replied.

“I don’t think you’ll last here even for a day. Pretty boy like you should be on screen not here at the Cafe.” she smiled.

“Also, your performance today will decide Mika’s faith. Goodluck.” ani niya, sabay talikod at dumiretso na sa kusina.

After hearing that from the manager, I instantly felt nervous and pressured. I should do well today, sa akin nakasalalay kung magpapatuloy ba si Mika sa trabahong ito o hindi.

“Ito.” biglang abot sakin ng isang grayish black na apron at isang black cap.

“Anong pangalan mo? For your name plate habang nagwowork ka dito.” tanong niya.

“Vince.” I stated.

She instantly printed my name and put in on a name plate.

Inabot niya sa ‘kin ito at nagpakilala. “Hi Vince, I’m Andrea, you can call me Andeng for short. Ako makakasama mo rito for two days. I’m looking forward working with you.”

“Hi, I’m Vince. I’ll be in your hands starting today. Nice to work with you.” I formally introduced my self.

“Nakalimutan ko, I’m Mika’s cousin.” she said habang natatawa.

“Follow me, ituturo ko sayo mga trabaho namin rito.”

Sh*t. My fake identity was revealed. Lalo tuloy akong kinabahan. Hindi naman naikwento sakin ni Mika na kasama niya ang pinsan niya rito. Ang tanging alam ko lang may part time job siya sa Manila Cafe.

Sinundan ko ito sa kusina at tumambak sakin ang maruruming baso, plato at iba’t iba pang mga kagamitan.

“Yup, kung ano man ang iniisip mo, tama yan.”

Noon, hindi talaga ako marunong dahil meron naman kaming katulong sa bahay, we just leave our plates tapos sila na maghuhugas. Ngayon, nasanay na kong maghugas ng pinagkainan matapos kung lumipat sa dorm.

Pagkatapos namin sa kitchen ay dinala naman niya ako sa Counter Area.

“Dito, we take orders from customers, if you look at your back makikita mo screen of menu, coffee, dessert and so on. Tapos dito naman sa parang TV, dito ineencode yung mga orders directly. Nakakasunod ka ba?” sunod-sunod niyang paliwanag.

Sunod ay nagpunta naman kami sa are ng mga table and chairs.

“If you notice na kakagamit lang ng table na ‘to, after umalis ng costumer for a minute we clean it agad. Para kung mayroon mang pumasok na bagong costumer may malinis na lamesa at upuan na silang magagamit.” she’s literally good at her job.

“That’s all, ano nga palang relasyon mo kay Mika? Sigurado naman akong hindi ka namin pinsan, o kamaganak,” tanong nito habang nanlilisig ang mga mata.

“Schoolmate.” I said, habang nakangiti.

“Schoolmate nga lang ba?” she teased.

“Oo nga pala, anong nangyari kay Mika?”

“Nasa Hospital siya ngayon, nagpapagaling. I saw her unconscious sa gate ng School namin. But don’t worry, she’s safe na.”

“Ngayon duda na akong. Schoolmate lang. Jk…” pang aasar pa nito.

It’s 7:30 pm na. Pero hanggang ngayon matumal pa rin ang mga dumarating na tao sa shop. Hanggang sa nawalan na ng tao rito.

If I didn’t do something it might affect my performance, or even Mika’s rehirement.

I grabbed my phone and took a picture of myself wearing the shop’s uniform. I also took a picture of the store and posted it on my social media accounts.

I’m an introvert person, pili lang napapalagayan ko ng loob at nakakasama. But my social media accounts has a lot of followers and engagements, so I tried to take advantage of it this time. But I don’t know if it will work.