The International Lover

The Bar

I woke and looked at the watch. The time was 6:30 p.m; I knew I could have missed anything or everything, but I could not help if my body was tired, so I stood, dressed myself, and went to the bar. At the left of the front desk, there was the restaurant while the bar was on the right. According to the big written schedule, the restaurant functioned from 5:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m while the bar functioned at 6:30 p.m to midnight; therefore, I was at the perfect time. The restaurant was calm and light because families were there while the bar was a little wild because of obvious elements, but I chose to go to the bar. I sat at the front table to wait my menu.

"What can I get you sir-you again!"

I looked at her, and she was the woman from the front desk, so I chuckled.

"You were the woman at the front desk. Now, you are a bartender"

"I am both", she replied. "I am the woman at the front desk every morning while I am the bartender every night; moreover, it is my life everyday"

"My name is Jose", I said.

"Idalene", she replied. "Excuse me, Jose, but your voice is telling me you are not an Australian like me"

"Because I'm not", I admitted. "I am a tourist from Philippines"

"That explains that weird but cool name", Idalene concluded. "Alright, Jose, what can I get you?"

"Perhaps, give me a menu, so I will know what I want"

"The restaurant is at the other side"

"I came here for a bottle", I replied.

Then, I pointed at something behind her: a menu, which I never noticed prior that moment.

"Of course!", she slapped herself at the head.

"I have a glass of gin and a clubhouse sandwich", I ordered.

"Alright", Idalene left me to fulfill my order.

After I satisfied myself, Idalene returned.

"When will you return to Philippines?", she asked.

"I don't know", I answered.

"I like you", she said.

I looked at her.

"Really?", I asked.

"You're funny"

"I don't know how to make a joke"

"Silly!", Idalene laughed. "What I meant was you're awkward in a funny way"

"Perhaps, I am having pressure because I'm in a foreign country", I replied.

"I have an idea: let me give you a tour"

"Let me get this straight: you are the woman at the front desk, a bartender, and a tour guide"

"I have only become tour guide once for a Filipino", Idalene clarified.

"Oh, alright, when and where do you want to meet?", I asked.

"At the docks tomorrow during sunrise"