THE 9th SIGNATURE

" The Cashier Girl "

9TH SIGNATURE: The Cashier Girl  (A side-story)

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 It was late in December of my seventeenth year, when my mother died from a hold-up incident. I started living alone after that. She was shot to death when she heroically refused to obey those criminals at the store she used to work. It was horrible for I was there watching the entire scene. Screaming with horror from the sound of the gun echoed in my ears as I gaped at her blood, dribbled endlessly. It was a huge shock that took a while for me to recover. Honestly, not fully recovered -- by just thinking that traumatizing scenario still sent shivers down to my spine. My life was never been the same; all those night terrors, trembling in the dark, cold and all alone without her -- without my mother's warmth, it was terrifying. An awful feeling.

 The owner of the convenience store where mom used to work, gave me this part time job. He felt sorry for what happened and wanted to offer some help. I blamed everything to him before and I even tried blaming everyone too. But I ended up blaming myself because I know it all happened for my sake. My mother tried her best to support me and now she's all gone.

"You don't know what you have until it's gone"-- I could certainly bring justice to this famous cliché, because I know how it feels, and it is absolutely true.

"I'm going Mom!" I rushed down the stairs while trying to tie my hair up.  I pulled my sweater on the track and grabbed a scarf. I was about to head out when suddenly I remembered something. I snatched the packed meal  I prepared in the fridge, halted, and gave a quick kiss on my mother's picture standing over the corner. Then I took my leave and off to work.

 "Good Evening!" A familiar voice cheerfully greeted me as soon as I strode inside the store. It was Manong Guard. The security guard whom I have been working for a year now. Actually, he was the guard who was assigned at the very same night, when my mother died. He did witness that terrible incident too. He was also there but wounded and helpless. It did not even cross my mind to blame him because he was a victim too. So instead, he blamed himself – for not saving my mother. As much as I tried to convince him that it was never his fault, he still insisted. Now, here he is, acting as my second-father; putting all his effort in taking care of me every freaking night! (I like it though, you know, having a so-called family. Ha.)

 I turned and gave him faint smile. "Evening."  What was so good about this evening anyway? When I could already smell that dreadful atmosphere. Costumers countlessly barging in -- teenagers rushing for chips, office workers having midnight snacks and bystanders looking for cigarettes. An everyday scenario. An uninteresting and tiresome evening.

But not until 2 am! Yes, to be exact.

I powdered my face and put on a dab of perfume. I fixed my clothes repeatedly until I was satisfied. Any minute now, someone is actually coming; just a costumer, a special costumer  I mean.  So I swiftly prepared his meal; cheeseburger and a can of cola.

"Good Evening!"   Now, this is really going to be a good evening. The door swung open with surprise. Jittery with his presence, I became conscious to myself again. A quick look in my mirror, then combed my hair with my hands and mirrored again. I should have worn that purple cardigan today, I was running late that I just randomly grabbed a cheap sweater! Ugh.  I thought on giving a one last look at my mirror but I saw Manong Guard mouthed something. "HE-IS-CO-MING!" He said then giggled after seeing how flustered I was. Geez, this is not me at all. But seeing him every night gave me butterflies -- a fluttery feeling in my stomach.