You Make Me Smile [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE - WEIRD CREEP

ISAVELL'S POV

Looking for a stable job is quite tough. I graduated from a great school, with honors, and yet, I still have no job.

It has been a week since I moved in, a week of applying with no luck at all.

"Hay! Do I really have a curse?" I bitterly chuckled. Pati sarili ko duda na sa luck level na meron ako.

Haaayyyy...

I'm currently sitting on my sofa, my television has been on for more than an hour or so. Nasa channel lang naman na puro Job Hiring eh.

I once again surfed on the internet, trying my tiny, little, microscopic luck, and then I saw a job opening.

'Looking for waitresses'

It was in an open bar. I'll try my best then.

The next morning, I went to the said bar, bringing my resume, and definitely prayers.

"Hindi ba masyado kang overqualified sa trabaho?" It was the first question I heard from the lady interviewer right after she scanned my resume.

"I'm a bit desperate at the moment po. I badly need a job para pambayad sa utilities ko po."

I got nervous when she sighed. "Marunong ka bang magbitbit ng mga tray, mag-serve sa mga customers nang nakangiti, at maingat maghawak ng mga babasaging gamit?"

I knew it was obvious that my face brightened up. I nodded. "Yes po, opo sa lahat po."

She sighed again. "Oh s'ya sige. Magsimula ka na mamaya. Marami rami ulit ang mga customer kaya kailangan talaga namin ng mga katulong."

A huge smile was plastered on my lips. "Makakaasa po kayo sa akin. I'll be a responsible waitress."

"Hala sige. Sumama ka muna sa akin para malaman mo yung pasikot sikot dito at ibang patakaran." The lady stood up and walked near the bar. "Una sa lahat, Madam J ang tawag sa akin dito. Ako ang may-ari ng open bar na 'to kaya naman ako ang boss." I nodded, keeping those in mind. "Pangalawa, kada six PM nagbubukas 'tong bar. Ayoko ng ilegal na gawain dito, kaya kapag may napansin kayong drugs drugs, magsumbong agad kayo sa akin. Pangatlo, madalas marami ang customer kapag Biyernes at Sabado, kaya madalas inaabot ng alas-onse. Yang stage—" She pointed to the mini stage on the right corner of the bar beside the window. "—riyan nagpe-perform ang mga solo performers ng bar na 'to, tamang jamming lang para sa mga customer. Minsan naman yung mga customer na mismo ang natugtog, keyboard at gitara lang ang kaya naming iprovide." Tumingin siya sa akin. "Pang-apat, kailangang nandito sa sa bar ng alas-singko y media pero kung malayo ang panggagalingan, aba'y lumarga ka ng mas maaga." She walked to the—what I think is—kitchen. "Pang-anim, ito ang kusina, pero hanggang dyan ka lang." She pointed the receiving area. "Waitress ang inapplyan mo, hindi cook. Pang-pito, ayon sa kanan, pangalawang pinto, ang opisina ko." She showed me the mini hallway. "Pumasok ka roon kapag may kailangan at importanteng sasabihin lang. Yung pangatlong pinto ang CR ng employees. At yung una ang locker. Magkasama na ang pambabae at lalake, 'wag kang mag-alala, walang manyakis sa mga tauhan ko dahil ako mismo eh ayoko nun, trabaho ang ipinunta niyo rito hindi karumihan ng utak." She faced me. "Oh ano? May tanong pa ba?"

I shook my head. "Wala naman na po."

Tumango naman siya. "Buti naman. Nasa locker ang mga uniporme niyo, sa pinakaunang locker ang mga bagong uniporme, may iba't ibang size 'yun at mga bagong laba kaya naman pwede kang pumasok dito mamaya na ang suot mo eh casual at dito ka magpapalit. Pero kapag sinuot mo na 'yung uniporme, ikaw na rin ang nakatoka na maglaba nun."

We went inside her office so that she can give me a contract that I'll sign. We discussed my monthly salary, which I know that definitely is something lower than my high school allowance back then, but at least I now have a job and it can pay the bills.

Fully paid na naman yung bahay na tinitirhan ko. And I'll start my food business next week. I just had to make sure of the schedule of my work to prepare my food business schedule.

After a short time, I left the bar with a smile on my face, and finally, I had work. Now, I only have to take care of my food and how to keep my job and not make a lot of mistakes.

Another week has passed, and I'm doing well in this bar. At first, I had minor complications dealing with different kinds of people, but thankfully no one was rude.

Aware pala ang customers na bawal ang bastos kasi siguradong sasaktan ni Madam J. And she's definitely no joke, she'll kick anyone's ass for being a pervert, then she'll take them to the police station. Her husband is a well-known policeman in the neighborhood, by the way.

"Isavell, table seven 'to," utos sa akin ni Rubilyn while pointing at the tray.

"Got it." I quickly took the tray and swiftly headed my way. Today's Friday kaya naman maraming customer, buti na lang 'di kami nagkakabanggaan ng iba pang waiters at waitresses. "Here's your order, Sir. Enjoy the night."

"Thanks." I heard him say. I sure do not look at the customer's eyes while serving, because of some issues with people, but then this customer got my attention. I looked at him and saw him staring at me while smiling.

Weird creep.

I bowed my head and headed back to the counter, where Madam J and some of the other waitresses were softly talking.

"Asan na ba si Iska?" There was frustration in Madam J's tone.

"Baka naman po nalate lang," Rubilyn reasoned out.

"Late lang? Thirty minutes nang late? Baka pagdating niya i-congratulate ko siya kasi ang aga siya para bukas."

"Madam J, kalma lang po. Ay teka ito na, nagtext na." Madelene read out the message on her phone, "Mads, paki sabi kay Madam 'di ako makakapasok, may lagnat junakis ko, nasa trabaho yung asawa ko."

"Patay tayo riyan. Anong gagawin natin, Madam?" They all seem worried about something. "Naghahanap na sila ng tugtog, Ma'am." Rubilyn pointed to the customers.

"Ikaw na lang kaya ang kumanta, Ruby?"

"Nako, tigil-tigilan mo ko, Madelene ha."

"Umm... M-May I interject?" They all turned to me. "I... I can play the guitar and sing." They looked like they were just able to breathe properly.

"Aba jusmiyo marimar, tungtong na sa stage. Kanta na, please." Madam J almost pushed me, and I found it somehow funny.

I removed my little apron and walked toward the stage. I can feel people staring at me, but one thing's for sure.

That weird creep was definitely staring.