Enchanted Night

Chapter 1 (There I was again tonight)

The busy bustling city of Cauayan never fails to disappoint me, especially when it comes to certain individuals, like the tricycle drivers who always seem to refuse me whenever I tell them my destination.

I had just finished my shift at the diner and now I had to make my way to the café in Centro. Stephanie's words kept replaying in my mind as I worked. It seriously bothers me. Money might not be everything to most people, but for me, it was everything at the moment. I needed to save money in any way possible.

If only I had known about the new policy that Steph mentioned earlier, I would have attended the program instead of staying at the diner. Ugh. Well, as if I could refuse Aunt Amanda's orders.

"Basteako'y, Centro," I stated with a hopeful tone as a tricycle stopped in front of me. A sense of fulfillment and joy filled my system when the driver nodded and let me in.

I needed to talk to Koleh. She was in charge of managing the café. She's quite kind and a student as well, and so I am certain that she would understand and allow me to have an excuse for my shift at 6 pm.

I couldn't afford to lose my job, even if it was just a part-time position.

"I've heard about the concert too. My blockmates have been talking about it," Koleh said, keeping herself busy wiping some plastic glasses. "It's the band, Cup of Joe, right?" she asked, sounding a bit unsure before finally facing me.

I nodded and let out a deep sigh. "Cup of Joe, that's right," I confirmed. She hummed and nodded in response.

"Let me guess, you're here because you want to attend the concert, am I right, Aya?" she asked, looking at me expectantly.

I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling a slight tension. "Partly," I replied, hesitating in my tone. "Well, I didn't realize it was mandatory, Koleh. I had no intention of going, but my friend told me that if we won't attend, it will cost us a hundred pesos," I explained, hoping she would understand my perspective.

Come on, she's a college student too. She knows how important it is to save money, especially for such small reasons.

She nodded slowly. "Maika also excused herself because of that concert," she remarked, glancing over in Maika's direction. I saw Maika grinning widely our way, which caused Koleh to shake her head.

"It's a good thing Joana and Sanch are both free tonight," she continued. "Both you and Maika will have to exchange shifts with them. You'll have to come in on Saturday for your shift," she instructed, and all I could do was nod in agreement.

I stayed at the café for at least half an hour, lending a helping hand. Luckily, I am wearing an oversized white shirt, the same color as the uniform worn by my companions here in the café.

When the clock struck exactly four in the afternoon, I bid my farewell and headed straight home. As I lay down in my bed, I couldn't explain how exhausting this day had been. And to add to that, I still have a concert later that I needed to attend. Ugh.

"Good thing you're finally here." I was just about to close my eyes when a sudden, unmistakably familiar voice invaded my ears. Without even looking at where the voice came from, I instantly recognized it as Aunt Amanda's voice. I could identify it anywhere. After all, I had been hearing her voice for three long years, to be exact.

"Get up! I have something for you to do," she exclaimed. My eyebrows knotted momentarily, but I quickly composed myself. I wouldn't let Aunt see me frowning. "Chop! Chop! You lazy woman!" she added.

Ofcourse, I am exactly the lazy one here. Tsk!  Coming from a married woman who can't even clean her room properly.

"I'm going to attend Alina's party later, and I want you to move your ass out of this room and buy these things for me," she stated.