Alt-Wiener Tanzweisen

Chapter 2

"Good morning Steve. What a beautiful song you're play-" I stopped playing the violin as soon as the bell chimes. A beautiful woman entered the premise and I am mesmerized by her.

"Oh! I thought Steve was playing a recording. I never thought you have this great violinist here playing." The woman talked to Steve in a tone of respect and authority at the same time.

She's the woman I saw playing the grand piano last month. The reason why I am more eager to be good at violin and to buy this small thing I am holding.

I don't know what to do or how to react. This is not what I expect to be our first encounter. I turn my back and put the violin on its respective place.

"I-I better go n-now Steve. I'll be late." Heads down, I excuse myself and bow a bit before exiting the shop. I heard the woman talk to Steve about my playing. I know I am blushing now. But I prefer to think that she just like my playing not me. My playing only and the person playing.

"Good morning David! You barely made it on time. What happened this time?" The chef asked me as he chop the ingredients he'll be needing.

"Nothing much. I just enjoy my play and loose track of the time. I'm sorry." I apologize as I fold my long sleeve up to my elbow and I wore the apron and wash my hands.

"Hmm. Did you see the lady?" That question struck me at my back. I froze for a second and feel my cheeks burning up. I just nod and Sir Rodriguez -the chef - nod too.

"Well, if you ask me, I think you better talk to her. Just a friendly talk or introduction. Then show your good side. Base from your description of her, I think she ain't that bad." Sir Rodriguez said as he handed me the chopped vegetables and I place it to where it's supposed to be. I walked to the sink to wash the other vegetable and peel the potatoes. My first job is at the restaurant, I am helping Sir Rodriguez in the preparation of the needed ingredients so that the other chefs and the other staff would go swiftly smooth later on when the restaurant open up.

I am actually good at tasting food but a not-so-good cook. As a violinist, my fingers are precious to me and as much as possible, when I try to cook, I avoid sharp objects. It's hard to play when I have a cut.

Then my second job starts at 11:00 to 3pm on a school as part time maintenance. And lastly, my favorite job of all, library assistant. I can also read musical notes there and at the same time, the sounds there are all classical music. That's the job I enjoy the most.

If ever you're wondering why can't I just work one job for the whole day, well, that's because they just need assistance and not a full time worker. As much as I want to have a permanent job, I just can't find one. Especially when you're considered as undergraduate and living downtown.

The more reason why I'm doing my very best to go back to study and lift myself from up from this damn society. This is my resolution.

******

At the library.

I entered the premises and looked around. As expected, only few people now-a-days are visiting the library. Well, if you're well off, it's actually better to have your own library or buy a computer set. But as for me, there's nothing that beats the actual library- the ever quiet place, the smell of the books, the peace and calmness you can enjoy if you're a bookworm. All the books you can browse easily and the socialization you'll encounter with other people like you. So, the term nerd for people who loves reading is actually a bit harsh for me. There's nothing wrong in reading books, and reading is always and will always be a part of your life.

I made my way to the counter and greeted the Librarian, Mr. Pendleton. He's a 40-yrs-old nice man who hired me as an assistant. Working as a library assistant isn't that hard, and working for a long time makes me well practiced in arranging books and memorizing where it should be placed.

I kinda feel awkward at times, why? Because a lot of people often say that I am not suited to this kind of work. Looking at me physically made them think if I'm just bluffing them that I'm a library assistant because I am tall and had a great physique or so they say. Maybe they are the ones who are bluffing me. I just laughed at that thought.

But if given a chance, I would likely to be a model. I can gain bit much with that work, even just a part time will be good thing for my savings. But I guess that it'll be hard for me to search or apply for that kind of work. Who would ever try to find someone in the midst of a poor place?

And I remember that awkward feeling again like someone was staring at you for a very long time. It's kinda creepy but I just ignored it. Its been a month now that I started to feel those gazes aside from the usual stares from some readers. I ignored it again thinking that was just my imagination.

Mr. Pendleton is now in the process of reviving the Library by making some innovations like adding soft classical music throughout the library and a small part as a cafe and snacks bar. People are now enjoying more at staying and studying here. Well, in actuality, Mr. Pendleton's Library is the greatest library compared to the any library at the Downtown, Middletown or the very expensive Uppertown which only a few people use. How did I know? Because we always pick up books from there and add it here at the Library. The Uppertown Library more often donates the greatest and useful books because it is not necessary for them because of the technology they now have.