Saturday came at last, the day Susan only had to work half time, thanks to Oscar. It was a bright and sunny day. Susan was excited and had been looking forward to this day. She was happy to see the hustle and bustle of the cafe as she entered it.
She went to the kitchen, put on her apron, took her notepad and got ready for the day. And she was not the only person who was this happy. She glanced at Oscar, who was smiling unusually brightly at the customers. She only partly knew why he was this happy, today was payday.
But the other part, she didn’t bother to find out. She had a feeling it was worthless to know.
She spent her time in the cafe, taking orders and serving them, teaching other waiters and waitresses coffee-making, ordering coffee beans, flour, sugar and other ingredients from wholesale markets, and so on.
At last, when she had to leave, she went to the manager’s office to get her paycheck. She noticed that Micheal looked a bit gloomy from early morning.
When she got her paycheck, she thanked him and as she was about to go, he asked sadly, “you’re gonna go?” “Yes, sir.” She replied. “Hmm.” He nodded his head. “Is there anything wrong?” Susan asked. “No! There is nothing, go and enjoy.” He said, forcing a smile. Susan smiled back, thanked him and left.
On the way back, she kept thinking of what to wear to the party. ‘It’s a kid’s birthday party…what is there to think about? I’ll just wear something I usually wear and go.’ She looked around her, there weren’t many people in the bus.
Then she looked outside and watched the people and shops and trees pass by. ‘But why would Melody invite me to her niece’s birthday party? And the reason being I can sing very well? She has never heard me sing? On what grounds is she inviting me to her house?’ Just then Susan realized—, 'oh, she’s inviting me to her house, she wants to hang out with me.’
She smiled to herself. ‘She could’ve asked me directly, why bring up her niece’s birthday party?’ She thought about a little longer and had a feeling it was because she was more likely to say no. Her work was more important to her than her friends. This realization made her shift in her seat. All of a sudden the world seemed dark, she then decided ‘no, I will be a better friend.’
When she arrived at her house, she looked around for the gift she bought for Melody’s niece, a set of bracelets, each one themed on a different flower, all of them with a leaf at the end with the niece’s name engraved on it. It was kept in a pretty box. ‘She must like it.’
Susan thought. In the following hour Susan got ready for the party, and thought about all the things she was going to see in Melody’s house. The paintings hung on the walls, the large airy and sunny library, the massive ballroom, all of which mesmerized Susan every time she visited.
That evening, at Melody’s house, Susan enjoyed herself. Even if it were between kids, Melody had made it such that everybody enjoyed the evening. A dance, a few lively games and a karaoke made the day. Susan sang a few songs both with Melody and solo. Later after the party, while everyone was slowly filing out, Melody signaled to Susan to follow her into the library.
As they sat down on the couch, Melody ordered her servants for coffee and she began to talk. “That was quite a wonderful party, wasn’t it?” Susan agreed. “Just as I thought, you’re pretty good at singing.”
“Ah, that’s nothing.”Susan giggled remembering the fun.
“I was thinking….” Melody began. She seemed hesitant, looking down at the coffee table and fiddling with her dress. “You were thinking?”Susan asked, ‘what does Melody have to say? Was there a reason she brought me here?’
“Actually, I was pretty serious about the job offer. After seeing you sing so well, I think with a bit of training you can become a star.”
“A star?”Susan looked at Melody confusedly ‘when did she talk about a job offer?’ And as if Melody had read her mind, she answered, “don’t you remember? I told that stubborn manager of yours about taking you into my company, where you’d get holidays if you want to. Remember all that quarrel?”
“Ahh… that….” Susan’s mind filled up with the memories of the argument. “You were serious?”Susan asked, again her face hardened under the confusion. “Well, yes I was, I saw on the news about your incident with Judith.
Videos of you singing were posted online and the netizens think you’re a great singer, even though it’s just a birthday song. So I was thinking, why not bring you to my company, where you’ll get a better salary and job security. Plus, you can have holidays whenever you want.”Melody smiled.
Susan thought about it, it was a better job, compared to her job now, but…. Her heart couldn’t agree to it. “I- I don’t know. I’m not sure about this.” Susan said uneasily. Melody giggled, “I don’t know why I feel like I’m advertising right now but, I assure you 100% satisfaction.”
Melody gave a thumbs up. Susan let out a laugh too, but she became solemn again, “I don’t feel like leaving this job, I- my heart feels all too shallow when I think about quitting being a waitress.”
“Susan, why don’t you dream bigger? Do you really want to be a waitress for the rest of your life?” Melody asked gently. “No, but— I think I just need more time. To think about it, you know.”
“Sure, take your time. I’m open anytime.”Melody smiled gently. Susan smiled back at her. Looking into Melody’s gray eyes, Susan saw herself smiling. “I must be a better friend.” She promised herself. After bidding farewell to her friend, she got on a bus, most likely to get her somewhere near the grocery shop close by her apartment.
Tiredly sitting on the empty bus, she looked out the window. The bus began moving, shakily though, as if it would fall apart any moment. She then felt her stomach growl softly. A tiredness swept over her. She looked out of the window, trying to distract herself. The crescent moon shone brightly and a few stars were scattered around it.
But what kept her entertained was the shops that she passed by, each shop serving a different purpose and each having its own name and colours. At last, she reached the grocery store and she walked to her apartment.
On her way up to her floor in the elevator, she felt bile surge up her throat. She suppressed it,but the sour taste lingered until she reached her room. Upon reaching her room, there it was, saliva filling up her mouth, her stomach squeezing itself, something climbing up her food pipe, the feeling panicked her. She dropped her bag and hurried to the washroom.
After an episode, she washed up and plopped herself on her bed. A tiredness so severe swept over her, it seemed to come from her very bones. Her droopy eyes shut and the whole world was silenced.
She woke up again, shivering. Her whole body seemed to shake in coldness. Covering herself up with her blanket, she looked at the clock nearby. It was half past two in the morning, about four hours since she reached home. ‘So I did sleep. It felt like a blink to me.’ She thought, and thought after thought, sleep came over again.
She woke up again to see a clear, fine day. The sun was shining down upon her through the window, warming her pale face. She stretched herself, ‘it’s finally Sunday! No work, no Oscar, not a thing to care about in the world.’
She got up from the bed and began her daily routine. After a simple breakfast of toasted bread and jam, she sat down on the sofa and began reading a book she had borrowed from a public library.
A while later, she felt her stomach grumble and she dashed to the washroom again.
The day went on with Susan having to rush to the bathroom every time she ate or drank something, or even when she hadn't eaten anything at all. At last at night she called Micheal, “hello sir, good evening.” She greeted weakly.
“Good evening.” He replied, “What is it, Susan?”
“I won’t be coming tomorrow.”
“Pardon?” His voice sounded alert.
“I won’t be able to come tomorrow. I’m sick.” She said as she cuddled herself in her thin blanket.
“Sick? What? Ah, I told you not to go to that party.” She could hear the frustration in his voice.
“It’s ok sir, I’ll be fine soon. It’s just a little upset stomach.”
“Upset stomach? Are you sure it’s ‘little’?”
“Yes sir.” She answered.
“Do you want me to take you to the hospital? Just for a checkup?”
“No!” She yelped as she jerked her head up, “you don’t have to do anything. I’ll be fine.”
“Ok,” he sighed, “please get well soon then.” “Let me know if you need anything.” He added sternly.
“Yes sir, good night.” She smiled.
“Good night.” He replied.
But she did not get well. Her temperatures spiked the next day, leaving her bedridden except for the times she took trips to the washroom. Following these trips was an unbearable stomach ache that felt like someone was punching her from inside her.
A week passed by and her condition didn’t change, rather she only got weaker and weaker. Every day, Micheal called. Every night, Melody called. Both of them were worried about her and tried to get her to go to the doctor.
At last, her neighbor, a mother of two and the one who took care of her with her home remedies, insisted that she go to a doctor as soon as possible.
The following day, she took a taxi and went to the nearest hospital, expecting just a syringe and a few pills.
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