We Used to be in Love | TAYNEW

First Meeting

Bristol, 2013.

New menutup buku hariannya dan melihat jam dindingnya. Waktu sudah menunjukkan pukul 7 malam. Hari ini, New mendapat shift bagian malam di restoran tempatnya bekerja. Berbekal paras tampannya, New berhasil mendapatkan pekerjaan meskipun belum berpengalaman sama sekali. Setelah berbenah, ia mengeluarkan sepedanya dan bersepeda di dinginnya musim dingin di Bristol.

Ia mengeratkan pegangannya di jalan menanjak. Deru angin malam ditambah dengan pijakan kencangnya, membuatnya hampir saja diterbangkan oleh angin. Angin musim dingin terasa seperti di Kutub. Sesampainya di restoran, Tuan Bowen, manajer restoran, menyambutnya sambil membantunya memarkirkan sepeda.

"Hi. Are you feeling okay today? Your nose looks red." tanya Tuan Bowen.

"Well, Sir, still gotta work. Don't I?"

"That's why you're my favorite. Hurry up and come in. It's cold outside. I heard, tonight, some frat boys reserved the restaurant for a night."

New menghela napas pelan, "For god's sake, I really hate frat boys. They're just a bunch of spoiled rich kids."

"They're still our customer though, remember?"

"Yeah, thank you, Sir."

Tuan Bowen meninggalkannya di ruang ganti. Melayani frat boys untuk semalaman? Ugh, God, just kill me already.

Setelah mengganti dengan seragam, New segera ke luar dan membersihkan meja. Richard, teman bekerjanya, membantunya menurunkan kursi.

"You know, your expression needs to change. Don't wanna hear a complain tonight."

"Sure, Richard. Just needs a bit more time."

Malam ini, New ditugaskan di bagian hall untuk melayani pelanggan di bagian VIP. Restoran tempatnya bekerja, Casamion, membagi ruangan menjadi dua bagian: economy and VIP. Pada bagian economy, meja hanya ditata seperti biasa dan dilayani oleh lima waitress yang akan berkeliling. Untuk bagian VIP, meja dan kursinya khusus dengan desain futuristik dan berwarna minimalist. Di dalam ruangannya, terdapat performer artis lokal yang akan menambah kenyamanan pengunjung. New, sebagai waitress, bertugas melayani hanya untuk satu meja dan selalu siap kapanpun.

"Everybody, gather up!" seru Tuan Bowen untuk memberikan briefing sebelum restoran dibuka.

New bergegas melepas celemeknya dan ikut berbaris dengan pekerja lainnya.

"Tonight is a special night, right? We have to serve the member of Cricket Club from the University of Bristol. They're special customer and needs our special treatment. Give your best tonight and meet you guys again at 2AM. Any question?"

"No, Sir!" seru seluruh pekerja.

"Alright. Everybody! Get ready at your area and then I'll open the restaurant."

Richard kembali menghampiri New sesaat setelah Tuan Bowen membubarkan barisan, "Hey, New! Ugh, I still hasn't get used with your name. Change your name, wouldn't ya?"

"Sorry, my parents gives this name."

"Well, sure thing. Hey, ain't you also studying at the University of Bristol? You know them?"

"Nope. I'm just a student who is working hard to make a living."

"Bollocks! I wish I get many tip from them."

New hanya tersenyum kecut, "You'll get it. No need to worry."

"Thank you... what is your real name?"

"Thitipoom Teechaphaikhun."

"Ti...what? Whatever. See ya later."

Ugh, what a dumbass!