CHAPTER 3: NORMAL DAY TO LOOK FORWARD TO

I made sure I never left home without seeing my mom getting better. It is quite a relief that she’s doing well and she is able to eat the burger I bought for her to eat. I can see that her appetite is now going back to normal.

I sat on the entrance of our door, enjoying the sunrise from the outside. It was six in the morning and to be honest, I have never gotten enough sleep because I am too worried about my mom. She had a couple of repetitive coughs every two hours and it made me wide awake until I noticed it was already morning.

I can see my pet chicken sitting on top of our bamboo fence, crowing so loudly. I just smiled and looked at him.

“Come here, Cutie!” I called him. He eagerly flapped his wings and flew down and ran towards me. I hugged him as soon as I took hold of his body next to my chest.

“Wow, you’re doing a good job!” I patted her red crown. He just answered with a cluck of delight as if understanding my praises for him.

“You take care of mom while I am at work, ok? Don’t go outside or else, passersby will have you as their meal.” I held his body as I said those words. Frightened, he was able to run as fast as he could inside our house. I can’t help but laugh at my chicken. I was able to get ready for work. With a simple plain white T-shirt and a ragged pair of jeans, I am all set to go.

“Mom, please take care when I am at work. You eat your food and don’t forget to take your medicine I placed on the table.” I reminded her as I kissed her cheek. She weakly smiled and I can see an evident dimple on her right cheek. "I will, honey.” I went out of our wooden door and closed it slowly. I was able to take a final look on the house before I decided to walk away.

Mrs. Myles’s café is a fifteen-minute walk from my house. I was able to get used to walking because I know it’s a healthy habit and I can’t seem to spend on something if I can make a way for it. I walked at a pace that is not too fast nor too slow. My shift is at eight in the morning and here I am, starting to walk at seven twenty. I got to the café at seven forty and I can see the colorful designs surrounding it. Ellis, our janitor, smiled at me as soon as I passed by him.

“Good morning, Delina!”

“Good morning, Mr. Ellis! It’s a great day, isn’t it?” I said, smiling.

“Yeah. Mrs. Myles prepared us coffee and bread.” He answered, grinning while touching his belly as he smiled at me. “Wow! Is that so?” My heart almost leaped for joy. There's no greater feeling of having free meals. I hope this will be an everyday practice. I will really enjoy working here if this will happen.

“You better go in right now. They’re there at the counter, having breakfast.” I nodded and made my steps faster in going inside the café. I saw a lot of my co-workers enjoying a meal being placed on the table. At the sight of those deliciously looking several buns with a hot coffee excites my senses. The smell is making me hungry.

“Delina, come and join us while it is still hot.” Lea invited me as she munched her bun.

I got some coffee and a bun, too. Everybody laughs at my awkwardness and the sight of me, being hungry at the same time as I gobble the bun with a single munch as if I have never eaten since yesterday.

“Hello everybody! You still have five minutes to finish your breakfast and we’re all gonna start grinding!” I can hear the other voice of Mrs. Myles: Sweet and not mocking. Oh my gosh, I am now starting to believe in miracles. Thank heavens!

She is smiling as she looks at me. “Delina?”

“Mrs. Myles?” I almost spilled my coffee because she mentioned my name again. Everybody is looking at me as if signaling me to talk to Mrs. Myles. My other co-workers can’t help but whisper to one another.

“Hey girl, it’s like you are Mrs. Myles’s favorite now.” Lea softly whispered into my ear as she covered it with her hand because she’s standing beside me.

“Don’t assume. She might have wanted to make me do something. It’s just that and nothing else.” I shyly answered Lea, hence I can hear some of the people who were eating at that spot murmuring their hearts out.

“She’s so pathetic and trying hard.”

“She’s overdoing it. Mrs. Myles can’t see us because of her.” Those voices. I knew it was Pia and Diana doing their daily dose of gossip. Well, should I be proud that I am their topic this time? Am I that popular now?

“Don’t mind them, girl.” Lea noticed that I took a glimpse of them from behind me. The literal people who are talking behind my back. Gosh.

“I don’t. No worries.” I smiled as I said those words. I will let them tell me a lot about me. I won’t care. For as long as there are still people who love me then I won’t be looking at the negative side of everything. They should try harder.

I followed Mrs. Myles after five minutes of trying to munch and gulp my part for the “free breakfast” for the first time, courtesy of Mrs. Myles herself. I nervously turned the doorknob after I heard a voice from the inside instructing me to come in.

“Sit down, please.” She pleasantly smiled. Again, I can’t help but ask myself if she is Mrs. Myles that I knew for a couple of months now. I sat down right away, to one of the chairs that she’s placing beside her wide table that’s serving her mini-office of the cafe.

“T-Thank you, Mrs. Myles.”

“I’d like to talk to you, personally without someone with you.” That smile never left her since I entered her office.

“Oh...I see.” I awkwardly tried meeting her gaze as I shyly smiled. My goodness, I am feeling nervous as soon as I realize that I am speaking to her right now! What is she up to this time? I hate thinking about something which I can't assume.

I admit I am still not believing everything, all the cute stuff, and kindness...even her smile right now. It is sincere but it creeps the hell out of me.

“Again my dear, thank you so much for saving my life. I consider this my second life so I am happy. What can you say of your breakfast? Isn’t it enough?”

“Oh, no, no, Mrs. Myles. My tummy is happy. Thanks a lot, too.”

“Oh, good to know, dear.” She locked her hands as she placed both of her elbows on the surface of the table made of glass as she faced me. She’s having this kind of grin that bothers me a lot.

“I want to reward you with something.”

“Mrs. Myles, please, no...I think I did it because I have to. The situation calls me to do it. I am already thankful for the things you’ve been giving not only to me but to my other co-workers here in your restaurant. I can’t ask for more.” I said in a straightforward manner that I guess, stunned her for a second.

“Oh...no, you can’t say no to Mrs. Myles, my dear.” She raised both of her eyebrows up and down as if I can’t do anything about it but to only agree. Oh dear!

I sighed as I looked straight into her eyes.

“What is it, then?”

“Work for me.” She simply said.

“Mrs. Myles, I am working for you now.”

“No honey, not this kind of work. I would like to offer you a different work and you will surely like it.” She looked happy but I looked shocked.

I never thought the start of my day would be this topsy-turvy, thanks to Mrs. Myles.