Song of the Firebird

Ten

When she heard shouts in her café, thanks to her first customers of the week, Natasha stole a look at the fighting pair. She could not help but wonder who would normally put up fights, a break-up to be precise, in the beginning of an exhausting week? She was sure that they would end in pubs that night with beer cans lined upon their tables.

When the brunette poured the tea over the man, Ivy was about to interfere. Natasha stopped Ivy and looked at her , 'Give them their moment. I can always clean the mess up.' Smirking, she continued, 'What do you think I have the part-timers for? I can give them the punishment of cleaning up since they are late most of the time.'

Soon as the woman left, Natasha asked Ivy to wait for her at the nearest table. The Camomile tea and a promise of getting back to the table calmed Ivy's senses as Natasha marched toward the direction of the stranger's leftover emotional shackles.

Grabbing the tissues from the counter, Natasha inched closer toward the man who dumped his girlfriend. She could not help but eavesdrop on their conversation when there were no audience except for the empty chairs and tables.

Clearing her throat, Natasha began, 'Excuse me, Sir. I am sorry to intrude, but I think you will be needing these.' She handed him the tissues. 'Also, you can help yourself in the staff restroom at the end of the hall. The password is 7658.'

The man broke out from his reverie and regarded her. Mouthing a polite thank you, he took the tissues and left the chair. He followed the directions given to him. He did not seem in a hurry or embarrassed. In situations like those in her café, people would always run to the exit, so that others would not take much time to judge them or pass comments. As he headed to the toilet, the bells on the entrance chimed. There. There stood the most wanted ones. Natasha's part time employees - Drew, Iqbal and Zoya. Ivy stood up from her chair, as if it was her cue to drag their boss and go to the hospital.

'It's time you came. Iqbal, take care of things. I have things to attend with Tasha. Drew and Zoya, try to keep your fights to the bare minimum. I think one of you should clear the tea in the table near-'

'Stop bossing around, Ivy. You're not paying us', the woman with burgundy highlights on black hair, Zoya, said. She tapped her manicured nails on Ivy's table and her jet black eyes shot scorching glares.

'Zoya! Where are your manners?', said Iqbal, the man in the varsity jacket, who came behind Zoya. He continued, 'Sorry, Miss. Williams, for the rudeness. However, I think Zoya is right.' Another blond haired man behind the couple, snickered at the scene.

Before any clashes could strike in that already messed up morning, Natasha walked over to her colleagues. She gave out instructions to them for the rest of the morning and grabbed Ivy by the collar. 'If you spend one more minute here, you would have nightmares full of Arabian horses trampling over your limited edition perfumes.' Ivy mumbled a response and pointing her index finger at Zoya, whisper-yelled, 'Tell her to change her attitude. I didn't do a thing. I was saving you time.' Zoya glared at the short woman. Tapping both her palms over the ladies' shoulders, Natasha reached for the door, with Ivy on her tow.

'Excuse me, miss', a new voice boomed from Natasha's back. The women stopped on their tracks and stared at the man who dumped his lady love. Four pairs of eyes zeroed on Natasha. The man continued, 'Thank you for helping me out.'

Natasha smiled and said, 'No worries.'

Next to her, Ivy piped in, 'Tasha, we are late. We have to get going.'

When both of them turned back to the exit, the man said, 'If you're in a rush, I could drop you in my car.' Both the women turned at the awkward yet kind request. Unable to deliver a perfect comeback, they just blinked, trying to decode the motive behind the strange request. To be frank, one of the busiest cities did not work that way. If it did, then the people would be plastered as idiots on their foreheads.