Something That Will Last

17 // Anything's a Wingman

17 // Anything's a Wingman

Every time that Mostaccio is being cleaned, Tita Lar makes sure to involve me and Jules. She said it's for discipline and all. That even if our whole family is well-off, we would appreciate all jobs no matter what it is.

Pol also helped with everything café-related. He has grown in this place, that's why he's basically a family to us. He somehow became Tita's trusty son after Kuya Lenard got married.

"I'll be grumpy this morning. Just a heads up," sabi ko kay Jules.

Hindi niya ako tinantanan kaninang madaling araw! Ang gulo niya sa kwarto ko, as in ang daldal niya. Tanong nang tanong kung anong update sa nonexistent love life ko.

"I only needed one answer. Duh. His name would have sufficed," sabi niya.

Nakahiga pa rin ako sa kama ko. Nagtakip ako ng unan sa mukha.

"Hoy tumayo ka na dyan! Cleaning crew are already in the café."

"One hour more," I requested.

"You don't deserve it."

"Oo na! Wala na akong deserve sa life," I said through muffled voice.

Jules snatched my pillow and threw it across the room. Next thing I knew, she's pulling me by my legs to glide me off the bed.

I fell on my butt. Inayos ko buhok ko at umismid.

"Why do you hate me all?"

Umirap siya. "Stop self-pitying. We've got a café to clean."

Nang lumabas siya tsaka ko tiningnan ang oras. It's just nine a.m. and I think I slept at five. This is really gonna be a good good day.

After a quick shower, I ate light breakfast and went to the cafe. Nakasalubong ko pa ang ilang cleaning crew na inilalabas ang mga kahon ng glassware.

I smiled briefly, tapos nawala agad iyon nang maglakad ulit ako. I scanned the area to look where I could help.

Nakita ko si Jules na tumutulong sa paglalabas ng mga chairs. Lumapit ako sa kanya pagkapasok niya ulit ng cafe para kumuha ulit ng upuan.

"Where's Pol?" I asked.

"Garden. Mom asked him to do a mini-coffee setup there so we could give coffees to the crew."

I saw art pieces on the floor waiting to be placed inside a box. Doon ako pumwesto, and one crew arrived to help me but I told him that I could do it alone. Nahihiya kasi sila na tumutulong kami as an extra manpower yet the charge is still the same. We're fine with that, it's no big deal.

Nagpaiwan ako kasi mas marami pang dapat ayusin sa stockroom, and that's also where the sanitation needs to be at maximum.

"Gusto mo siyang tulungan? Nandun sa loob, hirap na hirap na," I heard Jules said from the outside.

Lumingon ako. May awang sa pinto kaya mahina ko siyang narinig.

"Okay." Tumango si Jerrick.

"Yeah, but don't let mom see you cleaning. She'll shoo you away."

"Really?"

"Yup. That's what she did to Chris when he tried to help her girlfriend in distress, which is moi."

Natatawa si Jerrick. Tinulungan niya si Jules ayusin ang mga upuan sa labas, pagkatapos ay lumingon siya sa gawi ko.