As Promised (Ferrer Series #1)

Kabanata 13

"Well, how about a halloween party?" suhestiyon ni Gigi. "I know it's the last week of semestral break. It will be nice to throw a party before going back to school."

Halloween party? That's kinda nice.

"I like that idea," sang-ayon ko. "Pero how will we do it? Will we have the café open before the party?"

Napanguso si Alli. "You've got a point. It will be hard to entertain customers if we're preparing for the party."

Today is Wednesday. Sarado na ang café at mayroon kaming meeting ngayon para nga sa October 31 which is days from now. Dahil sa nakagawian na ang pagpaparty at least once a year, pinag-uusapan namin kung Christmas Party ba ang gagawin namin o Halloween Party. Ayon kay Alli, mahirap gawin ang Christmas Party dahil sa malamang ay may kanya-kanyang party na dadaluhan ang mga customers. Kaya ang napagkasunduan ay maaari kaming mamigay na lang ng gifts sa mga customers na bibisita sa café. Marami pa ang naging usapan. Pwede naman daw na ibang araw ang Christmas Party para hindi magsabay ang mismong pasko. Pero dahil magnu-nobyembre pa lang naman, nagsettle muna kami sa pamimigay ng gifts sa customers at uubusin ang oras sa Halloween Party.

"Hmm," si Samantha. "What if we only accept take-outs and deliveries?"

Tumango-tango si Gigi. "That could work. We can divide the crews into two. One for the orders, one for the preparation of the party."

"Pero paano iyon? Hindi naman gano'n karami ang mga crews lalo na't iba't iba ang shifts nila," ani Kuya Robert.

"Maybe we can require all part-timers to take the whole day shift to get all the help we need po?" sagot ni Alli.

"Okay, let's gather all the information, Ate," ani Gigi. "We have two shifts right? Morning to lunch, and lunch  to evening?"

Tumango-tango si Kuya Robert at Ate Karen, ang mga seniors namin.

"Mayroon tayong disi-siete na tauhan kada shift, Miss Gigi. Pitong servers, tatlong kahera, lima sa kusina, at dalawang nakatakda sa paglilinis," wika ni Ate Karen. "So to sum that up, we have... thirty-four crews for the whole day shift."

Tumingin si Gigi kay Alli, bago iginala ang mga mata sa 'min. "That should be enough, right?"

"Sapat na 'yan, Gigi, Alli," sagot ko. "Sigurado namang hindi magkakasya ang lahat ng naka-assign sa kitchen sa dalawang shift, kaya pwede silang makatulong sa pagseserve o paghahanda."

"Alright," ani Alli. "The morning shift will be incharge of the take-outs and deliveries. The afternoon shift will be the ones to do the preparations."

"The five crews assigned to the kitchen during the afternoon shift will take care of the online orders and deliveries. While the cashiers in the morning will be taking care of the take-out orders," dagdag niya.

"Makakarating po, Miss Alli."

"Laine," tawag ni Alli. Nilingon ko siya. "I'd like you to contact and take charge on the purchase of the materials needed for the preparations."

"Okay," tumango ako. "Do you have a list? Kailan ito kailangan agad?"

"Well, since we just talked about it now, I'll discuss the design with Gigi later tonight at home. I'll have the list by tomorrow morning, I'll give it to you," sagot niya.

"What time, exactly?"

"I'll have you notified, Laine. Just make sure to not forget and have you woke up by your mother again," nagbungisngisan sina Samantha at pabiro kong inirapan si Alli.

"Oh, shut up," humalakhak sila.

Nang mamatay ang tawanan ay tumikhim si Gigi at nagsalita. "That's all for tonight. Please don't forget to notify the morning shift crews, Kuya Robert and Ate Karen."