The Ravages of Time

Kabanata 20

Kabanata 20

Threat

"Do I really need to wear this uniform?"

I look at my reflection in the mirror. I'm wearing the uniform of this tea shop and it's so awkward. Tariq, who was at the counter, chuckled.

"You look good in the uniform. Mas okay 'pag nasa counter kayong dalawa since you two are both handsome and pretty. More attractive for customers."

I faked a smile and any minute from now, I would frown my lips and roll my eyes.

Is she using my beauty to attract customers? What the fuck? My beauty is so priceless and not everyone can see through it.

"Okay, we'll open at 9 o'clock. I'll leave you two here," Miss Solermo uttered. I nodded and faked a smile on her.

"Opo, ma'am. Huwag po kayong mag-alala, kami na po ni Sonnet ang bahala sa customer," Tariq assured.

I stared at him and noticed that the uniform suited him. But when it comes to me, para akong ewan.

Tumalikod na si Miss Solermo kaya naiwan na kaming dalawa ni Tariq sa counter. Binuksan na rin ang pintuan ng tea shop na pagpatak ng alas nuwebe ng umaga.

Today is Saturday. Saturday and Sunday lang ang duty ko, unlike kay Tariq na araw-araw. 9 AM to 3 PM ang aking duty—without noon break. That's awful and inhumane.

How can they suppose to apply that rule?

"Sinasabi ko na sa 'yo mahirap 'to, Sonnet. Hindi ito para sa 'yo," Tariq said.

I sat on the chair while folding my arms.

"I thought I'll be assigned to the kitchen. That damn woman just used my beauty," I murmured.

"Parte talaga ng trabaho iyan. Umuwi ka na kasi, makikita ko palang na ginagawa mo 'to, nakokonsensya ako..."

I sighed and looked straight into his eyes.

"This is my choice, Tariq," I answered and didn't bother to say more.

I sat on a stool chair as we waited for a customer.

"Hindi pa rin kayo nagpapansinan ng mga kaibigan mo?" biglang tanong sa 'kin ni Tariq. I shook my head.

Yeah, my friends and I haven't talked to each other yet since the day when Chester exposed Tariq. I ignored them and they did the same.

I don't need a friend like them.

"Hanggang kailan kayo mag-iiwasan?" he asked again. He wiped the desk and cleaned the menu board.

"Hanggang sa mamatay ako," I answered while tapping my finger on the desk.

"Hindi magandang biro 'yan," he added.

We waited a few more hours for customers to arrive and enter the shop. Two queues, one for Tariq and one for me.

Of course, where would women fall in line? E 'di sa pogi. A few men lined up with me also. What is this? By gender selection?

"Okinawa po, medium size and 25 sugar level, 6 pieces. By the way, ang ganda niyo po," a male customer said. Napatingin pa ito sa barkada niya na animo'y nagpapakitang-gilas.

He's wearing a baggy white shirt and baggy pants. He also has piercings on his ear and nose and smells stinky.

I arched my left eyebrow as I listed down his order.

"What else?" I asked, not hesitating to give him a smile. My smile is priceless too.

"Two set ng pepperoni pizza, po. At tsaka... pwedeng makahingi ng number niyo? Mahal na yata kita" he added. While smiling a mile wide in front of me, He even winked.